Alternate Fighter

Arcane Knights supplement their skill with the armaments of war with arcane knowledge. Compared to mages who study only magic, Arcane Knights can only produce minor spells, but, when combined with their deadly skill with the weapons of warfare, these minor spells become potent enhancements.

You can seamlessly weave minor spells with weapon attacks. When you use your action to cast an Arcane Knight spell you can make one weapon attack as a bonus action on that turn.

Your weapons are enchanted to undercut defenses against your spells. Whenever you hit a creature with an Enchanted Armament attack, the creature has disadvantage on the first saving throw you force it to make against one of your Arcane Knight spells before the end of your next turn.

Also, when you hit a target with an Enchanted Armament attack, you can change the damage type of your weapon to match the damage type of an Arcane Knight spell you know.

Drawing upon your stamina triggers a burst of magic. Each time you use Action Surge, you can teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space you can see. You can choose to teleport before or after the additional action from your Action Surge.

You expertly weave spell and sword together. When you take the Attack action on your turn, you can cast an Arcane Knight spell with a casting time of one action in place of one attack.

You can still use any Arcane Knight spells you know with a casting time of one attack (such as lightning lure (alternate)) as normal.

Not all fighters rely solely on themselves in battle, some use their deep knowledge of battlefield tactics to coordinate their allies. Captains are warriors who lead from the front of the battle, issuing orders and inspiring greatness in others by their own brave deeds. By their presence, a Captain can transform an unorganized militia into a deadly fighting force.

You learn additional exploits for your archetype.

Your determination in the face of danger inspires your allies to fight on. Whenever you use Second Wind, you can choose up to three other creatures within 30 feet of you who can see or hear you to also regain hit points equal to your Leadership modifier (minimum of 1) + your Exploit Die.

You learn additional exploits for your archetype.

When you use Action Surge, you can choose another creature within 30 feet that can see or hear you. It can use its reaction to move up to its speed without provoking opportunity attacks and then make a single weapon attack.

Once per turn when you use a Tactical Exploit that targets at least one friendly creature, one target of that Exploit gains temporary hit points equal to your Leadership modifier.

Your bravery and tactical ability rank you amongst the most successful military leaders of the age. At the end of a long rest, you can replace any number of your Captain Exploits with Tactical Exploits of the same degree.

Finally, whenever you use Heroic Surge, you can target up to two creatures within range.

Champions forgo all other forms of improvement to focus on enhancing their raw physical might. These immense figures strive to maintain peak physical condition through relentless training. In battle, Champions perform supernatural feats of athleticism and overwhelm their foes with their raw power.

You learn additional exploits for your archetype.

Your physical abilities are unrivaled by normal mortals. When you make a Strength or Constitution ability check or saving throw, you can use feat of strength or heroic fortitude without expending an Exploit Die.

Used this way, feat of strength counts as if you spent one Exploit Die, though you can add Exploit Dice to it.

You learn additional exploits for your archetype.

Whenever you score a critical hit with a weapon attack you deal bonus damage equal to your Fighter level.

At 15th level, when you score a critical hit with a weapon attack, you can maximize the damage instead of rolling. Once you do you must finish a long rest before you can do so again.

You are a nearly perfect physical specimen and have become exceedingly hard to kill. If you begin your turn with less than half of your hit points remaining, but at least 1 hit point, you regain hit points equal to 5 + your Constitution modifier.

Many warriors swear Oaths to gods of battle and war, but not all are blessed with the divine power of Paladins or Clerics. Those who fight for the gods without their explicit blessing are called Crusaders. These zealots are champions of divine causes, their fervent belief fueling their battle fury.

You learn additional exploits for your archetype.

Your fanaticism grants you bursts of fervor in battle. When you use Second Wind you regain the use of Crusader's Ire.

In addition, when you Mark a creature as the target of your Crusader's Ire, you can move up to 30 feet toward it as part of the same bonus action without expending your movement.

You learn additional exploits for your archetype.

Your conviction allows you to survive blows that would slay those of lesser faith. When you are reduced to 0 Hit Points but not killed outright, you can drop to 1 hit point instead, and immediately make one weapon attack against your attacker.

Once you use this feature you must finish a short or long rest before you can use it again. If you have no uses left, you can use it again, but you instantly gain a level of exhaustion.

