Brawler? Help! [Archive] - Wizards Community

Brawler? Help! [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Icarus, Wolf of Hades
07-22-05, 03:58 PM I'm looking for a character class that gets it's unarmed attack beefed up somewhat like a monk, but is chaotic in alignment. Ideally, I would want to find some kind of Monk/Barbarian hybrid. Is there anything like that out there?
Munz
07-22-05, 04:18 PM Look up the Mauler in Complete Warrior. It's pretty cool. I don't recall much about it except that if you're wanting a monk/barbarian type--well, there you go!
Elendur
07-22-05, 04:21 PM This has been tried by many people, including me. I tried to base it off a monk, but it got pretty weird.

Unorthodox Fighters by The Le Games has a Bully class and a Chaotic Monk class in Unorthodox Monks

There are many other examples in d20 products.

Probably the easiest way to go is use a fighter and use feats to create the abilities you want.

Remove heavy armor for a bonus feat, if you want. (Medium armor isn't really worth a feat.
Trade martial weapons proficiency with improved unarmed strike.

The two main problems with an unarmed fighter are base damage and bypassing damage reduction, so you need feats to allow for that.

Hmm, I'm still stumped on this...
Munz
07-22-05, 04:31 PM See if your DM is willing to allow Gestalt characters. If so, go Fighter/Monk gestalt. Otherwise, just multiclass every other level. Start as a monk, go 2nd as a fighter and ask to take as your Bonus fighter feat Monastic Training. I think it was introduced in Eberron Campaign Sourcebook. Basically it allows you to advance in levels as a Monk after multiclassing. Normally you cannot gain monk levels after you multiclass again.

If your DM will not allow you to take this feat as a bonus Fighter feat (and your DM may not), have no fear. Simply take it as your 3rd level feat and progress as a 2nd level Monk at 3rd level. Believe me, if your DM will allow it, you will have one powerful combination. Just try to take bonus Fighter feats that focus on unarmed fighting (and I'm not sure there are many) or if you can, Eberron Campaign Sourcebook has a couple fun feats in there just for monks to allow for them to use a longsword or doublesword with their flurry of blows.

Or, as another idea, you could take feats to improve your ranged attacks and focus your unarmed attacks when you get in the thick of things.

Hope this helps.
Marendithas_the_Necro
07-22-05, 05:49 PM http://www.orcs.ca/orcsmain/roleplaydndbrawler.html

That's a powerful brawler class
Centauri
07-22-05, 05:57 PM Why not just be a Barbarian? Be a Human and take Improved Unarmed Strike and Improved Grapple or Stunning Blow (or maybe Two-Weapon Fighting) for your starting feats.
Kintara
07-22-05, 06:02 PM Psychic Warriors make pretty good brawlers. Just pick the right powers. They can manifest scary claws, and they can buff up their grappling pretty damn well.
Elendur
07-23-05, 12:14 AM http://www.orcs.ca/orcsmain/roleplaydndbrawler.html

That's a powerful brawler classThat's nice. The only thing I don't like about it is he hits more times for less damage. I'd prefer a brawler who hit less (no flurry) but harder.

Why not just be a Barbarian? Be a Human and take Improved Unarmed Strike and Improved Grapple or Stunning Blow (or maybe Two-Weapon Fighting) for your starting feats. Because improved unarmed strike is strictly worse than using martial weapons. The base damage is 1d3, with no way to improve it. Plus you are using feats, which barbarians have precious few of. However I do agree basing a brawler off barbarian is a good way to go, since most of his class features apply. Perhaps replace martial weapon prof with improved unarmed strike 1d6? Remove shield prof and trap sense, and add some ability to enchant their unarmed strikes(a ritual costing twice the normal weapon enchantment costs).
Redmoon
07-23-05, 10:49 AM d20 modern has a bunch of feats that are good for unarmed.

there are several martial arts feats, which change you from doing subdual to actual damage.

there's "brawl" which lets you deal more subdual damage than normal.
combat throw to help with tripping AND grappling, defensive martial arts granting AC bonus.

Check out the modern SRD for feats. I'd allow a fighter to take any of those as fighter bonus feats in my campaign. Your DM probably would, too. they make sense as fighter feats.
WarDragon
07-23-05, 02:03 PM Check these out:

Juggernaut (core class)\ (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?p=5679926)

Boxer (Prestige Class) (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=45356)

Azain (Prestige Class) (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=432739)
Nephlite
07-23-05, 04:43 PM http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=449338

Pugilist Unarmed Fighter Variant.

