Gladiator

A burly human wrestles an Owlbear into submission barehanded.

A half-orc bedecked in shining gold plate strikes down her fifth opponent to the jeers of the audience.

A halfling wielding a net and trident dashes in for the finishing blow against a captive ogre, and the crowd goes wild.

These are Gladiators, warriors that not only fight well, but look good doing it. To a Gladiator, the performance is just as important as the battle prowess. They strive to not only be the best fighter on the field, but also to be the best looking fighter out there. Those who are truly talented can merge the two, and achieve incredible results.

Love of the Crowd

Rather than striving for martial perfection or defending a homeland against invaders, Gladiators pursue a much loftier motivation: the adoration of fans. For a Gladiator, renown comes from fame, and it is a desire for that recognition that drives them to be inventive and resourceful on the battlefield. Though they deal in combat, a true Gladiator is a performer at heart.

This does not mean every Gladiator in the world is greedy or vain --- many use their artful prowess to make a statement. Perhaps they see themselves as a champion of the people, a commoner who has risen to acclaim through their skill. Or perhaps they relish the joy they bring people with their performances. The true motivation of a Gladiator varies, but their ultimate goal demands time in the limelight.

A Gladiator is best on the front lines, demonstrating impossible feats that no one else would ever dare perform. They train hard to be sure that they are the best in the field, and their artful flourishes are spectacles unto themselves.

This doesn't mean that a Gladiator cannot be a team player, though --- leaving an opponent stunned by the sheer audacity of an attack can give one of their allies a fantastic opening to strike!

Storied Showmen

Not every pit fighter or back alley pugilist is a Gladiator. Gladiators are the most distinguished in their fields, rising to greatness in and out of the arenas and fairgrounds. Being a talented fighter is far from enough to be a successful Gladiator. Those combatants who simply defeat their opponents will be doomed to tougher and tougher challenges, until they're pitted against something that breaks them. Far too many straight-laced warriors have grunted through a series of powerful combatants, only to meet their end in a fight that was all but rigged.

To survive the arena, a Gladiator needs style and flair. Winning the favor of the crowd means survival, and a better chance of being in fights that are possible to win. Gladiators know this, and use it to their advantage. Most of them are talented warriors that know how to sweep a leg or disarm an opponent. Their talent lies in doing so by sending their opponent sprawling with an arcing kick, or making their opponent's weapon fly clear across the field.

Creating a Gladiator

Gladiators who leave the arena to pursue a life of adventure do so for many different reasons. Consider what your character's motivation for leaving behind a life of fame might be. Perhaps they're bored of the trials they face in the arena, and are looking for glory in the more untamed parts of the world. Perhaps they were fighting to earn their freedom, and now want to see the world. Or perhaps they're simply on a tour to garner more fans!

Quick Build

You can create a Gladiator quickly by following these suggestions. First, make Strength your highest ability score. Your next highest skill should be Charisma. Second, choose the Soldier background.

Class Features

As a Gladiator, you gain the following class features

Martial Role

At 3rd Level, your specialized methods of fighting have developed into a specific role you play in performative combat. You can choose between Retiarius, Secutus, Cestus, and Thraex, each of which is detailed at the end of the class description. The Role you choose grants you features at 3rd level and again at 7th, 10th, and 15th levels.

Ability Score Increase

When you reach 4th Level, and again at 8th, 12th, 14th, 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.

Extra Attack

Beginning at 5th Level, you can Attack twice, instead of once, whenever you take the Attack action on Your Turn.

The number of attacks increases to three when you reach 11th level in this class.

Eye-Catching Prowess

Starting at level 6, your physical prowess gives you a leg up in social interactions. Whenever you make a skill check using your Charisma skill, you can add your Strength modifier to the skill check as well.

Tireless Performer

Starting at 9th level, your tireless dedication to your craft allows you to draw on additional reserves to keep the show going. Whenever you finish a short rest, you may regain a number of Flair Die equal to half your maximum Flair Die, rounded up.

Stylish Strikes

When you reach 13th level, even your run-of-the-mill attacks carry a touch of stylish flair. You can add your Charisma modifier to damage rolls in addition to any other bonuses to the rolls.

Hearty Aplomb

Starting at level 17, whenever you expend any number of flair die, you gain temporary hit points equal to the total combined roll. These temporary hit points last 10 minutes or until you take a short rest.

Coup de Grace

Once you reach level 18, you can deliver a finishing blow to disabled opponents. When you hit a creature that has half or less of its maximum hit points remaining and is unconscious, paralyzed, or incapacitated with a melee weapon attack, you can force that creature to make a Constitution saving throw against your Flourish DC. If it fails, it is reduced to 0 Hit Points. If it succeeds, it takes 10d10 damage of a type your attack would deal. Once you use this feature you cannot use it again until you finish a long rest.

