Yakuza (5e Class)
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This page is of questionable balance. Reason: Can add a extra d20 to an "attack roll, saving throw, or ability check". At 13th level Dexterity abruptly stops being used for AC, which must be of great joy to the Dexterous Fighter subclass. There isn't a "magical" damage type. "instantly land a melee attack". All kinds of little errors like this.
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The Yakuza
A group of thugs are harassing a merchant's stand, asking for much more money than was previously negotiated. As soon as a punch is thrown, a stocky half orc steps in to catch the fist with one hand and swiftly brings the assailant to the ground with the other. The towering man turns his piercing gaze to the other thugs and unbuttoning his dress shirt a bit, flashes them a tattoo of a raging red dragon. As soon as they see this they apologize and run off. The lone Yakuza produces a pouch of gold from his slick white suit and hands it to the merchant. "For your troubles." He lights a cigarette and walks off into the darkness of the city.
The Extreme Path
Yakuza are thought of by the public as many things. Thugs, extortionists, thieves, but they are by large, protectors of the weak, acting as an unofficial police force. Members of the yakuza belong to large crime syndicates, divided into clans, that base themselves on strict discipline and a system of hierarchy. While protecting and supporting the communities they represent, yakuza take many opportunities to get to the top of the economic food chain and increase their power and control of illegal activities. Yakuza are built upon respect and responsibility- known to be the toughest of the tough.
Creating a Yakuza
- Informational Preface
This class is designed as a versatile rogue/fighter-esque unarmed class. It is highly based on strength and constitution with a few features relying on charisma. I gained inspiration for many of the features from an Oriental Adventures Yakuza subclass for the Rogue which can be found here: https://www.tribality.com/2015/02/12/oriental-adventures-yakuza/ This is very much inspired after the Ryu Ga Gotoku (or, Yakuza) video game series and it's characters and I hope to have successfully emulated the playstyle of said game.
- Character Questions
As a Yakuza, you are a member of a renown criminal organization and work under a clan, a smaller piece of the national crime syndicate. Is your clan territory based in a small town or large city? Maybe they has control of a little bit of a countryside. Yakuza remain largely neutral, but will try to stay on the side of lawful or good due to their code of honor and discretion. There can be evil or particularly chaotic Yakuza however. What goal(s) does your character want to accomplish? Perhaps they went out of line in the past, was punished for it and want to rise back up the ranks to gain favor from their boss, maybe they want to overthrow the current boss, or perhaps they just want to gain enough money to pay off their debts and be able to get out of the crime game for good. Think of what kind of work they primarily do for their clan, are they a bodyguard, club owner, spy, debt collector, or hired assassin? Yakuza will usually have intricate and menacing back tattoos and body modifications that reflect their own personality and ideals. What design do they have tattooed on their back? Or is their tattoo just a fresh outline?
- Quick Build
You can make a Yakuza quickly by following these suggestions. First, Strength should be your highest ability score, followed by Constitution. Second, choose the Criminal background or whatever you feel fits your character.
Class Features
As a Yakuza you gain the following class features.
- Hit Points
Hit Dice: 1d10 per Yakuza level
Hit Points at 1st Level: 1d10 + Constitution modifier
Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d10 (or 6) + Constitution modifier per Yakuza level after 1st
- Proficiencies
Armor: light armor
Weapons: simple, unarmed
Tools: thieves' tools, gaming set
Saving Throws: Strength, Dexterity
Skills: choose two from: Athletics, Intimidation, Persuasion, Perception, Sleight of Hand
- Equipment
You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:
- leather armor
- (a) any simple weapon, or (b) dagger or (c) a tanto (1d6 slashing damage)
- (a) thieves' tools, or (b) gaming set
- If you are using starting wealth, you have 1d8 x 10 in funds.
| Level | Proficiency Bonus |
Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | +2 | Fighter's Fists, Criminal Reputation, Yakuza Heat |
| 2nd | +2 | Cho-Han, Grappling Expertise |
| 3rd | +2 | Yakuza Archetypes |
| 4th | +2 | Ability Score Improvement, Ability Score Improvement |
| 5th | +3 | Extra Attack |
| 6th | +3 | Dynamic Intro |
| 7th | +3 | Challenge |
| 8th | +3 | Ability Score Improvement, Ability Score Improvement |
| 9th | +4 | Uncanny Dodge |
| 10th | +4 | Increased Critical |
| 11th | +4 | — |
| 12th | +4 | Ability Score Improvement, Ability Score Improvement |
| 13th | +5 | Natural Armor |
| 14th | +5 | Kyofu |
| 15th | +5 | Cross Counter |
| 16th | +5 | Ability Score Improvement, Ability Score Improvement |
| 17th | +6 | Climax Move |
| 18th | +6 | Mr. Shakedown |
| 19th | +6 | Ability Score Improvement, Ability Score Improvement |
| 20th | +6 | Kumicho |
Fighter's Fists
At starting level, your unarmed attacks deal 1d4 damage + Strength modifier, this damage increases to 1d6 at level 6, 1d8 at level 11 and 1d10 at level 17.
