Introducing the 5e Great Weapon Master feat, a potent tool for enhancing your character’s combat abilities. This feat grants significant damage boosts but demands careful consideration of its potential drawbacks. Join us as we explore the intricacies of this feat, optimizing character builds, and mastering strategies to unleash its full potential.
The Great Weapon Master feat is designed to amplify the damage output of characters wielding hefty weapons, but it comes with a trade-off: a penalty to attack rolls. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of this feat is crucial for making informed decisions about its use.
1. Defining the Great Weapon Master Feat
The Great Weapon Master feat is a powerful option for martial characters in Dungeons & Dragons 5e. It grants significant bonuses to damage output but comes with some drawbacks as well. To qualify for the feat, characters must meet the following requirements:
- Strength of 13 or higher
- Proficient with martial weapons
When a character uses a two-handed weapon or a one-handed weapon with two hands, they gain the following benefits:
- +10 damage to damage rolls
- Can choose to take a -5 penalty to attack rolls for a +10 bonus to damage rolls
These bonuses can significantly enhance a character’s combat effectiveness, especially when combined with other feats or abilities that synergize with heavy weapons.
2. Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Great Weapon Master
Advantages
- Increased damage output: The feat provides a significant bonus to damage rolls, making it ideal for characters who want to deal maximum damage.
- Versatile: The feat can be used with a variety of two-handed weapons, giving characters flexibility in their combat choices.
- Synergizes with other abilities: The feat can be combined with other feats or abilities that enhance weapon damage, such as the Sharpshooter feat or the Battle Master fighter’s Precision Attack maneuver.
Disadvantages, 5e great weapon master
- Penalty to attack rolls: The -5 penalty to attack rolls can make it difficult to hit enemies, especially at higher levels.
- Limited use: The feat can only be used with two-handed weapons or one-handed weapons used with two hands, which may limit its usefulness for characters who prefer other weapon types.
- Can be countered by enemies with high AC: Enemies with high Armor Class (AC) can make it difficult to hit them even with the -5 penalty, reducing the effectiveness of the feat.
Overall, the Great Weapon Master feat is a powerful option that can significantly enhance a character’s combat capabilities, but it also comes with some potential drawbacks. Characters should carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages before deciding whether to take the feat.
3. Character Optimization with Great Weapon Master
The Great Weapon Master feat synergizes well with certain character classes and builds. Here is a table showcasing some of the most effective combinations:
| Class | Build | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Barbarian | Berserker | The Berserker’s Frenzy ability grants advantage on attack rolls, which can offset the
|
| Fighter | Battle Master | The Battle Master’s Precision Attack maneuver can grant a bonus to attack rolls, which can help mitigate the penalty from the feat. |
| Paladin | Vengeance | The Vengeance Paladin’s Vow of Enmity ability grants advantage on attack rolls against a specific target, which can make the Great Weapon Master feat even more effective. |
Multiclassing can also enhance the effectiveness of the Great Weapon Master feat. For example, a Fighter/Barbarian multiclass can combine the benefits of the Berserker’s Frenzy ability with the Fighter’s Extra Attack feature to deal massive damage in a single turn.
4. Weapon Selection for Great Weapon Master
When selecting a weapon for use with the Great Weapon Master feat, there are several factors to consider:
- Damage type: Choose a weapon with a damage type that is effective against the enemies you are likely to face.
- Reach: A weapon with reach allows you to attack enemies from a distance, which can be useful for avoiding attacks of opportunity.
- Weight: A heavier weapon deals more damage, but it can also slow down your character’s movement speed.
Some of the best weapons for use with the Great Weapon Master feat include:
- Greatsword: A versatile weapon with high damage and reach.
- Maul: A heavy weapon with even higher damage than the greatsword, but without reach.
- Halberd: A versatile weapon with reach and a bonus to damage against creatures of a specific type.
Ultimately, the best weapon for you will depend on your character’s class, build, and playstyle.
5. Strategies and Tactics with Great Weapon Master: 5e Great Weapon Master
There are several strategies and tactics that can be employed when using the Great Weapon Master feat:
- Positioning: Position your character so that you can attack multiple enemies with a single swing. This can be especially effective when combined with the Cleave feat.
- Resource management: Be mindful of your resources, especially when using the -5 penalty to attack rolls. Don’t waste your attacks on enemies that you are unlikely to hit.
- Damage optimization: Focus on dealing as much damage as possible with each attack. This means using your highest-damage weapon and targeting the most vulnerable enemies.
By following these strategies and tactics, you can maximize the effectiveness of the Great Weapon Master feat and become a formidable force on the battlefield.
Q&A
What are the prerequisites for taking the Great Weapon Master feat?
To qualify for the Great Weapon Master feat, your character must be proficient with martial weapons and have a Strength score of 13 or higher.
How does the Great Weapon Master feat affect damage output?
When using a weapon with the two-handed property and making an attack with the Attack action, you can choose to apply the Great Weapon Master bonus to the attack roll. If the attack hits, you add a bonus to the damage roll equal to half your character’s Strength modifier (rounded down).
What is the penalty to attack rolls associated with the Great Weapon Master feat?
When you use the Great Weapon Master bonus to an attack roll, you suffer a penalty of -5 to the attack roll.