In the 2024 edition of Dungeons & Dragons 5e, Weapon Mastery revolutionizes martial combat by granting fighters, barbarians, paladins, rangers, and rogues unique mastery properties tied to their chosen weapons-turning every strike into a tactical opportunity. From cleaving through multiple foes with a greataxe to toppling enemies with a trident, this system adds dynamic, cinematic flair and strategic depth to battles, making every weapon feel truly specialized and every attack more impactful.
Our 2024 D&D Weapon Mastery guide will explain how Weapon Mastery works and what characters can use it.
D&D 5e 2024 Mastery properties
Weapon Mastery in D&D 5e 2024 introduces a new layer of combat specialization by assigning each weapon a unique Mastery Property, which grants specific advantages when wielded by characters proficient and specialized in that weapon. These properties, such as Cleave, Graze, Push, and Topple, provide dynamic effects like additional attacks, damage on misses, forced movement, or imposing conditions on targets. Mastery Properties can be used every time you attack without limitation and can be swapped out during a Long Rest, allowing flexibility and strategic depth. This system enhances martial classes by making combat faster, more cinematic, and tactically richer, addressing previous concerns about the pace and excitement of melee engagements in 5e.
All weapons in D&D now have a Mastery Property. These are listed in equipment tables and weapon descriptions. If your Class gives you the Weapon Mastery feature (more on this below) and you have proficiency with the weapon you’re using, you’ll get to use the Mastery Property of that weapon with each attack (once per turn).
Mastery Properties are:
- Cleave. When you hit a creature with a melee attack, you can make a melee attack roll with the weapon against a second creature within 5 feet of the first that’s also within your reach.
- Graze. If your attack roll with this weapon misses a creature, you can still deal damage to that creature equal to the ability modifier you used to make the attack roll.
- Nick. Once per turn, when you make the extra attack with a weapon that has the Light property, you can make it as part of the Attack action instead of as a Bonus Action.
- Push. If you hit a creature with this weapon, you can push the creature up to 10 feet straight away from you if it is Large or smaller.
- Sap. If you hit a creature with this weapon, that creature has Disadvantage on its next attack roll before the start of your next turn.
- Slow. If you hit a creature with this weapon and deal damage to it, you can reduce its Speed by 10 feet until the start of your next turn.
- Topple. If you hit a creature with this weapon, you can force the creature to make a Constitution saving throw (DC 8 plus the ability modifier used to make the attack roll and your Proficiency Bonus) or get knocked Prone.
- Vex. If you hit a creature with this weapon and deal damage to the creature, you have Advantage on your next attack roll against that creature before the end of your next turn.
Classes with Weapon Mastery in D&D 5e 2024
The classes that gain access to Weapon Mastery in D&D 5e 2024 are Barbarian, Fighter, Paladin, Ranger, and Rogue. These martial classes receive the Weapon Mastery feature starting at level 1, allowing them to specialize in specific weapons and unlock unique mastery properties that enhance their combat capabilities. Fighters begin with mastery over three weapons, while the others start with two, and some classes like Barbarian and Fighter gain additional mastery slots as they level up. Weapon Mastery enables these classes to perform special maneuvers and effects tied to their chosen weapons, adding strategic depth and dynamism to martial combat in the game.
Five of the 12 Classes get the Weapon Mastery feature. Barbarians, Paladins, Rangers, and Rogues get to choose two weapons that they can use the Mastery Property with. Fighters get to pick three.
The only caveat is that you need to have proficiency with the weapon(s) you choose.
Feats for Weapon Mastery in D&D 5e 2024
The Weapon Master feat in D&D 5e 2024 is a general feat available to characters of level 4 or higher, allowing them to increase their Strength or Dexterity by 1 and gain access to the mastery property of one type of Simple or Martial weapon they are proficient with. This feat enables players to specialize in a weapon’s unique mastery property-such as Cleave, Graze, Push, or Sap-which grants powerful combat effects like additional attacks, damage on misses, or imposing conditions on foes. Players can change their chosen weapon mastery after a Long Rest, offering flexibility in combat strategy. Weapon Mastery significantly enhances martial characters’ tactical options, making combat faster and more dynamic without adding complexity for spellcasters.
If you don’t get Weapon Mastery from your Class, there is one other way to get it – once you hit Level 4. And that’s by taking the Weapon Master feat.
How does Weapon Mastery redefine combat strategies in D&D 2024
Weapon Mastery in D&D 2024 fundamentally reshapes combat strategies by granting martial classes unique, weapon-specific abilities known as mastery properties that activate with each attack. This system encourages players to specialize deeply in their chosen weapons, unlocking tactical effects like cleaving through multiple foes, pushing enemies to control battlefield positioning, or dealing damage even on misses, thereby making each attack more dynamic and strategic. Moreover, the ability to switch mastery properties during long rests and draw or stow weapons as part of attacks adds layers of flexibility and combo potential, enabling players to tailor their combat style and adapt to different encounters fluidly. This transforms martial combat from straightforward damage-dealing into a nuanced, cinematic experience with meaningful choices every round.
How does Weapon Mastery make martial combat more cinematic in 2024
Weapon Mastery makes martial combat in D&D 2024 more cinematic by transforming each weapon attack into a visually dynamic and narratively rich moment. Each weapon comes with a unique mastery property-such as cleaving through multiple foes, tripping enemies, or slowing their movement-that triggers on hits or even misses, adding dramatic flair and tactical variety to every strike. This system encourages players to vividly describe their specialized maneuvers, making combat feel faster, more fluid, and akin to epic battle scenes rather than repetitive dice rolls. By enabling multiple mastery uses per rest and allowing mastery swaps, it also offers flexibility that keeps encounters fresh and engaging, enhancing the storytelling and immersion of martial combat.
