Summary
The preorder drive forDungeons and Dragons' 2024 revised handbooks is in full swing, and with it has come a series of videos and articles that have detailed all the changes coming to the game’s classes. One of the classes with the most changes has beenDungeons and Dragons' fighter class, which looks as if it will see some great improvements in 2024.
D&D 5e’s fighter is a beloved class, but it’s undeniably basic. The fighter that came with 2014’sPlayer’s Handbookhas been the fifth edition’s most played class, thanks in no small part to how easy it is for beginners to access; fighters fight, and not much else. The class gets proficiency with all weapons and armor, an outrageous number of attacks, and action surge—which lets the fighter pull off even more attacks. The class doesn’t require players to wrap their heads around the minefield of spellcasting or sneak attack rules, just pure combat prowess.
Every Change Coming With D&D 2024’s New Fighter Class
Weapon Masteries
Having said that, a lack of complexity is a double-edged sword; martial characters may lack the headache of spells, but they also lack their power. One of theobjectives ofD&D 2024, then, is to close the power gap between martials and casters—and weapon masteries are a big part of this. Each weapon will gain a mastery property, but only certain classes can take advantage of these. The 2024 fighter can choose three weapons at level one, gaining access to their mastery properties. They may change which properties they wish to use on a long rest, and higher levels will grant them access to more mastery properties. In addition, level 9 will let the fighter change a weapon’s mastery property on the fly for a certain attack.
D&D 2024’s fighter hasmany great weapon masteries to choose from. Graze will let missed attacks deal a little damage, Slow will temporarily reduce a foe’s speed, and Sap will impose disadvantage on an enemy’s next attack. Other masteries, like Push and Topple, are more self-explanatory—though DMs should be wary of the power brought by the latter, as the constant prone effect it induces could be particularly deadly.
Tactical Emphasis
Fighters inD&D 2024will lean more into the tactician archetype, something backed up by a number of new features. Not only do fighters receive more uses of their Second Wind ability, but they can now expend a use of it to aid a failed ability check (similar to the College of Lore bard’s Peerless Skill feature). Level 5 will also grant the fighter the ability to move up to half their speed (without provoking opportunity attacks) after expending a use of their Second Wind ability.
In addition to these buffs to mobility and utility, level 13 will give the fighter Studied Attacks. This nifty boost will impart advantage to the fighter’s next attack after they miss, a trait that will help them stand aboveotherD&D 2024martials. Indomitable has also been improved, as fighters can now add their fighter level to its saving throw reroll.
Subclass Tweaks
Third-partyD&Dmaterialhas made a fair share of tweaks to the fighter’s subclasses, butD&D 2024will be pretty light on its changes here. Battle Master will see an improvement to Know Your Enemy and Relentless Presence, in addition to edited versions of the extra maneuvers fromTasha’s Cauldron of Everything. The Champion is mostly intact with some minor boosts, but a new level 10 feature will give it heroic inspiration (a reroll of any die) at the beginning of each turn it goes without it. Eldritch Knight will be able to replace attacks with cantrips, as well as gain access to any school of magic for its spells. The Psi Warrior has also been included but remains mostly unchanged.
Dungeons and Dragons
Created by Gary Gygax, Dungeons & Dragons is a tabletop game in which players craft their own worlds and band together to take on adventures through mysterious realms outlined in companion materials. One of the best role-playing games ever made, it has been adapted into a variety of video games and other media.
