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The Complete Fighter Dreadnought DPS Build – Neverwinter Mod 27 Spelljammer

Welcome to our Fighter Dreadnought Guide, updated for Mod 274: Spelljammer.

In Neverwinter, the Fighter is a class that can be played as either a Tank or a Damage Dealer. In this guide, we will focus on helping you become a master of the DPS role.

We will discuss tips and strategies to help you deal maximum damage, survive in combat, and control the battlefield. If you are looking to make your Fighter Dreadnought the most powerful character on your team, then this guide is for you!

See our Fighter Vanguard Tank build if you want to run a tanking loadout as well.

The purpose of our class guides is not just to show you a build that you can copy and use on your character, but to show you a base build and teach you the mechanics and stats of the game, so you can understand and play your class to its fullest capabilities.

Try different gear, feats, and powers, and learn to tailor your own build for your playstyle. See our guide to making your own build for more info.

  1. Basic Dreadnought Info
    1. Best Dreadnought Races
    2. Ability Score Priority
    3. Stat / Rating Priority
  2. Paragon Path Feats, Powers & Rotation
    1. Combat Powers
    2. Feats
    3. Rotation
  3. Boons
  4. Weapons & Gear
  5. Artifacts
  6. Enchantments
  7. Consumables & Buffs
  8. Companions
  9. Mounts

Basic Fighter Dreadnought Info

Below is all the basic information for the Dreadnought, from race choices to stats.

Other Fighter Builds

Best Dreadnought Races

What race you play doesn’t play a huge role, but will give you a small boost. Generally, I would advise you to play a race that you enjoy.

Neverwinter Race
  1. Human1% Bonus to all stats – +3 To any Ability Score
  2. Metallic Ancestry Dragonborn Recieve 3% more healing and 3% more Max Hit Points – +2 to Any two Ability Score – 3% Critical Strike – 3% Power
  3. Dragonborn Recieve 5% more healing – +2 to Any Ability Score – 3% Critical Strike – 3% Power
  4. Gith5% Combat Advantage – +2 Dex and +2 Str or Int – 5% Stamina Regen
  5. Wood Elf – 5% Critical Strike – +2 Dex and +2 Int or Wis – 20% Resistance to Slow
  6. Tiefling5% + Damage to targets below 50% health – +2 Cha and +2 Con or Int – 10% to reduce damage of target for 5 sec by 2.5%
  7. Half-Orc5% Crit Severity – +2 Dex and +2 Con or Str – 10% Movement Speed for 3 sec when entering combat

Dreadnought Ability Score Priority

Put all your available Ability Scores into Strength and Charisma.

Dreadnought Stat / Rating Priority

The Combat Rework introduced major changes to how stats and item level work, for more info see the official post.

Your cap for each stat is based on your item level. To cap a stat, the numbers of the stat need to be equal to or higher than your item level.

If your stat number is higher than your item level, you are wasting stats and should try to allocate stats differently.

For every 1000 points, a stat is lower than your item level you lose 1% in that stat.

You won’t be able to cap all stats, but capping your power is quite easy.

Offensive Stats

  1. Power (90%)
  2. Critical Strike (90%)
  3. Critical Severity (90%)
  4. Combat Advantage (90%)
  5. Accuracy (90%)

Defensive Stats

  1. Defense (90%)
  2. Deflection (90%)
  3. Critical Avoidance (90%)
  4. Awareness (90%)
  5. Health (90%)

Fighter Dreadnought Paragon Path Feats, Powers & Rotation

This part is all about optimizing the Dreadnought with the best feats, powers, and boons.

Fighter Dreadnought build for Neverwinter

Fighter Dreadnought Combat Powers

At-Will Powers:

  • Heavy Slash (Single-target)
  • Reave (Aoe)
  • Shield Bash (on Block)
  • Guarded Strike (on Block)

Encounter Powers:

  • Griffon’s Wrath (Single Target) – Onslaught (AoE)
  • Bull Charge (Single Target) – Shield Slam (AoE)
  • Anvil of Doom

Daily Powers:

  • Mow Down (Single-target)
  • Earthshaker (AoE) or Second Wind

Class Features:

  • Vigorous Strikes or Enduring Vengeance
  • Momentum (Single Target) – Combat Superiority (AoE)

Fighter Dreadnought Feats

  • Weight of Vengeance
  • Richochet
  • Crushing Blows
  • Land Waster
  • Roiling Hatred

Fighter Dreadnought Boons

You should always choose boons based on what stats you currently need. Therefore a selection of several viable boons is available to you for each tier.

