You are a master of using medium-sized weapons with intent and precision, adapting your battle plan to the situation at hand. This style of combat relies on the ability to read your enemy and know how to strike them.
Ability Score Increase: Increase your Strength by 1, to a maximum of 20.
Combat Stances: You gain access to several different combat stances, which you can assume as a Bonus Action:
- Defensive Stance: With your weapon in a low guard, you are ready to deflect incoming strikes. As a reaction when you are hit with an attack, you can add your proficiency bonus to your AC, potentially turning the hit into a miss.
- Overhand Stance: With a wide-legged stance and your weapon high, you can bring down the full heft of your weapon with each strike. You can add your proficiency bonus to the damage of your attacks.
- Half-swording Stance (longsword only): You grip the sword halfway up the blade and use the hilt to knock your foes off balance. Your attacks gain the Vex mastery.
- Sweeping Stance (battleaxe only): By swinging the axe in large sweeps, you can deal with several foes at once. Your attacks gain the Cleave mastery.
- Overpower Stance (warhammer only): You aim for your enemies' weak spots from above, driving them into the ground like nails. Your attacks gain the Topple mastery.
Only attacks made with Versatile weapons wielded in both hands are eligible for these benefits. You lose your stance if you unequip your weapon, equip another weapon or a shield, or gain the Incapacitated condition.