Commander (5e Class)

Commander

"A good Commander prefers strength in numbers and tactics opposed to pure physical strength,"-A successful Commander.

Commander

A person to look up to, a person of order, a person who dedicates their lives to the service, a commander has been called all these things and more, but that just scratches the surface of the truth. Being a commander really means always being ready for the unexpected, having to deal with failures and loss in battle and war while maintaining composure, and always following the chain of command. You have embodied these traits to heart through your service with the military even if you have since moved on. Other commander's have known to a one point held power in places besides the military, like the head of a household or clan, or the head of an organization or guild.

Creating a Commander

Why did you decide to become an adventurer? Did you get bored of being a soldier, get demoted for some reason, get transferred and leave instead or some other reason? What parts of being in the military have stuck to you, or are you not from the military and instead got experience being a leader elsewhere? What do you want to accomplish now?

Quick Build

You can make a commander quickly by following these suggestions. First, Strength should be your highest ability score, followed by Charisma. Constitution is a good ability score as well. Second, choose the soldier background.

Commander ready for battle. Source

Class Features

As a Commander you gain the following class features.

Hit Points

Hit Dice: 1d10 per Commander level
Hit Points at 1st Level: 10 + Constitution modifier
Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d10 (or 6) + Constitution modifier per Commander level after 1st

Proficiencies

Armor: Light armor, medium armor, heavy armor, shields
Weapons: Simple weapons, martial weapons
Tools: None
Saving Throws: Constitution, Charisma
Skills: Choose two from Animal Handling, Athletics, Insight, Intimidation, Investigation, Persuasion, and Religion.

Equipment

You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:

• (a) a light crossbow and 20 bolts or (b) five javelins
• (a) a martial weapon and a shield or (b) two martial weapons
• (a) chain shirt or (b) chain mail
• (a) a dungeoneer's pack or (b) an explorer's pack

Table: The Commander

Level	Proficiency Bonus	Features
1st	+2	Commander's Inspiration(d6), Fighting Style
2nd	+2	Battle Cry, Superior training
3rd	+2	Commanding Style, Great Inspirer
4th	+2	Ability Score Improvement
5th	+3	Superior Training, War Strategist
6th	+3	Ability Score Improvement, Commander's Inspiration(d8)
7th	+3	Commanding Style Feature
8th	+3	Ability Score Improvement
9th	+4	Fighting Style(2)
10th	+4	Commanding Style Feature
11th	+4	Commander's Inspiration(d10)
12th	+4	Ability Score Improvement
13th	+5	Hardened Resolve
14th	+5	Ability Score Improvement, Commanding Style Feature
15th	+5	Experienced Combative
16th	+5	Ability Score Improvement
17th	+6	Commander's Inspiration(d12)
18th	+6	Commanding Style Feature
19th	+6	Ability Score Improvement
20th	+6	Singular Focus

Commander's Inspiration

You can inspire others through giving tactical commands, shouting mottos and battle cries, or by recalling tales of heroism. To do so, you use a bonus action on your turn to choose one creature other than yourself within 60 feet of you who can hear you. That creature gains one Commander's Inspiration die, a d6.

Once within the next 10 minutes, the creature can roll the die and add the number rolled to one ability check, attack roll, or saving throw it makes. The creature can wait until after it rolls the d20 before deciding to use the Commander's Inspiration die, but must decide before the DM says whether the roll succeeds or fails. Once the Commander's Inspiration die is rolled, it is lost. A creature can have only one Bardic or Commander's Inspiration die at a time.

You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Charisma modifier (a minimum of once). You regain any expended uses when you finish a long rest or half when you finish a short one.

Your Commander's Inspiration die changes when you reach certain levels in this class. The die becomes a d8 at 6th level, a d10 at 11th level, and a d12 at 17th level.

You obtain the Diplomat trait.

Fighting Style

By 1st level, you can adopt a particular style of fighting as your specialty. Choose one of the following options. You can't take a Fighting Style option more than once.