Criminal Reputation
At starting level, you are more effective when dealing in the art of criminal trade. You gain advantage to any checks made to buy or sell illicit goods. Additionally, you will not get in trouble with the law when caught for minor crimes such as not paying for food, or breaking small property. Consult your DM about what situations would apply to this Feature.
Yakuza Heat
At starting level, a Yakuza gains power referred to as "heat" through extensive fighting, glowing with a colored aura of their choosing. When releasing your heat on a bonus action, you gain these features for 1 minute:
- Advantage on Strength Checks
- +2 to melee attacks using Strength (This damage increases to +3 at level 11 and +4 at level 16)
- +1 AC
- unable to use spells if possible
- unable to use the Uncanny Dodge or Cross Counter actions You can release heat once a day before taking a long rest. This is increased to twice per long rest at level 5, and three times per long rest at level 10.
Cho-Han
You enjoy games of chance, and starting at 2nd level, whenever you make an attack roll, an ability check, or a saving throw, you can choose to roll an additional d20. Before you roll the additional die, you must declare “Chō” (even) or “Han” (odd). If you are able to predict the outcome (even or odd) of the additional die, then the it can be used, otherwise it is discarded. You can choose which of the d20s is used for the attack roll, ability check, or saving throw. You can perform this feature twice, and you regain it when you finish a rest.
Grappling Expertise
At 2nd level, you gain Advantage on all Grapple checks. All creatures rolling to grapple you have Disadvantage. This Feature applies only to being grappled through physical means, no outright Advantage against being held by spells or other magic.
Ability Score Increase
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.
More than markings
At the 5th level, you can choose a tattoo to engrave on your body. This tattoo is more than a mark on your body, it has a connection with you and gives you strength when it is needed. According to your tattoo, you can:
Dragon: Your eyes emanate a presence that commands respect and you gain an enviable resistance. You are now resistant to fire damage and magical mind control, your fists now deal fire damage and you gain +1 to your damage roll, as a side effect, after finishing the transformation, you take 1d6 fire damage (this skill lasts 30 seconds and can only be used once with each long rest)
Demon: you can use its action to release the demonic energy inside your tattoo, making your eyes darken and two horns of hellish demons sprout from your head while your body color changes to black (or red). Your transformation lasts 30 seconds or until you finish it as a bonus action. Once on each of your turns, you can deal 1d4 extra necrotic damage to a target, when you damage it with one attack. After using this feature, you will receive 3 necrotic damage per turn, for 3 turns. you cannot use this ability again until you have finished a long rest.
Tiger: You can take a -4 penalty on the attack roll to deal additional 2d6 piercing damage (can be done twice with each extended rest)
Koi: You have a swimming speed of 45 feet and can keep your breath underwater for 4 minutes. You can launch Tidal Wave once a day. You are now vulnerable to electrical damage
Butterfly: You create a pair of butterfly wings on your back. You can fly 20 feet. You activate this as an action and it lasts 1 minute, it can be done once a day. You can launch sleep once a day. Each turn you must make a Constitution saving throw (DC = 14 - your constitution modifier) to keep the wings materialized.
Extra Attack
At 6th level, you can Attack twice, instead of once, whenever you take the Attack action on Your Turn. (you gain a third Attack later through the Rush Archetype)
Dynamic Intro
At 7th level, you are used to getting into fights and eager to end them. You gain +5 to any Initiative rolls as well as gain Advantage on your first attack action unless otherwise under a Condition preventing Advantage.
Challenge
At 9th level, you may use an action to challenge any humanoid enemy your size or smaller that understands any language you can speak to a 1-on-1 bout. Make a Charisma check + Intimidation Modifier and the enemy must combat it with a Wisdom saving throw. On success, the targeted enemy will only attack you and the bout ends when one combatant is Incapacitated, Surrenders, or if you Attack another enemy.
Uncanny Dodge
At 10th level, when an attacker that you can see hits you with an Attack, you can use your Reaction to halve the attack's damage against you. Due to the restriction of using your Reaction, only one attack per round can qualify for Uncanny Dodge.
Increased Critical
At 11th level, you gain critical hits on Attack rolls of 19 and 20.
Natural Armor
At 13th level, while not wearing either armor or a shield, your Armor Class is equal to 10 + Constitution modifier + Strength modifier. You are vulnerable to piercing damage while without armor.