Any alignment so you go choatic.

This is variant class of a Fighter, who specilizes in unarmed.
Note: You can't multiclass into another type of fighter once you choose a type of Fighter (whether Generalist or Pugilist) you can't go back.
A Pugilist can't multiclass as a fighter and a Fighter can't as a pugilist. They count as one class.

Tell how the class looks. If it looks balanced: whether underpowered or overpowered, okay.
Pugilist
Alignment: Any.
Hit Die: d10.

Class Skills
The Pugilist's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Intimidate (Cha), Listen (Wis), (Cha), Sense Motive (Wis), Spot (Wis), and Swim (Str).
Skill Points at 1st Level: (2 + Int modifier) x?4.
Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 2 + Int modifier.

Table: The Pugilist
Level Base Attack Bonus Fort Save Ref Save Will Save Special
1st +1 +2 +0 +0 Bonus feat, Improved Unarmed Strike
2nd +2 +3 +0 +0 Heavy Hitter + 2
3rd +3 +3 +1 +1
4th +4 +4 +1 +1 Iron Jaw
5th +5 +4 +1 +1
6th +6/+1 +5 +2 +2 Shake Off
7th +7/+2 +5 +2 +2
8th +8/+3 +6 +2 +2 Heavy Hitter + 4
9th +9/+4 +6 +3 +3
10th +10/+5 +7 +3 +3 Bonus feat
11th +11/+6/+1 +7 +3 +3
12th +12/+7/+2 +8 +4 +4 Bonus feat
13th +13/+8/+3 +8 +4 +4
14th +14/+9/+4 +9 +4 +4 Heavy Hitter + 6
15th +15/+10/+5 +9 +5 +5
16th +16/+11/+6/+1 +10 +5 +5 Decisive Blow
17th +17/+12/+7/+2 +10 +5 +5
18th +18/+13/+8/+3 +11 +6 +6 Bonus feat
19th +19/+14/+9/+4 +11 +6 +6
20th +20/+15/+10/+5 +12 +6 +6 Heavy Hitter + 8

Class Features
All of the following are class features of the Pugilist.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A Pugilist is proficient with all simple weapons and all armor and all shields.
Bonus Feats: At 1st level, a Pugilist gets a bonus combat-oriented feat in addition to the feat that any 1st-level character gets and the bonus feat granted to a human character. These bonus feats must be drawn from the feats noted as fighter bonus feats. A fighter must still meet all prerequisites for a bonus feat, including ability score and base attack bonus minimums. These bonus feats are in addition to the feat that a character of any class gets from advancing levels. A fighter is not limited to the list of fighter bonus feats when choosing these feats. Pugilist levels count as Fighter levels for prerequisites.
The fighter gains an additional bonus feat at 10, 12th, and 18th level.
Improved Unarmed Strike: At level 1, a Pugilist gets the Feat IUS, he also deals more damage than normal with non-spiked gauntlets or unarmed strikes: he deals damage as two sizes higher. So 1d3 medium becomes 1d6. Usually a Pugilist’s unarmed strikes deal lethal damage, but she can choose to deal nonlethal damage instead with no penalty on her attack roll. She has the same choice to deal lethal or nonlethal damage while grappling.
Iron Jaw (Ex): A Pugilist can take blows that would knock out a man. At level 4, a Pugilist gains his 1 + Con modifier as a special Damage Reduction that functions only against non-lethal damage. For example, a Pugilist with a Con Modifier of +2 gains 2/lethal damage. He also receives +2 bonus on Fort saves.
Shake Off (Ex): Pugilist at level 6 receive 1/4th their Pugilist level as a bonus on saves against becoming stunned. Also Duration for being stunned reduced by 1d4 rounds +1 round/5 levels.
Heavy Hitter (Ex): A Pugilists non-spiked Gauntlets or their unarmed strikes gain a bonus +2 Non-lethal damage. This bonus increases by +2 every 6 levels after. Pugilist specialize in taking someone out, but it even functions when trying to kill someone.
Decisive Blow (Ex): A Pugilist at level 16, gains a bonus to their critical multiplier on non-spiked gauntlets and unarmed strikes. Normal Unarmed strike deals criticals at 20 X2, this would increase it to X3.

