D&D (2024) Rules Clarification: Fighting Style Feats

[Hatmatter]

Hi everyone,

I am really enjoying the 2024 Player's Handbook. I am creating a NPC using character creation rules and I just realized I should probably ask for clarification with regard to Fighting Style Feats.

Am I correct in understanding that:

• The only classes that can take a Fighting Style Feat are Fighters, Paladins, and Rangers?
• Because "Fighting Initiate" is not included in the PHB, unless a table explicitly permits the inclusion of "Fighting Initiate" from Tasha's (which, if Remathilis is correct here, is a range of options that D&D designers are moving away from--something that I am fine with, especially with the introduction of Weapon Masteries), then only characters who are at least 1st-level in fighter or 2nd-level in either Paladin or Ranger, will ever be able to take a Fighting Style Feat? This supposition is based on my reading of how "prerequisite" is defined on page 199 and the prerequisite of "Fighting Style Feature" on pages 209-210 under each individual Fighting Style Feat.
• However, Fighters (only) can switch Fighting Style Feat every time they advance in level?
• Champions receive an additional Fighting Style Feat at 7th level?
• Finally, Fighters, Paladins, and Rangers can select a new Fighting Style Feat whenever they reach a level wherein they earn a new feat if they so choose? This is different from the implementation of Fighting Styles in 2014, wherein the Player's Handbook specifies "You can't take a Fighting Style option more than once, even if you later get to choose again" (page 72, 2014). So, for example, a 12th level Fighter Champion character who went all-in on Fighting Style Feats when selecting feats (4th, 6th, 8th, and 12th level) could have a total of six Fighting Style Feats?

Thank you to those of you who are certain on the implementation of Fighting Style Feats in 2024 who are able to answer.

 

[Oofta]

Hi everyone,

I am really enjoying the 2024 Player's Handbook. I am creating a NPC using character creation rules and I just realized I should probably ask for clarification with regard to Fighting Style Feats.

Am I correct in understanding that:

• The only classes that can take a Fighting Style Feat are Fighters, Paladins, and Rangers?

That was what I thought initially as well. However, in Chapter 5: Feats > Feat Descriptions > Parts of a Feat > Category it states: "If you’re instructed to choose a feat and no category is specified, you can choose from any category." So for example for the Bard class when you get a feat at level 4 it states "You gain the Ability Score Improvement feat (see chapter 5) or another feat of your choice for which you qualify."

Since it doesn't qualify that it has to be a general feat, it can be a fighting style feat.

• Because "Fighting Initiate" is not included in the PHB, unless a table explicitly permits the inclusion of "Fighting Initiate" from Tasha's (which, if Remathilis is correct here, is a range of options that D&D designers are moving away from--something that I am fine with, especially with the introduction of Weapon Masteries), then only characters who are at least 1st-level in fighter or 2nd-level in either Paladin or Ranger, will ever be able to take a Fighting Style Feat? This supposition is based on my reading of how "prerequisite" is defined on page 199 and the prerequisite of "Fighting Style Feature" on pages 209-210 under each individual Fighting Style Feat.

This grants you a specific option from a class for which we have new rules. Since there is no longer a fighting style in the new fighter, this feat no longer applies. However, see the previous answer.

• However, Fighters (only) can switch Fighting Style Feat every time they advance in level?
• Champions receive an additional Fighting Style Feat at 7th level?
• Finally, Fighters, Paladins, and Rangers can select a new Fighting Style Feat whenever they reach a level wherein they earn a new feat if they so choose? This is different from the implementation of Fighting Styles in 2014, wherein the Player's Handbook specifies "You can't take a Fighting Style option more than once, even if you later get to choose again" (page 72, 2014). So, for example, a 12th level Fighter Champion character who went all-in on Fighting Style Feats when selecting feats (4th, 6th, 8th, and 12th level) could have a total of six Fighting Style Feats?

Thank you to those of you who are certain on the implementation of Fighting Style Feats in 2024 who are able to answer.