Kyofu
At 14th level, you have become a truly intimidating character and are more able to instill fear into any intelligent creature your size or smaller. Whenever you perform an Attack action that results in a critical hit, those creatures in a 30 foot radius must save a Wisdom saving throw (DC 8 + Proficiency Bonus + Charisma Mod), or drop whatever it is holding and suffer the frightened condition until the end of your next turn. You can also choose to perform Kyōfu against one creature with a successful Intimidate skill check against the creature’s Wisdom score. You furthermore gain proficiency in the Intimidation skill if not already.
Cross Counter
At 15th level, your Uncanny Dodge feature has been upgraded to Cross Counter. When an attacker you can see hits you with a melee attack, you can use your reaction to roll a melee attack roll back to the attacker. As an Uncanny Dodge, you only take half the damage. Only one attack (melee) against you per round can qualify for a counterattack. You can still use Supernatural Dodge against non-melee attacks.
Climax Heat Move
At 17th level, as an action, you may attempt a powerful attack on an enemy that is grappled, or under the effects of a condition, to deal 3d12 magical bludgeoning damage + your Strength or Dexterity modifier. (magical damage to overcome resistances) If the enemy is dropped to 0 hit points, your use is not expended. You may use this Feature once per short or long rest.
Mr. Shakedown
At 18th level, you have learned how to effectively shake down your enemies. Whenever an enemy that is holding money is reduced to 0 hit points in combat, you gain 1d4 x 10 gp.
Kumicho
At 20th level, you have proven through your own prowess to be worthy of becoming Kumicho- a Yakuza boss. As the boss, while rolling for initiative, you may choose whether to take first or last initiative, or to roll for it regularly as long as you are not already incapacitated. On top of this, you have built resistance to all forms of poison damage.
Archetypes
==== Beast ====
Deep look
Starting at 3rd level, if you analyze a creature for 30 seconds, you can make a perception check, resisted by the creature's performance check, if you pass, the GM can tell you the alignment of the creature in question.
Brute Strength
At 3rd level, when in combat your speed is halved, but, you gain an extra Fighters Fist die.
Lvl 9
When 3 or more people are surrounding you, roll a d4 and add it to your strength mod. You also get the tavern brawler feat.
Lvl 13
When performing an attack with your fists, you can brutalize an enemy and choose to roll a strength check, if you win everyone in the surrounding area has to roll a wisdom saving throw. If they lose, the enemies in the surrounding area will run away. Only works on things your size, and smaller.
Lvl 17
Increased strength in heat mode, +2 to strength. If you are facing 3 or more enemies, and you are alone, get one more die from Fighter's Fist
==== Rush ====
Suniku
Starting at 3rd level, you have advantage on a Dexterity (Stealth) check if you move no more than half your speed on the same turn.
Sokudo
Starting at 3rd level, +10 speed in combat. You can roll a dex check to dodge an attack, this can only occur once a round. failures increase damage by 1d6.
Quick Attack
If one of your attack actions results in a critical hit, you can take one more action this turn (this feature can only be used once per turn)
Liberation of Instincts
Starting at 13th level, You can use use uncanny dodge or cross counter in a round of combat while in heat.
Kuikku
After reaching 17th level, your have become adept at laying ambushes and quickly escaping danger. You can take two turns during the first round of any combat. You take your first turn at your normal initiative and your second turn at your initiative minus 10. You can’t use this feature when you are surprised.
Brawler
Destabilizing Punch
Starting at 3rd level,when you are in combat, you can choose not to move and your attacks have a chance to stun enemies. The enemy must perform a constitution guards rescue (DC = 14 + his strength modifier), in case of failure, the enemy is stunned until the end of his next round or until he receives an attack. This feature can only be used once per round
Lvl 9
When in combat you can choose to drink booze, roll a constitution save, if you win you can roll an extra d4(increases to 1d6 at level 11 and 2d4 at level 17) till the end of combat. If you fail, you will take one D4 (increases to 1d6 at level 11 and 2d4 at level 17) of poison damage. After combat you get disadvantage on CHR. This can only be used once per day.
Lvl 13
If an enemy attacks you, you can counter them for half the damage they did to you. This can only be done once per combat encounter.
Lvl 17
You can taunt an enemy, CHR saving throw, and if you succeed you gain increased heat duration (30 seconds), but enemies target you.
Mad Dog
Lvl 3
You get the ability to cast spells with your dagger, but this uses up 20s of heat. You also get dagger prof.
Lvl 9
Instead of using a spell you can take out up to 2 enemies at half health with your dagger.
Lvl 13
When in combat, you can use your legs to attack everyone within a 5ft radius. Uses same Dice as fist.
Lvl 17
When you kill an enemy in combat you gain half the heat you used back.
Multiclassing
Prerequisites. To qualify for multiclassing into the Yakuza class, you must meet these prerequisites: 15 strength, 14 constitution
Proficiencies. When you multiclass into the Yakuza class, you gain the following proficiencies: none
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