Axemaster (5e Subclass)

Axemaster

Fighter Subclass

Skilled in their craft in a way unlike any other soldier, the axemaster is as the name suggests: a specialist in wielding the axe into combat. Taking what is typically portrayed as a brute's tool and harnessing its might with martial discipline, axemasters unlock the strength of their armaments by striking a perfect balance between power and technique, turning them into raging storms in battle; forces that even the mightiest warriors fear the meeting of in war.

When creating an axemaster, consider why your character chose to favor the axe. Are they part of a special infantry unit within their military focused on crushing defenses? Were they a bandit who sought to build upon their preferred weapon's strength through expertise? Perhaps they were a woodcutter who devoted themselves to the arm after driving back an invasion with their tool? Regardless of the background, all axemasters are united by their defining skill: their mastery of axes.

Fighting Style: Axe Mastery

Starting at 3rd level, you have true mastery over the use of the axe. You lose your Fighting Style chosen at 1st level, and learn this feature instead:

• When using a greataxe, battleaxe or handaxe, you gain a bonus of +2 on attack rolls with it.

Warrior's Approach

Also at 3rd level, you need to focus on one type of axe fighting style. Your choice determine features you are granted later down the line in this subclass. Your choices are:

Executioner. Once per turn when you hit a creature with a greataxe, you roll the damage die of the axe one additional time for calculating damage.

Warrior. When wielding a battleaxe in one hand and a shield in the other, you cause the versatile damage for the battleaxe. In addition, you can Shove using your bonus action.

Tempest. When wielding a pair of handaxes, when you take the Attack action and attack with a handaxe, you can make another attack with the other handaxe as a bonus action.

Woodcutter

At 7th level, your strikes against wooden surfaces are brutal using your axes. Your attacks against wooden objects, surfaces and creatures have the damage doubled.

In addition, you ignore the AC granted by shields, and instantly break woodend shields from creatures you hit with attacks from an axe.

Warrior's Approach: Journeyman

At 10th level, your style with your chosen approach develops further:

Executioner. You score critical hits with a 19-20 using your Greataxe. In addition, you roll three dice, rather than two, when you score a critical hit with a greataxe.

Warrior. You gain advantage on the second attack made as part of your Attack action whenever you miss the first attack.

Tempest. You can make two attacks, rather than one, using your bonus action, whenever you are engaged in two-weapon fighting with handaxes.

Warrior's Approach: Master

At 15th level, you reach true mastery over your approach:

Executioner. Your first attack made in each of your turns using a greataxe is made at Advantage.

Warrior. When a creature hits you with a melee attack, you can use a reaction to give yourself +2 to your AC. If this causes the attack to miss, you can make an opportunity attack against your attacker.

Tempest. You can attack twice, rather than once (once with each handaxe you wield), whenever a creature provokes an opportunity attack from you.

Legendary Axemaster

When you reach the 18th level, you reach the complete control over the axe:

Executioner. When you score a critical hit against a creature with your greataxe, you can forgo any remaining attacks on your Attack Action to cause additional damage equal to 2d12 per attack forgone.

Warrior. When you successfully shove a target, the target is also stunned until the start of your next turn.

Tempest. As an Action, you can make two attacks (one with each handaxe you wield) against each creature within 5 feet of you.

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