You are the arbiter of divine wrath. When you hit the target of Crusader's Ire with a weapon attack, you can end the Mark to have your attack to deal maximum damage instead of rolling.

If the attack reduces the creature to 0 hit points you regain the use of Crusader's Ire. Once you use this feature you must finish a short or long rest before you can use it again.

When the target of Crusader's Ire target's you with an attack, you can use your reaction to make a single weapon attack against that creature. If you use this reaction after the attack hits you, your weapon attack is made with advantage.

Guardians are elite defensive warriors whose strengths shine while fighting side by side with their allies. Though trained to use weapons of all types, Guardians are especially effective when using a protective style of fighting with a weapon and shield. Alone, a Guardian is a small threat, but when fighting alongside their allies they are impenetrable walls of steel.

You learn additional exploits for your archetype.

7th-level Guardian Archetype feature You presence inspires others to stand their ground. When you use Second Wind, creatures of your choice within 5 feet of you gain temporary hit points equal to 1d6 + your Constitution modifier (minimum of 1).

Moreover, when you use your Iron Guardian reaction, reposition grants temporary hit points even if you do not expend an Exploit Die as part of the reaction.

You learn additional exploits for your archetype.

You are strongest when standing alongside your allies. You can now use reposition on creatures within 10 feet of you, including with Iron Guardian, so long as there is a clear path to that creature. Using reposition does not end defensive stance or hold the line for you.

You improve your defensive technique to better defend your allies. You can now use reposition on creatures within 30 feet of you, including with Iron Guardian, so long as there is a clear path for you to move to the creature.

You are also no longer limited to using daring rescue once between each short or long rest.

You are a legendary shield for those who fight beside you. You gain a special reaction that you can take once per turn, but it can only be used for Iron Guardian, your Guardian Exploits, or opportunity attacks.

No matter the mission, a Guerrilla will execute it with utmost perfection. Sometimes known as commandos, these warriors are marked by their determination and adaptability. Whether harsh terrain, vicious monsters, enemy soldiers, or powerful spellcasters, nothing short of death will cause the willpower of a Guerrilla warrior to waver in the pursuit of their goals.

You learn additional exploits for your archetype.

You have trained to find success in any environment, either it be land, sea, or sky. You gain the benefits listed below:

You learn additional exploits for your archetype.

You pinpoint your enemy's weaknesses and ruthlessly punish them. When you succeed on an Eye for Talent check against a creature you can forgo the normal knowledge you would gain, and instead, the next time you force it to make a saving throw against one of your Exploits it does so with disadvantage.

You are remarkably hardy, even amongst elite warriors. Each time you use Second Wind you regain the maximum amount of hit points and you regain one expended Exploit Die.

You can also expend your Action Surge to instantly replace one of your Exploits with another Exploit you could learn.

There is nothing that will stand between you and your goals when they are within your reach. When you roll initiative and are not Surprised, you gain all of the following benefits:

Since the dawn of civilization, beasts have worked alongside mortals. Most notable of these domesticated animals is the dog. The earliest hunters worked in tandem with these loyal beasts, sharing food and fire. Some fighters still take up this mantle and train Loyal Hounds to adventure by their side.

You learn additional exploits for your archetype.

Your Loyal Hound is infused with a portion of your fighting spirit. The damgae of your Hound's Bite attack is considered to be magical for overcoming resistances and immunities.

You train your Hound to use basic combat maneuvers. Over the course of 1 hour, which can be during a short or long rest, you teach your Loyal Hound one 1st-degree Exploit you know that it could reasonably use. It gains one Exploit Die equal to yours which it can expend to use its Exploits, and it regains all Exploit Dice after a short or long rest.

Your Loyal Hound can be trained to use two Exploits, but you can use this feature to replace one of its current Martial Exploits with another Exploit following the same guidelines.

You learn additional exploits for your archetype.

You can face any foe so long as your Hound is by your side. While you and your Loyal Hound are within 30 feet of each other you both gain a special reaction which you can use to grant the other advantage on a saving throw.

Once per turn when you order your Loyal Hound to make a Bite attack, it can make two Bite attacks instead of one.

In addition, you can use War Hound to teach your Loyal Hound 2nd-degree Exploits, it can be trained to use up to three Exploits, and it gains a second Exploit Die.

