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With the 2024 Player’s Handbook 🛒, many classes have undergone extensive changes. Two classes, in particular, have experienced especially significant, numerous, and game-changing alterations: the Ranger and the Fighter. While we recognize that the Druid in 5.5e has also been adjusted, the modifications to the Fighter from D&D 5e to 5.5e are even more comprehensive.
Players often felt that while Fighters are strong in combat, they seemed like NPCs outside of battle. As a staple in nearly every group and often indispensable, the new rules aim to provide greater versatility, tactical options, and enhanced role-playing at the table.
We can’t cover every detail in this article, so we have summarized the most significant changes to the Fighter from 2014 to 2024 here.
Adapted and new abilities of the Fighter in 5.5e
Below is a clear summary of the most important changes the Fighter has received in 5.5e:
| Ability | Level | Change / New feature |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon Mastery | Level 1 | Weapon Masteries are specific features on weapons, varying by weapon. Certain classes (Barbarians, Fighters, Paladins, Rangers, and Rogues) possess Weapon Mastery, allowing them to utilize the Weapon Mastery of a weapon. Fighters start with three different weapons (one more than other classes). Please refer to the 5.5e Player’s Handbook for details. |
| Fighting Styles | Level 1 | Remains but is modified: All Fighting Styles, including those from “Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything”, are now available in the PHB. Fighters can change their selected style upon leveling up, enhancing their flexibility. |
| Second Wind | Level 1 | Becomes more versatile with higher levels (see Tactical Mind and Tactical Shift). Heals 1d10 + Fighter level as a bonus action. Receives two charges, one replenished during a short rest and all during a long rest. |
| Tactical Mind | Level 2 | New option for Second Wind: Bonus of 1d10 to attempt rescuing failed Ability Checks. Important: A Second Wind charge is only consumed if the check succeeds, minimizing risk and making it more appealing. |
| Tactical Shift | Level 5 | When deploying Second Wind as a bonus action, you can make a move at an additional half your speed without provoking opportunity attacks. |
| Indomitable | Level 9 | Now adds Fighter level to rerolls besides allowing a reroll of a failed Saving Throw, significantly enhancing resilience. |
| Tactical Mastery | Level 9 | Enables the Fighter to flexibly switch the Weapon Master feature of the weapon they are using for Push, Sap, or Slow. |
| Studied Attacks | Level 13 | New mechanic: Failing an attack grants advantage on the next attack against the same target, increasing hit probability and rewarding tactical play. |
| Epic Boon | Level 19 (and above) | From level 19, Fighters receive an Epic Boon with each level gain, allowing for attribute increases beyond the normal cap (up to 30) and additional abilities. |
Changes to the subclasses (Martial Archetypes)
The 5e Player’s Handbook of 2014 offered only three subclasses: Battle Master, Champion, and Eldritch Knight. In 2024, the 5.5e Player’s Handbook introduced the Psi Warrior from “Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything” and made minor adjustments to existing classes. Here’s an overview of the changes to the Fighter’s subclasses:
- Battle Master: Minor modifications. Includes additional maneuvers from “Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything”, and some adjustments have been made. For instance, Know Your Enemy no longer requires observation time and now shows only the creature’s resistances, weaknesses, and immunities.
- Champion: Increased focus on critical hits while maintaining the classic warrior essence. Innovations such as Heroic Warrior (Level 10, grants Inspiration at the start of the turn if none is left), advantage on initiative and athletic checks, and critical hits on rolls of 18 and above, ensuring reliable damage output.
- Eldritch Knight: More flexibility in spell school selections; no longer limited to specific schools. War Magic now enables substituting spells for attacks, among other minor modifications.
- Psi Warrior: Remains mostly unchanged compared to its current form in “Tasha’s”, but benefits from the overall changes to the Fighter, enhancing both synergy and applicability.
Conclusion
The updates from D&D 5e to D&D 5.5e bring significant enhancements and new playing strategies for the Fighter. There is a clear focus on enhanced flexibility, tactical options, and useful skills outside of direct confrontations. Through Weapon Mastery and Tactical Master, the Fighter can superbly protect his backline (e.g., with Push), by effectively removing opponents from his allies.
Having always been a popular class, we will likely see an increase in Fighters at the table equipped with these new abilities.
