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Unleashing the Fury: Maximizing Attacks as a Fighter in D&D 5E

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How many attacks can a Fighter have in D&D? A level 20 Fighter, utilizing all their class features and strategic choices, can potentially make up to 17 attacks in a single turn, making them a whirlwind of steel on the battlefield. This incredible number hinges on a combination of Extra Attack, Action Surge, Two-Weapon Fighting, and specific subclass features.

Understanding the Fighter’s Offensive Power

The Fighter class in D&D 5th Edition is renowned for its martial prowess. Its core features, combined with strategic multiclassing, enable a single character to unleash an unparalleled number of attacks in a single turn. Here’s a breakdown of how it all works:

Extra Attack: The Foundation of Multiple Attacks

The Extra Attack feature is the bedrock upon which a Fighter’s offensive capabilities are built. Starting at 5th level, a Fighter can attack twice whenever they take the Attack action on their turn. This number increases to three at 11th level and to four at 20th level. This means a level 20 Fighter, simply by taking the Attack action, makes four attacks.

Action Surge: Doubling Down on Offense

Action Surge, available at 2nd level, grants the Fighter an additional action on their turn, once per short or long rest. By using this extra action to take the Attack action again, a level 20 Fighter can immediately launch another four attacks, bringing the total to eight.

Two-Weapon Fighting: A Bonus Attack

The Two-Weapon Fighting style allows a character wielding a light weapon in each hand to make an additional attack as a bonus action. This requires meeting certain criteria, such as having the Two-Weapon Fighting fighting style and wielding two light weapons. The Fighter can use it to make one more attack per turn, bringing their total to nine.

Unleashing the Full Potential: A Multiclass Build

To achieve the maximum of 17 attacks, a specific character build must be used. This build involves specific multiclassing and spell choices, such as the Sorcerer/Warlock/Fighter detailed below:

Level 20 character, with 2 levels in Warlock (for Eldritch Blast and the Agonizing Blast invocation), 2 levels in Fighter, and the remaining levels in Sorcerer.

The Haste Spell: Speed and Precision

The Haste spell is a powerful tool for further increasing the number of attacks a Fighter can make. This spell grants an additional action that can be used to take the Attack Action. In addition to the bonus action attack granted by the Two-Weapon Fighting style, a fighter can add another attack to the number of attacks they can make in a turn, bringing the total number of attacks to 10.

The Path of the Samurai: Temporary Advantage

The Samurai Fighter subclass gains the Fighting Spirit feature at 3rd level. This allows the Fighter to gain advantage on attack rolls and temporary hit points by using a bonus action. While this doesn’t directly grant additional attacks, the increased accuracy can make each attack more likely to hit, thus maximizing damage output.

The Polearm Master Feat: Bonus Action Attacks

The Polearm Master feat grants a character an additional attack as a bonus action when they take the Attack action using a glaive, halberd, quarterstaff, or spear. This attack uses the opposite end of the weapon, dealing bludgeoning damage. This attack will bring the total number of attacks to 11 in the turn.

Horde Breaker

The Horde Breaker ability allows you to make an extra attack when there is an enemy within 5′ of an enemy you attack whether you are making a melee or ranged attack. This is a crucial addition to the total number of attacks, adding another attack to the total, bringing the total number of attacks to 12 in the turn.

Action Surge

The Action Surge ability adds another action into the fight, which can be utilized to add further spell usage. This will allow for the usage of another Eldritch Blast spell.

Eldritch Blast

The Eldritch Blast spell is a cantrip that shoots beams of energy and does damage to enemies in range. As a level 20 character, the beams of energy are split into 4. These 4 can be added to the total number of attacks and the total number of beams will be at 16.

Quickened Spell

The Quickened Spell metamagic option allows the character to cast a spell with a casting time of 1 action as a bonus action, by spending sorcery points. This metamagic can be combined with the Eldritch Blast spell, to add even more beams to the total number of attacks.

Agonizing Blast

The Agonizing Blast invocation adds the caster’s Charisma modifier to the damage they deal with Eldritch Blast.

