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| Author | Rob Heinsoo, Nicolas Logue,David Noonan, Chris Sims |
|---|---|
| Subject | Role-playing games |
| Genre | Dungeons & Dragons |
| Publisher | Wizards of the Coast |
Publication date | November 2008 |
| Media type | Trade hardcover |
| Pages | 160 |
| ISBN | 978-0-7869-4981-6 |
| OCLC | 298596170 |
| LC Class | GV1469.62.D84 D836 2000 |
| Followed by | Arcane Power |
Martial Power is asupplement for the 4th edition of theDungeons & Dragonsfantasyrole-playing game. It contains additional options and rules forfighters,rangers,rogues, andwarlords,[1] including new builds for each class to further customize acharacter, such as the "beastmaster ranger,"[2] "bravura warlord,"[3] and "resourceful warlord".[3]
Martial Power, the first supplement in the Power series of books inDungeons & Dragons, 4th edition, published and debuted new options for the classes that were in the Martial power source. It also expanded and refined the first builds of each class (originally in thePlayer's Handbook) by giving new powers and paragon paths.
The fighter, the martial defender, received two new builds to be used in conjunction with the builds inPlayer's Handbook. The battlerager fighter works as a berserker fighter, which utilizes the new Invigorating keyword, which grants the battlerager temporary hit points to make up for their lack of armor. The tempest fighter is a dual wielding fighter build with great mobility.
The ranger, a martial striker, received one new build inMartial Power, the beastmaster. Instead of choosing an archery or a two weapon fighting benefit as detailed in the Player's Handbook, the ranger could instead gain a beast to fight alongside with. The beast is used with new beast powers, which grant it attacks and their own effects.
The rogue, a martial striker, gained two new builds inMartial Power, the aerialist rogue and the cutthroat rogue. The aerialist rogue uses the Acrobatics skill to maneuver around enemies and the cutthroat uses the Intimidation skill to rattle and shake foes.
The warlord, the martial leader, can use two new builds in conjunction with the two builds inPlayer's Handbook. The bravura warlord uses daring, and often brash, tactics that could harm the warlord but give great benefits to their allies. The resourceful warlord is a soldier on the battlefield that adapts to certain situations.
Martial Power was published in November 2008 and was designed byRob Heinsoo,David Noonan, Chris Sims, andRobert J. Schwalb. Cover art was byWilliam O'Connor, with interior art bySteve Belledin,Leonardo Borazio,Steve Ellis,Wayne England,Jason A. Engle,Gonzalo Flores,Adam Gillespie,Brian Hagan,Jeremy Jarvis,Ron Lemen,Wes Louie,Howard Lyon,Lee Moyer,Lucio Parrillo,Jim Pavelec,Steve Prescott,Vincent Proce,Ron Spears,Ron Spencer,Stephen Tappin,Mark Tedin,Beth Trott, andBen Wootten.
Martial Power was the first book in the initial product line for 4th editionD&D, a set of books which provided options forplayer characters and the focus for each book was one of the power sources associated with the new edition.[4]
Martial Power 2 was published in February 2010.
Viktor Coble listed the entirePower series - includingMartial Power,Martial Power 2,Divine Power,Arcane Power,Psionic Power, andPrimal Power - as #2 onCBR's 2021 "D&D: 10 Best Supplemental Handbooks" list, stating that "What sets the power series apart – besides their updated rules – is how they translate really well to 5e. Whereas, the "Complete" series needs a little more work. The rules have both been pared down and expanded upon in this guide, which makes picking up a copy for whatever type of character is most in favor worth it."[5]