The Indomitable Fighter

Well-Rounded Specialists

Fighters learn the basics of all combat styles. Every fighter can swing an axe, fence with a rapier, wield a longsword or a greatsword, use a bow, and even trap foes in a net with some degree of skill. Likewise, a fighter is adept with shields and every form of armor. Beyond that basic degree of familiarity, each fighter specializes in a certain style of combat. Some concentrate on archery, some on fighting with two weapons at once, and some on augmenting their martial skills with magic. This combination of broad general ability and extensive specialization makes fighters superior combatants on battlefields and in dungeons alike.

Trained for Danger

Not every member of the city watch, the village militia, or the queen’s army is a fighter. Most of these troops are relatively untrained soldiers with only the most basic combat knowledge. Veteran soldiers, military officers, trained bodyguards, dedicated knights, and similar figures are fighters.

Some fighters feel drawn to use their training as adventurers. The dungeon delving, monster slaying, and other dangerous work common among adventurers is second nature for a fighter, not all that different from the life he or she left behind. There are greater risks, perhaps, but also much greater rewards—few fighters in the city watch have the opportunity to discover a magic flame tongue sword, for example.

Creating a Fighter

As you build your fighter, think about two related elements of your character’s background: Where did you get your combat training, and what set you apart from the mundane warriors around you? Were you particularly ruthless? Did you get extra help from a mentor, perhaps because of your exceptional dedication? What drove you to this training in the first place? A threat to your homeland, a thirst for revenge, or a need to prove yourself might all have been factors.

You might have enjoyed formal training in a noble’s army or in a local militia. Perhaps you trained in a war academy, learning strategy, tactics, and military history. Or you might be self-taught—unpolished but well tested. Did you take up the sword as a way to escape the limits of life on a farm, or are you following a proud family tradition? Where did you acquire your weapons and armor? They might have been military issue or family heirlooms, or perhaps you scrimped and saved for years to buy them. Your armaments are now among your most important possessions—the only things that stand between you and death’s embrace.

• Creature Type
• Armor Class
• Special Senses
• one Ability Score and its Saving Throw modifier
• Condition Immunities
• Damage Immunities
• Damage Resistances
• Damage Vulnerabilities

Alternatively, when you hit a creature with an attack, you can use a bonus action to learn one of the characteristics.

Commanding Presence

At 13th level, people recognize the countless dangers and horrors you have faced by just a look in your eyes — leaving them with awe and respect.

Whenever you make a Charisma (Intimidation), Charisma (Performance), or Charisma (Persuasion) check, you can expend one superiority die and add it to the check's total.

'Elf War' by omupied

The Indomitable Fighter v1.5 | by DracoDruid (@GMBinder | @Reddit)

Combat Maneuvers

The maneuvers are presented in alphabetical order.

Bait & Switch. When you are within 5 feet of a willing creature, and either one of you is the target of an attack, you can use your reaction to switch places with that creature, including who of you becomes the target of the attack.

You can also expend one superiority die and add the number rolled to the new target's AC against that attack.

Neither you nor the chosen creature must be prone or has its movement speed reduced to 0 in order to use this maneuver.

Brace. As a bonus action, you can set yourself up against incoming enemies. Until the beginning of your next turn, creatures provoke an opportunity attack from you when they enter your reach.

Cleaving Attack. When you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack and reduce it to 0 hit points, you can assign any excess damage to another creature adjacent to you, provided that your initial attack roll is equal to or greater than the other creature's AC.

Coordinated Assault. When you take the Attack action on your turn, you can forgo one of your attacks to direct one of your companions to attack as well. When you do so, choose a friendly creature that can hear you within 30 feet. That creature can immediately use its reaction to make one weapon attack.

Disarming Attack. When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can use a bonus action and attempt to disarm the target (see Dungeon Master's Guide p.271). If successful, the item lands in a random square within 5 feet of the target.

Distracting Attack. When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can use a bonus action to take the Help action to give one ally advantage on the next attack roll against the same target.

Deflect. When a creature you can see hits you or a target within 5 feet of you with an attack, you can use your reaction to reduce the damage the target takes by your Dexterity modifier + your proficiency bonus.