Tier 1 Boons

  • Recruit’s Training – 0.2% Power Per Rank
  • Critical Strike – 0.2% Critical Strike Per Rank
  • Critical Avoidance – 0.2% Critical Avoidance Per Rank
  • Cultist Bulwark – 0.2% HP Per Rank
  • Cultist Power – 1% Increased damage and damage resistance vs. Cultists.

Tier 2 Boons

  • Squire’s Training – 0.2% Power Per Rank
  • Armor Penetration – 0.2% Critical Severity Per Rank
  • Defense – 0.2% Defense Per Rank
  • Demonic Bulwark – 0.2% HP Per Rank
  • Demonic Mastery – 1% Increased damage and damage resistance vs. demons.

Tier 3 Boons

  • Knight’s Training – 0.2% Power Per Rank
  • Combat Advantage – 0.2% Combat Advantage Per Rank
  • Awareness – 0.2% Awareness Per Rank
  • Dino Bulwark – 0.2 HP Per Rank
  • Dino Power – 1% Increased damage and damage resistance vs. dinos.

Tier 4 Boons

  • Captain’s Training – 0.2% Power Per Rank
  • Accuracy – 0.2% Accuracy Per Rank
  • Deflect – 0.2% Deflect Per Rank
  • Necrotic Bulwark – 0.2% HP Per Rank
  • Necrotic Mastery – 1% Increased damage and damage resistance vs. undead.

Advanced Boons

  • Masterclass – 1% Forte per rank
  • Quick Turnaround – 1% Recharge Speed

Master Boons

  • Deathly Rage 3/3
  • Blood Lust 3/3
  • Life Lessons 3/3
  • Blessed Advantage 3/3

Guild Boons

  • Offense – Power or Critical Strike Bonus
  • Defense – Defense or Hit Point Bonus

Fighter Dreadnought Weapons & Gear

If you are new to Neverwinter and need to know how to get better gear and increase your item level, check out our Gearing Up Guide.

Note that the best in slot for your build might vary depending on what stats you have.

The best way to gear up in Neverwinter is by making a lot of Astral Diamonds, check out our Astral Diamond Guide to learn all the secrets of AD farming.

  • Abyss Conqueror’s Healing Guard / Spellweaver’s Hood
  • The Dark Maiden Resolution Barbute
  • Serene Hood of the Dragon Hunter
  • Goristro’s Horns (Avernus Hunts)
  • Blessed Whisper’s Hood of Quiet (Avernus Hunts)

Armor

  • Enchanted Bregan D’aerthe Mauler’s Plate
  • Tactful Leathers of the Dragon Hunter
  • Mighty Cuirass of the Dragon Hunter
  • Blessed Bone Devil’s Ribcage (Avernus Hunts)

Arms

  • Abyss Conqueror’s Healing Mitts
  • Mighty Vambraces of the Dragon Hunter
  • Tactful Gloves of the Dragon Hunter
  • Wristguards of Precipitation
  • Spiked Defenders Vambrace

Feet

  • Abyss Conqueror’s Mauler Greaves
  • The Dark Maiden Resolution Greaves (Temple of the Spider)
  • Wasteland Wanderers
  • Rusted Iron Leggings (Avernus Rare Monsters)

Weapons

  • Demonweb Empowerment / Perfect Set
  • Dark Matter / Solarium & Starcore Set
  • Duergar Set

Main Hand Modification:

  • Heavy Slash

Offhand Modifications:

  • Forte & whatever stat you need

Rings

  • Sapphire Abyssal Loop
  • Emerald Abyssal Loop
  • Platinum Abyssal Loop
  • Eilistraee’s Harmony + Elistraee’s Beauty (AOE)
  • Soothsayer’s Ring of Absolution
  • Waywatchers Ring of Precision
  • Waywatchers Ring of Punishment
  • Mightbreaker’s Ring of Elegance

Neck & Waist

  • Masterwork of Menzoberranzan Set: Shroomwood Amulet & Shroomwood Sash
  • Demogorgon’s Wrath Set: Heart’s Twine & Sinous Chord
  • Star Set: Starshard Choker & Twinkle of the Stars (Trickster’s Gift)

Shirt

  • Shimmering Flarefiber Shirt
  • Lolth’s Embrace
  • Mighty Dwarven Body Pattern
  • Shirt of the Dragon Cult

Pants

  • Luminous Flarefiber Pants
  • Lolth’s Embrace
  • Mighty Dwarven Limb Pattern
  • War-Worn Pants

Fighter Dreadnought Artifacts

Primary Artifact

  • Crystal of Soul’s Flight
  • Demogorgon’s Reach

Secondary Artifacts

Choose secondary artifacts based on the stats you are lacking.