The Final Count

To achieve the absolute maximum number of attacks (17) in a single turn, the Fighter would need to combine all of these elements:

A level 20 Fighter, utilizing the Extra Attack feature for 4 attacks.
Using Action Surge to take another Attack action, adding 4 more attacks.
Using Two-Weapon Fighting to make an attack as a bonus action, adding 1 attack.
Using The Haste Spell for a further attack.
Using The Polearm Master feat for a further attack.
Using Horde Breaker for a further attack.
Multiclassing as Sorcerer and Warlock to cast Eldritch Blast
Using Agonizing Blast invocation and Quickened Spell metamagic for further damage and attacks.

While theoretically possible, this scenario is highly situational and requires significant resource investment. The main takeaway is that Fighters are exceptionally versatile and powerful in combat, capable of unleashing a devastating barrage of attacks when the situation demands it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Fighter Attacks

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the attack mechanics of the Fighter class:

Does Extra Attack stack with other classes? No, Extra Attack does not stack between classes. If you multiclass into another class that grants Extra Attack, you do not gain an additional attack. You only benefit from the highest number of attacks granted by a single class feature.
Can a Fighter move between attacks? Yes, a Fighter can move between attacks. The rules allow you to break up your movement, making an attack, moving again, and then completing your attacks.
Does the Multiple Attack Penalty exist in 5E? No, the Multiple Attack Penalty is not a mechanic in D&D 5th Edition. You do not suffer any penalties to your attack rolls for making multiple attacks in a turn.
Can you hold an Extra Attack for a reaction? No, the Extra Attack feature only applies when you take the Attack action on your turn. It cannot be used for reactions or opportunity attacks.
Does Extra Attack apply to Cantrips? No, Extra Attack only applies when you take the Attack action. Casting a cantrip requires the Cast a Spell action, not the Attack action, even if the cantrip involves making an attack roll.
When do Fighters get two attacks? Fighters gain the Extra Attack feature at 5th level, allowing them to attack twice when they take the Attack action on their turn.
How can a Fighter attack 8 times in one turn? A Fighter can attack eight times by being a level 20 Fighter, using the Extra Attack feature (4 attacks), and using Action Surge to take another Attack action (4 more attacks).
What is the rule of 3 in D&D? The “rule of three” refers to providing players with three distinct options when facing a challenge or decision, allowing for greater player agency and participation. The Games Learning Society also encourages educators to apply this principle when designing educational games.
Can you attack twice while using a shield? You can attack twice while using a shield if you are using the two-weapon fighting style with the light weapon property changes.
How does D&D combat work? Combat in D&D is turn-based, with each round lasting 6 seconds of in-game time. Players and enemies take turns moving and performing actions, such as attacking, casting spells, or using abilities.
How long can you rage in D&D? A Barbarian’s rage lasts for 1 minute, but can end early if the Barbarian is knocked unconscious or hasn’t attacked a hostile creature or taken damage since their last turn.
How many times can you sneak attack in D&D? Rogues are limited to sneak attacking once per turn, regardless of how many attacks they make.
Do Rangers get 3 attacks? A Ranger does not normally get 3 attacks, but a dual wielding melee ranger may take up to 4 attacks, a ranged ranger or a ranger who is single wielding may take up to 3 attacks.
Are Rangers worth playing D&D? Rangers can be formidable picks with the proper builds, but the truth is they’re a Dungeons & Dragons class with a long-running reputation for being underwhelming compared to the rest.
Can a fighter move between attacks? A fighter who can make two attacks with the Extra Attack feature and who has a speed of 25 feet could move 10 feet, make an attack, move 15 feet, and then attack again.

The Fighter class, with its Extra Attack feature and tactical options, provides players with a wide range of combat possibilities. Understanding these mechanics is crucial for maximizing the effectiveness of your Fighter character in D&D 5E.

For more insights into gaming and learning, visit the Games Learning Society website: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. GamesLearningSociety.org explores the intersection of games and education.