Overview of the Fighter and Subclass Choices
The fighter is one of the most flexible and enduring classes in Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition, offering a simple core concept and deep customization through its archetypes. At 3rd level, fighters choose an archetype that defines their martial specialty, shaping combat abilities, tactical options, and narrative identity. This guide covers every official subclass in Player’s Handbook and Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything, explains feature by feature, and compares them to help you pick the best fit for your playstyle, party role, and campaign.
Champion: The Straightforward All-Rounder
Key Features and Identity
Champion is the most accessible fighter path, emphasizing durability and straightforward damage. Its defining trait is Improved Critical, which doubles the damage range of critical hits, making the Champion consistently threatening. The archetype focuses on raw power and survivability through features like Remarkable Athlete, which lets you treat a d20 roll of 12 as a 20 on ability checks, and additional boosts to Strength or Constitution at higher levels. By level 7, you gain Extra Attack, allowing two attacks per turn, and at 15th level comes Improved Critical again for an unparalleled chance to score critical hits. This build shines in scenarios where consistent damage output and resilience are valued.
Feature Progression and Impact
Below is a concise overview of Champion’s progression and how its features evolve across tiers. Note that some features, such as Remarkable Athlete, apply broadly to checks, while others enhance combat directly.
| Level | Feature | Verified Detail | Source Type | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Improved Critical | Roll 19 or 20 on d20 for a crit | PHB | |||
| 3 | Remarkable Athlete | Treat 12 as 20 on checks; ignore difficult terrain | PHB | |||
| 7 | Additional Fighting Style | Choose a second style for versatility | PHB | |||
| 10 | Superior Critical | Crit range becomes 18–20 | PHB | |||
| 15 | Improved Critical | PHB | ||||
| 18 | Survivor | Regain hit points equal to hit dice | PHB |
Battlemaster: Tactical Mastery and Maneuvers
Core Design and Maneuver Pool
Battlemaster centers on precise, tactical combat through maneuvers fueled by a dedicated dice pool. You gain a superiority die pool and learn maneuvers like Trip Attack, Disarming Attack, and Precision Attack, which grant tactical advantages by imposing conditions or repositioning foes. Key class features include Combat Superiority, which refreshes your pool, and Know Your Enemy, allowing you to spend superiority dice to gain advantage and impose vulnerabilities based on Intelligence checks. At 15th level, you gain an expanded repertoire via the Intuitive Leader feature. Battlemaster suits players who enjoy planning turns, controlling the battlefield, and leveraging bonuses to outmaneuver enemies.
Maneuver Selection and Progression
Battlemasters select maneuvers from a curated list, gaining new options as they level up. This table summarizes key progression details for maneuvers and resources.
| Level | Feature | Maneuvers / Dice | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Combat Superiority | 2 dice; 3 known maneuvers | XGtE |
| 7 | Know Your Enemy | Improve dice; 5 known | XGtE |
| 10 | Improved Combat Superiority | Refresh on crit or miss | XGtE |
| 15 | Intuitive Leader | Add maneuvers from any class list | XGtE |
| 18 | Ramming Speed | Dash as bonus action once per turn | XGtE |
Arcane Archer: Ranged Precision and Magic Infusion
Blending Archery with Occult Options
Arcane Archer appeals to ranged combatants who want to augment their shots with magic. At 3rd level, you gain Arcane Shot, choosing from effects like Phantom Shot, which forces enemies to make concentration saves, and Grasping Hook, which pulls targets. By 7th level, you can create a magical bow that deals extra damage, and at higher tiers you gain mobility options such as Curving Shot to redirect attacks. The capstone at level 15 lets you create a powerful, permanent magical arrow. This path is ideal for characters who want to stay at range while contributing both consistent damage and utility.
Eldritch Knight: Spellcasting Meets Swordplay
Combining Martial Action with Spellcasting
Eldritch Knight merges fighter durability with limited spellcasting, using knightly magic focused on battlefield control and defense. You gain access to the Fighter spell list and cast cantrips like Mage Hand and Prestidigitation, advancing to 1st-level spells at 2nd level and 2nd-level spells by 10th level. Your spell slots refresh on a short rest, and you learn rituals such as Detect Magic and Identify at select levels. War Magic at level 7 lets you make a weapon attack as a reaction when taking an attack, enabling you to interrupt enemy approaches. This archetype suits gish builds that want utility and defensive options without committing to a full spellcaster progression.
Cavalier: Mounted Support and Battlefield Presence
Command, Protection, and Mobility
Cavalier focuses on protecting allies, controlling engagements, and leveraging mounts for reach and mobility. Your Fighting Style often includes Defense or a mobile option, and at 3rd level you gain Unwavering Mark, forcing foes who attack your companions to make concentration checks or suffer penalties. At 7th level, you become an indomitable presence via Hold the Line, granting reach to your reach weapon to protect adjacent allies. The 10th-level bonus action mount and 15th-level remote mount summon provide consistent mobility, while the 18th-level Great White Steed conjures a temporary mount for repeated tactical value. Cavalier works well in parties that need durable support and battlefield organization.
Psi Warrior: Telekinetic Combat and Mind Power
Psychic Options for the Martial Mind
Psi Warrior introduces psionic themes to the fighter, allowing you to manipulate force and space around you. Your Psionic Talent grants a flexible bonus to damage rolls, defenses, or checks, and at 3rd level you gain Mind Blade, turning your psionic power into a weapon that enhances your attacks. Psychic Resilience at 7th level provides temporary hit points when you roll initiative, supporting your durability. As you advance, you can push, pull, and restrain foes with telekinetic Forceful Word and become resilient to mind effects via Psilic Defilade at 15th level. This archetype is ideal for characters who want a mental twist on martial prowess without multiclassing into psionic classes.
Slayer: Precision Hunting and Enemy Denial
Expertise in Eliminating Key Targets
Slayer excels at exploiting enemy weaknesses and ensuring threats are neutralized quickly. At 3rd level, you gain Fighting Style options like Dueling or Great Weapon Fighting, plus Slayer’s Edge, which grants advantage on attacks against flat-footed foes and lets you add your Intelligence modifier to damage. By level 7, you can end concentration spells via Steady Hunter and impose disadvantage on enemy rolls with Unerring Eye. At 11th level, you gain Uncanny Dodge to halve damage, and at 18th level you can use Portent to replace attack rolls or damage rolls with foresight dice. Slayer is a strong pick for focused damage dealing and interrupting enemy spellcasting.