Path of the Bruiser

A small set of Barbarians have a Rage so unmatched it can only be channeled in their bodies. In attempting to use traditional weapons, many have found they can't match the raw brutalitly of their strength. So they've adopted a savage, untamed fighting style, the Path of the Bruiser. Trusting the only weapons closest to their bodies, their fists.

Path of the Bruiser Features

Level Feature Raging Demon Die 3rd Gentle Fist, Raging Demon 1d6 6th Brute Force, Martial Fury 1d8 10th Overwhelming Pressure 1d10 14th Unrivaled Strength 1d12

Gentle Fist

Through rigorous training you have toned your body into that of a beast, with strength much greater then the average person.

Starting when you join this path at 3rd level, you become proficient with unarmed strikes. Your unarmed strikes use a d4 for their damage roll. When you hit a creature with an unarmed strike on your turn, you can use a bonus action to attempt to grapple the target.

If you did not already count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift, you do so now.

The Reckless Attack feature applies to your unarmed attacks as well.

Raging Demon

Also at 3rd level you've learned to channel your rage to the very extremities of your limbs.

While raging, the damage die of your unarmed strike increases to a d6 and increases further at specific levels; a d8 at level 6, d10 at level 10, and a d12 at level 14. You can add your rage damage to unarmed strikes you make using your strength.

Brute Force

Beginning at 6th level, your unarmed strikes count as magical for the purpose of overcoming resistances to non-magical attacks and damage. Also any creature that would have immunity to your unarmed strikes (bludgeoning damage) has a resistance to them instead.

Martial Fury

As your rage further grows, you gain an untamed strength, increasing your fighting knowledge and prowess subconsiously. At level 6 you gain these benefits while you are raging:

When you make a succesful shove attempt, the target of your shove takes damage equal to your unarmed strike damage die (bludgeoning), additionally if you chose to shove the target a distance you can increase that distance by 5 feet.

When you hit a creature, of equal or lesser size, with an unarmed strike on your turn, you can use a bonus action to attempt to shove the target prone, or a distance.

You gain the AC benefit of having a shield if you are currently grappling a target of at least size small, or larger. This benefit is only applied if you do not have a shield currently equipped.

Overwhelming Pressure

Even when you hold your rage back, your fury reveals itself to creatures as an otherworldly aura surrounding your body. At 10th level you become proficient in Intimidation (Charisma) checks if you aren't already, and you can add your Strength modifier as a bonus to these checks.

Additionally, your blood boils with a fiercness, helping purge effects that would otherwise keep you away from battle. You gain advantage on saving throws against effects that would cause you to be frightened, paralyzed, or restrained.

Unrivaled Strength

Reaching the peak of your fury, your rage aura leaks and extends itself along the length of your body, strengthing your muscles and giving you superhuman reflexes. At level 14 you gain these benefits while you are raging:

You count as one size larger for the sole purposes of grappling.

When a creature within 5 feet of you misses you with a melee attack, as a reaction, you can attempt to grapple the creature if you have a free hand available.

When a creature would hit you with a single target ranged spell or ranged weapon attack (barring saving throws), you can interpose a creature you are grappling inbetween you and the attack, using your reaction. Make a Strength (Athletics) check contested by the grappled creature's Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity (Acrobatics) check (the creature chooses which to use). If you succeed, the ranged attack hits the grappled creature instead.

Made with homebrewery

Image from Asura's Wrath

Created by /u/acraignavie