Infused by mythic power of your bond, your Hound rivals the great beasts of legend and myth. Your Loyal Hound uses the Hound of Legend stat block in place of its previous stats.

Finally, when your Loyal Hound is slain, it reforms after 1 hour, appearing in an unoccupied space within 15 feet.

Often raised at court or in the upper circles of the nobility, the archetypal Knight Errant is a chivalric warrior of the highest order. They excel at mounted combat and wander the world in search of adventure and opportunities for heroism. These paragons of virtue are bound to defend the weak and weary.

You learn additional exploits for your archetype.

You are a shield for the meek. When you or a creature within 5 feet of you is hit by an attack, you can use your reaction to interpose your melee weapon or shield, granting it a bonus to its Armor Class against that attack equal to your Exploit Die.

If the attack still hits, you can expend one Exploit Die and grant the target resistance to the damage of that attack.

You learn additional exploits for your archetype.

No one can threaten your allies while you stand. You apply a Chivalric Mark to any creature you hit with a melee weapon, and Marked creatures have disadvantage on attacks against creatures other than you while you are within 30 feet.

You run down your foes, mounted or on foot. Once per turn, when you move 10 feet in a straight line then hit a creature with a melee weapon attack, it must succeed on a Strength saving throw against your Exploit save DC or it takes bonus damage equal to your Exploit Die and is knocked prone. If you are mounted, it has disadvantage on its save.

You will defend your allies against any foe. You gain a special reaction that you can take once during every turn, but you can only use this special reaction to make an opportunity attack, to attack a creature under Chivalric Mark, or to use Noble Guardian to shield yourself or another creature.

While all fighters learn to draw a bow or hurl a javelin, those who train as Marksmen dedicate themselves to mastering ranged weapons of all types. Often, their deadly skills are backed up with an unmistakable swagger and unshakable confidence. Relying on their innate talents and signature grit, there are few challenges a true Marksman cannot overcome.

You learn additional exploits for your archetype.

You react to danger without delay. You add your Proficiency Bonus to initiative rolls so long as you are not incapacitated.

Moreover, when you roll initiative and are not surprised, you can use your reaction to make one ranged weapon attack before any other creatures have a chance to act in combat.

You learn additional exploits for your archetype.

Your talents and training allow you to move about in battle to setup the perfect shot. Whenever you use your Second Wind, you gain the benefits of the Disengage action and your speed increases by 10 feet until the end of your current turn.

You make even impossible shots with ease. Your normal and long range for ranged weapon attacks increases by a number of feet equal to 10 times your Fighter level.

Also, once per turn when you have advantage on a ranged weapon attack, you can forgo your advantage to instead make one additional ranged weapon attack as part of that action.

Your marksmanship rivals the great deities and demigods of the hunt. When you use Deadly Focus, your speed is reduced to 10 feet instead of 0, and you have advantage on all ranged weapon attack rolls while your Focus lasts.

While most fighters master one specific martial discipline, a Master at Arms is the rare warrior who is able to truly master multiple styles of combat. Whether through grit, dedication, or extraordinary skill, these elite fighters learn all they can about the theory of combat. A Master at Arms is always on the lookout for a new weapon or style of fighting to master.

Your skill allows you to learn exotic techniques from a variety of disciplines. You learn two Exploits of your choice from any class's Exploit list (see Advanced Martial Classes below).

If these Exploits have a level prerequisite, you can learn it so long as your Fighter level meets its level prerequisite. You must still meet all other prerequisites it might have. Exploits you learn with this feature don't count against your total number of Exploits Known.

You learn another Exploit of your choice following these same rules at 15th level and 18th level.

You channel the rush of battle to rejuvenate your technical skills. Whenever you use your Second Wind or Action Surge, you also regain one of your expended Exploit Dice.

Your knowledge of combat techniques allows you to modify your skill set. During each short or long rest, you can practice combat drills and replace one Exploit you know with another Martial Exploit you meet the prerequisites for.

Your technical mastery of combat is near-supernatural. You regain one of your expended Exploit Dice at the start of each of your turns in combat, so long as you are not Incapacitated.

