D&D Level 20 Capstone Abilities: The Ultimate Guide for 5e Players

Dungeons And Dragons 5th Edition is chock full of features for every character you can imagine, but even with those incredible abilities, your adventures still reach an end!

Even more, you reach level 20 and suddenly it seems the world's challenges just become easier!

Capstone Features!

As you rise in D&D, every level is packed full of amazing, awesome powers that get even better!

You know all the stuff! But it seems this doesn't end with your characters being the best they can be in this beloved tabletop game!

D&D has a bunch of cool things at level 20 that players may just want to check out because you might just see this as the peak!

Also Read: Artificer Absent from 2024 D&D Player's Handbook: What's Going On?

Capstone Abilities!

D&D 5e Paladin and a Fighter with rings of fire around them. Image

The level 20 capstones are pretty crazy! It makes everything else so amazing! You could have a tough choice to make! If you decide to level up your characters, or you simply want a peak of what's waiting ahead, let's check out each capstone! And get ready for some intense, magical, and amazing powers that D&D, the fifth edition is all about!

Let’s break down every character class to show off the special power in store for you, those that have gotten to experience this epic game will find a lot to love! And there's a pretty big spoiler for you. If you really want to explore what these incredible powers have to offer! You will love D&D and see all the potential.

It's interesting to know the capstone feature for all characters was revised or redesigned from the earlier D&D 5th Edition set!

It was all in a massive change-up! The 2024 Players Handbook changed things up. For the first time it seemed they did away with a couple level dips!

Also Read: D&D Eldritch Invocations: Major Changes in the 2024 Player's Handbook

The Ranger

Art of Mordenkainen and other spellcasters in D&D's 2024 Player's Handbook. Image

Let's begin with one of D&D's best characters!

One of the characters that looks a bit like an afterthought, the Ranger. This ability was a big disappointment because it just makes an insignificant increase in a Ranger's damage.

The only time they will be excited is when they use their special skill called the "Hunter's Mark" skill!
But the boost to this skill? Not all that significant and was just one level!

That is an incredible blow to all the Ranger's who play this game and try to get them to higher levels.

If you have made your Ranger reach Level 20 you will just have to see just how low "D&D" makes them seem. This means you can expect to be able to cast "Wish". If you are playing as a Wizard, you will even be able to stop time!

But the sad thing is, a Ranger with this capstone ability just can't make an impact. This ability is really not enough for this D&D character, with its impressive history! It seems that there was a missed opportunity that really made this capstone ability a bit less than desirable.

Also Read: D&D 5e Paladin Smite Guide: Ranking the Best Spells

The Warlock

D&D Rogues Can Do Twice As Much Damage With An Overlooked Rule - Pair of Rogues Image

It's one thing to be a big character, but now you will be one that gets the chance to take the game to the next level! For all the Warlock's it was important to replenish your spell slots quickly and the Warlock's are not only powerful magic users, but they've always had an interesting, unusual relationship with spell slots as well as spell recovery, having the ability to get new spell slots after a short rest! It’s still the same process for this iconic D&D character.

Warlocks, even in the 2024 Players Handbook keep the same special ability for spell recovery but that doesn't mean there was no significant change-up for them.
The Warlock's are all about having this "magical cunning" which lets the Warlock restore all "spell slots" using concentration! The special power now restores these magic slots a whole lot quicker! However, a Warlock can only do this once a day!

You might say this makes all the difference! A new way for Warlocks to have incredible magic that goes into their gameplay. This feature is fantastic! Even if a Warlock has an advantage over a Ranger's abilities, they still seem to miss a really big opportunity for a great feature. There could have been more, more opportunities and more power!

And we are already getting to some really amazing power!

The only question, for players, will be whether they are in the right position for such an upgrade!

Also Read: D&D Rangers: Less Concentration, More Versatility in the 2024 Player's Handbook

The Druid

With such impressive talent that is always evolving in D&D, there is something else, in store for the druid class. As they progress in D&D. The druids have had the unique ability to transform into other beasts. That special power gives them lots of options as they transform to take on the characteristics and even powers of that creature.

