D&D (2024) Fighter (Playtest 7)

[Stalker0]

I think people are seriously underestimating Brawler. Probably an extension of people underestimating weapon masteries. The subclass could do with a bit more polish, working out the places where its features interact unfavorably with each other, but overall I think it looks really strong.

The problem with brawler isn't at the 7+ level, I actually think there is some cool stuff there. Its at 3rd....brawler realistically gets nothing that a fighter with a couple of weapons doesn't already have....but then that fighter actually gets something from their subclass. That's the area that needs adjustment.

But yeah at the higher levels when you can use 2 masteries at the same time and some other things, ok yeah that's cool and gives it a power scale all its own.

 

[Parmandur]

The problem with brawler isn't at the 7+ level, I actually think there is some cool stuff there. Its at 3rd....brawler realistically gets nothing that a fighter with a couple of weapons doesn't already have....but then that fighter actually gets something from their subclass. That's the area that needs adjustment.

But yeah at the higher levels when you can use 2 masteries at the same time and some other things, ok yeah that's cool and gives it a power scale all its own.

At the lower Level, consider the sy ergy with Fighting Style and having a Monster in a Grapple.

 

[Stalker0]

At the lower Level, consider the sy ergy with Fighting Style and having a Monster in a Grapple.

I'm not seeing how the brawler has any advantage here. A champion fighter can still grapple with 1 hand and attack with a weapon in the other, but they of course get a 19-20 crit range. What is the brawler actually getting with his subclass here that helps with grappling?

At 7+ level, absolutely, that ability is cool. At 3rd....not so much.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

It is a highly specific combat strategy, and Crawford laughed while saying it was the opposite of the BattleMaster for just that reason. And I think some people haven't fully thought through how the Brawler abilities interact with things like Fighting Style and the Unarmed Combat rules, and how that will play out in practice. I know people have been asking for a WWE style grappler Subclass for years and years...and, well, here it is.

Hell yeah, brother!

But seriously I kinda wanna play a fighter for once. Unarmed Fighting Style, Brawler, Sentinel, and you’re just left to figure out whether you jump from the top rope or throw people over it with one hand.

 

[Parmandur]

Hell yeah, brother!

But seriously I kinda wanna play a fighter for once. Unarmed Fighting Style, Brawler, Sentinel, and you’re just left to figure out whether you jump from the top rope or throw people over it with one hand.

The 5E Fighter is super fun: playing a Champion Dwarf felt so good, juat plowing through enemies. But this certainly adds a new approach!

 

[mamba]

I mean, it's the Pro Wrestler.

that works too I guess, doesn't change anything about why I do not see them as heroes or even adventurers

 

[doctorbadwolf]

To me the Brawler is still primarily still a weapon user. They just use kicks and handle strikes in.

Like hammer them down with topple then get a free "kick em when they're down". Or toss a tankard in the thug's face then quickly slash with the longsword. Stab with pencil then draw your weapon to shoot.

Or if anything using the grapple to pull them in for the OHKO heartstab.

The brawler archetype in media typically uses the Unarmed Strikes and improvised weapons to set up kill shots or to not waste the first action and get a blow it.

Fighting for more than 1-2 turns with an improvised weapon or fists was never it outside of modern action when gunplay is the primary attack.

I mean sure, that’s totally valid, but the game certainly allows the other way.

 

[Parmandur]

I'm not seeing how the brawler has any advantage here. A champion fighter can still grapple with 1 hand and attack with a weapon in the other, but they of course get a 19-20 crit range. What is the brawler actually getting with his subclass here that helps with grappling?

At 7+ level, absolutely, that ability is cool. At 3rd....not so much.

Well, cannot be disarmed, for starters, and no need to juggle weapons or shields.

 

[Parmandur]

that works too I guess, doesn't change anything about why I do not seem them as heroes or even adventurers

Think Jackie Chan as a regular Joe under sudden attack, as opposed to the Mink being the Monkey King.

 

[mamba]

Think Jackie Chan as a regular Joe under sudden attack, as opposed to the Mink being the Monkey King.

sure, but Jackie then gets attacked by the local scumbags no matter where he happens to be and just happens to best them, he is not an adventurer either.

The brawler to me is the unprepared town drunk who trundles along and has to grab the nearest branch as a club because he did not prepare for what the rest of party set out to do. As I said, not an adventurer.