Fighter

Fighter Martial Arcatypes Sub-Classes

Arcane Archer

Source:
Xanathar's Guide to Everything, Pg 28
(Supplement)

An Arcane Archer studies a unique elven method of archery that weaves magic into attacks to produce supernatural effects.
Arcane Archers are some of their most elite warriors among the elves. They stand watch over the fringes of elven domains, keeping a keen eye out for trespassers and using magic-infused arrows to defeat monsters and invaders before they can reach elven settlements. Over the centuries, the methods of these elf archers have been learned by members of other races who can also balance arcane aptitude with archery

Player Story Tips & Ideas Arcane Archers in Felwind are considered master's in their chosen fighting form. Normally some of the most expensive fighters to hire for their talents. They will often be well disciplined and well spoken. Their weapon of choice has normally been with them for a good part of their life and may be rather protective of it. They can be show-offs at times and are normally easy to challenge to contest of skill.

What to Expect Players can expect A magical archer. based around ranged attacks made with bows or crossbows and infusing those attacks with magical effects.
some unique special skill shots, some generic buffs as well as some tools filling the vibe of a hunter or ranger. though its simple on paper its highly effective and offers alot more 'Bow Skills' vibe than what you might expect from a Ranger. those dedicated to this sub-class will get huge mileage out of it.

What would DM Darwin Change? 'Arcane Shot' Allow this to be used multiple times not just once per turn. Imagine being a magic archer but only one of your three arrows are magic?
'Curving Shot' Allow the reroll to apply on the same target ONLY when there is only one Foe. Such as a single major boss or the last one standing of a group.

Banneret

Source:
Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide
(Setting)

A banneret is a knight who inspires greatness in others by committing brave deeds in battle. The mere presence of one in a hamlet is enough to cause some orcs and bandits to seek easier prey. A lone banneret is a skilled warrior, but a banneret leading a band of allies can transform even the most poorly equipped militia into a ferocious war band.
A banneret prefers to lead through deeds, not words. As a banneret spearheads an attack, their actions can awaken reserves of courage and conviction in allies that they never suspected they had.

Player Story Tips & Ideas text

What to Expect A subclass built around supporting your allies as well as yourself with the use of your normal fighter skills. very leadership role with the vibes of creating good moral and keeping the party together. also has some stuff relating to strong persuasion skills to wow the masses with your inspiring call to arms.

What would DM Darwin Change? Being built for teamwork I think the class is pretty solid. if anything I would just double down and make 'Inspiring Surge' give another ally another action they can take immediately after the end of the Barrnet's turn. rather than just allowing an attack using the reaction.

Battle Master

Source:
Player's Handbook, Pg 73
(Core)

Those who emulate the archetypal Battle Master employ martial techniques passed down through generations. To a Battle Master, combat is an academic field, sometimes including subjects beyond battle such as weapon-smithing and calligraphy. Not every fighter absorbs the lessons of history, theory, and artistry that are reflected in the Battle Master archetype, but those who do are well-rounded fighters of great skill and knowledge

What to Expect Fighter with unique skills fuelled by a unique dice source. alot of cool special skills as well as some extra abelites relating to learning information about your foe's before combat begins.

What would DM Darwin Change? My main issue was 'Know your Enemy' being rather weak and situational, the 2024 revision made it much better but I would still have it be able to be used more than once per long rest.

2024 Revision Available
The main difference is 'Know your enemy' has been streamlined and improved.
'Relentless' has been changed to rather than granting you a free superiority die when you start combat at 0 it lets you roll a D8 in place of a superiority die to save its use at the cost of a lower possible max result. a overall buff indeed.

Blade Breaker

Source:
Grim Hollow Valika, Pg 97
(3rd Party)

Fighters who emulate the legends of the Blade Breaker strive to be the embodiment of change. Their blade and warrior’s spirit are tools through which they project their will upon the world in the form of martial magic. Many who follow the Saga of the Blade Breaker are stubborn, and would sooner force reality itself to bend before their desires than change their ways. Some are idealists, who have a vision for a better world and would do anything to achieve it. Others are tyrants, and see the world as putty to be molded, and all its inhabitants as mere hindrances to their ultimate glory.