This awesome capstone for this particular D&D character gives an incredible variety of options to go into that transform. There are really a few main additions:

Druids get to restore some of their transform capabilities during battle. They get an additional charge, or a fresh start! If they want to keep the power alive for them, to continue using it, druids also get the chance to convert this into additional spell slots. All of those extra spells, in these new powers, may allow a druid to be even more impressive as they level up!
The final power has to do with time! This will also give a Druid, an awesome power over time.

But what might seem like a new direction or even an improvement. Druids, still need to decide on whether that change is even a big deal, and sometimes these changes aren't so impressive when you get that deep into D&D!

The Bard

If you are playing with a Bard you have an advantage, one of the most memorable character abilities! With incredible and well-loved special powers that are built around their use of magic, and giving these amazing, strong abilities.

Bards get two special, iconic spells to make their mark at a very high level. This means Power Word Kill and Power Word Heal!
To add a super amazing bonus, it's an increase that affects two targets! Not just one target!

You get two legendary spells, all while using one powerful spell slot.

This character class really stands out, showing just how much potential they really have. The fact is these abilities are limited in what they can really do. However, it makes all the difference for those Bards who play! You are sure to turn the tides for all your battles!

The Wizard

If you have ever played D&D, you'll see why "The Wizard character class" is a very popular, fan favorite. The special magic of these characters will make you fall in love. Wizards really can do some awesome things. But what's the best? When they make new choices, their signature spells! And they keep getting stronger in the new Players Handbook!

Wizards have the awesome special skill of adding to the Spells they know! These are pretty special as these Spells will get more powerful over time! And a Wizard, that has a big list of Spells that they're capable of casting, will always have a huge advantage.
With an epic buff, there is more power and the best part is they don't need Spell Slots! You can use them more often, with one small hitch! It only lasts until the next short rest! The wizard can cast these Spells using the Spell that are 3rd Level!

There might be some confusion over Counterspell, which could have been an epic move in this ability, but it unfortunately didn't live up to expectations!

The Rogue

The capstone for Rogue's will make players fall in love and have some pretty wild moments!

This is for sure one of the abilities to keep in mind!

It will give a Rogue this super ability that gives them complete dominance and a huge level of control! You know those times when you fail? It might seem a bit undesirable! It appears the Rogue can overcome these challenges. With this capstone ability, when there is a failure you get the ability to have your move count as an automatic critical success! You might think it sounds too good to be true! And in a way, it almost is because the ability comes with one catch! The rogue can use this once per short rest!

For many this is truly an epic advantage.

You will have a major sense of security that allows this character to dominate a game!

While that seems super amazing! There is a possibility for a clash as it comes with a drawback: This ability will probably collide with another power, called "Reliable Talent!" What does that power give a rogue? Well it allows the character to almost never have a "Failure", so the timing on when this power can be used is key for this ability to be utilized.

The Sorcerer

Another special D&D class with the most impressive abilities and powers. A powerful user of "Sorcery, who is ready to go up against other characters with a magic showdown! You will certainly have the opportunity to be more dynamic and adaptable to every new challenge!

The "Sorcerer" gets to upgrade "Innate Sorcery!" And a "Sorcerer" is also allowed a state where "Magic" and "Spells" become even more powerful!
If that's not amazing enough. They get a way to save a little of their magical power using a very rare but awesome trick. The character will be allowed a way to use Metamagic once per turn. The best part? It doesn't cost a thing! To get those benefits that Sorcery provides a character, they will need to have at least 2 "Sorcery Points!"

That may sound pretty great! And with all this power. They also will have "Sorcery Points!" and use these, in any battle, to restore some of that special "Innate Sorcery!"

The Fighter

A fighter who wants to have power and wants to get a little more in D&D! This is truly a character class built on combat, taking things up a notch, you get the chance to increase your overall power! The "Fighter"'s ability comes at a very high level as well. At "Level 20" they get a huge advantage! This makes their power even greater, as they have one main purpose: making things even more exciting!

Fighters gain the amazing ability to get a whole lot more actions.
You know what that means? They can make 4 attacks on a single turn.

That might seem so simple, it doesn't even look like an upgrade but the real magic here! is in the incredible way it impacts their ability! And you will have one thing going for you as they don't need a "Spell Slot or other power!

