D&D 5E What IS a level 1 Fighter?

[Undrave]

All of the choices work.

A level 1 Fighter is a PC and can have any backstory the player wants.

NPCs are not level 1 Fighters.

Again, it's not about which backstory you can or can't have. It's about what is the first concept that comes to your mind AND which one you think should be used as the basis to build the mechanical components of the class.

 

[jasper]

.....

My question was more related to class design I guess. What is the default assumption that informed the design of the Fighter's level 1 and 2 class features (and suite of proficiencies).

1. He just finish basic training in the military.
2. He just finish 4 years of training from a private tutor. AKA piano lessions.
3. He been practicing off and on since he was kindergarden with old veterans from around the area.
See where I going with that.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

In the D&D world, a first level fighter already knows quite a bit more than the average commoner. They're proficient with multiple weapons, they can wear armor and use shields effectively, they know a "trick" to increase their damage, protect others and so on.

Actually, they may not. It's a bit Zen, but most player characters would use what? Maybe six different types of weapon over the course of there adventuring career. If a character never ever picks up a mongolian whump hammer does saying "they know how to use it" have any meaning? I would argue that what proficiency really means is, in the event of encountering the new weapon they can quickly work out how to use it effectively. It does not mean they have used it before, because that would get silly even for a veteran.

When it comes to fiction while I'm certain there are exceptions, most novels I've read about a farmer that picked up a sword the conversion to a fighter wasn't overnight. If they can be skilled at combat (and even a level 1 fighter is skilled) then you're falling into Mary/Marty Sue territory.

I would argue that ALL player characters are Mary/Marty Sues.

 

[Umbran]

Hence why I put the poll in this thread: What is your default image of a level 1 Fighter? The first thing that comes to mind?

Well, let me turn that around for a second. What do the game mechanics tell us the 1st level fighter is? Compare that with a commoner, and what do you see?

The game mechanics... suggest that the 1st level fighter is notably tougher than a typical commoner, but not outrageously so - a commoner has 4 hp, a st level fighter has at least 6, more probably 8. The fighter has a second wind, the commoner doesn't. The commoner has a melee attack with a +2 on the die, the fighter has at least +2, probably more like +4, and some other weapons style trick up their sleeve. The fighter has some equipment the commoner doesn't.

So, you know, the 1st level can be a farmhand... but not just any farmhand. He's the farmhand who, when all the farmhands get together in the hall at the end of the day for a near-beer... nobody messes with him, because he can kick the butt of any other single one of them - he only loses the fight if they gang up on him, and he'll take someone else down before he goes. If a tussle breaks out, maybe the village blacksmith can take him down, but maybe not. Maybe one of his parents was a soldier back when, and taught him a few things. Maybe he's just got a bit more potential. Maybe he's been lightly touched by fate, or something.

Or, alternatively, they were a commoner who was through a season when the orc raiders came through, and the Baron raised a cohort to go deal with them, leading to several weeks of campaigning. They know what they are doing, now, a sergeant in most armies would look him up and down, and nod assent with maybe a bit of a grunt that he's good enough. Not for the elite squad, yet, but he'll get there.

The data is consistent with either picture, so either choice is acceptable.

 

[Undrave]

Suppose the ‘average’ L1 Fighter has Strength 10 or 13 at best. Or similarly the Constitution. Such a Fighter has about 6 hit points, maybe ... just maybe 8 hit points. A cat is a real threat. Three cats are likely a death match.

One sword hit is a death blow.

This is the opposite of a "veteran".

Those are pretty terrible stats for a Fighter though.

A level 1 PC, using the standard array, would have easily put 15 in STR and 14 in CON. For a non-optimal race that would mean 12 HP and a +4 to hit (stat plus proficiency). Probably wearing chainmail so the cat's +0 to hit is pretty pathetic. Even more so with a shield.

 

[Yaarel]

Those are pretty terrible stats for a Fighter though.

A level 1 PC, using the standard array, would have easily put 15 in STR and 14 in CON. For a non-optimal race that would mean 12 HP and a +4 to hit (stat plus proficiency). Probably wearing chainmail so the cat's +0 to hit is pretty pathetic. Even more so with a shield.

Yeah, but this is what a ‘normal’ Level 1 Fighter looks like. Terrifyingly fragile.

Player Characters are abnormal. Statistically far away from average.

If you look at the suggested equipment for the Fighter, the Level 1 Fighter gets EITHER chain armor OR a martial weapon. This stuff is expensive. Most Level 1 Fighters can never afford such things that cost so much gold.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Those are pretty terrible stats for a Fighter though.

A level 1 PC, using the standard array, would have easily put 15 in STR and 14 in CON. For a non-optimal race that would mean 12 HP and a +4 to hit (stat plus proficiency). Probably wearing chainmail so the cat's +0 to hit is pretty pathetic. Even more so with a shield.

But then you are saying: the character is exceptionally strong and tough.

Yes, player characters usually are exceptionally strong and tough. And naturally gifted.

 

[PsyzhranV2]

Yeah, but this is what a ‘normal’ Level 1 Fighter looks like. Terrifyingly fragile.

Player Characters are abnormal. Statistically far away from average.

A "normal" Level 1 Fighter like what you're describing isn't a thing. The Guard NPC statblock exist for a reason, that's what a normal rookie or punch-clock soldier would look like. A Fighter with Fighter class features and Standard Array is a "normal Fighter" but an exceptional person.

 

[Undrave]

a st level fighter has at least 6, more probably 8.

The Fighter's HP at first level is 10+Constitution modifier. So that's a 10 minimum unless they put an 8 in there for some reason. Not sure where you got that 6 or 8 thing.

Aside from that your description is a good one. Personally I'd place them on equal footing with that sergeant. Maybe a little better even.

 

[Salthorae]

In 5e, a L1 Fighter is less than a "veteran", because they have never even gone to a war yet.
.

Except not actually according to the default fluff of the class in 5e.

Again the Fluff from 5e Fighter

Not every member of the city watch, the village militia, or the queen’s army is a fighter. Most of these troops are relatively untrained soldiers with only the most basic combat knowledge. Veteran soldiers, military officers, trained bodyguards, dedicated knights, and similar figures are fighters.

Obviously do what you want with your games, but 5e assumes a competent, trained professional. Maybe you could argue they've not seen war yet, but are out of boot, but they are also not per the default fluff.

The L1 Fighter is equivalent to someone in who just graduated high school, or is an advanced student in high school. Level 1 is the first year in college, or its equivalent. Level 5 is having finally graduated from college and becoming a skilled professional.

Not per the default fluff. They are the skilled professionals at 1st level.

Then again we had this same debate in the Wizard College thread, so I don't think we're going to see eye to eye here either.