Archery

You gain a +2 bonus to attack rolls you make with ranged weapons.

Defense

While you are wearing armor, you gain a +1 bonus to AC.

Dueling

When you are wielding a melee weapon in one hand and no other weapons, you gain a +2 bonus to damage rolls with that weapon.

Great Weapon Fighting

When you roll a 1 or 2 on a damage die for an attack you make with a melee weapon that you are wielding with two hands, you can reroll the die and must use the new roll, even if the new roll is a 1 or a 2. The weapon must have the two-handed or versatile property for you to gain this benefit.

Protection

When a creature you can see attacks a target other than you that is within 5 feet of you, you can use your reaction to impose disadvantage on the attack roll. You must be wielding a shield.

Two-Weapon Fighting

When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.

Battle Cry

By 2nd level, you can inspire those around you to take up arms. As a bonus action, you can call out to all allied creatures within 120ft, making them deal addition damage on all attacks equal to your Charisma modifier(minimum of one) until the start of your next turn. Once you use your Battle Cry in this way, you must complete a short or long rest before you can do so again.

Superior Training

Starting at 2nd level, while wielding a weapon you are proficient with you add a +1 bonus to your Armor Class.

Commanding Style

At level 3, you select a Commanding Style for your commander. Your choice gives you new class features at 3rd level and again at levels 7, 10, 14, and 18.

Great Inspirer

At 3rd level, you have advantage on persuading local militia to fight for you also betraying the city. When you reach level 13 you can try to persuade high military ranked officers. DC= 10+ proficency bonus+ Charisma modifier.

Ability Score Improvement

When you reach 4th level, and again at 6th, 8th, 12th, 14th, 16th and 19th level, you can (at your choice):

• Increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can't increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.

• Choose one talent increasing your ability only by 1 and rolling a d6 instead of a d10 for the hit points.

Superior Training

At 5th level, you learn maneuvers that are fueled by special dice called superiority dice.

• Maneuvers. You learn two maneuvers of your choice. Many maneuvers enhance an attack in some way. You can use only one maneuver per attack. You learn one additional maneuvers of your choice at 10th level.

• Superiority Dice. You have four superiority dice, which are d8s. A superiority die is expended when you use it. You regain all of your expended superiority dice when you finish a long rest. You gain another superiority die at 7th level and one more at 15th level.

• Saving Throws. Some of your maneuvers require your target to make a saving throw to resist the maneuver's effects. The saving throw DC is calculated as follows:

• Maneuver save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Strength or Charsisma modifier (your choice)

The Manuvers that you can choose from are:

• Disarming Attack

When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend one superiority die to attempt to disarm the target, forcing it to drop one item of your choice that it's holding. You add the superiority die to the attack's damage roll, and the target must make a Strength saving throw. On a failed save, it drops the object you choose. The object lands at its feet.

• Distracting Strike

When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend one superiority die to distract the creature, giving your allies an opening. You add the superiority die to the attack's damage roll. The next attack roll against the target by an attacker other than you has advantage if the attack is made before the start of your next turn.

• Feinting Attack

You can expend one superiority die and use a bonus action on your turn to feint, choosing one creature within 5 feet of you as your target. You have advantage on your next attack roll against that creature before the end of your turn. If that attack hits, add the superiority die to the attack's damage roll.

• Goading Attack

When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend one superiority die to attempt to goad the target into attacking you. You add the superiority die to the attack's damage roll, and the target must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the target has disadvantage on all attack rolls against targets other than you until the end of your next turn.

• Lunging Attack

When you make a melee weapon attack on your turn, you can expend one superiority die to increase your reach for that attack by 5 feet. If you hit, you add the superiority die to the attack's damage roll.

• Maneuvering Attack

When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend one superiority die to maneuver one of your comrades into a more advantageous position. You add the superiority die to the attack's damage roll, and you choose a friendly creature who can see or hear you. That creature can use its reaction to move up to half its speed without provoking opportunity attacks from the target of your attack.

