Human Battle Master Fighter Build Guide
With the unmatched adaptability of the Human species, you can master battlefield control and martial tactics right from your very first level.
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Why Battle Master?
The Battle Master is a master of martial tactics, acting as a Controller who dictates the flow of combat. As a Human, you excel at this role due to your Versatile trait, which grants you a free Origin feat at level 1. By selecting a starting feat like Sentinel, you can immediately lock down enemies, allowing you to utilize your maneuvers much more effectively once you unlock them.
At level 3, you gain access to Combat Superiority, the core feature of this subclass. This grants you Superiority Dice to fuel tactical maneuvers that can trip, disarm, or distract your foes. Because your Human Resourceful trait gives you a free reroll through Heroic Inspiration every day, you have a built-in safety net to ensure your most important attacks connect, ensuring you do not waste your precious tactical resources.
Your physical prowess is backed by solid stats, with a high Strength (15) for heavy strikes and Dexterity (14) for defense. Combined with the Human Skillful trait, which grants you an extra skill, and the Battle Master's Student of War feature, you will be surprisingly useful outside of combat as well, proving that a Fighter is much more than just a simple sword-swinger.
Battle Master Features
Combat Superiority
Level 3You have honed your martial techniques through extensive training. You learn special techniques called maneuvers that are powered by dice called Superiority Dice. Maneuvers: You learn three maneuvers of your choice from the Maneuver Options section below. Many maneuvers enhance an attack. You can use only one maneuver per attack. You learn two additional maneuvers of your choice at 7th, 10th, and 15th level. Whenever you learn new maneuvers, you can also replace one maneuver you know with another. Superiority Dice: You have 4 Superiority Dice, which are d8s. A Superiority Die is expended when you use it. You regain all expended Superiority Dice when you finish a Short or Long Rest. You gain additional Superiority Dice as you gain fighter levels, as shown in the Superiority Dice column of the Fighter table. Over 7th level (5 dice) and 15th level (6 dice). Saving Throws: If a maneuver requires a saving throw, the DC equals 8 + your Strength or Dexterity modifier (your choice) + your Proficiency Bonus.
Student of War
Level 3You gain proficiency with one artisan's tool of your choice, and you gain proficiency with one skill of your choice that is available to fighters at 1st level.
Know Your Enemy
Level 7As a Bonus Action, you can discern certain strengths and weaknesses of a creature you can see within 30 feet of yourself. If the creature has levels in the Fighter class, you learn nothing from this ability. For 1 minute, you have advantage on attack rolls against the creature, and you gain the following benefits: You have advantage on Wisdom (Insight) checks to discern the creature's alignment and state of mind. You discern if the creature is a spell caster.
Improved Combat Superiority
Level 10Your Superiority Dice increase in size from d8s to d10s.
Relentless
Level 15When you roll initiative and have no Superiority Dice remaining, you regain 1 Superiority Die.
Ultimate Combat Superiority
Level 18Your Superiority Dice increase in size from d10s to d12s.
Recommended Ability Scores
Human Traits That Benefit Battle Master Fighter
Versatile
A free Origin feat provides a meaningful boost to any Fighter build right from level 1.
Resourceful
Free Heroic Inspiration each long rest gives a reliable reroll for critical moments.
Skillful
An extra skill proficiency expands the Fighter's out-of-combat versatility.
Combat Effectiveness
| Level | HP | Melee DPR | Ranged DPR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 5 | 39 | 7.8 | 7.8 |
| Level 11 | 81 | 10.73 | 10.73 |
| Level 17 | 123 | 10.73 | 10.73 |
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- ♦ Battle Master grants Combat Superiority at level 3
- ♦ High hit points for frontline durability
- ♦ Strong species-class synergy enhances core abilities
- ♦ Strong melee damage output
- ♦ Good armor class and initiative
Weaknesses
- ♦ Low Wisdom — vulnerable to common saving throws
- ♦ Limited ranged and magical options without multiclassing
- ♦ No Darkvision — may need light sources in dungeons
Pro Tips
Use your Resourceful Heroic Inspiration to reroll missed attacks when you plan to use a crucial Combat Superiority maneuver.
Select maneuvers like Trip Attack or Goading Attack to fulfill your Controller role, keeping dangerous enemies away from fragile allies.
Combine your Human Skillful trait with Student of War to gain proficiency in tools and skills that make you a great scout.
Leverage Know Your Enemy at level 7 before a fight to learn if a boss has higher physical stats than you.
Other Fighter Subclasses for Human
Other Races for Battle Master Fighter
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Battle Master a good subclass for Human Fighter?
What makes Battle Master different from other Fighter subclasses?
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