Learn all about D&D’s warrior class, the fighter
Fighters are trained warriors and students of combat. They’re versatile combatants capable with a range of weaponry and fighting styles. Fighters are certainly in their element while in the thick of battle, and while they have their uses elsewhere (need to intimidate an uncooperative guard for example, or bash down a door?), they are certainly at their best when fighting.
How to play as a fighter
Get into the thick of combat! While they are great with ranged weapons, most parties will want their fighters in the heat of the melee, soaking up damage for squishier characters. This may all seem a little 1 dimensional, but it does make for a great class where players want to keep things simple, especially at early levels. That’s not to say there isn’t variety. Once you hit level 3, you’ll open a bunch of subclasses that add some new tricks to the fighter’s repertoire whether that be the battle master’s combat maneuvers or a bit of spellcasting from the Eldritch knight. You’ll definitely want to go big on Strength and Constitution for a fighter, Dexterity is also your friend here too.
Fighter Strengths
Well, I guess a fighter is good at fighting! But what you get is a tough, tanky character that can soak up damage and with extra attacks at 5th, 11th and 20th levels, you also have a major damage dealer. Add to that the ability heal themselves plus some handy subclass features, the fighter is a straightforward, but highly-effective character class.
Fighter Weaknesses
The main issue with fighters is their usefulness outside of combat. This is due to their need for high Strength, Dexterity and Constitution at the sacrifice of things like Charisma and Wisdom. Fighters also lack the versatility that spellcasters and other classes gain from their abilities.
Fighter class features
| Party Role | Tank, Melee Damage Dealer, Ranged Damage Dealer |
| Main Ability | Strength or Dexterity |
| Saving Throws | Strength, Constitution |
| Hit Dice | 1d10 + Consitution modifier per level |
| HP at 1st Level | 10 + Constitution Modifier |
| Spell Casting Ability | N/A |
| Armour Proficiency | All armour, shields |
| Weapon Proficiency | Simple weapons, martial weapons |
Fighter Abilities
| Level | Proficiency Bonus | Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | +2 | Fighting Style, Second Wind |
| 2nd | +2 | Action Surge (x1) |
| 3rd | +2 | Martial Archetype |
| 4th | +2 | Ability Score Improvement |
| 5th | +3 | Extra Attack (x1) |
| 6th | +3 | Ability Score Improvement |
| 7th | +3 | Martial Archetype Feature |
| 8th | +3 | Ability Score Improvement |
| 9th | +4 | Indomitable (x1) |
| 10th | +4 | Martial Archetype Feature |
| 11th | +4 | Extra Attack (x2 |
| 12th | +4 | Ability Score Improvement |
| 13th | +5 | Indomitable (x2) |
| 14th | +5 | Ability Score Improvement |
| 15th | +5 | Martial Archetype Feature |
| 16th | +5 | Ability Score Improvement |
| 17th | +6 | Action Surge (x2), Indomitable (x3) |
| 18th | +6 | Martial Archetype Feature |
| 19th | +6 | Ability Score Improvement |
| 20th | +6 | Extra Attack x3 |
Fighter subclasses in D&D 5e
| Rogue Subclass | Subclass Abilities | Source Book | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Champion | Improved Critical, Remarkable Athlete, Additional Fighting Style, Superior Critical, Survivor | Player’s Handbook | Particularly deadly fighters that enhance their critical strikes. |
| Battle Master | Combat Superiority, Student of War, Know your Enemy, Improved Combat Superiority, Relentless | Player’s Handbook | Highly trained warriors that use battle maneuveurs to gain the upper hand in combat. |
| Eldritch Knight | Spellcasting, Weapon Bond, War Magic, Eldritch Strike, Arcane Charge, Improved War Magic | Player’s Handbook | Use magic to supplement their martial prowess. |
| Purple Dragon Knight | Rallying Cry, Royal Envoy, Inspiring Surge, Bulwark | Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide | A particularly brave and inspiring warrior. |
| Arcane Archer | Arcane Archer Lore, Arcane Shot, Magic Arrow, Curving Shot, Ever-Ready Shot | Xanathar’s Guide to Everything | A warrior that specialises in long range combat mixing magical means with their projectiles. |
| Cavalier | Bonus Proficiency, Born to the Saddle, Unwavering Mark, Warding Maneuver, Hold the Line, Ferocious Charger, Vigilant Defender | Xanathar’s Guide to Everything | A warrior that excels in mounted combat. |
| Samurai | Bonus Proficiency, Fighting Spirit, Elegant Courtier, Tireless Spirit, Rapid Strike, Strength before Death | Xanathar’s Guide to Everything | A warrior capable of defeating does in a flurry of blows. |
| Echo Knight | Manifest Echo, Unleash Incarnation, Echo Avatar, Shadow Martyr, Reclaim Potential, Legion of One | Explorer’s Guide to Wildemont | Able to create an echo to support in combat. |
| Psi Warrior | Psionic Power, Telekinetic Adept, Guarded Mind, Bulwark of Force, Telekinetic Master | Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything | A warrior that fights with their muscle and psychic powers. |
| Rune Knight | Bonus Proficiencies, Rune Carver, Giant Might, Runic Shield, Great Stature, Master of Runes, Runic Juggernaut | Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything | A warrior that attunes the might of giants and their runes in combat. |