Where most Fighters look to increase their physical abilities, those known as Mystics work to unlock the psionic potential of their mind. Drawing upon wondrous inner power, these ascetic warriors can perform feats that would be impossible through strength alone. Where others strive for physical victory in battle, Mystics strive for spiritual enlightenment.

When you use Second Wind, you also gain the benefits of the Dash action and partially discorporate. Until the end of your current turn, you can move through solid nonmagical objects and creatures as if they were difficult terrain.

If you end your movement inside an object or creature, you are instantly shunted to the nearest unoccupied space, taking 1d10 force damage for every 5 feet you are forced to move.

Your psionic abilities make you difficult for others to control. You gain resistance to psychic damage, and whenever you are forced to make an Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma saving throw you gain a bonus to the roll equal to your Exploit Die.

You can project psionic power to shield others. As a bonus action, you can spend 5 Psi Points to project a psionic ward out to a 30-foot radius. For 1 minute, creatures of your choice in this area gain the benefits of Inscrutable Mind.

You have unlocked the full potential of your mind. You learn the telekinesis spell, but it does not count against your number of Mystic Spells Known.

You can manifest the telekinesis spell once between each long rest, without expending any Psi Points. After that, you can epend 5 Psi Points to manifest it again.

Finally, whenever you use Phase Step, you also gain a flying speed equal to your walking speed until the end of your current turn. If, you end your turn flying you fall.

Most often coming from the school of hard knocks, Fighters known as Pugilists learned to fight in the dark underbelly of society. Where others use tactics and practiced techniques, Pugilists rely on brute force and dirty tricks. To them, every fight is a fight for their life and they find victory at any cost.

You learn additional exploits for your archetype.

You have learned to exploit every opening your foes give you. When a creature you can see misses you with a melee attack, you can use your reaction to make an unarmed strike, shove, grapple, or improvised weapon attack against it.

If you use force a creature to make a saving throw as part of this reaction attack, it has disadvantage on its roll.

The grit that only comes from a life on the streets fuels your fists. Your unarmed strikes and improvised weapon attacks count as magical for overcoming resistance and immunity.

You learn additional exploits for your archetype.

You have trained to evade your foes' strikes in combat. When you take the Attack action on your turn and make at least one unarmed strike, grapple, or shove, you also gain the benefits of the Disengage action until the end of that turn.

You have learned to take hits that would be deadly to weaker warriors. When you use brace up with your reaction, you also gain resistance to that instance of damage.

You also learn the Unbreakable Exploit, but it doesn't count against your total number of Exploits Known, and you cannot replace it with another Exploit when you gain a level.

Your name is known in the underbelly of every city. You have advantage on saving throws to resist and end being Incapacitated, Paralyzed, or Stunned.

Finally, whenever you score a critical hit with an unarmed strike or improvised weapon, the target falls prone and is Stunned until the start of your next turn.

Every successful adventurer knows the value of teamwork, but none value it more then those known as Quartermasters. These supportive warriors strive to help their allies reach their full potential. Constantly putting the needs of their companions before their own, Quartermasters keep their team in top condition with a fresh Ration and a helping hand.

You learn additional exploits for your archetype.

You are always prepared to lend a helping hand to a comrade. When you take the Attack action, you can forgo any number of attacks to use one of the following in place of an attack:

You learn additional exploits for your archetype.

You have greatly improved the speed at which you prepare Rations. You can use a bonus action on your turn to create a Ration On the Fly, eating it or feeding it to a creature within 5 feet as part of the same bonus action. Rations you prepare in this way lose all beneficial properties after 1 minute.

You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Constitution modifier (minimum of once), and you regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.

You always have something ready to serve. When you roll initiative and are not surprised, you prepare one Ration of your choice without expending an Exploit Die.

Constant culinary experiments with your Rations have made your body supernaturally hardy. Your Constitution score, and maximum Constitution score, both increase by 2, and you are immune to the Poisoned condition.

You can also be under the effects of two Rations at once. If you eat a third Ration, you chose which Ration effect ends.

Though they have been known by many names over the ages, Ronin are Fighters who have been expelled from the service of their original lord or land. Regardless of the reason, these highly skilled warriors now roam the wild seeking absolution through battle. With nothing left to lose, these warriors fight with a deadly ferocity and ruthless focus unlike any other.

You learn additional exploits for your archetype.

