Weapon Mastery is a new mechanic in Dungeon & Dragons, and is included in the core rules of the game with the publication of the Player’s Handbook (2024), a revision of the original 5th edition rules from 2014. Weapon Mastery is a feature of some Classes that modifies your weapon attacks — either with extra damage or by affecting your target in some other way. 

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

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

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

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. 

Weapon Master (Level 4 or higher) — this is a general feat, so any class can take it any time that class grants an Ability Score Improvement. (This is because you’re actually getting the Ability Score Improvement Feat and you can swap it out for another.)