You know "D&D" has a very important rule, you'll only get one chance per turn to "Sneak Attack.". The exception, they will get a total of two "Sneak Attack's". All with these crazy abilities it will make for a real combat powerhouse.

The Barbarian

The Barbarians have incredible powers.

It's something every Barbarian, player will love as they reach the Level 20! The Barbarian's are truly amazing!

These powerhouses, the most savage! When "D&D" reaches these incredible heights. It's a power boost that really adds a "Savage character" to a "Barbarian's" ability scores!

Barbarian's gain more powerful, impressive strength scores and a higher Constitution score!
What that does for this awesome "D&D character," they gain a +4! The Barbarian's are already awesome characters and getting extra bonus points "Strength" and "Constitution stats could easily make the game a lot more fun.

As much as we are talking about awesome power for a Barbarian with their legendary gear, we've got to also point out, you have "Belts of Storm Giant Strength". In fact, for those that might have not gotten a chance, these belts add additional "Strength!" to the player!

However, this extra buff will help add to a "Barbarian." The awesome power is just waiting to be unleashed!

The Monk

When D&D goes big and players get that chance to become an amazing Monk with unique, mystical power and skills that go with their powerful attacks!

Monks, when they reach a "Level 20," will be ready to unleash a huge amount of power.
Just like the barbarian they're given extra points, which give more strength Dexterity and Wisdom.

What's pretty incredible is they both are special power boosts. And for anyone who has been playing for quite a while, Monks don't often see those bonus abilities that can increase those stats, so when it happens at this high level. This is going to make them feel like they are hitting their peak in a truly exciting way!

If this wasn't impressive enough the Monk’s new skills. This will allow a monk to have amazing power, with that "Dexterity" and "Wisdom" ability score bonus, that is a game-changer for players who get to see what their characters can become.

The Cleric

It's time for a really special D&D class with magic and more than just the basic spells! When you're talking about a Cleric there is something that gives them some super amazing strength in the game, even with incredible skills, and the awesome special ability that's known for allowing them to do truly amazing feats. A Cleric's new ability allows them to tap into the great power of their deities! What makes this special is their ability to use their Divine Intervention to make wishes! If you're not already familiar. This is one of the best moves in all of D&D!

"Wish" is super powerful!
In fact, for the most part. This powerful, magical "D&D" spell is reserved only for those who reach the highest levels, making it more challenging.

For Clerics, it might be worth keeping in mind there are always some limitations!

This "Cleric" feature, the "Divine Intervention", you will have to decide what's more valuable because you can only use it once per every two days. So using it to cast a Wish is something you need to carefully decide as you only get to use it sparingly!

As an amazing character, this is a true example of what a high-level capstone power should be! The ability makes these Clerics even more incredible and a force to be reckoned with! The Wish Spell is well worth the limitations of its special feature.

The Paladin

The final character we have, is another powerhouse character, the Paladin! In D&D this is truly a very impressive character with magical strength that is enhanced through powerful "Oath's" that make the class so unique! Paladin's, reach this incredible power, this capstone is one of those moves you have to check out.

What is especially interesting is that this capstone takes on so many different variations! The choices that they make as part of their "Oaths" really gives these characters such an intense special, and powerful set of capabilities to unlock at these really high levels.
These are temporary but powerful upgrades that are incredibly useful to protect their allies and give the game a super interesting twist! You get abilities, that can help you heal, or give some speed to your party and that includes a major buff for damage.

That's a huge game-changer and if there is a particular ability that makes all the difference, for many Paladin players, is a buff called the "Oath of the Ancients Paladin." It seems that these players get one of the strongest abilities!

What else makes it stand out is that these abilities last for an important duration that makes the choice all the more difficult! While a Paladin gets this ability they're only going to use it once every day or in certain conditions. In most cases they will need a spell slot!

It really does stand out as a truly incredible character!

A Paladin, a very well loved character! They have one of those incredible abilities that are unique, as they get to choose some of the most important ways they'll unlock power and an advantage that may help win their most memorable adventures. All these amazing features can help you take D&D to another level, giving players, more to discover as well as more opportunities to celebrate how powerful a character, even a Paladin can be! It seems there are countless hours of adventure to take in as these capstone abilities create new and amazing opportunities in D&D! This might just bring in new players as they see the epic power. You just have to get your characters to the highest level!