This post is more about what power level do you like in your games for martials and what do you do to make the feel the way taht feels good according to that.
In my case my biggest problem is how unidimensional they are, so advanced 5e has done the thing for me. I think that if we play at level 20 i would do some hombrew to push them even further but i like how many options they have.
I of the opinion that low level martials are cool but lacking in options and level 9+ martial characters are underpowered AF. That has to do tht as I subjectively understand dnd everything is made by magic, so the limit of physical feats should be as magic, like lifting tons or demolishing buildings with blows.
So, do you like martials in 5e or would you rather them to fulfill a different fantasy?
@Phantaminum I’ve been happy with a asymmetric balance, where martials are REALLY good at murder, and casters suck at it. You can get there with belts of Giant Strength and GWM (and giving out legendary resistance like candy) and … being “comfortable” with huge damage numbers.
Alternately it’s a lot of work to make 5e balanced at higher levels, and I’d consider if you’d be ok with an all caster party or another game system.
I like to patch the game with magic items as well, but I tend to focus on giving extra options rather than pure damage so we have less continuous turns where someone says I attack
@Phantaminum the asymmetric balance I’m suggesting avoids "round after round of ‘i attack’'… but does so by virtue of dedicated damage dealers killing things too fast. It’s not for everyone, but it is for some. :)
That sounds like you’re not ok with the relevant amount of PC damage, and so I return to the "maybe a different system " suggestion.