• Parry

When another creature damages you with a melee attack, you can use your reaction and expend one superiority die to reduce the damage by the number you roll on your superiority die + your Dexterity modifier.

• Pushing Attack

When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend one superiority die to attempt to drive the target back. You add the superiority die to the attack's damage roll, and if the target is Large or smaller, it must make a Strength saving throw. On a failed save, you push the target up to 15 feet away from you.

• Rally

On your turn, you can use a bonus action and expend one superiority die to bolster the resolve of one of your companions. When you do so, choose a friendly creature who can see or hear you. That creature gains temporary hit points equal to the superiority die roll + your Charisma modifier.

• Riposte

When a creature misses you with a melee attack, you can use your reaction and expend one superiority die to make a melee weapon attack against the creature. If you hit, you add the superiority die to the attack's damage roll.

• Trip Attack

When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend one superiority die to attempt to knock the target down. You add the superiority die to the attack's damage roll, and if the target is Large or smaller, it must make a Strength saving throw. On a failed save, you knock the target prone.

War Strategist

At 5th level you start really know your enemy. After 5 battle turns you get advantage against one type of enemy you are fighting with. If you spend a year and 500gp studying and training against a particular type or race of enemy you get this advantage istantaniously and you know the enemy's stat.

Hardened Resolve

By the 13th level, you have steeled your resolve. When you fail an ability saving throw roll a d100; if the result is lower or equal to 50-your Wisdom modifier x10 you fail and take 1d12+10 mental damage; if higher you pass the throw. You can use this feature equal to your Charisma modifier rounded down. You regain use of this feature after you finish a long rest.

Experienced Combative

By 15th level, you have obtained unrivaled experience in close range combat. Whenever you are hit with a melee attack, you may use your reaction to reduce the damage by 2d8 + your Strength or Constitution modifier.

Singular Focus

By 20th level, you can command legions to focus down a single target. As an action, you can single out the target of Singular Focus within 120ft. of you. Until the start of your next turn, that target has disadvantage on all saving throws, and all allied creatures within 120ft of you have advantage on attacks and saving throws against the target of Singular Focus. If you are in a city you can persuade the some of the high ranked militia and their followers to join you automatically. You regain the use of this feature after you finish a long rest.

General

A commander who was once in the military and have since adapted the things they learned to better suit their needs.

Commanding Presence

Starting at 3rd level, you gain proficiency in the Intimidation or Persuasion skill, and if you already have proficiency in them, you can double your proficiency bonus.

Guidance

Starting at 3rd level, whenever you or a creature you can see within 30 feet of you misses a weapon attack, as a reaction you may call upon them, allowing to immediately make another attack against the creature adding your Charisma modifier to the damage roll. You can use this feature equal to your Charisma Mod (Min. 1)

Improved Critical

Starting at 7th level, when you make an attack action you make a critical on a 19-20.

Tempered Warrior

By 10th level, you have upmost confidence in your abilities. When you make a melee weapon attack add your Charisma modifier (minimum of one)and your proficency bonus to your damage rolls. This attack is considered as magical.

Rally

By 14th level, your presence inspires those around you. As an action, you can speak out words of encouragement to all allied creatures within 60ft. They gain temporary hit points equal to your commander level + Charisma modifier (minimum of one)and have resistance to non-magic attack. You regain use of this feature after you finish a long rest.

Charge

By 18th level, your commands are treated as law. As an action, you can yell to charge your foes, giving all allied creatures within 120 feet of you advantage against any being and against saving throws for 1 hour and resistance to non-magic and mental attack. Also, while under this effect, you and all your allies ignore difficult terrain and cannot be frightened. You regain use of this feature after you finish a short or long rest.

Tribe Leader

A tribe leader is someone who has lost their position within a tribe, but still holds significant sway with both humanoids and beasts.

