February 13, 2025

Battle Master Fighter Guide for Beginners: Mastering the Battle Master in D&D 5e

The Battle Master Fighter is the ultimate tactical warrior, using superior skill and strategy to control the battlefield with specialized maneuvers. Introduced in the Player’s Handbook, this subclass is perfect for players who want to customize their combat style, exploit enemy weaknesses, and become a true master of weaponry and tactics.

Unlike other Fighters who rely purely on brute force, Battle Masters use maneuvers fueled by a unique resource called Superiority Dice, allowing them to trip, disarm, and counterattack enemies with precision. If you love the idea of a masterful tactician who dominates the battlefield through skill and cunning, this subclass is for you!

Why Play a Battle Master Fighter?

Key Benefits

Tactical Superiority – Use Superiority Dice to gain bonus damage and special effects on attacks.
Customizable Playstyle – Choose from a variety of maneuvers to fit your preferred combat role.
One of the Best Damage-Boosting Fighter Subclasses – Superiority Dice increase your overall damage output.
Enhanced Combat Control – Knock enemies prone, disarm them, or push them where you want.
Excellent for Roleplay – Play as a master duelist, a battle-hardened commander, or a disciplined martial artist.

Compared to other Fighters, Battle Masters are the most versatile in combat, excelling at both offense and battlefield control.

Core Features

Key Mechanics and Abilities

Combat Superiority (Level 3)

Gain 4 Superiority Dice (d8) to use on special maneuvers.
You learn 3 maneuvers, which let you manipulate combat in different ways.
Superiority Dice are regained after a short or long rest.
Example: Use Trip Attack to knock an enemy prone and give your allies advantage on their attacks.

Student of War (Level 3)

Gain proficiency in one type of artisan’s tools, reinforcing the idea of a seasoned warrior.
Example: Take Smith’s Tools to forge and maintain your own weapons and armor.

Know Your Enemy (Level 7)

Spend 1 minute studying a creature to learn about its capabilities, including Strength, Dexterity, HP, or class levels.
Example: Before a duel, you analyze your opponent and determine their physical strengths and weaknesses.

Improved Combat Superiority (Level 10, 15, 18)

Your Superiority Dice increase in power, scaling from d8 to d10 (level 10) and d12 (level 18).
Example: Your maneuvers deal more damage and have a higher chance of success.

Relentless (Level 15)

Regain 1 Superiority Die at the start of combat if you have none left.
Example: You always have at least one maneuver available in a fight.

These features make Battle Masters one of the most adaptable and powerful martial characters in D&D, giving them a strong mix of offense, defense, and utility.

Choosing Your Maneuvers

Battle Masters can choose from 16 different maneuvers, allowing for a customized playstyle. Here are some of the best options for different roles:

Best for Offense:

Precision Attack – Add your Superiority Die to an attack roll if you think you might miss.
Trip Attack – Knock an enemy prone and give allies advantage on melee attacks.
Disarming Attack – Force an enemy to drop their weapon.

Best for Defense:

Riposte – Use your reaction to counterattack when an enemy misses you.
Parry – Reduce incoming damage by rolling a Superiority Die + Dexterity modifier.
Brace (TCoE) – Use your reaction to attack when an enemy enters your range.

Best for Control & Support:

Menacing Attack – Frighten an enemy, making them less effective in combat.
Commanding Presence – Boost allies’ Persuasion, Intimidation, or Performance checks.
Bait and Switch (TCoE) – Swap places with an ally and increase their AC.

Suggested Ability Scores

Primary: Strength or Dexterity – Determines attack rolls and damage for weapons.
Secondary: Constitution – Boosts HP and survivability.
Tertiary: Intelligence or Wisdom – Useful for roleplay and tactical maneuvers.

Recommended Races

Since Battle Masters focus on versatility and tactical combat, the best races include:

Half-Orc – Relentless Endurance lets you survive a lethal hit, great for frontline Fighters.
Goliath – Stone’s Endurance provides extra damage reduction.
Variant Human – Gain a free feat at level 1, such as Sentinel or Great Weapon Master.
Eladrin Elf – Teleportation and Dexterity make for a great maneuver-based duelist.

