Fighter Archetype: Brawler
The fighter that focuses on using unarmed attacks gains little in the way of damage, but gains much in the way of controlling the battlefield. From grabbing enemies to tossing enemies aside, a brawler has no problems with dealing with close combat. Don't bother with ranged weapons, but you have the Dex to use them if you must.
Unarmed Strikes
When you choose this archetype at 3rd level, you gain the following benefits when using unarmed strikes:
- Your Unarmed Strikes are treated as being finesse weapons.
- If you choose to Grab or Shove your target, you still deal damage if you are successful on that action.
- You gain advantage on Dexterity ability checks, but not Initiative.
Grappling
Also, at 3rd level, you can use your STR mod or DEX mod (your choice) for Athletics checks to initiate a grapple. At 11th level, you can move your full speed while grappling a creature and moving them with you.
False Bravado
At 7th level, whenever you complete a short rest, you gain temporary hit points equal to your Fighter level.
Wrestling
At 10th level, if an enemy attempts to grapple you, you have advantage on your check to not be grappled.
No Holds Barred
At 15th level, whenever a creature attempts to escape your grapple, they have disadvantage on their check.
Undrhil wrote:
FarBeyondC wrote:
So it's about using dex for grabling I guess. I can't help but think that this is a very good dip class for a monk, but seems a bit conservative in its higher level abilities.
I can't really put my finger on it, but it seems very...mathematical. Maybe some "moves" at 7 and 15 might spice it up a little? I'm assuming it's supposed to be combined with the Tavern Brawler feat that will give it a bit more bam!
It seems very balanced and it does combine some of the abilities from other classes that makes a good grabler , so you don't have to multiclass to gain the same effects.
My idea was to make a contender for the Tavern Brawler feat, without actually replacing the feat. I mean, the point of this subclass is the be a melee controller, not a real damage dealer. Sure, you still deal 1 damage with Unarmed Strikes. Monk 1d4 Damage if you level dip. But you can take this subclass without tavern brawler and it will be ok. Mainly because Tavern Brawler centers around using improvised weapons, whereas this subclass is all about unarmed strikes. I started by giving them 1d4 + STR mod or DEX mod for unarmed strike damage, but I don't want to step on the toes of the Monk and it didn't feel right since the first thing I say for the description is that this subclass *isn't* about damage.
In all reality, I could rename it to Wrestler, instead of Brawler. That might make more sense.
As for moves at 7th and 15th, I'll have to figure out something for that.
Thanks for the input so far. 
Using Dex to grapple is fine, I see it as technique over strength, but to give them the distinct advantage is a no no. Also, not only will Rogues get the ability to Sneak Attack with unarmed strikes, they'll also get advantage on their Actobatics checks? The first feature needs a complete overhaul. You mention shoving in your opening, but have nothing in the features that give it a boost. Consider following the Battlemaster subclass and call it Master Grappler (or something like that).
Level 3: Dex for grapple and shove attempts are fine, but no advantage. Add something like "When grappling a creature, you can attempt to shove that creature as a bonus action." Generally shove takes place of an attack action attack, now this way you can shove as a bonus action. Now give superiority dice and detail a bunch of maneuvers. Have them scale just the same.
Level 7: Submission: When grappling a prone opponent, and having one hand free, you can attempt a grapple check to submit the creature. If successful, you do your superiority dice + your Str or Dex modifier bludgeoning damage. While submitting a creature you can only use your attack action attacks to make further grapple checks to do more damage to the creature. The submission ends when you chose not to make further grapple checks or the creature succeeds against one of those check. While submitted, the creature is Restrained.
Level 10: You have advantage on Athletics checks made to initiate or oppose grapple or shove attempts.
Level 15: Creatures have disadvantage on checks to oppose your grapple or shove attempts.
Maybe flip-flop 10 and 15? Not sure what one would be stronger. With maneuvers that do damage, give conditions, shove the creature further than normal, let you smash a creature with another creature, and things like that, and higher and more superiority dice, the 10 & 15 features have more pop.
Level 3: You can attempt a grapple or shove as a bonus action. You have expertise in athletics.
Level 7: If you have someone grabbed, you can deal 1d4+Str damage to it as a bonus action.
Level 10: If you have someone grappled, you can use your reaction to redirect a weapon attack to the grappled creature instead of you. The creature takes 1/2 damage if it hits.
Level 15: You are considered 1 size larger for the purposes of grappling, draging, and shoving
mellored wrote: