D&D 5E (2024) Tasha Builds and Featirizing the Gladiator

[Minigiant]

I kinda like the 5.5e Gladiator monster.

It is CR 5 so it's usable for long.
It has attacks that aren't just damage but are simple to use as a DM
It has a melee and ranged attack
And most importantly
It fights like a PC Warrior with the Shield Master and Defensive Duelist feat.

So as a DM, I can simple take it, choose 2 combat feats, and use it as a base to replicate another type of warrior. And this warrior fights with a sense of symmetry to how the PC warrior of the same type and HD would.

Now TCOE had this idea of Battle Master Builds where it suggested fighting styles, maneuvers, and feats for fighters to replicate various types of warriors. Ironically the MM Gladiator doesn't fight like the suggested Gladiator. More a Hoplite

Bringing that out to 2024, in your mind would would be the iconic attacks of the warrior of the iconic builds?
Would it be based on a pair of feats or a pair of weapon masteries or one of each?
Which iconic warriors are missing and what would be their attacks?

• ARCHER
• BODYGUARD
• BRAWLER
• DUELIST
• GLADIATOR
• HOPLITE
  • Attack 1: Spear
  • Attack 2: Shield Bash
  • Other: Parry
• LANCER
• OUTRIDER
• PUGILIST
• SHOCKTROOPER
• SKIRMISHER
• STRATEGIST

 

[Minigiant]

What's a good ranged weapon for a D&D Brawler and Pugilist? Lancer?

Outrider...handcrossbow or pistol?

Which weapon? for Skrimisher? Just Spear or Shortbow and Handaxe?

• ARCHER
  • Attack 1: Longbow
  • Attack 2: Shortsword
  • Other: Archer Eye
• BODYGUARD
  • Attack 1: Longsword
  • Attack 2: Javelin
  • Other: Protect
• BRAWLER
  • Attack 1: Unarmed Strike
  • Attack 2: Club
  • Other: Drink
• DUELIST
  • Attack 1: ???
  • Attack 2: ???
  • Other: ???
• GLADIATOR
  • Attack 1: ???
  • Attack 2: ???
  • Other: ???
• HOPLITE
  • Attack 1: Spear
  • Attack 2: Shield Bash
  • Other: Parry
• LANCER
  • Attack 1: Lance
  • Attack 2: ???
  • Other: ???
• OUTRIDER
  • Attack 1: Hand Crossbow
  • Attack 2: ???
  • Other: ???
• PUGILIST
  • Attack 1: Unarmed Strike
  • Attack 2: ????
  • Other: ???
• SHOCKTROOPER
  • Attack 1: Greatsword
  • Attack 2: Handaxe
  • Other: ???
• SKIRMISHER
  • Attack 1: ???
  • Attack 2: ???
  • Other: ???
• STRATEGIST
  • Attack 1: ???
  • Attack 2: ???
  • Other: ???

 

[Zardnaar]

As DM i use gladiators as well erm elite gladiators and as a level 7-11 fighters in older products.

Veteran Warrirs your level 3-6 fighter.

 

[Minigiant]

As DM i use gladiators as well erm elite gladiators and as a level 7-11 fighters in older products.

Veteran Warrirs your level 3-6 fighter.

Warrior Veterans are just lower level versions of the Gladiators really.

Except their gear makes no sense for a common armed force. Hybrid versatile infantry would be rare as enemies.

Thats kinda the point of this thread. What would be the common gear setups of NPC fighter types.

 

[NotAYakk]

Warrior Veterans are just lower level versions of the Gladiators really.

Except their gear makes no sense for a common armed force. Hybrid versatile infantry would be rare as enemies.

Thats kinda the point of this thread. What would be the common gear setups of NPC fighter types.

A leveled PC-type makes no sense for a common armed force. The default fiction is really clear in 5e that a "Guard" is what a typical humanoid member of a militia/army looks like, and that is well geared too.

 

[Minigiant]

A leveled PC-type makes no sense for a common armed force. The default fiction is really clear in 5e that a "Guard" is what a typical humanoid member of a militia/army looks like, and that is well geared too.

I wasnt just looking for a guard.

The goal of this thread is to figure out the D&D weapon loadouts and nondamage adjustments of different warrior types.

D&D heavily leans to making "guards" and "brutes". But there are different types of warriors not covered. And PC warriors are sourced in real warrior packages.

What are the shock troopers?
The Archers?
The Skirmishers?
The lancers and outsiders?
Etc etc.

 

[mari99]

Good point: the current Gladiator is more like a hoplite. In 2024, it would be best to define each archetype with 1–2 weapon proficiency skills + possibly 1 feat.

 

[Minigiant]

Good point: the current Gladiator is more like a hoplite. In 2024, it would be best to define each archetype with 1–2 weapon proficiency skills + possibly 1 feat.

Thats the goal.

Like Archer would be Longbow and Shortsword with Sharpshooter whereas a Outrider might be Hand Crossbow and Handaxe with Crossbow expert.

But the Archer would be 2 attacks with some sort of Sniping ability but the Outrider with be 3 weak shots peppering you down.

Which is historically the Outrider would be a shortbow user. But D&D Shortbow stick and hand Crossbow took its slot since 4e.

---

But how would you do a Pugilist or Brawler NPC.

Like if you surprise some guys in the mess hall of a fort or dungeon. One of the guys gets up and crawls with your fronting as the rest spend a turn picking up their weapons from the floor or wall.

Some big orc, human, or dwarf who charges you as you open the door.

What weapons do they use?
A chair like a Pro Wrestler?
A mug?
Do they throw mugs?