You can also expend one superiority die to further reduce the damage by the number rolled.

You must be wielding a shield or a weapon to use this maneuver.

Feint. You can use a bonus action on your turn to feint, choosing one creature within 10 feet of you as your target. The target must make an Intelligence saving throw. On a failed save, you have advantage on your next attack roll against that creature this turn.

Goading Attack. When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can use a bonus action to attempt to goad the target into attacking you. The target must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the target has disadvantage on all attack rolls against targets other than you until the end of your next turn.

Grapple. If you have at least one free hand, you can use a bonus action on your turn to try to grapple a creature. If you do, you can expend a superiority die and add it to your Strength (Athletics) check.

Lunging Attack. When you make a melee weapon attack on your turn, you can use a bonus action to increase your weapon's reach by 5 feet until the end of your turn.

Menacing Attack. When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can use a bonus action to attempt to frighten the target. The target must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, it is frightened of you until the end of your next turn.

Pushing Attack. When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can use a bonus action to make a Shove attempt against the target. If you succeed, you push the target 5 feet away. If you made a melee attack and have movement left, you can move into the square the target was pushed out of and make another Shove attempt (no action required). You can repeat this process until you either fail a Shove attempt or have no more movement left.

Quick Surveillance. You can take the Search action as a bonus action on your turn.

Quick Toss. As a bonus action, you can make a ranged attack with a weapon that has the thrown property. You can draw the weapon as part of making this attack.

Repositioning Attack. When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can use a bonus action to direct one of your companions into a more advantageous position. Choose a friendly creature that can hear you within 30 feet. That creature can use its reaction to move up to half its speed without provoking opportunity attacks from the target of your attack.

Riposte. As a bonus action, you can set yourself up to exploit your enemy's mistakes. Until the beginning of your next turn, creatures provoke an opportunity attack from you when they miss you with a melee attack.

Skirmish. You can take the Disengage action as a bonus action on your turn.

Sprint. You can take the Dash action as a bonus action on your turn.

Staggering Attack. When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can use a bonus action to attempt to stagger the target's movement. The target must make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, the target's speed is halved until the beginning of your next turn.

Tripping Attack. When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can use a a bonus action to make a Shove attempt. If you succeed, the target is knocked prone.

Martial Archetypes

Different fighters choose different approaches to perfecting their fighting prowess. The martial archetype you choose to emulate reflects your approach.

War Magic

At 7th level, you begin to blur the boundaries between weapon and spell craft.

You can apply Superiority Dice to spells you cast that require you to make a spell attack roll. If the spell includes multiple attack or damage rolls, you add the superiority die to one of these rolls.

In addition, you can apply certain Combat Maneuvers when hitting a target with a spell attack. If the spell affects multiple targets, you choose one of those to apply the maneuver effect to. (You can apply any maneuver with "attack" in its name.)

Eldritch Strike

At 11th level, you learn how to empower your weapon strikes with arcane might in order to undercut a creature's resistance to your spells.

When you hit a creature with your bonded weapon, that creature has disadvantage on the next saving throw it makes against a spell you cast before the end of your next turn.

'D'Artagnan Evolved'
by Wesley Burt

Improved War Magic

At 15th level, you have learned how to fully interweave your spells with your martial prowess.

When you use your action to cast a spell, you can make a single weapon attack as a bonus action.

Arcane Superiority

At 20th level, you have learned how to draw on your arcane reserves.

As a bonus action on your turn, you can expend one superiority die to regain one of your expended spell slots. The spell slot must be of a level no higher than the roll of the die divided by 3 (round up).

You can use this feature a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.

The Indomitable Fighter v1.5 | by DracoDruid (@GMBinder | @Reddit)

Knight Banneret

A Knight Banneret inspires greatness in others by committing brave deeds in battle. The mere presence of a knight in a hamlet is enough to cause some orcs and bandits to seek easier prey. A lone knight is a skilled warrior, but a knight leading a band of allies can transform even the most poorly equipped militia into a ferocious war band.