Animalistic Presence

Beginning at 3rd level, you gain proficiency in the Athletics skill and two musical instruments of your choice, if you already have proficiency in it, you can double your proficiency bonus.

Wild Kinsmanship

Starting at 3rd level, beasts can understand your speech, and you gain the ability to decipher their noises and motions. Most beasts lack the intelligence to convey or understand sophisticated concepts, but a friendly beast could relay what it has seen or heard in the recent past. This ability doesn’t grant you any special friendship with beasts, though you can combine this ability with gifts to curry favor with them as you would with any nonplayer character.

Evolving Protection

You have come to understand how to rapidly adapt to your surroundings you to better fit your needs. Starting at 3rd level, whenever you finish a long rest, you may choose a damage type besides bludgeoning, slashing, and piercing to gain resistance to. You lose this resistance when you start a long rest.

Primal Scream

By 7th level, your very voice can be a source of horror for some. As an action, you may make all enemy creatures within 60ft of you make a Wisdom saving throw equal to 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Charisma modifier. On failure, they are frightened for 1 minute. At the end of their turn they may repeat this saving throw. A creature that succeeds on this saving throw is immune to your aura for 24 hours. You regain use of this feature after you finish a short or long rest.

One With Beasts

By 10th level, you can channel the spirt of animals within you. As an action, you may cast the conjure animals spell once and regain use of this feature after you finish a long rest.

War Horn

By 14th level, you can inspire those around you to take up arms. As an action, you can blow a horn affecting all allied creatures within 120ft. They gain temporary hit points equal to your commander level + your Charisma modifier (minimum of one) for 1 minute. You regain use of this feature after you finish a short or long rest.

Onslaught

By 18th level, you have enough experience in combat to be able unleash everything you have in an instant. Before you take the Attack action, you may choose to focus down a creature within 5 feet of you. When you do so, your attacks against the creature deal 3d10 additional damage until the start of your next turn. You regain use of this feature after you finish a short or long rest.

Warrior Guild Leader

A commander who was in or currently still in a warrior guild of some sort, whether it be mercenary, bounty hunters, convoys, or some other sort.

Guiding Presence

Beginning at 3rd level, you gain proficiency in the Insight or Persuasion skill, and if you already have proficiency in them, you can double your proficiency bonus.

Trained Fighter

Starting at 3rd level, you gain the following benefits due the countless battles you have been involved in and the non-stop training you go through.

• The first creature you hit on each of your turns with a weapon attack takes extra damage equal to half your commander level rounded up.
• You have advantage on saving throws against being frightened.

Protector

By 7th level, you have become a excellent protector. When an allied creature that is within 5ft of you takes damage from a ranged or melee weapon attack, you can use your reaction to jump in front of them and take the damage instead. When an allied creature that is within 5ft of you takes damage from an aoe, you can use your reaction to jump in front of them and take the brunt of the damage. You automatically fail your save while your ally automatically makes their save. You can only use this feature if you are wielding a shield. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Constitution modifier(minimum of one). You regain all uses of this feature after you finish a long rest.

One for All

Begging at 10th level, when you take the Help action, you may Help a separate target as a bonus action.

Song of Readiness

By 14th level, you speech makes those around less likely to fall prey to harmful effects. As an action, you can yell words of protection giving all allied creatures within 60ft of you have advantage on all saving throws against spells that apply a condition until the start of your next turn. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Charisma modifier(minimum of one). You regain all uses of this feature after you finish a long rest.

Reinvigorated

By 18th level, you are accustomed to long fights. As a bonus action, you can gain temporary hit points equal to double your commander level that last for a minute. You regain use of this feature after you finish a short or long rest.

Multiclassing

Prerequisites. To qualify for multiclassing into the commander class, you must meet these prerequisites: Strength 13 and Charisma 13.

Proficiencies. When you multiclass into the commander class, you gain the following proficiencies: light armor, medium armor, shields, simple weapons, martial weapons.

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