Last Updated on November 13, 2023
Slasher Feat
You’ve learned where to cut to have the greatest results, granting you the following benefits:
- Increase your Strength or Dexterity by 1, to a maximum of 20.
- Once per turn when you hit a creature with an attack that deals slashing damage, you can reduce the speed of the target by 10 feet until the start of your next turn.
- When you score a critical hit that deals slashing damage to a creature, you grievously wound it. Until the start of your next turn, the target has disadvantage on all attack rolls.
Source: Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything
Is the Slasher Feat Good?
To be clear, slowing the target down, and sometimes giving it disadvantage, is great. Plus you get a skill point boost. So it’s good, yes, but the question is if it is the best choice for you.
If you’re just looking to optimize damage, no this is not a good feat. Or I should say, there are better Feats to choose to do that.
I like Slasher as more of a flavor feat. If you’re creating a character that has a specific named sword handed down for generations, as an example
In that case, you might love the Slasher Feat.
Dealing Slashing Damage
D&D offers a wide variety of weapons, including custom weapons. In order to take advantage of the Slashing Feat, your character needs to deal slashing damage.
These include weapons like a longsword or battleaxe. Other weapons that deal slashing damage include sickles, handaxes, glaives, halberds, and scimitars. Whips also deal slashing damage.
The Slasher Feat doesn’t just apply to weapons, however. Spells that deal slashing damage—cloud of daggers for example—will also trigger the effects of this feat. Creative players could make use of this fact.
The Slasher Feat: For DMs
Feats aren’t just for players. DMs are free to create NPCs of their own. This can have all sorts of purposes.
As the DM, you can create allies and villains alike, taking full advantage of all the game has to offer.
As I mentioned above, it’s a great way to add flavor to your characters.
Allies
This can be exciting for both the players and the DM. When powerful allies join the party, the players feel like the DM is on their side.
And a powerful or mysterious ally can enhance the game by giving the DM a chance to fluidly guide the players through the adventure.
Powerful allies can also come in handy when the party is facing overwhelming odds.
Just like players, DMs can have an NPC learn the Slasher Feat to improve their fighting abilities. Such a character could serve as a useful ally against high-level enemies, taking some of the heat off the players.
Enemies
A villain with the Slasher Feat has diabolical potential. Every story needs a great villain after all.
Turning the tables on formidable players can be the ultimate joy for a DM. We know that experienced players love a good challenge.
To create a terrifying villain straight out of a horror movie, try building a Fighter with the Slasher Feat. Now you’ll be the one dealing grievous wounds to the players!
And combining Slasher with Sentinel will allow your villain to take on multiple targets, dealing devastating attacks of opportunity.
Toss in a handful of bandit cronies and you’ll have a truly punishing brawl on your hands.
Rich is an avid D&D player and DM. He has been playing since the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st and 2nd editions. He has run campaigns of various editions with family and friends for over 20 years. Playing DnD 5th Edition in person at local game stores and online with VTT’s over the past 10 years has provided a consistent connection to how the game has grown. He strongly believes in understanding the source material, but catering the games to your individual players. Feel free to ask anything in the comments or drop him an email: [email protected].
