Dungeons and Dragons Reveals Changes to the Fighter Class

Summary

Dungeons and Dragonsofficially revealed the changes to the Fighter class coming in the revisedPlayer’s Handbook. Players can expect facelifts for all 12 classes, including the Fighter, in the newDungeons and Dragonscore rulebook when it releases on September 17.

Over the last few years,Dungeons and Dragonshas been working on an evergreen revision of its5th Editionruleset in honor of the system’s 10-year anniversary. Though this revision is not truly a new edition, it is giving the bones of the system a much-needed coat of paint, starting with afresh version of theD&D Player’s Handbook,Dungeon Master’s Guide, andMonster Manual.

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Now, Wizards of the Coast has given players an official preview of theFighter class changes coming in the newDungeons and Dragonsbook. The quintessential combat class, the Fighter keeps all of its tricks from the 2014 version – some of which received incredible buffs. Second Wind can be used more than once per rest and can be used on ability checks, while Indomitable now adds the Fighter’s level to the saving throw, practically guaranteeing a success.

Minor tweaks, now classified as feats

More uses as higher levels

Weapon Mastery

Choose weapons to gain mastery properties with each day, gaining more at higher levels

Tactical Mind

Spend Second Wind on ability checks, keeping the use if it still fails

Choose from Battle Master, Champion, Eldritch Knight, or Psi Warrior

Now add Fighter levels to rerolls

Replace weapon’s mastery property with Push, Sap, or Slow

Gain advantage on attacks after you miss a target

Choose an Epic Boon feat

Many of its new abilities revolve around the weapon mastery propertiesDungeons and Dragonsis introducing in the newPlayer’s Handbook. These eight traits, found on different weapons, increase the ability to inflict damage or control the battlefield. All martial characters can use them, but Fighters can bring out their full potential, even gaining the ability to use certain traits on the fly with Tactical Master. Beyond that, Tactical Shift lets Fighters move without provoking Opportunity Attacks when using Second Wind, and Studied Attacks gives them an advantage on their attacks against a target after missing it with a previous attack.

Theoriginal three Fighter subclasses inD&D– the Battle Master, Champion, and Eldritch Knight – all got a facelift as well. Some Battle Master maneuvers have been tweaked, and both Know Your Enemy and Relentless Presence have been buffed. Champions now get a more consistent version of Remarkable Athlete at level 3, with their level 10 ability giving them Heroic Inspiration every turn. Eldritch Knights’ War Magic now lets them replace an attack with a cantrip, and later a spell, rather than attacking once as a bonus action after the cast. The Psi Warrior, which also appears in the newPlayer’s Handbook, is largely unchanged from its original version.

This is only the first of 12 classesDungeons and Dragonshas to show off. The Paladin and Barbarian reveals are scheduled for June 20 and 21 respectively, with the other classes likely following not long after.