Pugilist

Arrows raining down on her as she ran towards the

hobgoblins, desperate to close the distance, the half-elf
fought through the pain to reach her foes. Surprised
at her speed, the hobgoblins didn’t expect her to be on
them so fast and they certainly didn’t expect her to have
so much strength left. What they didn’t know was the
pain only made her stronger.
He braced himself for impact as the orc rushed at
him. Then it made a mistake. The orc made telegraphed
its next move and that was all the opening he needed.
Ducking underneath the brute’s swing he raised both
hands high above his head and brought them down on
the orc’s back, throwing him to the ground.
The halfling was used to being underestimated on
account of his size. The petty noble raising his hand
to strike the halfling had no idea that all it took was a
broken bottle to make their relative differences moot.
The noble looked surprised as the broken glass opened
up his cheek. The halfling liked that.
Wherever they come from, pugilists live a rough and
tumble life that leaves them full of determination and
reckless from overconfidence or desperation. In a fight
they can channel this strength of character to dig deep
and fight off foes in greater strength of numbers, arms,
and armor than anyone else would think possible.

Swagger for Days

Pugilists unconsciously tap into their own inner strength
in the form of a magical energy called moxie. This is
not an esoteric or mystical energy that flows through
the multiverse but the result of a lifetime of hardship
and a never-let-die attitude. You can teach someone
how to fight but you could never teach someone how
to be a pugilist. The secret of mastering moxie doesn’t
come from disciplined study or rigorous training, it
comes from years of wanting and needing. Using this
energy, pugilists can fight through attacks that would
down lesser heroes and hit harder and faster than their
rugged appearance would ever let on.

Life on the Street

Every city in the worlds of D&D have their back alleys,
their underground fighting rackets, their ghettos. The
pugilists who live in these places don’t have time to
consider the lofty ideals of philosophies or ponder the
mysteries of the universe. The pugilists growing up on
the wrong side of the tracks spend all their time chasing
down their next meal or, if they’re fortunate enough to
have that, their next drink, bedfellow, or flophouse.
For pugilists, becoming an adventurer is a risk worth
taking or a way to leave the past behind. For some,
becoming an adventurer is the only way out of whatever
The Pugilist
Proficiency Moxie
Level Bonus Fisticuffs Points Features
1st +2 1d4 __ Fisticuffs, Unarmored Defense
2nd +2 1d4 2 Moxie, Second Wind
3rd +2 1d4 3 Counterpunch, Fight Club
4th +2 1d4 4 Ability Score Improvement, Bloodied but Unbowed
5th +3 1d6 5 Extra Attack, Haymaker
6th +3 1d6 6 Fight Club improvement, Moxie-Fueled Fists
7th +3 1d6 7 Street Fighter, Shake it Off
8th +3 1d6 8 Ability Score Improvement
9th +4 1d6 9 Bloodied but Unbowed improvement
10th +4 1d6 10 School of Hard Knocks
11th +4 1d8 11 Fight Club improvement
12th +4 1d8 12 Ability Score Improvement
13th +5 1d8 13 Street Smart, Street Fighter improvement
14th +5 1d8 14 Unbreakable
15th +5 1d8 15 Freerunning
16th +5 1d8 16 Ability Score Improvement
17th +6 1d10 17 Fight Club improvement
18th +6 1d10 18 Prizefighter
19th +6 1d10 19 Ability Score Improvement
20th +6 1d10 20 Ready for a Fight