Playing as a Battle Master Fighter

Role in a Party

Frontline Damage Dealer – Use Precision Attack and Riposte to maximize damage output.
Tactical Leader – Use maneuvers to control enemies and support allies.
Duelist & Specialist – Excel at one-on-one combat with Precision Attack and Disarming Attack.

Compared to other Fighters, Battle Masters offer more versatility in combat through their maneuvers, giving them tools for both offense and defense.

Tips for New Players

Choose maneuvers that fit your playstyle – If you want to deal damage, pick Precision and Trip Attack; if you want defense, pick Parry and Brace.
Use your Superiority Dice strategically – Don’t waste them on small fights; save them for key moments.
Take short rests whenever possible – You regain all your Superiority Dice after a short rest.
Pick weapons that fit your maneuvers – Polearms work well with Trip Attack, while rapiers fit Precision Attack builds.

Roleplay Suggestions

The Warlord – A battlefield commander who directs their allies with strategic expertise.
The Master Duelist – A refined warrior who thrives in one-on-one combat.
The Mercenary Veteran – A hardened soldier who has mastered every trick in the book.

Gear and Dice Recommendations

Suggested Equipment

Weapons

Greatsword or Polearm – Best for high-damage melee combatants.
Rapier or Longsword – Best for Dexterity-based duelists.

Armor

Plate Armor – Maximum AC for melee combatants.
Half Plate or Breastplate – For Dexterity-based Fighters.

Magic Items

Belt of Giant Strength – Boosts Strength for superior melee attacks.
Cloak of Protection – +1 AC and saving throws for better defense.
Weapon of Warning – Ensures you never get surprised in combat.

Dice Recommendations from Runic Dice

Enhance your tactical warrior aesthetic with these battle-themed dice sets:

Warlord’s Steel: For a metallic gray appearance resembling a master’s weapons, consider the Black Inked Lightning Cracked Glass DND Dice Set. This set features a striking cracked glass design with black inked numerals, capturing the essence of finely crafted steel.
Crimson Duelist: To evoke the blood and steel of combat with red hue, the Blood Red Glitter Liquid Core Resin DND Dice Set is an excellent choice. It showcases shimmering red glitter accents, symbolizing the intensity of a duel.
Tactician’s Precision: For a black and gold color scheme symbolizing battlefield mastery, the Black and Silver Glitter Liquid Core Resin DND Dice Set offers a sleek black exterior infused with silver glitter, embodying the strategic prowess of a seasoned tactician.

Advanced Tips and Tricks

Optimization Strategies

Best Feats for a Battle Master Fighter

Great Weapon Master (GWM) – Boosts damage significantly, and with maneuvers like Precision Attack, you can turn misses into hits.
Sentinel – Excellent for battlefield control, preventing enemies from escaping your reach.
Polearm Master – Combines perfectly with Trip Attack and Riposte, giving you extra opportunities to strike.
Sharpshooter – For ranged Battle Masters, this allows devastating long-range attacks, especially when paired with Precision Attack.
Lucky – Use it to reroll attack rolls, saving throws, or ability checks, making you more consistent.

Multiclassing for a Battle Master Fighter

Rogue (Swashbuckler or Assassin) – Adds Sneak Attack and gives you more options for mobility and damage.
Barbarian (Path of the Zealot or Berserker) – Combines Rage with Superiority Dice for even more devastating melee strikes.
Paladin (Oath of Vengeance or Devotion) – Smite + Maneuvers = a Fighter that wrecks anything in its path.

Best Fighting Styles for a Battle Master Fighter

Great Weapon Fighting – Pairs well with GWM and Trip Attack for massive damage.
Dueling – Great for sword-and-shield Battle Masters looking to stay defensive.
Archery – Best for ranged-focused Battle Masters using Sharpshooter.

Battle Master Advanced Build Ideas

The Ultimate Duelist: Take Rapier, Defensive Duelist, and Riposte, focusing on quick strikes and counterattacks.
The War Commander: Use Commanding Presence, Rally, and Maneuvers to buff allies and control enemies.
The Juggernaut: Take Heavy Armor, Sentinel, and Trip Attack to stand your ground and dominate melee combat.

The Battle Master Fighter is one of the most customizable and tactical martial subclasses in D&D 5e, excelling at damage, battlefield control, and combat strategy. If you want to play as a highly skilled warrior who uses intelligence and technique to dominate fights, this subclass is for you.