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source: Tome of Heroes
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![[assets/dab5ae10640b97359a9abbddfc4cc406_MD5.jpg]]

Pugilists live by their fists, bare-knuckle warriors who do not hesitate to throw hands if the situation demands it. They know the intense, close, violent intimacy of melee, and they operate unapologetically in that space. Whether in fighting pits by the docks to make some extra coin, in the king’s grand arena as champions of quarreling nobles, or in the employ of local merchants in need of seemingly weaponless guards, pugilists can be found in all rungs of society. Pugilists take pleasure in a battle hard won and thrill in the energy of the fight rather than in a kill. They can often be found celebrating or having drinks with a former opponent hours after the fight, regardless of the bout’s winner.

||**Pugilist Progression**|
|---|---|
|**Fighter Level**|**Features**|
|3rd|Unarmed Warrior, Resilient Fighter|
|7th|Uncanny Fortitude|
|11th|Debilitating Blow|
|15th|Opportunistic Brawler|

# Unarmed Warrior 

_3rd-Level Pugilist Feature_ 

You learn to use your fists, knees, elbows, head, and feet to attack your opponents. You gain the following benefits while you are not wearing heavy armor and while you are not wielding weapons or a shield: 

- Your unarmed strikes deal bludgeoning damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength modifier on a hit. Your unarmed strike damage increases as you reach higher levels. The d6 becomes a d8 at 10th level and a d10 at 18th level. 
- When you use the Attack action to make one or more unarmed strikes, you can make one unarmed strike as a bonus action.

# Resilient Fighter 

_3rd-Level Pugilist Feature_ 

You learn to endure great amounts of physical punishment. You add your Constitution modifier (minimum of 1) to any death saving throw you make. In addition, you can use Last Stand a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus without expending any Hit dice. You regain all expended uses when you finish a short or long rest. 

# Uncanny Fortitude 

_7th-Level Pugilist Feature_ 

If damage reduces you to 0 hit points, you can make a Constitution saving throw with a **DC** of 5 + the damage taken, unless the damage is from a critical hit. On a success, you drop to 1 hit point instead. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus. You regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.

In addition, when you use Last Stand, you now regain hit points equal to 1d10 + your fighter level + your Constitution modifier.

# Debilitating Blow 

_11th-Level Pugilist Feature_ 

When you hit one target with two unarmed strikes in the same turn, you can use a bonus action to force the target to make a Constitution saving throw (**DC** equals 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Strength modifier). On a failure, the target has disadvantage on the next attack roll, ability check, or saving throw it makes before the start of your next turn. 

# Opportunistic Brawler 

_15th-Level Pugilist Feature_ 

You might not look for a fight around every corner, but you’re ready in case one happens. You have advantage on initiative rolls. 

In addition, when a creature you can see enters a space within 5 feet of you, you can make one opportunity attack against the creature. This opportunity attack must be made with an unarmed strike. You have a number of reactions each turn equal to your proficiency bonus, but these reactions can be used only to perform opportunity attacks.