Maneuvers & Superiority Dice#
All martial classes gain access to Superiority Dice and Maneuvers, giving them more tactical options in combat — without needing to multiclass into Battle Master.
**Quick Summary**: Roll a die, add it to an attack, a save, or a defensive effect. You get more dice and more maneuver options as you level up. Full mechanics below.
The Core Rule (Read This First)#
- Using a Maneuver costs one Superiority Die.
- Roll the die and add it to the maneuver’s effect (damage, defense, save DC, etc).
- If a maneuver requires a save, the DC is:
**Maneuver Save DC = 8 + Proficiency Bonus + STR or DEX modifier (your choice)**
- Recovery: You regain all expended Superiority Dice on a short or long rest.
Everything else on this page is detail and reference — but if you only remember one thing, remember the DC formula above.
Who Gets This?#
All martial classes — Fighter, Barbarian, Ranger, Paladin, Rogue, and Monk — gain Superiority Dice and Maneuvers automatically. You don’t need to multiclass or pick a subclass to get this.
**Already a Battle Master?** You gain extra Superiority Dice on top of this system as normal for your subclass — making Battle Masters the most maneuver-dense build in the campaign.
Superiority Die Size#
Your Superiority Die grows as you level up.
| Level Range | Die Size |
|---|---|
| 1–9 | d6 |
| 10–16 | d8 |
| 17+ | d10 |
Maneuvers Known#
You learn maneuvers as you level up, gaining access to more powerful options at higher levels.
| Level | Maneuvers Known | Tier Unlocked |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2 | Basic Maneuvers |
| 5 | 3 | Advanced Maneuvers |
| 7 | 4 | Tactical Maneuvers |
| 9 | 5 | Expert Maneuvers |
| 11 | 6 | Legendary Maneuvers |
| 13 | 7 | Legendary Maneuvers |
| 15 | 8 | Mythic Maneuvers |
| 17 | 9 | Mythic Maneuvers |
| 19 | 10 | Mythic Maneuvers |
Maneuver List#
Basic Maneuvers (Level 3+)#
| Maneuver | Type | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Precision Strike | Attack | Add Superiority Die to an attack roll |
| Parry | Defense | Reduce incoming damage by Superiority Die + DEX modifier |
| Riposte | Reaction | Make a melee attack against an enemy who misses you |
| Trip Attack | Attack | Knock target prone if they fail a STR save |
Advanced Maneuvers (Level 5+)#
| Maneuver | Type | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Disarming Strike | Attack | Force enemy to drop a weapon/item (STR save) |
| Menacing Strike | Attack | Cause fear in the target (WIS save) |
| Brace | Reaction | Attack an enemy who moves into your reach |
Tactical Maneuvers (Level 7+)#
| Maneuver | Type | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Tactical Push | Attack | Push enemy 10 feet back (STR save) |
| Quickstep | Movement | Move 10 feet as a reaction without provoking opportunity attacks |
Expert Maneuvers (Level 9+)#
| Maneuver | Type | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Commanding Shout | Tactical | Give an ally an extra attack (they use their reaction) |
| Unbreakable Will | Defense | Gain advantage on all saves until your next turn |
Legendary Maneuvers (Level 11+)#
| Maneuver | Type | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Sweeping Strike | Attack | Hit two adjacent enemies with one attack |
| Overpowering Blow | Attack | Knock enemy back 20 feet (STR save) |
| Master Duelist | Attack | Reroll a missed attack once per short rest |
Mythic Maneuvers (Level 15+)#
| Maneuver | Type | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Deathblow | Attack | If target is below 50% HP, they make a CON save or die |
| Legendary Endurance | Defense | Ignore one level of exhaustion & resist all damage for 1 turn |
| Storm of Blades | Attack | Make 3 attacks using 1 action (Level 19+) |
Worked Examples#
Precision Strike (Level 3 Fighter with 1d6 Superiority Die)
- You attack with your longsword: roll 14 + 5 (STR) = 19 to hit
- The enemy’s AC is 20 (you would miss)
- You use Precision Strike, rolling 1d6 = 4
- New attack roll: 19 + 4 = 23 (hit!)
Parry (Level 10 Fighter with 1d8 Superiority Die, DEX +2)
- An enemy hits you for 18 damage
- You use Parry as a reaction
- Roll 1d8 = 6, add DEX +2 = 8 total
- Reduce damage by 8: you take only 10 damage
Strategic Tips#
Building a Combat Style#
- Aggressive Fighters: Focus on attack maneuvers (Precision Strike, Trip Attack, Sweeping Strike)
- Defensive Fighters: Focus on defensive maneuvers (Parry, Riposte, Unbreakable Will)
- Tactical Leaders: Focus on support maneuvers (Commanding Shout, Brace)
Resource Management#
- You only have 1 Superiority Die per short rest (unless you’re a Battle Master)
- Save it for crucial moments or use it early to gain advantage
- Consider multiclassing with Battle Master for more dice
Synergy with Class Features#
- Rogues: Use maneuvers to set up Sneak Attacks
- Paladins: Combine with Divine Smite for massive damage
- Barbarians: Use while Raging for even better effects
**Remember**: Battle Masters get EXTRA Superiority Dice on top of this system, making them the ultimate masters of combat maneuvers!
This system gives every martial character tactical options on par with a Battle Master, without requiring the subclass. For Armor Class and Critical Hit rules, see Combat Rules.