How To Enjoy The Fighter Class

The Unga Bunga Build

Fighters have been around throughout history, wargaming and most of fantasy literature. We popularly see with Tolkien's Lord of Rings, Robert E Howard's Conan The Barbarian and Kentaro Miura's Berserk with Guts 'The Black Swordsman'. Fantasy Tabletop RPGs allow us to portray these characters into our referee's campaigns. 

While the Fighter became a class known amongst the community as a simple class to play. It leaves us to question the enjoyment of playing a Fighting-Man with a battle axe. In medieval wargaming, the common footsoldier, knight and archers make up the majority of an army, but once the fantasy supplement had orcs, elves and dwarves it changed the battles forever.

Now I don't have experience/knowledge with OD&D and Chainmail, but regardless of what system you use. It can be achieved to make the most interesting Fighter in your group or solo campaign. Without further ado let's further discuss the class!

Building a Fighter's Legacy

Most Fighters rely on their selection of weaponry and armor to face against their opponents in combat, but besides that benefit, What makes them an interesting character? Well the boring answer is that they are just a brute in the front-lines. However, you can take it a step further and ask why did this noble person become an adventurer? to see the wider world or to live a simple life away from their diplomatic issues. Does a mercenary seek to become a Lord's right-hand man or advisor after he has done his part? Fighters build reputation by building or burning bridges with many kings and queens in the campaign. Others avoid warfare and politics all together to live a simple life. Others thrive in bending the law with charm and wits like a Brigand. 

Example #1: Lawful Knight

This knight was nothing more than a squire under his mentor who had achieved Knighthood long ago. He assured to himself to know and follow the law. Before he was practicing with a wooden sword against wooden statues in the courtyard. At some point he would witness warfare against rivaling factions whether human or not. Once it was peaceful at times he would learn what the royal court looks like and understand the social circles of nobility and hope to survive under such circumstances. Later down the line he becomes a Knight apart of the round table and is accompanied by a squire that reminds him of his old days. 

Example #2: The Ranger

Someone is naturally born to live in these woods. Though not isolating themselves from people as they trust a small community they've grown up in. They have no need for a higher social status neither the fortune that gets them everything in life. They simply take a bow, spear and their ability to navigate the wilderness. They avoid trouble that is unnecessary to them, but willing to help those that need help.

Example #3: Mountain Bandit

You've caused a lot of trouble in your youth, but you try to justify your actions because of your past. you were abandoned by troubling parents and learn the bad things from them. Stealing coins from purses and intimidating people for their food. Your bad reputation forces you to retreat to a hideout you call home to avoid being caught by the authority. You could think that you've done nothing wrong, but there are possibilities to write your wrongs, but you learn nobles are stingy and people are selfish to helpless low-lives.

The Fantasy Trip Melee

I've played through this micro-game that allows man-to-man combat for a historical and/or fantasy game. You simply start out with 8 Strength, 8 Dexterity and 8 remaining points for a total of 24. Are you a powerful yet slow fighter or weak agile fighter? you decide what weapons and armor you use in the battlefield. The rules are pretty clear just like in D&D or any other fantasy RPG with a combat system in it.

The rules provides various tactics that come with advantages and disadvantages. Like using a shield rush against an opponent, throwing melee weapons, parrying with a main-gauche, or engaging in HTH (hand-to-hand) combat. the rest of the game provides options whether you are engaged with your opponents or not. 

the magic system for The Fantasy Trip: Wizard allows for larger battles and foes beyond bears and wolves. I don't have much knowledge of the rules in this game since i don't own it, but that may come later in this series for the Magic-Users.
 

The Fantasy Trip: Melee & Wizard Pocket Box you can pick it up on steve jackson's website or if you prefer owning one or the other those are available too.

Domain Level Play

Fighters reaching 9th Level allows them to establish a stronghold and acquire a retinue of their own. I haven't gotten far to this phase of the game since solo play can be a daunting experience if interest is declining. Though one day that is my goal to achieve those phases beyond Expert Play. The way I can imagine this level of play is by playing Mount & Blade Warband.

Mount & Blade Warband essentially allows the player to rule all of Calradia by joining various factions and participating in campaigns. Of course, the player's renown at the start depends of their social status in a medieval hierarchy. So a noble has an easier start in what they've been passed down, but a farmer is a nobody and easily lose their lives by Bandits or they are the ones raiding the village. Plenty of play-styles to encourage players to engage in the world of Calradia however they'd like too. 

Conclusion

Fighters are boring by most standards and eventually become Sellswords and the Eldritch Knights of 5e. Which there is nothing wrong with that, but it disencourage a new player to play the barbarian or fighter to focus less on roleplaying their character. Min-maxing is fun to some degree if it was a video game, but tabletop rpgs were never a video game from the start. So as I get my motivation from RollStats on youtube. Play the character and not rely on what you can do from your character sheet. Stay Tuned for the next class: The Magic-User!