Enthralling Victory

Starting at level 20, whenever you kill a creature, each creature that was allied with the slain creature within 30ft must make a Wisdom Saving throw against your Flourish DC. On a failure, those creatures become your choice of Frightened or Charmed by you until the end of your next turn.

Martial Roles

If there’s one thing that every show fighter knows, it’s that you need a gimmick. A Gladiator lives for the roar of the crowd, and it’s much easier to obtain when they fill a role that the audience can identify with and root for. From commoner to soldier up to noble, there’s a Martial Role that a Gladiator can play that will get the audience shouting their approval.

Retiarius

The Retiarius are combatants that seek to emulate fisherfolk in garb and gear. Fighting with nets and tridents, they often represent the common folk in arena games. They are favorites of the lower class, who love to see Retiarius overcome a heavily armed and armored combatants using equipment they might have in their own homes.

Dimachaerus

Deadly dual-wielding warriors, Dimachaeri are known for their artful and intimidating swordwork as they dance through a battlefield armed with a blade in each hand. Their showy combat displays and ability to take on multiple enemies at once make them crowd favorites.

Thraex

Versatile fighters and everymen, Thraex tend to be painted as the heroes of arena competitions. Their varied skills and adaptability make them easy to root for, and their displays of inventive fighting in the arena make them crowd favorites.

Secutus

Heavily armed and armored, the Secutus is often pitted against other gladiators as an insurmountable obstacle for them to overcome. They are best at patiently waiting for their enemies to tire and then lashing out for a finishing blow. Though they are often framed as the enemy in gladiatorial combat, many still adore them and get a thrill from seeing them defeat an upstart or overconfident combatant.

Impassable Defender

Starting at level 15, your defensive capabilities are unmatched and allow you to stop enemies in their tracks. Whenever an enemy moves at least 1ft within 10ft of you, you can use your reaction to make a melee weapon attack against that creature. If your attack hits, the creature’s speed is reduced to 0 until its next turn.

In addition, you gain a +1 bonus to your AC when you are wearing Heavy Armor.

Flourishes

Gladiators live for the thrill of the performance, and their audiences love to see them prevail in new and exciting ways. The most successful Gladiators learn how to utilize Flourishes, specialized maneuvers that allow them to do more than just deal damage while in the ring. In fact, the true measure of a Gladiator is in how well they can utilize these stylish flairs -- a Gladiator who is simply a good fighter isn't going to put on a very good show!

If a Flourish has prerequisites, you must meet them to learn it. You can learn the Flourish at the same time that you meet its prerequisites. You can't learn a Flourish more than once.

Artful Avoidance

While moving, you can use your bonus action to expend a Flair Die and add the result to your AC. This effect ends once you stop moving.

Blinding Strike

Prerequisite: Retiarius, 12th Level

You use your weapon to attempt to blind a creature. When you hit a creature with a weapon attack that would deal piercing damage, you can expend three Flair Die without rolling them. The target then makes a Dexterity saving throw. If they fail, they are Blinded. This effect lasts until the Blinded creature recovers any number of hit points, or until the affected creature uses its action to make a Constitution saving throw against your Flourish DC and succeeds.

Called Shot

Prerequisite: 6th Level

You designate a specific weak point on a creature (eye, underbelly, armor seam, etc) as the specific target for your attack. When you make a weapon attack against a creature, you may expend a Flair Die and subtract the result from your attack roll. If your attack still hits, the attack deals additional damage equal to twice the original result of the Flair Die. The target then makes a Dexterity saving throw. If they fail, you can choose up to one of the following additional effects:

• The target’s speed is reduced by half.
• The target makes melee weapon attacks with disadvantage
• The target sustains a wound that causes it to take 1d4 necrotic at the start of each of its turns.

These effects end if the target restores any number of hit points, or if it uses its action to make a Constitution saving throw against your Flourish DC and succeeds.

Constricting Tangle

Prerequisite: Retiarius

Whenever a creature attempts to break free of your net, you may use your reaction to expend a Flair Die and add the result to your net's escape DC.

Dance of Blades

You can use your performative combat skills to give you an edge in certain social situations. You may expend a Flair Die to add the result to a Performance or Intimidation skill check. You can use this ability after rolling the d20, but must use it before knowing the outcome of the roll.

Disarming Strike

You attempt to knock an item from your opponent’s grasp. When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend a Flair Die. If you do, add the result of the roll to the damage roll and the target must make a Dexterity Saving Throw. If they fail, the weapon is knocked from their grasp and lands at their feet.

Distracting Performance

When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend a Flair Die and add the result to your attack damage roll to distract the creature, giving your allies an opening. The next attack roll against the target has advantage if the attack is made before the start of your next turn.