miserable situation they’ve been stuck in since infancy. Proficiencies

For others, getting lost out in the world is the only way
to escape the tangled web of debt and enemies they’ve
piled up. Whatever the reason for their adventuring, all
pugilists want is to make life better for themselves, their
families, and their communities.
Creating a Pugilist
As you make your pugilist character, consider your
connection to your home town and the people there.
Were you an orphan, the runt of the litter in a huge
family, or was your childhood relatively comfortable?
How do you feel about your family? Have you started a
family of your own? Who’s the most important person
in your life? Who have you made enemies with to get
where you’ve got? What drove you to fight for the first
time? What drove you to keep fighting after that?
Consider why you’ve left. Are you running away from
something? From someone? Is the past something you
dwell on often or is it best forgotten? Do you see a better
future for yourself somewhere else? Is there anyone
you wish you could take with you? What mark do you
want to leave on the world? How do you want to be
remembered when the fighting’s all done?
Quick Build
You can make a pugilist quickly by following these
suggestions. First, make Strength your highest ability
score, followed by Constitution. Second, choose the
criminal or urchin background.
Class Features
As a pugilist, you gain the following class features.
Hit Dice: 1d12 per pugilist level
Hit Points at 1st Level: 12 + your Constitution modifier
Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d12 (or 7) + your
Constitution modifier per pugilist level after 1st
Armor: Light armor
Weapons: Simple weapons, improvised weapons, whip,
hand crossbow
Tools: One artisan’s tools or gaming set or thieve’s tools
Saving Throws: Strength, Constitution
Skills: Choose two skills from Acrobatics, Athletics,
Deception, Intimidation, Perception, Sleight of Hand
and Stealth.
Equipment
You start with the following equipment in addition to the
equipment gained by your background:
• (a) leather armor or (b) any simple weapon or (c) a
sidearm
• (a) a dungeoneer’s pack or (b) an explorer’s pack
• (a) a set of artisan’s tools or (b) a gaming set or (c)
thieve’s tools
Fisticuffs
At 1st level, your years of fighting in back alleys, ship
decks, and taverns have given you mastery over combat
styles that use unarmed strikes and pugilist weapons,
which are simple melee weapons without the two-
handed property, whips, and improvised weapons. You
may not use the finesse property of a weapon while
using it as a pugilist weapon.
You gain the following benefits while you are unarmed
or using only pugilist weapons and you are wearing light
or no armor:
• You can roll a d4 in place of the normal damage of
your unarmed strike or pugilist weapon. This die
changes as you gain pugilist levels, as shown in the
Fisticuffs column on the Pugilist table.

