Weapon Mastery Explained 

With the new 2024 Players Handbook comes the inclusion of the brand-new Weapon Mastery feature! Starting at Level 1, every martial class has the ability to tap into their Weapon Mastery ability to employ specific combat maneuvers that can be used to great effect. These are called “Mastery Properties” and as of the new 2024 Players Handbook, every simple and martial weapon comes with one of their own. So long as you’re using a weapon that meets the specific requirements of your classes Weapon Mastery Feature, you’ll be able to employ these Mastery Properties in combat. For example, for Rogues, the 2024 Players Handbook says, “Your training with weapons allows you to use the mastery properties of two kinds of weapons of your choice with which you have proficiency”. This means whenever a Rogue picks up a Simple or Martial weapon with the “finesse” or “light” properties, they automatically access the Mastery Properties that come with mastery of that weapon, as detailed in the Equipment chart of the 2024 Players Handbook.

Let’s dive into the specifics of Mastery Properties with a closer look at the newly revamped core rulebook!

Before we begin, make sure to pick up your own copy of the 2024 Players Handbook on the Roll20 marketplace for future reference. 

Mastery Properties Explained

Cleave

The Cleave property allows you to use heavy weapons to hit multiple opponents with one swing. Whenever you hit a creature with a Melee Weapon Attack, you can make another Melee Attack Roll in order to hit a second creature you can see within 5ft of the first creature you hit within your reach. On a hit, your second target takes damage equal to the weapon without any additional Ability Modifier damage (unless your modifier is negative). The weapons with the Cleave property are the Greataxe and the Halberd.

Graze

The Graze property is triggered when your weapon misses their attack against a creature, dealing additional damage equal to the Ability Modifier used to make your Attack Roll. The damage of this attack will scale with your Ability Modifiers, meaning if your Ability Modifier increases, so does your damage. The weapons with the Graze property are the Greatsword and the Glaive.

Nick

The Nick property allows you to make the additional attack you get from wielding two Light weapons as if it were part of your Attack Action instead of as a Bonus Action. However, this requires that you are wielding two Light weapons. According to the 2024 Players Handbook, this does not mean you can make a third attack as a Bonus Action since it specifies that you only get to make ONE extra attack. The Nick property can be used by the Dagger, the Light Hammer, the Sickle, and the Scimitar.

Push

The Push property allows you to push a creature up to 10 feet straight away from yourself so long as you hit the creature with your weapon and it is Large or smaller. The Push property can be used by the Great Club, the Pike, the Warhammer, and the Heavy Crossbow.

Sap

The Sap property allows you to inflict Disadvantage on your target’s next Attack Roll before the start of your next turn whenever you hit an enemy with an attack. The Sap property can be used by the Mace, the Spear, the Flail, the Longsword, the Morningstar, and the Warpick.

Slow

The Slow property allows you to reduce a creature's Speed by 10 feet until the start of your next turn, so long as you deal damage to that creature with your weapon. The Slow property can be used by the Club, the Javelin, the Light Crossbow, the Sling, the Whip, the Longbow, and the Musket.

Topple

The Topple property allows you to force a creature to make a Constitution saving throw or fall-prone so long as you hit them with your weapon. (DC 8 plus the ability modifier used to make the attack roll and your Proficiency Bonus). If the creature fails the save, they take the Prone condition. The Topple property can be used by the Quarterstaff, the Battleaxe, the Lance, the Maul, and the Trident.

Vex

The Vex property allows you to give yourself an advantage on your next attack roll, before the end of your next turn when you hit a creature and deal damage. The Vex property can be used by the Handaxe, the Dart, the Shortbow, the Rapier, the Shortsword, the Blowgun, the Hand Crossbow, and the Pistol.

Read on for more information on Weapon Mastery and Mastery Properties.

How To Use Weapon Mastery Properties

Weapon Mastery properties can be used every time you make an attack with a weapon you have mastered. However, many Weapon Properties require certain conditions to be triggered. For example, the “Graze” Weapon Property requires that your weapon attack actually misses a creature in order to deal damage.

Balancing Weapon Masteries

It’s important to note that you can only specialize in as many weapons as are detailed in your classes Weapon Mastery Feature. However, so long as your chosen weapon meets those requirements, you can replace your Weapon Mastery during a Long Rest with your new weapon of choice at the end of your rest. So if your Rogue isn’t feeling their Dagger and Shortbow, they can spend their Long Rest tapping into their combat knowledge to swap out their Dagger for a Scimitar or their Shortbow for a Shortsword, meaning so long as they are proficient, they’ll be able to use those weapons for their unique weapon properties. 

Additional Weapons Masteries

As you progress, certain classes are able to gain more Weapon Masteries. Specifically the Barbarian and Fighter, each who start with two and three Weapon Masteries respectively. Refer to your classes features table to see which level you gain more Weapon Masteries. Unfortunately for Rogues, Rangers, and Paladins, you won’t gain more Weapon Masteries as you level up, however, certain subclasses will allow you to access additional Mastery Properties. For example, the Soulknife Rogue has access to the Vex property, which acts as an addition to the number of properties you can already use with your Weapon Mastery. 

Some exciting new changes come with the inclusion of the Weapon Mastery feature. Whether you play as a nimble Rogue who uses their Dagger to Nick enemies at their weak points, or as a raging Barbarian who swings his Great sword to Cleave through whoever gets in their way, the Weapon Mastery feature provides you with a diverse supply of maneuvers and effects that will make you a master of the battlefield.