Unlike a monk, they can wear armor and gauntlet (for enhancing at least).

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Icarus, Wolf of Hades 07-22-05, 03:58 PM	I'm looking for a character class that gets it's unarmed attack beefed up somewhat like a monk, but is chaotic in alignment. Ideally, I would want to find some kind of Monk/Barbarian hybrid. Is there anything like that out there?
Munz 07-22-05, 04:18 PM	Look up the Mauler in Complete Warrior. It's pretty cool. I don't recall much about it except that if you're wanting a monk/barbarian type--well, there you go!
Elendur 07-22-05, 04:21 PM	This has been tried by many people, including me. I tried to base it off a monk, but it got pretty weird. Unorthodox Fighters by The Le Games has a Bully class and a Chaotic Monk class in Unorthodox Monks There are many other examples in d20 products. Probably the easiest way to go is use a fighter and use feats to create the abilities you want. Remove heavy armor for a bonus feat, if you want. (Medium armor isn't really worth a feat. Trade martial weapons proficiency with improved unarmed strike. The two main problems with an unarmed fighter are base damage and bypassing damage reduction, so you need feats to allow for that. Hmm, I'm still stumped on this...
Munz 07-22-05, 04:31 PM	See if your DM is willing to allow Gestalt characters. If so, go Fighter/Monk gestalt. Otherwise, just multiclass every other level. Start as a monk, go 2nd as a fighter and ask to take as your Bonus fighter feat Monastic Training. I think it was introduced in Eberron Campaign Sourcebook. Basically it allows you to advance in levels as a Monk after multiclassing. Normally you cannot gain monk levels after you multiclass again. If your DM will not allow you to take this feat as a bonus Fighter feat (and your DM may not), have no fear. Simply take it as your 3rd level feat and progress as a 2nd level Monk at 3rd level. Believe me, if your DM will allow it, you will have one powerful combination. Just try to take bonus Fighter feats that focus on unarmed fighting (and I'm not sure there are many) or if you can, Eberron Campaign Sourcebook has a couple fun feats in there just for monks to allow for them to use a longsword or doublesword with their flurry of blows. Or, as another idea, you could take feats to improve your ranged attacks and focus your unarmed attacks when you get in the thick of things. Hope this helps.
Marendithas_the_Necro 07-22-05, 05:49 PM	http://www.orcs.ca/orcsmain/roleplaydndbrawler.html That's a powerful brawler class
Centauri 07-22-05, 05:57 PM	Why not just be a Barbarian? Be a Human and take Improved Unarmed Strike and Improved Grapple or Stunning Blow (or maybe Two-Weapon Fighting) for your starting feats.
Kintara 07-22-05, 06:02 PM	Psychic Warriors make pretty good brawlers. Just pick the right powers. They can manifest scary claws, and they can buff up their grappling pretty damn well.
Elendur 07-23-05, 12:14 AM	http://www.orcs.ca/orcsmain/roleplaydndbrawler.html That's a powerful brawler classThat's nice. The only thing I don't like about it is he hits more times for less damage. I'd prefer a brawler who hit less (no flurry) but harder. Why not just be a Barbarian? Be a Human and take Improved Unarmed Strike and Improved Grapple or Stunning Blow (or maybe Two-Weapon Fighting) for your starting feats. Because improved unarmed strike is strictly worse than using martial weapons. The base damage is 1d3, with no way to improve it. Plus you are using feats, which barbarians have precious few of. However I do agree basing a brawler off barbarian is a good way to go, since most of his class features apply. Perhaps replace martial weapon prof with improved unarmed strike 1d6? Remove shield prof and trap sense, and add some ability to enchant their unarmed strikes(a ritual costing twice the normal weapon enchantment costs).
Redmoon 07-23-05, 10:49 AM	d20 modern has a bunch of feats that are good for unarmed. there are several martial arts feats, which change you from doing subdual to actual damage. there's "brawl" which lets you deal more subdual damage than normal. combat throw to help with tripping AND grappling, defensive martial arts granting AC bonus. Check out the modern SRD for feats. I'd allow a fighter to take any of those as fighter bonus feats in my campaign. Your DM probably would, too. they make sense as fighter feats.