  • Rod of Pain
  • Wand of Domination
  • Astral Seed Tendril
  • Portable Spelljammer Detector

Other Artifact Choices

  • Marilith Mask
  • Mystic Bolt
  • Eye of Odran
  • Assassin’s Dice

Fighter Dreadnought Enchantments

When getting enchantments, always get the ones with the stats you are lacking in with your gear, boons, etc in mind.

If you still need to refine your enchantments, see our Refinement Guide for tips on how to farm refinement.

Offense Enchantments

  • Ruby Enchantment
  • Garnet Enchantment
  • Cobalt Enchantment
  • Citrine Enchantment
  • Amethyst Enchantment
  • Jade Enchantment

Defense Enchantments

  • Garnet Enchantment

Utility Enchantments

  • Garnet Enchantment

Bonus Enchantments

  • Stamina Bonus
  • Recharge Speed Bonus

Combat Enchantments

  • Lightning Flash

Overload Enchantments

  • Rage of Flames or Devil’s Precision
  • Various Marks from Stronghold Vendor
  • Corrupt Black Ice / Lethal / Piercing
  • Black / Red Dragon Glyph

Armor Reinforcement Kits

  • Critical Strike or Severity or Accuracy Kit

Jewelry Reinforcement Kits

  • Combat Advantage Jewel

Fighter Dreadnought Consumables & Buffs

Consider getting VIP for the Power of VIP HP buff if you aren’t already. Also always stand in campfires to get the +1 ability campfire buff.

Pick one from each of the categories below depending on the stats you are lacking.

  • Invocation Blessing: Grace of Battle / Gift of Awareness / Righteous Boon / Gamber’s Fortune
  • Stronghold Food: Seared Tuna / Prime Rib / Ratatouille
  • Event Food: Watermelon Sorbet / Ratatouille / Squash Soup
  • Elixir: Wild Storm Elixir / Sunlord’s Gift Elixir
  • Potion: Superior Flask of Potency +1
  • Belt: Stone of Health / Dragonfire / Perfect Spider Totem

Fighter Dreadnought Companions

Summoned Companion

For your summoned companion you have the choice between using Augmented companions which will make it easier to cap stats or an active combat companion which will do damage. At the moment Active/Striker companions are usually better than augment companions.

Augment Companion Choices

This is just a selection of augment companions. Use one that has the stats you need.

  • Bulette Pup
  • Deepcrow Hatchling
  • Owlbear Cub
  • Ioun Stones
  • Quasit

Active Companion Choices

  • Greenscale Bowman
  • Blaspheme Assassin
  • Pseudodragon
  • Honey Badger
  • Tomb Spider
  • Regis (AoE)
  • Elminster Simulacrum (AoE)
  • Shadar-kai Witch (AoE)
  • Xaryxian Defector (AoE)
  • Bobby the Barbarian (AoE)

Enchantment Power

  • Potency
  • Perfect Vision
  • Acute Senses
  • Potent Precision
  • Precision

Companion Powers

Below is a selection of viable companion powers.

Offense Powers

  • Wulfgar (Wulfgar’s Wrecking) – 4.7% Combat Advantage & Accuracy
  • Drizzt (Drizzt’s Devestation) – 4.7% Critical Change & Severity
  • Neverwinter Knight (Neverwinter Knight’s Discipline) – 7.5% Outgoing Damage
  • Wild Hunt Rider (Wild Hunt Discipline) – 2/3/5% chance to increase damage by 10% for 5 seconds.
  • Siege Master (Siege Master’s Discipline) – Combined Rating – Increases the power of your At-Will powers by 11% (Doubled on Stronghold Map)
  • Black Dragon Ioun Stone (Black Dragon’s Insight) – 7.5% Critical Chance
  • Staldorf (Staldorf’s Presence) – 7.5% Combat Advantage
  • Razorwood (Twigblight’s Insight) – 3.8% Critical Severity & Accuracy
  • Hawk (Hawk’s Insight’s) – 3.8% Critical Severity & Critical Chance
  • Armored Orc Wolf (Orc Wolf’s Instincts) – 3.8% Critical Chance & Accuracy
  • Batiri (Batiri’s Wisdom) – 11% Damage Versus Bosses
  • Misc (The Bigger They Are) – More damage against big mobs (bosses)
  • Dancing Blade (Dancing Blade’s Insight) – 3.8% Critical Severity & Combat Advantage
  • Flame Sprite (Flamesprite’s Insight) – 3.8% Critical Chance & Accuracy
  • Golden Cat (Golden Cat’s Insight’s) – 7,5% Combat Advantage