A knight prefers to lead through deeds, not words. As a knight spearheads an attack, the knight’s actions can awaken reserves of courage and conviction in allies that they never suspected they had.

Exalted Leader

At 20th level, your inspiring presence pushes your troops beyond their mortal limit:

• Your Banner Size increases to 6.
• The range of your knight banneret features increases to 60 feet.
• When using your Battle Captain feature, an ally that uses their Battle Inspiration die can reroll the die but must use the second result.
• When using your Rallying Cry feature, you can choose to affect unconscious allies within range to regain an equal amount of lost hit points instead of gaining temporary hit points. Your rallying cry jolts them back into the battle.

'Lieutenant of Defense' by Concept Art House

The Indomitable Fighter v1.5 | by DracoDruid (@GMBinder | @Reddit)

Sentinel

Sentinels are striving to prove that the best offense is a good defense. They are normally found on the front lines of battle, holding a position to cover their allies, leaping into breaches of opposing formations and holding them open for others, or guarding more vulnerable allies by acting as mobile fortifications, stable points in the ever-changing chaos of battle. Sentinels place their whole effort into weathering whatever foe, conflict, or threat comes their way.

Warding Maneuver

Also at 3rd level, you learn to fend off strikes directed at you or other creatures nearby.

If you or a creature you can see within 5 feet of you is hit by an attack, you can expend one superiority die as a reaction. Roll the die and add the result to the target’s AC until the end of the current turn. If the attack still hits, the target has resistance against the attack’s damage.

'Phalanx Formation' by Dan Scott

Stalwart Defense

At 7th level, you become nigh untouchable while in a defensive stance.

Whenever you use your action to take the Dodge action, you gain resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage until the beginning of your next turn.

In addition, when you take the Dodge action, you can use a bonus action to make a single weapon attack.

Hold the Line

Starting at 11th level, you know how to bind your enemies to you.

Creatures provoke an opportunity attack from you when they move 5 feet or more while within your reach.

In addition, creatures still provoke opportunity attacks from if they take the Disengage action, however you have disadvantage on your attack rolls against that creature until the end of their turn.

Finally, whenever you hit a creature with an opportunity attack, the target’s speed is halved until the end of the current turn.

Deadly Opportunist

At 15th level, you've become most dangerous when striking unexpectedly.

Whenever you make an attack outside your normal turn in combat, you have advantage on the attack roll.

Ever Vigilant

At 20th level, you respond to danger with extraordinary vigilance.

Creatures provoke an opportunity attack from you if they attack anyone other than you.

In addition, you regain your reaction at the start of every creature's turn (not just your own).

The Indomitable Fighter v1.5 | by DracoDruid (@GMBinder | @Reddit)

Skirmisher

Skirmishers understand that cunning and guile are just as important to win a fight as raw martial prowess and that the best battle tactic is the one that wins the fight before the enemy even realizes that they are under attack.

Skirmishers value mobility and stealth. They try to catch their opponents off guard and once battle begins, they deploy hit-and-run tactics to pick their enemies apart.

Ambuscade

Starting at 3rd level, you are at your deadliest when you get the drop on your enemies.

You have advantage on attack rolls against any creature that hasn't taken a turn in the combat yet

In addition, any hit you score against a creature that is surprised is a critical hit.

'Forest Ambush'
by John McCambridge

Quick Stride

Starting at 7th level, you can swiftly move where others struggle.

While you aren't wearing heavy armor, your speed increases by 10 feet and moving through nonmagical difficult terrain — as well as climbing and swimming — costs you no extra movement.

Hit-and-Run

At 11th level, moving through enemy ranks becomes second nature to you.

Opportunity attacks against you are made with disadvantage, and if you hit a creature with a weapon attack, that creature can’t make opportunity attacks against you for the rest of your turn.

Stalker’s Flurry

At 15th level, you learn to attack with such unexpected speed that you can turn a miss into another strike.

Once on each of your turns when you miss with a weapon attack, you can make another weapon attack as part of the same action.

Deadly Ambush

At 20th level, you can overwhelm your opponents with a deadly barrage when catching them off guard.

