Dungeons & Dragons' Fighter class is one of the most popular and easy-to-understand classes in the game, often serving as an excellent entry point for new players. Traditionally offensive and combat-centric warriors, Fighters come in a variety of forms through the litany of subclasses they have access to after reaching a certain level.
As one of the premier ways of building Dungeons & Dragons characters online, D&D Beyond examined which of these subclasses are the most popular and utilized by the most players, and their findings are summed up here. Today, we're going to examine the most popular Fighter subclasses in D&D and shine a light on each of their strengths and appeal.
Updated March 7, 2023 by Jerel Levy: We've updated this article to ensure all of the information is up to date and reformatted it to improve readability. we've made it evident where you can find each Fighter subclass, and what they do.
11 Psi Warrior
- Tasha's Cauldron of Everything
Appearing in Tasha's Cauldron of Everything, Psi Warriors are fighters capable of blending their martial prowess with Psionic Energy. The Psionic capabilities of characters of this class provide access to various damaging and utility options through the Psionic Energy Dice mechanic. A Psi Warrior has a number of these dice equal to twice their proficiency bonus, and while they begin as d6s, the size of these dice increases as the character gains levels.
A Psi Warrior's strength lies in the flexibility it gains through its Psionics. Not only can these dice be expended to deal additional weapon damage, but they can be used to generate defensive force fields, move objects telekinetically, or even fly. As a Psi Warrior gains levels, it can protect allies through its psionics, providing the benefits of half cover (+2 AC) or even cast the Telekinesis spell.
10 Banneret/Purple Dragon Knight
- Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide
Somewhat obscure compared to other entries on this list, Bannerets, also known as Purple Dragon Knights, are a distinctly support-based Fighter sub-class. This might be why they're low on the list, as most players who roll Fighters prefer melee combat.
However, while Fighters are traditionally characterized by their offensive capabilities, this class can help in rounding out a party in the form of abilities that allow a character to heal their allies and allow them to re-roll saving throws.
Perhaps one of the unique features of the Banneret is its ability to reliably serve as a party's face. While most Fighter subclasses primarily focus on the character's offensive capabilities, Bannerets gain access to expertise in Persuasion, making them experts in negotiation.
9 Echo Knight
- Explorer's Guide to Wildemount
The fighter sub-class of Echo Knights is an incredibly unique Fighter Archetype that will surely explode in popularity as time progresses. Echo fighters have the ability to project an echo of themselves and use it in a variety of ways. That includes attacking enemies from afar or swapping places with it.
Through the use of an Echo, Echo Knights can reliably manipulate and control the positioning of the battlefield, forcing foes into precarious positions. An Echo Knight is capable of attacking through their Echo; they can deal serious melee damage whilst remaining safe from harm.
8 Rune Knight
- Tasha's Cauldron of Everything
Appearing in Tasha's Cauldron of Everything, Rune Knights can utilize traits and abilities associated with giants and are capable of enhancing their equipment with the power of mythical runes. These runes can be used with a great deal of flexibility, providing buffs ranging from providing resistances and advantages on specific checks to doubling one's proficiencies with tools.
Outside of these runes, perhaps the strongest element of the Rune Knight subclass is its ability to increase a character from medium to large size, increasing their melee range by ten feet in the process. This allows a Fighter to more reliably wall-out foes attempting to harm their allies whilst allowing the Rune Knight to reach more potential targets.
7 Cavalier
- Xanathar's Guide to Everything
Cavaliers are a Subclass found within Xanathar's Guide to Everything, improving areas of the Fighter class in which it already excels. While Fighters are already a class perfect to utilize mounts to improve their mobility in combat, Cavaliers are adept at staying on their mount when foes attempt to knock them off.
Additionally, Cavaliers are a subclass perfect for those looking to play their party's bodyguard. This is because, through their Unwavering Mark feature, they can target creatures they attack, causing those creatures to make all attack rolls against allies, save for the cavalier at a disadvantage. As they gain levels Cavaliers even become adept in counterattacking and potentially blocking incoming attacks.
6 Arcane Archer
- Xanathar's Guide to Everything
When it comes to long-range sub-classes for Fighters, few can compare to the Arcane Archer. While arrows can traditionally be used to attack foes from a safe distance, the Arcane Archer provides arrows with a significant amount of additional utility through the use of Arcane Shots.
These special arrows can be shot by Arcane Archers and have a wide array of potential applications. They can temporarily weaken targets, hold them in place, or even create large bursts of damage through detonating arrows.
5 Samurai
- Xanathar's Guide to Everything
Samurai is an incredibly solid subclass option for fighters, gaining offensive, defensive, and utility features alike.
In addition to gaining additional proficiencies, Samurai gain access to the Fighting Spirit ability at their third level, which serves as the subclass's bread and butter. Fighting Spirit can be used to simultaneously put one's self at an advantage when attacking while also supplying temporary HP. Furthermore, Samurai gain access to additional saving throws, making them much more sustainable against offenses that may trip up other fighters.
4 Gunslinger
- Unofficial/D&D Beyond
Created for Critical Role, but made widely available on D&D Beyond, as the name would suggest, the Gunslinger is a subclass that utilizes guns and firearms to great effect. Gunslingers are not only able to wield guns but can also craft a wide variety of ammunition and additional guns.
Furthermore, as a Gunslinger continues to level up, they gain access to numerous abilities that allow them to utilize their guns in interesting ways. An example is a variety of trick shots that possess their own properties.
3 Eldritch Knight
- Player's Handbook
Reminiscent of the classic Final Fantasy class, the Red Mage, Eldritch Knights are fighters that are adept in both physical combat as well as spell casting. Players that are interested in taking a combo class to the next level would enjoy exploring this Fighter subclass.
Eldritch Knights are incredibly versatile due to their unique blend of strengths, making them a phenomenal choice for players seeking a well-rounded jack of all trades that can benefit a party in a myriad of ways.
Perhaps one of the most easily accessible strengths of the Eldritch Knight is its early access to the Shield spell that can augment the already high armor class of a fighter. Additionally, through access to the Absorb Elements spell, an Eldritch Knight can shrug off the likes of Fireballs and Dragon breath weapons.
2 Battle Master
- Player's Handbook
Often regarded as one of the strongest and most optimal choices for players seeking to play as a Fighter in D&D, Battle Master's are capable of making a significant impact in combat through the use of their maneuvers and superiority die.
When a player chooses to make their character a Battle Master at level three, they learn three maneuvers that can provide additional benefits and attributes. The effects of these range from the ability for that Battle Master to attack again if an enemy fails to hit that character with a melee attack to the ability to disarm a targeted foe. As many Maneuver options are available to battle masters, this subclass is highly customizable, allowing two different Battle Masters to potentially possess completely different utility.
1 Champion
Fighters are often viewed as one of the more simplistic classes a player can select in D&D, and Champion is the most straightforward subclass for Fighters. Despite its simplicity, the Champion is incredibly powerful and capable of making significant and meaningful contributions to one's party.
This is notably due to a Champion's improved rate of landing a critical hit. Normally, a player can only land a critical hit if they roll a twenty when attacking. However, at level three, Champions double this rate, allowing rolls of nineteen to also count as critical hits. This is even further improved upon when that character reaches level fifteen, as rolls of eighteen will also count.
Though the Champion lacks the flexibility of other Fighter Subclasses, its easy-to-understand nature makes it a perfect option for new players dipping their toes into D&D.