PDF compiled, edited and designed to resemble the official Player’s Handbook by /u/Barkalot
• When you use the Attack action with an unarmed
strike or a pugilist weapon on your turn, you can make
one unarmed strike or grapple as a bonus action.
Unarmored Defense
Beginning at 1st level, while you are wearing no armor
and not wielding a shield, your AC equals 10 + your
Dexterity modifier + your Constitution modifier.
Moxie
Starting at 2nd level, your experience laying the
beatdown on others has given you a moxie you
can channel in the midst of battle. This swagger is
represented by a number of moxie points. Your pugilist
level determines the number of points you have, as
shown in the Moxie Points column of the Pugilist table.
You can spend these points to fuel various moxie
features. You start knowing three such features: brace
yourself, the old one-two, and stick and move. You learn
more moxie features as you gain levels in this class.
When you spend a moxie point, it is unavailable until
you finish a short or long rest, at the end of which you
restore all of your expended moxie. You must spend at
least 30 minutes of the rest carousing or shadowboxing
to regain your moxie points.
Some of your moxie features require your target to
make a saving throw to resist the feature’s effects. The
saving throw DC is calculated as follows:
Moxie save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus +
your Constitution modifier
Brace Yourself
You can use a bonus action and expend 1 moxie point to
gain resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing
damage until the start of your next turn.
The Old One-Two
Immediately after you take the Attack action on your
turn, you can spend 1 moxie point to make two unarmed
strikes as a bonus action.
Stick and Move
You can use a bonus action and expend 1 moxie point to
make a shove attack with advantage or the Dash action.
Second Wind
By 2nd level, you have a limited well of stamina that you
can draw on to protect yourself from harm. On your turn,
you can use a bonus action to regain hit points equal to
1d10 + your pugilist level.
Once you use this feature, you must finish a short or
long rest before you can use it again.
Counterpunch
Starting at 3rd level, you can use your reaction to deflect
an attack when you are hit by a melee weapon attack.
When you do so, the damage you take from the attack
is reduced by 1d10 + your Strength modifier + your
pugilist level.
If you reduce the damage to 0, you can expend 1
moxie point to make an unarmed attack against the
creature who just attacked you as part of the same
reaction.
Fight Club
By 3rd level, you have mastered the techniques of
certain regional fighting styles. Choose 2 fight clubs
when you gain this feature. You can use a bonus action
on your turn to adopt a fight club’s stance. While in
a fight club’s stance, you can expend moxie to use its
signature move. When you adopt a stance, you drop any
stance you were previously in. You gain one additional
fight club at 6th, 11th, and 17th 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.
Bloodied but Unbowed
Starting at 4th level, when you are reduced to less
than half of your maximum hit points you add your
proficiency bonus to your damage with unarmed attacks
and pugilist weapons for 1 minute. You cannot use this
feature again until you complete a short or long rest.
At 9th level, when you use this feature you also gain
1d10 + your Constitution modifier in temporary hit
points. These temporary hit points remain for 1 minute.
Extra Attack
Beginning at 5th level, you can attack twice, instead of
once, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn.
Haymaker
Starting at 5th level, you can knock the wind out of
an opponent or throw them off balance with a heavy
hit. When you hit another creature with an unarmed
strike or pugilist weapon, you can spend 1 moxie point
to attempt to stun them. The target must succeed on a
Constitution saving throw or be stunned until the end of
your next turn.
Moxie-Fueled Fists
Starting at 6th level, your unarmed strikes count as
magical for the purpose of overcoming resistance and
immunity to non-magical attacks and damage.
Street Fighter
Starting at 7th level, choose one fight club you know.
You always gain the benefit of its stance and can use its
signature move without adopting its stance.
At 13th level, choose another fight club you know. You
always gain the benefit of its stance and can use its
signature move without adopting its stance.
Shake It Off
Starting at 7th level, you can use your action to end one
effect on yourself that is causing you to be charmed or
frightened.
School of Hard Knocks
By 10th level, you’ve graduated top of the class at the
school of hard knocks and you took most of them on the
head. You have resistance to psychic damage and gain
advantage on saving throws against effects that would
make you stunned or unconscious.
Street Smart
Beginning at 13th level, you know the Thieve’s Cant
language. Additionally, once you have completed a long
rest in a city you know all public locations in the city as
if you had a map and you cannot be lost by non-magical
means while within the city.
Unbreakable
Starting at 14th level, your moxie mastery grants you
proficiency in all saving throws.
Additionally, whenever you make a saving throw and
fail, you can spend 1 moxie point to reroll it and take the
second result.
Freerunning
At 15th level, climbing no longer costs you extra
movement. In addition, your jump distance is tripled.
Prizefighter
Beginning at 18th level, you can use your action to
spend 4 moxie points to have resistance to all damage
but force damage for 1 minute. During that time, you
can make two bonus actions each turn instead of one.
Additionally, you can spend 8 moxie points to cast
cure wounds as if with a 9th level spell slot or greater
restoration or lesser restoration without needing
material components. When you do so, you can only
affect yourself with this ability.
Ready for a Fight
At 20th level, when you roll for initiative and have no
moxie points remaining, you regain 4 moxie points.
Fight Clubs
Belligerent Bruiser
When you adopt the Belligerent Bruiser stance friendly
creatures other than you who make melee weapon
attacks against enemy creatures adjacent to you gain
advantage on their attack rolls.
Dirty Trick. When you make an attack with an
unarmed strike or pugilist weapon you can expend 1
moxie to attempt to disorient the creature. The creature
must pass a Constitution saving throw or be blinded for
1 minute. They can attempt the saving throw at the end
of each of their turns, ending the blinded effect if they
are successful.
Catnap Clincher
When you adopt the Catnap Clincher stance while you
have a creature grappled you have half cover from all
attacks against you.
Go to Sleep. When you have a creature grappled you
can spend your action and expend 1 moxie point to
attemp to render the creature unconscious. Roll 3d10
+ your pugilist level. If the result meets or exceeds
that creatures remaining hit points, the creature is
unconscious.
Foulmouthed Bedeviler
When you adopt the Foulmouthed Bedeviler stance you
can cast the vicious mockery cantrip using Constitution
as your spellcasting ability.
Fighting Words. You can use a bonus action and
expend 1 moxie to cast the spell compelled duel.
Constitution is your spellcasting ability for this spell.
Heavyweight Hitter
When you adopt the Heavyweight Hitter stance you
score critical hits on a result of 19 or 20 when using
unarmed strikes or pugilist weapons.
Jawbreaker. After you roll damage for an attack made
with unarmed strikes or pugilist weapons you can
expend 1 moxie to reroll a number of damage dice up to
your Constitution modifier (minimum of one). You must
use the new rolls.
Inescapable Locker
When you adopt the Inescapable Locker stance your
movement is not reduced when moving a creature
you have in a grapple. Additionally, when a creature
attempts to escape your grapple you can use your
reaction to give them disadvantage.
Meat Shield. When you have a creature grappled
and are the target of an attack by any creature that isn’t
grappled by you, after the attack roll is made but before
the attack is declared successful or not you can use your
reaction and spend 1 moxie to redirect the attack to the
creature you are grappling.
Ironbelly Brawler
When you adopt the Ironbelly Brawler stance you gain
a +1 to your AC if you are unarmored or wearing light
armor.
Iron Ab Reverberation. When a creature deals
damage to you with a melee weapon attack you can
use your reaction and expend 1 moxie to make the
creature pass a Constitution saving throw or take
your Constitution modifier + your pugilist level in
bludgeoning damage.
Openfist Disciple
When you adopt the Openfist Disciple stance your
movement speed increases by 10 feet. In addition, when
you reduce a melee weapon attack to 0 damage with
your Counterpunch feature you may spend 1 moxie
to attempt to grapple or shove the creature instead of
making an unarmed attack.
Bodies in Motion. You may use an action and expend
1 moxie point to throw a creature you have grappled
up to 15 feet away. If that creature would enter a space
occupied by a Large or larger object it takes your
unarmed strike damage and is prone. If it would enter a
space occupied by a Small or larger creature, make an
attack roll adding your proficiency bonus and Strength
modifier. If you beat the creature occupying that space’s
AC, deal your unarmed damage to both creatures and
they both must succeed at a Dexterity saving throw or
fall prone.
Ruthless Wrestler
While you adopt the Ruthless Wrestler stance if you are
proficient in Athletics or Acrobatics, you double your
proficiency bonus when making ability checks using
those skills.
To the Mat. When a creature within your reach
moves you can use your reaction and expend 1 moxie
to make a shove or grapple attempt on that creature. If
successful, you deal your unarmed attack damage as The Pugilist Class by
well. /u/ coolgamertagbro
http://sterlingvermin.com/
Salty Shipwrecker
When you adopt the Salty Shipwrecker stance you gain Art Credits in Order of Appearance
a swim speed of 30 feet and gain advantage on saving “Barn” by SinCommonStitches
throws against effects that would move you or knock “Maelstrom Saga: The Brawler” by GourmandHast
you prone. “Pastel Weapons Series: Brass Knucles” by Enixyy
Mop the Deck. When you deal damage with an “Approching Fire Storm” by FMacManus
unarmed or pugilist weapon you can expend 1 moxie to “Narrow Street” by FriendlyChestnut
make the creature pass a Strength saving throw or be “The Boxer” by JohnoftheNorth
knocked prone.