 

[Hatmatter]

That was what I thought initially as well. However, in Chapter 5: Feats > Feat Descriptions > Parts of a Feat > Category it states: "If you’re instructed to choose a feat and no category is specified, you can choose from any category." So for example for the Bard class when you get a feat at level 4 it states "You gain the Ability Score Improvement feat (see chapter 5) or another feat of your choice for which you qualify."

Since it doesn't qualify that it has to be a general feat, it can be a fighting style feat.

Fascinating, Oofta. I am down with this...but what about the prerequisite for the Fighting Style Feats that I quoted in my original post? Would the thinking not be, a Bard does not have the "Fighting Style Feature" (only Fighters, Paladins, and Rangers have it), therefore a Bard may not choose a Fighting Style Feat at levels 4, 8, 12, etc. unless the Bard is at least 1st-level Fighter or 2nd-level Paladin or Ranger?

Thanks for helping me out!

 

[Oofta]

Fascinating, Oofta. I am down with this...but what about the prerequisite for the Fighting Style Feats that I quoted in my original post? Would the thinking not be, a Bard does not have the "Fighting Style Feature" (only Fighters, Paladins, and Rangers have it), therefore a Bard may not choose a Fighting Style Feat at levels 4, 8, 12, etc. unless the Bard is at least 1st-level Fighter or 2nd-level Paladin or Ranger?

Thanks for helping me out!

No, it's just that fighters, barbarians and paladins get it for free at first level. The only thing it says is "You have honed your martial prowess and gain a Fighting Style feat of your choice" The other classes have to wait until level 4 and then take it instead of something else.

Like I said, I originally thought the feats could only be taking by the few classes as well but nothing states that.

 

[A2Z]

All of the fighting styles have a prerequisite. I don't think just anyone can take them.

Defense​

Fighting Style Feat (Prerequisite: Fighting Style Feature)
While you’re wearing Light, Medium, or Heavy armor, you gain a +1 bonus to Armor Class.

 

[Oofta]

All of the fighting styles have a prerequisite. I don't think just anyone can take them.

D'oh! Somehow I misread that when I looked back at it just now.

 

[Hatmatter]

D'oh! Somehow I misread that when I looked back at it just now.

Right, Oofta, so that is the prerequisite that I referred to in my OP, where I reference pages 209-210. So, am I then correct in understanding that the only way a Bard (to use your example) could take a Fighting Style Feat would be to take at least a single level of Fighter or at least two levels of either Paladin or Ranger? The prerequisite seems to me to preclude any other interpretation.

 

[Oofta]

Right, Oofta, so that is the prerequisite that I referred to in my OP, where I reference pages 209-210. So, am I then correct in understanding that the only way a Bard (to use your example) could take a Fighting Style Feat would be to take at least a single level of Fighter or at least two levels of either Paladin or Ranger? The prerequisite seems to me to preclude any other interpretation.

Yep. If you want to have a fighting style feat, at least a level of classes that require it.

I'd probably consider making an exception now and then, but I'm pretty lenient on some of this stuff.

 

[Hatmatter]

Yep. If you want to have a fighting style feat, at least a level of classes that require it.

I'd probably consider making an exception now and then, but I'm pretty lenient on some of this stuff.

Cool. I am fine with it. There are so many different martial options now, it's sort of nice for Fighters/Paladins/Rangers to have certain options not available to Barbarians/Monks/Rogues, especially given that many of the class features of Barbarian/Monks/Rogues consist of their own fighting style.

 

[Gorck]

• Finally, Fighters, Paladins, and Rangers can select a new Fighting Style Feat whenever they reach a level wherein they earn a new feat if they so choose? This is different from the implementation of Fighting Styles in 2014, wherein the Player's Handbook specifies "You can't take a Fighting Style option more than once, even if you later get to choose again" (page 72, 2014). So, for example, a 12th level Fighter Champion character who went all-in on Fighting Style Feats when selecting feats (4th, 6th, 8th, and 12th level) could have a total of six Fighting Style Feats?

Huh, I never really thought about this before. But, reading through the rules with a fine-tooth comb, I can't see any reason why it's not possible.