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Fighter of the Champion Archetype

Tier A

Fighter · Champion · Human · levels [1,21)

Improved critical + action surge = the most "feels good" martial character. Sustained DPR, not burst.

Why this tier

Improved critical + action surge = the most "feels good" martial character.

Estimated single-target DPR

80/100 — Loremaster estimate, not measured in play

Feat progression

  1. L4Crossbow Expert — Bonus action hand-crossbow; ignore 5ft range
  2. L8Sharpshooter — -5 attack, +10 damage, ignore ½/¾ cover
  3. L12Lucky — 3 luck points

Loremaster’s notes

The Champion is the simplest Fighter and the most reliable. Improved Critical (level 3) gives crit on 19-20. Superior Critical (level 10) gives crit on 18-20. Survivor (level 18) gives you regen on round 1 of combat. Action Surge (1/short rest at level 2, 2/short rest at level 17) lets you take a second full action — meaning 8 attacks per turn at level 20 if you take PAM + CBE (crossbow expert + polearm master, but for a bow). For a Champion, the best build is typically PAM + CBE with a hand-crossbow: 1d6+1d6+1d6+1d6+1d6 = 5d6 per round base, doubled to 10d6 on a crit. Champion isn't "the strongest" — but the player skill floor is the lowest of any martial. A first-time Fighter can run a Champion and have fun.

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