Bulwark

Source:
Grim Hollow, Pg 51
(3rd Party)

Those who learn the fighting prowess of the Bulwark Warrior protect their allies from certain death.
Bulwark Warriors maintain control on their enemies to keep them focused on themselves. Endurance and strength are primary skills of these warriors, they are prepared to take lethal strikes for their compatriots.

Cavalier

Source:
Xanathar's Guide to Everything, Pg 30
(Supplement)

The archetypal cavalier excels at mounted combat. Usually born among the nobility and raised at court, a cavalier is equally at home leading a cavalry charge or exchanging repartee at a state dinner.
Cavaliers also learn how to guard those in their charge from harm, often serving as the protectors of their superiors and of the weak. Compelled to right wrongs or earn prestige, many of these fighters leave their lives of comfort to embark on glorious adventure.

What to Expect Mounted combatant! very cool theme all around mounted combat. the cool thing is that your mount can be anything fantastical not just a normal horse. with the added benefit of team support as a sudo tank, drawing agro with a special mark punishing foes for targeting your allies while you are nearby.

What would DM Darwin Change? I wouldn't change anything about the class but i would really work with the player in getting a cool mount that mai gain bonus or unique features to synergise with the sub-class.

Champion

Source:
Player's Handbook, Pg 72
(Core)

A Champion focuses on the development of martial prowess in a relentless pursuit of victory. Champions combine rigorous training with physical excellence to deal devastating blows, withstand peril, and garner glory. Whether in athletic contests or bloody battle, Champions strive for the crown of the victor

What to Expect a rather simple subclass about improving your critical threshold and getting additional bonuses for saving throws and extra fighting styles. Its rather humble and straightforward approach I think is great amongst some of these other more complicated options. Really leaning into refining a few niche options. and fishing for crits can be rather effective if the DM offers the right weapons and equipment.

What would DM Darwin Change? The beauty of this class is in its simplicity, I wouldn't change anything about the class but I would make sure to grant players with magic equipment that can push their features further.

2024 Revision Available
The revision didn't change much, the biggest thing is now at mid levels you get an in-house luck point to reroll any of your dice once per turn really hammering home that main character energy. Finding a weapon that can further lower your critical threshold would be the build i think. Fishing for crits is simple on paper but mighty effective.

Commander

Source:
Guide to Drakenhime, Pg 159
(3rd Party)

Between all the nations of Felwind and the surrounding realms there have been countless conflicts fought. Many great knights, valiant soldiers, and powerful combatants have tested their mettle against man and monster alike. Amongst the brave there are always those who are born to lead, and the Commander is just that. They stand at the front of battle, uniting their allies and leading the charge against their enemies.

What to Expect Like the Banneret but more commanding your allies to grant them buffs and less people pleasing, more serious. Has some unique “Command Actions” they can do as a bonus action.

Echo Knight

Source:
Explorer's Guide to Wildemount
(Setting)

A mysterious and feared frontline warrior of the ~~Kryn Dynasty~~¹⁾, the Echo Knight has mastered the art of using Dunamis to summon the fading shades of unrealized timelines to aid them in battle. Surrounded by echoes of their own might, they charge into the fray as a cycling swarm of shadows and strikes.

What to Expect a really cool subclass about making cones of yourself and fighting alongside them, but its not just about combat, your clones have a few scouting tricks up their incorporeal sleeves.

What would DM Darwin Change? The Echo's never get higher health, so when Foes start hitting harder the Echoes will fade after a single hit. I would increase their health to match the player or half.
I believe the Echos should be more involved in combat, 'Unleash Incarnon' I would change so that on your turn you can activate this ability as a bonus action then any physical attack you do is mirrored by your echo, so doubling your attacks for one turn. The amount of uses would be half your constitution modifier rounded up.

