Unleashing Fury: Maximizing Attacks with the Level 20 Fighter in 5e

The Level 20 Fighter in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition is a force of nature, a whirlwind of steel and martial prowess. The answer to the core question is simple yet devastating: A Level 20 Fighter, using only their Attack action, gets four attacks per turn. However, this simple answer opens a door to a complex tapestry of possibilities, interwoven with class features, feats, and strategic decision-making that can elevate your Fighter to legendary status.

Decoding the Fighter’s Attack Potential

The Fighter’s raw attack power stems from the Extra Attack feature, a cornerstone of the class’s design. Starting at 5th level, a Fighter gains the ability to attack twice whenever they take the Attack action. This scales up further, reaching three attacks at 11th level and culminating in four attacks at 20th level.

It’s crucial to understand that these attacks are tied specifically to the Attack action. If a Fighter takes a different action, like casting a spell (if they are an Eldritch Knight), using the Help action, or taking the Dodge action, they do not get to make those four attacks.

Action Surge: The Game Changer

The Fighter’s signature ability, Action Surge, catapults their combat potential into the stratosphere. At 2nd level, Fighters gain the ability to take one additional action on their turn. At 20th level, the Fighter gains one use of Action Surge. This means a Level 20 Fighter can take the Attack action twice in a single turn. Considering each Attack action grants four attacks, a Level 20 Fighter can unleash a staggering eight attacks in a single round when using Action Surge.

This is not just about hitting more often; it’s about delivering a concentrated burst of damage, overwhelming enemies, and potentially turning the tide of battle in a single, explosive round. Imagine using this to take down a particularly dangerous enemy!

Beyond the Basics: Optimizing Your Attack Strategy

While raw number of attacks is significant, maximizing their effectiveness requires careful consideration of several factors:

• Weapon Choice: A Greatsword deals more base damage per hit than a Rapier, but the Rapier allows for Dexterity-based Fighters, potentially improving Armor Class and other skills. The choice depends on your desired playstyle and build.
• Feats: Great Weapon Master and Sharpshooter are renowned for their ability to significantly boost damage output, albeit with a trade-off in accuracy. Consider the benefits and drawbacks of each before committing.
• Fighting Style: Great Weapon Fighting, Archery, and Dueling all offer unique bonuses that can enhance your attacks, depending on your weapon of choice.
• Magic Items: Powerful weapons and armor can add damage, improve accuracy, and provide other valuable benefits, further increasing your combat effectiveness.
• Subclass Features: Each Fighter subclass offers unique abilities that can influence your attack strategy. For example, a Battle Master can use Combat Superiority dice to add damage and control enemies, while a Samurai can use Fighting Spirit to gain advantage on attacks and temporary hit points.

Level 20 Fighter in Action: A Scenario

Let’s paint a picture. A Level 20 Fighter, armed with a magical Greatsword and wearing plate armor, faces a fearsome dragon. On their turn, they use Action Surge. They take the Attack action twice, unleashing eight attacks. If they are a Battle Master, they might use Combat Superiority dice to add damage and knock the dragon prone. If they are a Samurai, they might activate Fighting Spirit to gain advantage on their attacks. The dragon, reeling from the assault, is now in a significantly weaker position. This strategic use of attacks, combined with other features, showcases the true power of a Level 20 Fighter.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does Haste grant additional attacks to a Fighter?

Yes, but with limitations. The Haste spell grants an additional action that can ONLY be used to take the Attack (one weapon attack only), Dash, Disengage, Hide, or Use an Object action. Therefore, while it grants an extra action, it does not grant the full suite of four attacks.

2. Can a Fighter use Action Surge to cast two spells if they are an Eldritch Knight?

Yes, a Fighter can take two actions with Action Surge, as long as they meet any spellcasting restrictions.

3. Does Extra Attack stack with other features that grant extra attacks?

No. Extra Attack does not stack. If you have a feature that grants you Extra Attack, and you gain another feature that grants you Extra Attack, you do not gain an additional attack. You only gain the benefit of the highest number of attacks you are allowed.

4. How much damage should a Level 20 Fighter be doing?

This is highly variable depending on equipment, feats, and subclass. However, a well-optimized Level 20 Fighter can consistently deal over 50 damage per round, and significantly more with Action Surge and critical hits. Some of the damage is contingent on the enemy being hit.

5. What is the most important stat for a Fighter?

Strength or Dexterity, depending on your weapon choice and desired playstyle. Constitution is also crucial for survivability.

6. What is the best Fighter subclass for maximizing damage output?

The Battle Master and Samurai are popular choices for their ability to enhance attacks with Combat Superiority dice or Fighting Spirit.

7. How does Great Weapon Master interact with the Fighter’s attacks?

Great Weapon Master allows you to take a -5 penalty to your attack roll for a +10 bonus to damage. This can significantly increase damage output, but requires careful consideration of accuracy.

8. What are some good feats for a Level 20 Fighter?

Great Weapon Master, Sharpshooter, Polearm Master, Sentinel, and Lucky are all excellent choices.

9. Can a Fighter dual-wield and still make four attacks?

No. The Bonus Action gained from dual-wielding consumes that Bonus Action for an additional attack, not the initial Attack Action. So, to gain the four attacks in the original Attack Action, you would need to use a weapon with two hands.

10. How does the Fighter compare to other classes at Level 20?

Fighters are exceptional damage dealers and martial combatants. Other classes, like Wizards, offer more versatility and spellcasting power, but Fighters excel in direct combat.

11. Can a Level 20 Fighter solo a Tarrasque?

It’s a difficult fight, but possible with the right build, strategy, and a bit of luck. A Tarrasque has a 50-50 chance of killing it, but a moon druid can kill it easily.

12. What is the strongest magical weapon for a Level 20 Fighter?

This depends on your build and preferences, but weapons like the Vorpal Sword, Holy Avenger, and Staff of the Magi are highly sought after. The Games Learning Society studies such complex systems!

13. Does advantage stack with Action Surge?

Advantage on attack rolls provides a significant boost to accuracy. When combined with Action Surge and multiple attacks, it greatly increases the likelihood of hitting your target and dealing damage.

14. How does the Indomitable feature affect the Fighter’s survivability?

The Indomitable feature allows the Fighter to reroll a failed saving throw, significantly improving their resilience against spells and other debilitating effects.

15. What are some of the most difficult D&D adventures for a Level 20 party?

Tomb of Annihilation and Curse of Strahd are renowned for their challenging encounters and deadly traps.

Conclusion

The Level 20 Fighter is a powerhouse of martial prowess. While the base number of four attacks is impressive, it’s the combination of Action Surge, strategic feats, powerful equipment, and clever subclass features that truly unlocks their potential. By understanding the intricacies of the Fighter’s abilities, you can create a character capable of slaying dragons, conquering armies, and becoming a legend in the annals of D&D history. You can learn more about the complex interactions of game mechanics at GamesLearningSociety.org.