With their backs against a wall,

some rogues may favor staying

alive over being scrupulous.

Indulging this crooked outlook

starts one on the path of the Ruffian.

It is a walk of life shared by Thieves’ Guild enforcers, street brawlers, untrained scoundrels, and anyone incorrigible, desperate or resourceful enough to decide that attacking an enemy’s groin counts as ‘fair play.’ Quick wits, versatility in action and a laissez-faire attitude help Ruffians to shine in a skirmish, as well as corral strangers in the social world.

Upon reaching 3rd level and selecting this archetype, you gain proficiency in improvised weapons and a skill of your choice, and treat improvised weapons and your unarmed strikes as finesse weapons.

Dirty Fighting

When you select this archetype at 3rd level, you abandon your scruples and double down on scrappiness. You learn how to perform a Cheap Shot, as well as one other Dirty Tactic (listed below), and learn an additional Dirty Tactic at levels 6, 9, 13 and 17.

Using a Dirty Tactic requires you to sacrifice a set number of dice rolls from a successful melee-range Sneak Attack (after which any remaining d6s are rolled for damage). You can execute the Dirty Tactic on any creature within 5 feet of you, but you cannot use more than 1 Dirty Tactic per Sneak Attack.

Your Dirty Tactics may force a creature to make a saving throw. If so, the DC is 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Dexterity or Strength modifier (whichever is higher).