Your experience and former station shine through no matter how downtrodden you may become. Whenever you make an ability check with your skill gained from Exiled Courtier, you gain a bonus to your roll equal to one roll of your Exploit Die.

You also gain proficiency in Wisdom saving throws. If you are already proficient in Wisdom saving throws, you instead gain proficiency in Charisma or Intelligence saving throws.

You learn additional exploits for your archetype.

You are able to push through adversity that would defeat a lesser warrior. When you roll initiative with no uses of your Unyielding Spirit feature remaining, you regain one use.

Moreover, whenever you use your Second Wind feature, your current level of exhaustion, if any, is reduced by 1.

You rain blows down upon foes like raindrops in a storm. Once per turn when you have advantage on a weapon attack roll against a creature, you can forgo your advantage to make one additional weapon attack against that creature.

Your battle focus is so absolute that you can avoid the grasp of death itself, if only for a short time. When you are reduced to 0 hit points, you can immediately take an extra turn.

During this extra turn, you remain at 0 hit points, and any damage you take causes you death saving throw failures as normal. At the end of this extra turn, you immediately fall to the ground unconscious with 0 hit points, and if you gained three death saving throw failures during that turn, you die.

Once you use this feature you must complete a long rest before you can use it again. If you have no uses left, you can expend a use of Action Surge to use this feature again.

Before the mortal races rose to power, the world was ruled by giants and their powerful Rune magic. Traces of this ancient magic can still be found in the wild and remote places of the world, and Fighters who learn to use the power of Runes to augment combat ability become known as Runecarvers.

You can shield your allies with the stalwart magic of Runes. When a target you can see within 30 feet is hit by an attack, you can use your reaction to add your Constitution modifier (minimum of +1) to its Armor Class against that attack.

You can use this reaction a number of times equal to your Constitution modifier (minimum of once), and you regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.

If you have no uses left, you can Invoke one of your Runes to use this feature again in place of the Rune's normal effect.

Your body has been fortified by the elder magic you wield. You have advantage on saving throw to resist being moved against your will, Poisoned, Stunned, or knocked prone.

Your understanding of the ancient magic of Runes has grown deeper. When you have no uses of a Rune remaining you can expend one Exploit Die to Invoke that Rune again.

You can only Invoke each Rune you know one additional time in between each short or long rest in this way.

You can draw upon the elder power of your Runes to match the stature of the ancient giants. When you use Runic Might, you can grow to become Huge in size, so long is there is room. While you are Huge, your reach increases by 5 feet.

The energies of the Shadowfell grant many strange and dark abilities to those who can wield them. The Fighters known as Shadowdancers learn to draw these sinister powers through themselves to create an exact copy of their bodies in combat.

You learn additional exploits for your archetype.

As an action, you can expend one use of your Second Wind to transfer your consciousness into your Shade. For 10 minutes, your body is Unconscious as you sense and interact with the world through this Shade. For this duration, this Shade can move up to 1 mile from your body without being destroyed.

This effect ends if the Shade is destroyed or you use your action to end it. You then return to your body as normal.

You learn additional exploits for your archetype.

When a creature within 10 feet of a Shade is hit by an attack, you can use a reaction to cause your Shade to intercept that attack, reducing the damage the creature would take by your Fighter level, but destroying your Shade in the process.

You draw the power of your destroyed Shades back into you. When one of your Shades is destroyed by taking damage, you can gain temporary hit points equal to twice your Exploit Die.

Your command over the Shadow Magic you use is unrivaled. Whenever you conjure a Shade, you can choose to conjure two Shades, without expending any additional resources.

Swordsage, blade master, sword saints; expert warriors who dedicate their lives to the art of battle have had many names throughout history. Only drawing their weapon when they are prepared to kill, a Swordsage will only slay another creature when necessary. A master Swordsage will only take a single apprentice, teaching everything they know to a single warrior.

You learn additional exploits for your archetype.

Your reflexes have been honed mythic levels in pursuit of perfection. You gain Proficiency in Dexterity saving throws, and you add your Proficiency Bonus to initiative rolls.

Also, your Battle Trance AC bonus becomes +2.

You learn additional exploits for your archetype.

You slip into the Trance at a moments notice. When you roll initiative and are not surprised or Incapacitated, you can enter your Battle Trance without expending a use.