Enrapturing Attack

Prerequisite: 6th Level

You use your incredible martial prowess to astound those around you. When you hit with a weapon attack, you can expend a Flair Die and add the result to your attack damage roll to force a creature within 30ft. of you that can see you to make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, that creature becomes Charmed by you until the end of your next turn. While charmed this way, the creature is incapacitated and its speed it reduced to 0.

Ensnaring Strike

Prerequisite: Retiarius

Whenever you take the attack action on your turn, you can expend a Flair Die to use one of your attacks to attempt to tear an item (such as a held weapon, a shield, or an arcane focus) from an opponent’s grasp using your net. If the attack hits, you and the target make contested Strength ability checks, adding the result of your Flair Die to your roll. If you win the contest, you pull the item from their grasp. You can remove the object from your net using your Use Object action. If you don’t, the net becomes an improvised weapon with a reach of 5ft which deals 1d6 + your Strength modifier bludgeoning damage on a hit, and cannot be used to restrain a creature until the item is removed. You are considered proficient with this improvised weapon.

Flurry of Blades

Prerequisite: Dimachaerus

Whenever you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack for the first time in a turn, you can expend a Flair Die to make an additional attack against the same target with your off-handed weapon. If you hit, add the result of the Flair Die to the attack’s damage roll.

Goading Attack

When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend one flair die to attempt to goad the target into attacking you. You add the flair die to the attack's damage roll, and the target must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the target has disadvantage on all attack rolls against targets other than you until the end of your next turn.

Heroic Charge

Prerequisite: 6th Level

When you make a weapon attack roll on your first turn in combat, you may expend a Flair Die. If you do, an allied creature within 30ft. of you that can see you gains temporary hit points equal to the result of the flair die roll. In addition, the creature gains immunity to the Frightened condition until you next take damage.

Hobbling Blow

Prerequisite: 12th Level

You attempt to lame an enemy with your strike. When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can expend two Flair Die and add the result to your attack damage roll. Then, the damaged creature must make a Constitution saving throw or fall prone. The creature’s speed is also reduced by half, and it cannot stand from prone unless it uses an action on its turn to make another Constitution Saving Throw against your Flourish DC. This effect ends if the target regains any number of hit points. Creatures without legs or which are immune to the prone condition are immune to this effect.

Menacing Attack

When you hit a creature with a weapon attack using your favored weapon, you can expend a Flair Die to attempt to frighten the target. You add the flair die to the weapon damage roll, and the target must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, it is frightened of you until the end of your next turn.

Perilous Avoidance

Prerequisite: Secutor

Using your reaction, you can expend a Flair Die and add the result to a Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution saving throw. You may use this ability after you make the initial roll, but before you know the result.

Quick Defense

Prerequisite: Secutor

Using your reaction, you can expend a Flair Die to temporarily raise your AC by the result of the roll on the Flair Die. Your AC returns to normal at the start of your next turn.

Shield Bash

Prerequisite: Secutor

You use your shield to batter an enemy. When a creature within 5ft. of you misses with a melee weapon attack, you may use your reaction to expend a Flair Die. If you do, the creature takes bludgeoning damage equal to the result of the roll, then makes a Strength saving throw. On a failed save, the creature is knocked prone.

Spinning Strike

Prerequisite: Dimachaerus

Whenever you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack for the first time in a turn, you may expend two Flair Dice. If you do, you deal damage of a type your weapon could deal to each creature within 5ft of you equal to the combined result of the roll.

Stunning Display

Prerequisite: 12th Level

When you hit an enemy with a weapon attack, you can expend two Flair Die and add the result to the damage roll. If you do, each creature within 15ft who were allied with that creature and can see you must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, a creature is stunned until its next turn in combat.

Stylish Blow

When you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you may expend a number of Flair Die up to half your Gladiator Level, rounded up, and add the result to the damage dealt. The damage is of the same type as another that the weapon could deal.

Sweeping Blow

You take a dramatic, sweeping swing with your weapon that damages nearby enemies. Whenever you hit a creature with a weapon attack that deals slashing or bludgeoning damage, you can expend a Flair Die to deal damage of the original type equal to the result of the roll to up to two additional creatures within 5ft of the original target.

Vicious Parry

Prerequisite: Dimachaerus

Whenever a creature within 5ft of you misses you with an attack, you can use your reaction to expend a Flair Die and make a melee weapon attack against that creature. If you hit, add the result of your roll to the attack’s damage roll, and you reduce the damage dealt to you by the result of the roll.

Art Credit

• Cover: "Victorious" by Timothy Kong
• Page 1: "Enthralling Victor" by Winona Nelson
• Page 3: "Gladiator" by Timothy Kong
• Page 5: "Gladiators!" by Tomek Larek
• Page 7: "gladitor" by Artem Khorchev