Eldritch Knight

Source:
Player's Handbook, Pg 74
(Core)

The archetypal Eldritch Knight combines the martial mastery common to all fighters with a careful study of magic.
Eldritch Knights use magical techniques similar to those practiced by wizards. They focus their study on two of the eight schools of magic: abjuration and evocation. Abjuration spells grant an Eldritch Knight additional protection in battle, and evocation spells deal damage to many foes at once, extending the fighter's reach in combat. These knights learn a comparatively small number of spells, committing them to memory instead of keeping them in a spellbook

What to Expect Similar flavour to a Hexblade Warlock but change all the warlock stuff for Fighter stuff. Gives access to wizard based spellcasting and that cool weapon bond skill as well as the ability to debuff foes on weapon attacks. pretty cool for a spell sword build that has a close to to a weapon or two

2024 Revision Available
a buff was given allowing the player to forgo an extra attack for a casting of a cantrip instead, paired with debuffing foes on a weapon hit its a pretty cool combo

Living Crucible

Source:
Grim Hollow, Pg 52
(3rd Party)

Fighters who become Living Crucibles have discovered an external means of power. While most other fighters train in martial traditions or study the art of war, Living Crucibles hone their craft of alchemy and prepare their body to endure compounds poisonous to others. In exchange for this rigorous physical and mental preparation, these fighters are able to temporarily push their bodies past their natural limits. Under the influence of their alchemical compounds these fighters can see in darkness, enhance their speed, inure themselves to magical attacks, and more.

Mammoth Hunter

Source:
Grim Hollow Valika, Pg 100
(3rd Party)

The inhospitable north is teeming with alpha predators, huge creatures that don’t need vegetation to survive: their prey are the smaller creatures that prowl the tundra. And you are one of those smaller creatures. Specialized hunters make stalking and killing these dangerous creatures their prey, training themselves in surviving in harsh conditions, dealing with hostile terrain, and tracking the large beasts to strike at the most opportune moments. These hunters can feed their clanmates for weeks on the meat of these creatures. Their parts are often used in crafting the tools of survival. Some practitioners of magic might even barter valuable resources for pieces of the beast. Regardless, the beasts are valuable when dead and a threat when alive.

Psi Warrior

Source:
Tasha's Cauldron of Everything, Pg 42
(Supplement)

Awake to the psionic power within, a Psi Warrior is a fighter who augments their physical might with psi-infused weapon strikes, telekinetic lashes, and barriers of mental force. Many Githyanki train to become such warriors, as do some of the most disciplined high elves and Kalashtar.
As a Psi Warrior, you might have honed your psionic abilities through solo discipline, unlocked it under the tutelage of a master, or refined it at an academy dedicated to wielding the mind's power as both weapon and shield

What to Expect Psionic powered Fighter, similar to the battle master this subclass gets access to a unique resource in the form of a pool of D6 known as your 'psionic Die' Which are used to fuel special psionic abilities. this dice scales higher as you level up. give you offensive and defensive psionic abilities as well as some passive defense against psychic damage and easy cleanse of charmed/frightened conditions

2024 Revision Available
Reading it i don't think anything was changed aside from more clarification in the wording. that's fine its pretty strong sub-class already.

Rune Knight

Source:
Tasha's Cauldron of Everything, Pg 44
(Supplement)

Rune Knights enhance their martial prowess using the supernatural power of runes, an ancient practice that originated with Jotun. Rune cutters are believed to be common in any family of Giants, and you likely learned your methods first or second hand from such a mystical artisan. Whether you found the Giant's work carved into a hill or cave, learned of the runes from a sage, or met the Giant in person, you studied the Giant's Craft and learned how to apply magic runes to empower your equipment

What to Expect Really cool Sub-class themed around the Joutunbrud (Giants) using their ancient forgotten Runic magic to give your fighter a bunch of unique elemental themed abilities. You get to grow in size gaining additionally buffs when you do and that ability scales with higher levels. imposing disadvantage on attackers and cool flavor skill proficiencies this class can be really good for Role play and character story development.