On the first turn of combat, you can use your Action Surge immediately after your own turn.

In addition, any hit you score against a creature that hasn't taken a turn in the combat yet is a critical hit.

The Indomitable Fighter v1.5 | by DracoDruid (@GMBinder | @Reddit)

Swordmaster

Those who emulate the archetypal Swordmaster see combat and war as a form of art they seek to master. The battlefield is their canvas, and when they swing their weapon, they do so like a calligraph swings their brush.

Not every fighter absorbs the lessons of history, theory, and artistry that are reflected in the Swordmaster archetype, but those who do are extraordinary fighters of great skill and knowledge.

Weapon Focus

When you choose this archetype at 3rd level, you choose two types of weapons (e.g. battleaxe or longbow) to be your focused weapons.

When making an attack with your focused weapons, you gain the following benefits:

• You score a critical hit on a roll of 19 or 20 on the d20.
• When you add a superiority die to the attack or damage roll, you can reroll the die, but you must use the second result.
• Your proficiency bonus is doubled when calculating your maneuver save DC.

Student of War

Also at 3rd level, you learn two combat maneuvers of your choice, and you learn two additional combat maneuvers at 7th, 11th, 15th, and 20th level.

In addition, you gain two proficiencies of your choice from among any Intelligence skills, artisan's tools, kits, gaming sets, musical instruments, or languages.

'《Biography of Ji Hezi》Nap' by Hou China

Disciplined Mind

Starting at 7th level, your discipline and self-control allow you to withstand assaults on your mind.

When making an Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma saving throw, you can expend one of your superiority dice and add it to the final result.

Superior Critical

Starting at 11th level, your attacks with your focused weapons score a critical hit on a roll of 18-20 on the d20.

Rapid Strike

Starting at 15th level, you learn to trade accuracy for swift strikes.

If you have advantage on an attack roll using your focus weapons, you can forgo the advantage for that roll to make an additional weapon attack against the same target, as part of the same action. You can do so no more than once per turn.

Martial Supremacy

At 20th level, your martial prowess is second to none.

You regain one superiority die at the start of each of your turns.

In addition, when you expend a superiority die on an attack or damage roll with your focused weapons, you can choose to use the maximum result instead of rolling the die. If you do, you can't do so again until the beginning of your next turn.

The Indomitable Fighter v1.5 | by DracoDruid (@GMBinder | @Reddit)

Vanguard

The Vanguard draws on an implacable fighting spirit to overcome their enemies. They throw themselves headfirst into battle without any regard for their own safety. A Vanguard’s resolve is nearly unbreakable, and the enemies in a Vanguard’s path have two choices: yield or die.

Fighting Spirit

Starting at 7th level, your intensity in battle can shield you from harm.

You can use a bonus action on your turn to gain a number of temporary hit points equal to your fighter level.

You can use this feature a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and you regain all expended uses of it when you finish a long rest.

'Cavalry' by ManthosLappas

Strength before Death

Starting at 11th level, your fighting spirit can delay the grasp of death.

If you take damage that reduces you to 0 hit points and doesn't kill you outright, you can delay falling unconscious by taking an Action Surge immediately after the current turn.

While you have 0 hit points, taking damage causes death saving throw failures as normal, and three death saving throw failures can still kill you. When the Action Surge turn ends, you fall unconscious if you still have 0 hit points.

Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you finish a short or long rest.

Retaliating Force

Starting at 15th level, your attacks become wilder and more dangerous when defeat draws near.

While you have no more than half your hit points left, your weapon attacks deal an additional 1d8 damage. This damage is of the same type as your weapon's.

Invincible

At 20th level, your will to fight can't be bend nor broken.

At the start of each of your turns, if you have no more than half of your hit points left, you can choose to regain hit points equal to 5 + your Constitution modifier. You don't gain this benefit if you have 0 hit points.

In addition, you can use a bonus action on your turn to regain one use of your Fighting Spirit.

The Indomitable Fighter v1.5 | by DracoDruid (@GMBinder | @Reddit)

New and Revised Feats

These Feats are optional but recommended.