Defense Powers

  • Minsc (The Bigger They Are) – Increased damage vs strong enemies.
  • Phasespider (Phasespider’s Presence) – 3.8% Critical Chance & Combat Advantage
  • Fire Archon (Fire Archon’s Insight) – 10% on At-Will use to increase Combat Advantage for 10 seconds
  • Golden Cat (Golden Cat’s Insight’s) – 7,5% Combat Advantage

Utility Powers

  • Dark Dealer (Dark Dealings) – 3.8% Accuracy & 3.8% Combat Advantage
  • Alchemist Experimenter (Alchemist’s Discipline) – 3.8% Critical Chance & Combat Advantage
  • Golden Cat (Golden Cat’s Insight) – 7.5% Combat Advantage
  • Book Imp (Bookimp’s Presence) – 3.8% Accuracy & 3.8% Combat Advantage

Fighter Dreadnought Mounts

Bolster

When it comes to mounts, you should focus on getting them all to Mythic quality to increase Bolster.

Bolster Contribution depends on the quality of the mount, with Mythic mounts contributing 10% Bolster, this again increases the values of your Equip Power and Combat Power.

Mount Insignia Bonuses

All classes and specs should consider using Wanderer’s Fortune and or Traveler’s Treasures before you have refined all your gear and enchantments, for extra refinement every day.

Insignia bonuses are mostly down to preference. Some boost damage a bit, and some boost survivability, while others add utility.

DPS

  • Warlord’s Inspiration
  • Warlord’s Motivation
  • Mender’s Covenant
  • Tactician’s Precision
  • Executioner’s Covenant
  • Artificers Persuasion
  • Assassin’s Covenant
  • Calvary’s Warning
  • Gladiator’s Guile

Self Healing

  • Barbarian’s Revelry
  • Survivor’s Blessing
  • Survivor’s Gift
  • Knight’s Rebuke
  • Oppressor’s Reprieve

Utility

  • Wanderer’s Fortune
  • Traveler’s Treasures

Insignia Type

  • Insignia of Dominance
  • Insignia of Brutality
  • Insignia of Aggression
  • Insignia of Skill

Mount Collars

  • Sturdy Barbed Collar
  • Wayfaring Barbed Collar
  • Unified Crescent Collar
  • Supportive Crescent Collar

Fighter Dreadnought Mount Powers

Mount Equip Power:

  • Ferocious Predator (Power & Critical Severity)
  • Armor Breaker (Critical Severity)
  • Rapid Accuracy (Accuracy)
  • Precision (Critical Strike & Severity)
  • Ruthless Efficiency (Critical Strike
  • Dominant Force (Power)

Mount Combat Power:

  • Wicked Lich
  • Bigby’s Crushing Hand
  • Giant Toad Tongue Lash (Giant Toad)
  • Golden Touch (Golden Warhorse)
  • Divine Intervention (Celestial Wings)
  • Tunnel Vision (Several)
  • Cauldron Fumes (Hag’s Hexing Cauldron)

If you have any questions or suggestions about our Neverwinter Fighter Dreadnought guide, please leave a comment below!

J.B.

Monday 27th of February 2023

Is dexterity no longer viable?? It “seems” like it would be better than strength. Sorry if it’s a dumb question. I haven’t played this in a while.

Contractions of Fate

Wednesday 22nd of November 2023

@J.B., DEX gives Crit Severity and Movement rate.

Nightorb

Wednesday 23rd of December 2020

There is no rotation advice with this build please could you add otherwise great thx

Greywark

Friday 10th of February 2023

@Nightorb, I suggest: Heavy Slash > Commander's Strike (or Bull Rush)> Bull Rush (or Griffon's Wrath) > Anvil of Doom. Use Bull Rush if you need immediate displacement and Griffon's Wrath if target static for long enough to finish combo. Mow Down when available after Commander's Strike AoE: Tremor > Onslaught > Shield Slam > Daily when available

Ianpact

Tuesday 19th of April 2022

@Nightorb, Seeing as they haven't added it still, I'm guessing the answer if no. 😉

Contractions of Fate

Monday 28th of September 2020

It would be great if you updated this for the Mythic Mounts and other mount changes, and also Companion changes like the nerf to Incoming an Outgoing Healing.

blaqueknight

Friday 4th of September 2020

Is the Ebonized Breastplate still best? I saw some ebonized gear and it doesn't seem that good.

Michael

Tuesday 10th of September 2019

please change the Weapon set from "Misplaced/Ebonized" to Watcher, Burnished, alabaster respectively. They're BiS over those weapons not only for the set bonuses but for the stat increases as well. other than that great build :)

Chris

Tuesday 18th of May 2021

@Michael, they were bid now it is mirage or blessed or stronghold set