Samurai

Source:
Xanathar's Guide to Everything, Pg 31
(Supplement)

The Samurai is a fighter who draws on an implacable fighting spirit to overcome enemies. A samurai’s resolve is nearly unbreakable, and the enemies in a samurai’s path have two choices: yield or die fighting.

What to Expect A Samurai, the king of doing one specific thing really well. I tend to hombrew Rappid strike to have no use restrictions cause I believe its cool and lets my players go absolutely ham on the 'One with the sword' trope. a really good weapon and other gear makes Samuria a really cool class to play without any spells. its rather straight forward when considered on paper. for those ultimate weebs who really want to play that ronnin style character.

Shield-Bearer

Source:
Arcadia Volume 20
(MCDM 5e)

A Shieldbearer is a versatile warrior who uses a shield for both defence and offense. Amid the chaos of battle, they stand stalwart to protect their allies, smash their way through a legion of foes, or fling their shield through the air with extraordinary strength and accuracy. Even the simplest disk of wood or metal becomes a powerful weapon in the hands of a Shieldbearer.

What to Expect On paper this has become one of my favourite subclasses. All about your shield with the ability to captain America throw it. bash enemies with it, shove foes around and take advantage of foes attackin allies with extra attacks or imposing yourself between your foes and allies. like the Samurai this class gets alot more milage with a good fancy shield and other equipment but i am very impressed. This Arcadia volume comes with several magic items and shield themed for the shield barer.

War Cook

Source:
Dragon Stew, Pg 31
(3rd Party)

Sometimes, finding the best ingredients requires going out into the world to hunt incredibly powerful beasts; sometimes, someone needs to cook for troops of soldiers in the heat of the battlefield. Sometimes, it’s just about cooking outdoors. Whatever the reason may be, some cooks need to be able to fight, and these know how to do it.
A War Cook is a fighter who knows how to take their extensive knowledge of the art of cooking and apply it to the art of fighting. Using the same tools that they would use to cook a wonderful meal, they bring the most wicked creatures to their knees— and if those creatures look appetizing, they might even consider serving them with baked potatoes on the side. War Cooks excel at doing damage while weakening their foes and controlling the flow of battle, and their culinary expertise makes them incredibly useful out of combat.

What to Expect Has access to a handy amount of different magical cooking weapons with unique effects. can also cook dishes for yourself or party to provide buffs. and some features to give skill proficiencies. a very cheerful vibe with this subclass, you can play a serious cook who has left war behind to bring smiles to customers through food, or a young upstart looking to make it big in cooking but also needs to earn money through adventure. many ideas and all of them cool.

Witch-Blade

Source:
Hexbound, Pg 20
(3rd Party)

Some covens of witches practice witchcraft not to sling spells, but to enhance their powers in battle. Witches who choose this way are called Witchblades, and are renowned for their supernatural adaptability in the battlefield.
Like all witches, Witchblades gain their magical abilities by summoning spirits, but the way in which they do this is unique. They use their spirit-summoning abilities to imbue their blades with the spirits of warriors who came before them, learning their fighting techniques in the process. The stronger a Witchblade is, the more spirits they can summon to their weapon.
Witchblades excel in changing their tactics to suit their surroundings and exploiting their target’s weaknesses. Witchblades are easily recognized by their unique weapons which, Over time, reflect its wielder’s growth in power changing with experience. It is said that when a Witchblade grows sufficiently strong, their weapon itself becomes as changeable as its wielder, thanks to the spiritual energy constantly stored in it. The Witchblade is a “mimic fighter”, using the abilities of other fighter subclasses to adapt to different situations! They learn these various abilities, however, like wizards learn additional spells. Their changing weapon and abilities make them extremely adaptable to all kinds of situations.

What to Expect Has the uber cool ability to gain the 3rd level ability from any other Fighter Subclass once per long rest, has similar abilities relating to fighting style, making their weapons magical and other stuff but the 3rd level ability is cool enough I don't think I need to sell the subclass any further.