Pugilist (5e Class)

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The Pugilist Ω

Amidst the turbulent times of the world, where many individuals would prefer to seclude themselves from its dangers, there are people who would rise against the waves and strike back, be their target monsters, evil, or even the innocent. These individuals have raised their blades against their opposition for millenia. "The sword is an extension of the arm", "The sword is the axis of the world", "The pen is mightier than the sword"... To many, the blade is an indispensable part of the adventurer, for good or ill. However, a true warrior requires nothing more than their own two hands.

Indeed, the greatest weapons of all are none other than the fists, which are perhaps the swiftest, most dexterous tools in the world. Many have misjudged the fist as a weapon of inferior power, yet those individuals are ofttimes the first to fall before their might. Without one's hands, a blade is useless. With one's hands, however, a blade is rendered useless before the power of the fist.

You wield the fist in a manner unlike any other. You strike, and your adversaries are removed from your sight. You understand that your body is the mightiest weapon, and you have honed it greatly as a result. Even utterly removed of your possessions, you are still a truly fearsome combatant, capable of crushing your foes relentlessly with strength comparable to a deity. The strength that lies within all individuals, and the strength that can only be released by a master of the fist.

Creating a Pugilist Ω

When creating a pugilist ω, consider why you have devoted yourself to the fist. Were you once imprisoned and forced to defend yourself against your malevolent inmates without a weapon? Perhaps you were training to become a monk, but you constantly failed, deciding to harness your exasperation into the cultivation of your martial prowess? Did you once live as a boxer, constantly training until you one day reached an ineffable threshold of power? Regardless of your past, one particular tenet is upheld by all pugilist ωs: you must devote yourself to the facilitation of battle by methods of your fists.

Quick Build

You can make a pugilist ω quickly by following these suggestions. First, Strength should be your highest ability score, followed by Dexterity. Second, choose the gladiator or hermit background. Thied, choose the chain mail and the explorer's pack.

Class Features

As a Pugilist Ω you gain the following class features.

Hit Points

Hit Dice: 1d10 per Pugilist Ω level
Hit Points at 1st Level: 1d10 + Constitution modifier
Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d10 (or 6) + Constitution modifier per Pugilist Ω level after 1st

Proficiencies

Armor: All armors
Weapons: None
Tools: None
Saving Throws: Strength, Dexterity
Skills: Choose two from Acrobatics, Athletics, Insight, Intimidation, Perception, Persuasion, Sleight of Hand, Stealth, and Survival.

Equipment

You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:

(a) Leather armor or (b) A chain shirt or (c) Chain mail
(a) A dungeoneer's pack or (b) An explorer's pack
If you are using starting wealth, you have 5d4 × 10 in funds.

Table: The Pugilist Ω
Level	Proficiency Bonus	Features	Unarmed Damage	Stamina Points	Arcane Points
1st	+2	Peerless Fist, Body of Iron, Nonpareil Power	1d10	-	-
2nd	+2	Fist's Chosen, Technical Brawling	2d10	20	-
3rd	+2	Secrets of the Fist	3d10	30	20
4th	+2	Ability Score Improvement	4d10	40	30
5th	+3	Extra Attack	5d10	50	40
6th	+3	Fist's Chosen feature, Body of Iron Improvement	6d10	60	50
7th	+3	—	7d10	70	60
8th	+3	Ability Score Improvement	8d10	80	70
9th	+4	—	9d10	90	80
10th	+4	Fist's Chosen feature	10d10	100	90
11th	+4	Body of Iron Improvement	11d10	110	100
12th	+4	Ability Score Improvement	12d10	120	110
13th	+5	Extra Attack (×2)	13d10	130	120
14th	+5	Fist's Chosen feature	14d10	140	130
15th	+5	—	15d10	150	140
16th	+5	Ability Score Improvement	16d10	160	150
17th	+6	Extra Attack (×3), Body of Iron Improvement	17d10	170	160
18th	+6	Fist's Chosen feature	18d10	180	170
19th	+6	Ability Score Improvement	19d10	190	180
20th	+6	—	20d10	200	190

Peerless Fist

The strength of your fist is unparalleled. The damage die of your unarmed strike becomes a d10. You roll a number of dice based on your level, as displayed under the Unarmed Damage column of the Pugilist Ω table. Additionally, your unarmed strikes gain the following benefits:

You can add your Dexterity modifier to the attack and damage rolls of unarmed strikes.
Your unarmed strikes count as magical for the purpose of overcoming resistances and immunities to non-magical weapons.
Your unarmed strikes land a critical hit on a roll of 19-20.

Additionally, you become proficient in Strength (Athletics) checks. If you are already proficient, you can add double your proficiency bonus to checks that utilise this skill.

Body of Iron

Your training has strengthened your body greatly, granting you a remarkable sturdiness. You can add your Constitution modifier to your Armor Class. Beginning at 6th level, you can add your Strength modifier to your Armor Class as well. Beginning at 11th level, you can add your proficiency bonus in addition. Beginning at 17th level, you can add your Strength and Constitution modifiers, as well as your proficiency bonus, to all saving throws.

Nonpareil Power

You have unlocked your inner reservoirs of strength, dissolving any limiters upon your body without expending inordinate energy. Your ability score maximums for your Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution scores become 30. Additionally, you become immune to the effects of exhaustion.

Fist's Chosen

You are the inheritor of the will of the fist, determined to remove any and all obstacles with your body alone. Choose between the Fist of the Conqueror, the Fist of the Champion, and the Fist of the Heavens, all detailed at the end of the class description. Your choice grants you features at 2nd level, and again at 6th, 10th, 14th, and 18th level.

Ability Score Improvement

When you reach 4th level, and again at 8th, 12th, 16th and 19th level, you can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can't increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.