Quasi-Class: Brawler

[tomaan]

I've been playing a Barb30/Monk10 melee build, which has been interesting, but, I fear, ultimately too nerfed to advance beyond LLs.

Long story short, I thought I'd throw it out there as a quasi. I tried to balance the abilities, but will leave that to those who know better than I. I'm more interested in what people think (good, bad, ugly) of the concept: an unarmed stunner/kd tank that can do fair-moderate damage.

T

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Quasi: Brawler


Background:
Bred for violence in the fighting cages of the Eastern provinces, the Brawler combines the battle fury of a Barbarian with the unarmed attack and defensive abilities of a Monk.


Requirements:
- 10 levels of Barbarian, 10 levels of Monk, and Weapon Focus: Unarmed Strike by level 21.


Bonus Feats
- On achieving Brawler status, the character is automatically given Improved Stunning Fist III


AC Bonus
- Brawlers get an AC bonus of (Con modifier)/2
- Barbarian levels stack with Monk levels to determine Monk Natural AC bonus.


Legendary Ability Bonuses
- Legendary Barbarian Brawlers gain +1 to either Strength or Dexterity at legendary levels 45, 50, 55, and 60. The determination is made by whether or not the Barbarian has the Weapon Finesse feat. If they do, they receive Dexterity; otherwise, they receive Strength.
- In addition, at those same levels, they gain +1 Constitution.


Physical Immunity
- On achieving legendary levels, Brawlers gain 1% immunity to physical damage for every one point of Constitution modifier they have.


Additional Skill Points
- Barbarians receive an additional skill point per level. Skill points for levels prior to 41 will be granted upon taking level 41 at the Altar of Legends.


Barbarian Rage
- Greater Rage now grants +1 regeneration using the following calculation: [(Monk Level + LL) + (Barbarian level + LL)] - 40.
- For legendary Barbarians with at least 40 base Strength, Greater Rage grants temporary immunity to critical hits.


Mighty Rage
- Mighty Rage now grants a +8 attack bonus, and adds the Barbarian's current Con modifier to their physical damage for all hits.
- For legendary Brawlers, Mighty Rage lasts ten times as long.


Unarmed Attack Enchantment
Legendary Brawlers gain an Enchantment bonus to hit and damage of 1 point per point of Con Modifier to a maximum of +16 on any gloves they wear


Stunning Fist
- Brawlers who use the Stunning Fist ability will force the target to make a Fort save or be knocked down for 1d3 + 1 rounds. The DC of the Fort save is equal to 10 + [(Monk level including LLs)+(Barbarian level including LLs) / 2) + Con modifier + (Improved Stunning Fist feats * 3), capped at DC 70. It will appear you only have one use of Stunning Fist, but the ability will recharge after it is used.


Improved Knockdown
- Brawlers get a bonus to all knockdown attempts equal to (Con modifier)/2

[MurphysLawAgain]

The usual rule for making a quasi is that two quite different classes meet to make something with a unique set of abilities. For example the Lash gets inflict when it buffs its whip, the BFM gets special fire spells. What you have so far is a tank with cherry picked bits of both Barbarian and Monk but nothing particularly unique to the class. Using Con as the basis for a tanks abilities is different but probably overpowered - after all Con is a useful stat for tanks.

If you want this to go further it would need penalties as well as bonuses, and a unique set of abilities that doesn't invade another class or quasiclasses space. Stunning Fist is one of the the monks "things" - rage is the barbarians.

[tyranlthixis]

There are room for things like battle cleric and storm lord. That is: not a true "quazi" class per say but a different way of playing a class. A con based meleer could be interesting..... Circle kick and dirty fighting do not have a use yet. Maybe they would have enhanced combat abilities while intoxicated.

[Torin]

Hey Tyranlthixis!

[tomaan]

Jul 14, 2011 22:29:51 GMT MurphysLawAgain said:

The usual rule for making a quasi is that two quite different classes meet to make something with a unique set of abilities. For example the Lash gets inflict when it buffs its whip, the BFM gets special fire spells. What you have so far is a tank with cherry picked bits of both Barbarian and Monk but nothing particularly unique to the class. Using Con as the basis for a tanks abilities is different but probably overpowered - after all Con is a useful stat for tanks.

If you want this to go further it would need penalties as well as bonuses, and a unique set of abilities that doesn't invade another class or quasiclasses space. Stunning Fist is one of the the monks "things" - rage is the barbarians.

Thanks for the feedback.

The "penalties" would be nerfed concealment and thundering rage damage, but, yes.... this is more of an a "alternative" than a "niche", so, per your definition, would not be applicable as a "true" quasi class.