D&D 5E Why Not? A Variant Captain Fighter

[doctorbadwolf]

It keeps coming up, and I think it’s only gonna make sense to a lot of folks if we build it and show how it will work.

So, what this project is for:

*Make a set of variant features and new BM maneuvers that will model the thematic identity of previous “leader” or martial support classes.

*Keep the fighter a fighter, while leveraging the basic concepts of their features, and keeping the basic structure of scaling via more attacks per round.

*keep it simple enough that a Champion Captain can be a simple hitter with some secondary support ability

*include enough optional complexity that a BM who wants to go hard on support can do so, and be fun to play.

Specifics later tonight, but please throw out any ideas you have too, so it’s not just a thread where we pick apart the ideas in the OP.

 

[Don Durito]

One basic idea I had was this:

Leader Fighting Style: When you use your second wind all allies within 60 ft of you gain Temporary hit points equal to your Charisma modifier. For as long as these allies retain hps you have given them they do 1d6 extra damage on all melee and range attacks.

Fairly simple and indirectly buffs the Battlemasters rally ability as well (And the inspiring leader feat too).

 

[Leatherhead]

I did a subclass that could be mined for various alternative class features instead:

Warlording: The Subclass Edition. Because there wasn't enough of these floating around.

Lo and Behold! I have descended from the mountaintop of bingeing entirely too much coffee and Warlord threads from previous editions to deliver unto you yet another supercilious Warlord thread that will likely soon be obsoleted by official materials. As you know, Mearls has recently made a...

www.enworld.org

 

[Zardnaar]

Runs into the sane power creep problem if design space on the fighter.

There's not enough room and you can't really cherry pick the purple dragons knight heal ability and staple it to the battle master.

Maybe via feats but you can already do that with existing feats.

 

[Garthanos]

One ingredient I want is reasons for a fighter to be intelligent or perceptive.
Battle Ready : a really subtle improvement of the fighter class itself you do not necessarily react to battle you plan and predict it you are constant aware of the possibility and in some cases downright eager for its onset. You may use Int/Wis in place of Dexterity for initiative checks.

 

[Garthanos]

One basic idea I had was this:

Leader Fighting Style: When you use your second wind all allies within 60 ft of you gain Temporary hit points equal to your Charisma modifier. For as long as these allies retain hps you have given them they do 1d6 extra damage on all melee and range attacks.

Fairly simple and indirectly buffs the Battlemasters rally ability as well (And the inspiring leader feat too).

Sort of a Skirmisher bonus.... as its a boost at the beginning of the fight

 

[Don Durito]

Sort of a Skirmisher bonus.... as its a boost at the beginning of the fight

With the inspiring leader feat yes. WIth just using it with second wind, it's more of a chance to set up a nova round later in the fight - unless you waste your second wind (which is perhaps a bit of a problem as it may actually be tactically the best option).

And now that I think about it, I'm realising how the inability to delay actions in 5E really screws with the whole concept of a Warlord.

 

[Tony Vargas]

*Make a set of variant features and new BM maneuvers that will model the thematic identity of previous “leader” or martial support classes.

"Thematic Identity" sounds very different from Role or "5e version" or "viable support character" or whatever...

I mean, if all you that means to you is "holds a sword" and "says an encouraging word now and then," just slap Inspiring Leader on a BM with at least one of the 3 or 4 leader-ish maneuvers and call it a night(pi), add Noble background if you feel it needs some legitimate authority over the other PCs, or Soldier for formal military rank, and, if anything, you're over-achieving.

*keep it simple enough that a Champion Captain can be a simple hitter with some secondary support ability

By the same token, PDK in a nutshell.

Specifics later tonight, but please throw out any ideas you have too, so it’s not just a thread where we pick apart the ideas in the OP.

But, I brought my +3 "Pick, Heavy or Light" of Idea-Bane! Also, it's Axiomatic & Unholy, since you're CG & all. Hurts just carrying the darn thing...*

But, seriously, ideas just come to me:

Stirring Strike: When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend one superiority die to inspire one of your companions to shake off an afliction. You add the superiority die to the attack's damage roll, and choose a friendly creature who can see or hear you. That creature gains a bonus to it's next saving throw equal to the result of the superiority die.

Inspiring Words: On your turn, you can use a bonus action and expend one superiority die to inspire one of your companion to re-join the fray. When you do so, choose a friendly creature who can hear you. That creature re-gains hit points equal to the superiority die roll + your Charisma modifier and can spend an available HD to recover additional hps. The same ally cannot benefit from inspiring words again until they have completed a rest.









* see, 3e has its fun bits.

 

[Garthanos]

With the inspiring leader feat yes. WIth just using it with second wind, it's more of a chance to set up a nova round later in the fight - unless you waste your second wind (which is perhaps a bit of a problem as it may actually be tactically the best option).

And now that I think about it, I'm realising how the inability to delay actions in 5E really screws with the whole concept of a Warlord.

Skirmisher needs a good retreat maneuver that allows the team to disengage free and move or similar

 

[Garthanos]

One ingredient I want is reasons for a fighter to be intelligent or perceptive.
Battle Ready : a really subtle improvement of the fighter class itself you do not necessarily react to battle you plan and predict it you are constant aware of the possibility and in some cases downright eager for its onset. You may use Int/Wis in place of Dexterity for initiative checks.

While charisma could work too... for a Bravura actually its spirited agressiveness