Revamped Fighter: The 2024 Class Brings Dynamic Combat Options
As Dungeons & Dragons celebrates its enduring legacy with the release of the 2024 Player’s Handbook, enthusiasts of the classic Fighter class will find themselves wielding enhanced capabilities and enjoying a refined gameplay experience. This update, part of the broader refresh of core rulebooks, retains the foundational mechanics fans cherish while introducing nuanced elements that broaden the tactical horizons for Fighters.
In the latest iteration, the Fighter class continues to embody the quintessential warrior, with improvements that stress versatility and strategic depth. Among the notable enhancements is the transformation of Second Wind, a beloved feature now augmented to offer more than just healing. This change allows Fighters to utilise Second Wind for additional tactical advantages, such as adding a significant bonus to failed ability checks, a handy trick that keeps the feature from being expended if the check still fails.
Weapon Mastery, debuting at level 1, offers Fighters a customizable arsenal where they can select specific weapons to master, gaining unique properties for each. This feature, adaptable after each long rest, grows with the player, unlocking further mastery properties as they progress. Whether it's dealing damage with a near-miss through the Greatsword's Graze or controlling enemy movement with the Javelin's Slow, Weapon Mastery ensures that each Fighter can tailor their combat style to their preferences or the needs of their party.
The introduction of Tactical Shift at level 5 is a game-changer for mobility. This ability allows Fighters to use Second Wind as a bonus action to move half their speed without provoking opportunity attacks, enhancing their ability to protect allies or reposition swiftly on the battlefield.
Subclass updates further delineate the distinct paths a Fighter can pursue. From the refined tactical nuances in the Battle Master’s maneuvers to the Champion’s bolstered battlefield presence and the Eldritch Knight’s seamless blend of spellcasting and combat, each choice presents unique strategies and benefits. The Psi Warrior continues to offer a blend of psychic prowess and martial excellence, with slight adjustments for clarity and balance.
Below is a breakdown of the level up provided for each level in the examples provided by Wizards of the Coast.
| Level | Feature | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fighting Style | Choose one feat from the new Fighting Style feats. Options now include features from Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything. |
| 1 | Second Wind | Starts with two uses, regenerates on rests, and can now be used to add 1d10 to a failed ability check without being expended if the check still fails. |
| 1 | Weapon Mastery | Select three weapons to gain mastery properties, which can be swapped each long rest. Properties enhance tactical options, like the Greatsword’s Graze or Flail’s Sap. |
| 2 | Tactical Mind | Use a Second Wind charge to add 1d10 to a failed ability check; charge is not used if check still fails. |
| 3 | Fighter Subclass | Choose from updated subclasses like Battle Master, Champion, Eldritch Knight, and Psi Warrior, each with refined abilities and enhancements. |
| 5 | Tactical Shift | Use Second Wind as a bonus action to move up to half your speed without provoking opportunity attacks. |
| 9 | Indomitable | Reroll a saving throw with a bonus equal to your Fighter level. |
| 9 | Tactical Master | Swap weapon mastery properties for Push, Sap, or Slow during attacks for strategic versatility. |
| 13 | Studied Attacks | Gain Advantage on your next attack against a creature if your previous attack missed. |
| 19 | Epic Boon | Choose an Epic Boon feat, such as Boon of Combat Prowess, increasing an ability score by 1 up to 30, and allowing a hit after a miss once per turn. |
At higher levels, Fighters gain abilities like Indomitable, which now includes a bonus equal to the Fighter's level to rerolls on failed saving throws, and Tactical Master, which provides the flexibility to swap weapon mastery effects to better suit the shifting tides of combat.
The revisions culminate at level 19 with the introduction of Epic Boon feats, providing Fighters with powerful late-game enhancements that can define their legacy in a campaign. These feats, such as the Boon of Combat Prowess, not only increase ability scores but offer transformative combat effects, emphasizing the Fighter’s role as a cornerstone of any adventuring party.
This revitalization of the Fighter class is set against the backdrop of the 2024 core rulebooks' release, which coincides with Dungeons & Dragons' 50th anniversary. The Player’s Handbook, Dungeon Master’s Guide, and Monster Manual are all available for preorder, with substantial savings and exclusive collectibles offered in the Digital & Physical Core Rulebook Bundle.
As D&D fans prepare to delve into these updated resources, the refined Fighter class stands ready to inspire both new players and seasoned veterans with its enhanced versatility and depth, promising a fresh yet familiar way to engage with the world’s greatest roleplaying game. Whether leading the charge or safeguarding allies, the Fighter remains a pivotal figure in any D&D campaign, now more formidable and flexible than ever.