WarDragon 07-23-05, 02:03 PM	Check these out: Juggernaut (core class)\ (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?p=5679926) Boxer (Prestige Class) (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=45356) Azain (Prestige Class) (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=432739)
Nephlite 07-23-05, 04:43 PM	http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=449338 Pugilist Unarmed Fighter Variant. Any alignment so you go choatic. This is variant class of a Fighter, who specilizes in unarmed. Note: You can't multiclass into another type of fighter once you choose a type of Fighter (whether Generalist or Pugilist) you can't go back. A Pugilist can't multiclass as a fighter and a Fighter can't as a pugilist. They count as one class. Tell how the class looks. If it looks balanced: whether underpowered or overpowered, okay. Pugilist Alignment: Any. Hit Die: d10. Class Skills The Pugilist's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Intimidate (Cha), Listen (Wis), (Cha), Sense Motive (Wis), Spot (Wis), and Swim (Str). Skill Points at 1st Level: (2 + Int modifier) x?4. Skill Points at Each Additional Level: 2 + Int modifier. Table: The Pugilist Level Base Attack Bonus Fort Save Ref Save Will Save Special 1st +1 +2 +0 +0 Bonus feat, Improved Unarmed Strike 2nd +2 +3 +0 +0 Heavy Hitter + 2 3rd +3 +3 +1 +1 4th +4 +4 +1 +1 Iron Jaw 5th +5 +4 +1 +1 6th +6/+1 +5 +2 +2 Shake Off 7th +7/+2 +5 +2 +2 8th +8/+3 +6 +2 +2 Heavy Hitter + 4 9th +9/+4 +6 +3 +3 10th +10/+5 +7 +3 +3 Bonus feat 11th +11/+6/+1 +7 +3 +3 12th +12/+7/+2 +8 +4 +4 Bonus feat 13th +13/+8/+3 +8 +4 +4 14th +14/+9/+4 +9 +4 +4 Heavy Hitter + 6 15th +15/+10/+5 +9 +5 +5 16th +16/+11/+6/+1 +10 +5 +5 Decisive Blow 17th +17/+12/+7/+2 +10 +5 +5 18th +18/+13/+8/+3 +11 +6 +6 Bonus feat 19th +19/+14/+9/+4 +11 +6 +6 20th +20/+15/+10/+5 +12 +6 +6 Heavy Hitter + 8 Class Features All of the following are class features of the Pugilist. Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A Pugilist is proficient with all simple weapons and all armor and all shields. Bonus Feats: At 1st level, a Pugilist gets a bonus combat-oriented feat in addition to the feat that any 1st-level character gets and the bonus feat granted to a human character. These bonus feats must be drawn from the feats noted as fighter bonus feats. A fighter must still meet all prerequisites for a bonus feat, including ability score and base attack bonus minimums. These bonus feats are in addition to the feat that a character of any class gets from advancing levels. A fighter is not limited to the list of fighter bonus feats when choosing these feats. Pugilist levels count as Fighter levels for prerequisites. The fighter gains an additional bonus feat at 10, 12th, and 18th level. Improved Unarmed Strike: At level 1, a Pugilist gets the Feat IUS, he also deals more damage than normal with non-spiked gauntlets or unarmed strikes: he deals damage as two sizes higher. So 1d3 medium becomes 1d6. Usually a Pugilist’s unarmed strikes deal lethal damage, but she can choose to deal nonlethal damage instead with no penalty on her attack roll. She has the same choice to deal lethal or nonlethal damage while grappling. Iron Jaw (Ex): A Pugilist can take blows that would knock out a man. At level 4, a Pugilist gains his 1 + Con modifier as a special Damage Reduction that functions only against non-lethal damage. For example, a Pugilist with a Con Modifier of +2 gains 2/lethal damage. He also receives +2 bonus on Fort saves. Shake Off (Ex): Pugilist at level 6 receive 1/4th their Pugilist level as a bonus on saves against becoming stunned. Also Duration for being stunned reduced by 1d4 rounds +1 round/5 levels. Heavy Hitter (Ex): A Pugilists non-spiked Gauntlets or their unarmed strikes gain a bonus +2 Non-lethal damage. This bonus increases by +2 every 6 levels after. Pugilist specialize in taking someone out, but it even functions when trying to kill someone. Decisive Blow (Ex): A Pugilist at level 16, gains a bonus to their critical multiplier on non-spiked gauntlets and unarmed strikes. Normal Unarmed strike deals criticals at 20 X2, this would increase it to X3. Unlike a monk, they can wear armor and gauntlet (for enhancing at least).