Shuffling Scrapper
While you have adopted the Shuffling Scrapper stance
you can take the Dodge action as a bonus action.
Bob and Weave. You can use your bonus action and
expend 1 moxie to take the Disengage and Dash actions.
Until the end of this turn you can move through spaces
occupied by enemy creatures.

Southpaw Stalker
While you have adopted the Southpaw Stalker stance
you gain advantage on Stealth rolls while you move at
half your speed or slower.
Rabbit Punch. Once per turn when you hit a creature
with an attack that had advantage or if an enemy of that
creature is conscious and within 5 feet of the creature
you can deal additional damage. To do this additional
damage you must be using an unarmed strike or pugilist
weapon. When you deal damage you can spend up to
half of your pugilist level in moxie points, dealing an
additional 1d6 damage for each moxie expended in this
way.

Tavern Tussler
When you adopt the Tavern Tussler stance enemies
have disadvantage on opportunity attacks against you
and you can rise and fall from prone with only 5 feet of
movement.
Dumb Luck. When a creature misses you with a
ranged weapon attack you can use your reaction and
1 moxie point to force that creature to make the same
attack against a foe of your choice within range of the
attack. It gains advantage on that attack.

Pugilism & Pistolwhipping

If your campaign uses the firearms rules presented in
the Complete Martialist Handbook the Pugilist has the
following additional features.

Proficiency: Sidearms

Fight Club
Murderous Mobster
When you adopt the Murderous Mobster stance you gain
the archery fighting style. When you use a sidearm as an
improvised melee weapon it deals +2 damage.
Execution. When you make an attack with a sidearm
against a creature you have grappled you can spend 1
moxie before making the attack roll. If you hit but do not
score a critical, roll all damage dice twice and the grapple
ends.