You are a blur of flashing steel when you enter your Trance. Whenever you take the Dash action in the Battle Trance you also gain the benefits of the Disengage action for that turn.

In addition, whenever you roll Exploit Dice for an Exploit or another ability while you are in your Battle Trance, you can roll those Dice twice and choose which total to use.

You have become a Swordsage worthy of your own legends. You can enter and dismiss your Battle Trance at will, without expending a use of the feature or an Exploit Die.

Finally, whenever you take damage while you are in your Battle Trance, you can expend an Exploit Die to reduce any damage you would take by twice your Exploit Die.

Originally hailing from the elder forests of the world, Fighters who train to become Sylvan Archers learn to enchant arrows with ancient elven magics. Traditionally, these warriors serve as guardians of places of great natural power, but they have been known to train worth outsiders in their signature magic.

You learn additional exploits for your archetype.

You weave minor amounts of magic into every shot you take. Your attacks with ranged weapons gain the benefits below:

You learn additional exploits for your archetype.

Whenever you make a ranged weapon attack you can conjure a piece of magical ammunition as part of the attack. After the attack, hit or miss, this ammunition vanishes.

Also, when you roll initiative, you regain one expended use of your Enchanted Shot feature.

The power of your enchantments rivals that of the ancient elvish guardians. Whenever you use an Enchanted Shot it deals additional damage equal to your Exploit Die

Also, you can overload one of your Enchanted Shots with overwhelming magic. When you use an Enchanted Shot you can empower it, causing creatures of your choice within 20 feet of the target to also suffer the effects of the Shot.

Once you empower an Enchanted Shot this way you must finish a long rest before you can do so again.

The fighters known as Tinkers seek an unorthodox form of martial skill. Rather than master martial techniques they look to augment their physical ability with mechanical inventions and innovative weaponry. Though they spend most of their time theorizing, tinkering, and experimenting with new Schematics, Tinkers and their inventive arsenals are a force to be reckoned with on the field of battle.

The workings of your inventions are more intuitive to others. If you spent 10 minutes teaching a creature, it can wield the special benefits of any item modified by your Schematics.

Moreover, objects modified by your Schematics count as magic for overcoming resistances and immunities, and you can modify magic weapons and armor with Schematics.

The intricacies of your inventions work together and improve upon one another. You can modify an object with two of your Schematics so long as the object being modified meets the prerequisites of both Schematics in question.

Your inventive arsenal can be adjusted on the fly to meet the challenges at hand. During the course of a short rest, you can use tinker's or smith's tools to transfer one of your Schematic modifications from one object to another that also meets the prerequisites of that Schematic.

If the Schematic modifies an object so that it has Charges, the number of remaining Charges is transferred to the object.

In addition, you can modify an object three Schematics, so long as it meets the prerequisites for all three Schematics.

A weapon modified by your Schematics gain a +1 bonus to its attack and damage rolls for each Schematic applied to it, and any set of armor modified by a Schematic gains a +1 bonus to its Armor Class for each of your Schematics applied to it.

Weapons and armor modified by your Schematics cannot gain a bonus greater than +3, regardless of any bonuses the item may have had before applying your Schematics.

Those who walk the dark path of the Witchblade are driven by an overwhelming desire to destroy the great evils of the world. Those especially dedicated, those willing to give up anything, are often approached by Eldritch Powers, beings of otherworldly might. These benefactors offer power in return for a fraction of the warrior's soul or unquestioning fealty.

You can seamlessly weave minor spells with weapon attacks. When you use your action to cast a Witchblade spell you can make one weapon attack as a bonus action on that turn.

Drawing on your eldritch power allows you to slip through cracks in reality. Whenever you cast a Witchblade spell with a casting time of one action or use your Second Wind, you can teleport to an unoccupied space you can see within 60 feet.

You restore your vitality by inflicting pain on your foes. When you use Sanguine Offering, you can gain temporary hit points equal to the necrotic damage dealt to the creature. However, temporary hit points from this feature only last for 1 minute.

You can offer the souls of your foes to your Eldritch Power in return for increased vitality. When a creature you can see within 30 feet is slain, you can use your reaction to teleport to an unoccupied space of within 5 feet of the slain creature, plunge your weapon into it, and gain temporary hit points equal to twice the slain creature's Challenge Rating.