D&D 5E Buffing the Champion Fighter

[Ancalagon]

Apparently people didn't like it because they saw it as a replacement for the Champion. Which is a real shame.
And being a brute with any weapon is totally fine imo, that. That way you keep it simple for the player, because they dont need to remember a special list of approved weapons. The main problem with the Brute (other than some concerns about the obviously inflated dpr), is that it lacks any kind of out of combat support. Something like advantage on (str) athletics checks or double carry capacity would go a long way on it.

Maybe proficiency in intimidate? Or intimidate with the strength stat?

 

[dco]

I think the core focus of the subclass is to keep fighting, for that you don't have some extra limited resources as the other subclasses but I think those at low levels can keep fighting longer because they are doing more damage or using maneuvers/spells for survivality. The other subclasses also have an extra feature at lvl 3, the Champion only starts with some random extra damage, you need to roll a 19, that's very bad.
Later with remarkable athlete and second fighting style the Champion receives a good but subtle combat boost (and some other improvements beyond combat). More initiative means some encounters will end faster and less hits received, the second style gives them more versatility for different encounters or more survivality for them or companions. The improved criticals will get better as you lvl up beyond lvl 10, with an extra attack at lvl 11, superior critical at lvl 15, extra action surge at lvl 17, extra attack at lvl 20. Survivor is very good and not subtle.

My solution is to give the Champion an improvement for second wind as a second subclass feature at level 3, 10+CON instead of 1D10. This means 5-10HP more on average and second wind becomes a reliable source of extra HP. It will be more important at low levels, just what I want.
For example our dwarf champion had 34 HPs and could heal 17 using second wind, a nice upgrade for him, at least he felt he was a tank, before that the paladin of vengeance of the group was delivering more hits and criticals (luck and advantage/short rest), better saves, more damage using smites and had a reliable heal...

 

[Zardnaar]

Main problem with the Champion IMHO is that it doesn't stack up so well level 1 to 10 in the combat thing vs Rangers, Paladins and Battle masters.

Im running myself so for me it's not always about being the best although since we use 3pp I'll see how well I go.

 

[XamaX]

Main problem with the Champion IMHO is that it doesn't stack up so well level 1 to 10 in the combat thing vs Rangers, Paladins and Battle masters.

Im running myself so for me it's not always about being the best although since we use 3pp I'll see how well I go.

Do you think after Level 10 it is comparable?
What is 3pp?

 

[Zardnaar]

Do you think after Level 10 it is comparable?
What is 3pp?

3pp is 3rd party publishing.

Fighter does pick up after 11 but things like 2nd action surge and crits on 18 to 20 are far away.

I don't think to many people play after level 10. Let alone 15. My champion is level 2 so yeah.

 

[James Harrison2]

I recently came across this - I think it might be a bit too god at level 18, maybe I would change it to "-3 incoming damage" or something:

https://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/Champion,_Variant_(5e_Subclass)

Sorry if this has been posted before.

 

[Stalker0]

I recently came across this - I think it might be a bit too god at level 18, maybe I would change it to "-3 incoming damage" or something:

https://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/Champion,_Variant_(5e_Subclass)

Sorry if this has been posted before.

The whole Body a Temple think is just too bloated and weird. A simple +5 ft speed at 3rd level is fine, the rest is of that ability is completely unnecessary.

 

[ZenBear]

In my game I’m actually rolling Champion and Battle Master together for my brother’s character. So far he’s been the hero in combat, but that’s really thanks to Combat Superiority and Action Surge. He’s only rolled a 19 once or twice in about 7 sessions with ample combat. I made this decision by comparing the Fighter to the Paladin which dramatically overshadows most classes. At this point I’m really not worried about him being OP at all.

 

[James Harrison2]

You are right, but it sort of reminds me of AD&D...all the things you got for having a strength score (a bend bars lift gates check etc.); so it's not needed but it has some thematic weirdness points for me

 

[FrogReaver]

How many attacks per short rest does the champion need to make to break even?