Prestige Class: Brawler

What is a Prestige Class?

Prestige classes were a concept in older version of Dungeons and Dragons. Sadly these concepts have not really been ported over to 5e yet. The only prestige class, AFAIK, is the Rune Scribe. https://media.wizards.com/2015/downloads/dnd/UA_Rune_Magic_Prestige_Class.pdf

Quoted from the UA above

Many of the character concepts that were once prestige classes or paragon paths in earlier editions of D&D are now options available to 1st level characters. In general, the game’s design aims for maximum flexibility, making options available to all characters. As such, prestige classes build on the game’s broad range of basic options to represent specialized options and unique training

Using Prestige Classes

A prestige class requires a high level of skill before a character can master even its basic elements. Prestige classes might confer lost lore, allow access to an inscrutable form of magic, grant mastery of an exotic fighting style, or be built around the knowledge harbored by a secret society.

Mechanically, a prestige class is a character class that requires the same training and focus as any other class. You enter a prestige class by way of the normal multiclassing rules. However, you cannot enter a prestige class until you are at least 3rd level—and many prestige classes have even higher level requirements.

Most prestige classes require characters to complete specific deeds in order to gain access to the class. You cannot advance in a prestige class until its gatekeepers—typically those who harbor the class’s lore—agree to accept you. A prestige class typically offers access to unique game mechanics available only to members of that class. Such mechanics reflect specific lore, secrets, or techniques impossible to master without earning the respect and trust of those who already possess that knowledge

Joining a Prestige Class

In order to join a prestige class, you must first check with your Dungeon Master. A DM can opt to include or disallow prestige classes in the game. Typically, a prestige class requires you to undertake specific actions in the game so that your character can begin pursuing that class. If those actions aren’t already possible in your campaign, talk to your DM about integrating the prestige class that interests you.

A prestige class uses the normal D&D multiclassing rules (see chapter 6, “Customization Options,” in the Player’s Handbook). When your character is ready to advance a level, you can choose to gain a level in a prestige class. Your levels in all your classes, including prestige classes, are added together to determine your character level.

Prerequisites

Taking up a prestige class through multiclassing involves meeting certain prerequisites, just as with multiclassing into a standard class. You must meet the ability score prerequisites for your current class and for the prestige class in order to qualify for it.

A prestige class requires a minimum character level and a minimum score in at least one ability, as well as requiring that you complete a specific deed—finding a magic item, defeating a monster, surviving a particular challenge, and so on—before being able to take up that class.

Experience Points

Just as with the standard rules for multiclassing, the experience point cost to gain a level is always based on your total character level, not your level in a particular class.

Hit Points and Hit Dice

Each prestige class specifies the hit points you gain from it. You add together the Hit Dice granted by all your classes and prestige classes to determine your pool of Hit Dice. If the Hit Dice are the same die type, you simply pool them together.

Proficiency Bonus and Proficiencies

Your proficiency bonus is always based on your total character level, not your level in a particular ©2015 Wizards of the Coast LLC 2class. A prestige class specifies whether it grants proficiencies when you enter it.

Prestige Class Features

You gain prestige class features just like normal class features. Sometimes, a prestige class can improve features you have gained from other classes. If a prestige class grants Channel Divinity, Extra Attack, or Unarmored Defense, that feature is treated the same way as if you had gained it from multiple standard classes.

Spellcasting

Some prestige classes grant spellcasting. Each prestige class provides details on how to determine your overall spellcasting ability, using the rules for spellcasting and multiclass characters

Brawler

Brawlers, back alley fighters, bouncers. There are many names for those that can hold their own in a fight, regardless if a weapon is nearby. These individuals generally have lead a rough life where fighting is commonplace. Through necessity or by choice you have foregone wielding weapons in favor of using your own body as a weapon.

Prerequisites

In order to advance as a Brawler, you must meet the following prerequisites (in addition to the multiclassing prerequisites for your existing class

• Strength 13 Brawlers need to be strong to punch their way out of any situation.
• Constitution 13 Brawlers generally have lived a hard knock life, and are able to take a punch because of it.
• Proficiency in the Athletics skill Brawlers know how to throw their muscle and weight around.
• Character 5th level A Brawler is an hardened individual, and you must be a 5th-level character before you can gain levels in the Brawler prestige class.

Class Features

As a Brawler, you gain the following class features.

Hit Points

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• Hit Dice: 1d10 per Brawler level
• Hit Points per level: 1d10 (or 6) + your Constitution modifier per Brawler level

Proficiencies

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• Tools: None

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• Saving Throws: None
• Skills: None

Equipment

A pair of reinforced gloves, brass knuckles, handwraps or other such equipment, whatever your character would feel most comfortable with.

Beaten, but not Broken

At 1st level, you have learned how to roll with the punches. You have learned how to better use your unarmed attacks to inflict damage. Your Unarmed and Natural weapons damage dice increase by one size, or use 1d4 if you do not roll damage dice on unarmed attacks.

You also gain the ability to shrug off some damage or harmful effects that come with the territory of brawling. By expending your reaction and a "Brawler" point, you may negate up to 1d6 + your constitution modifier worth of bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage, OR grant advantage to a checks or saving throws to resist being grappled, shoved, or knocked prone until the start of your next turn.

You have 2 "Brawler" points, and you gain one additional point each time you level up, to a maximum of 6. You regain all "Brawler" points when you finish a long rest.

Brawler Style

At 2nd level, through extensive training, or brawling, you have learned a more aggressive style of unarmed combat. When you use the Attack action with an Unarmed Strike or a natural weapon on Your Turn, you can make one Unarmed Strike as a Bonus Action, and your Critical Hit Range increases by 1.

Critical Hit Range: Your new fighting style lends itself to finding weakpoints in your enemies defenses. All attack rolls have an increased critical strike range by 1, such as scoring a critical hit on a 19 or 20. If you have increased critical strike range from another feature (Such as champion fighter), this feature further increases it.

Powerful Blow

At 3rd level, you have learned how to put maximize the power behind a single unarmed or natural strike. By expending a "Brawler" point and a bonus action, you prepare to unleash exceptionally devastating unarmed or natural weapon strike this turn. On your first successful attack this turn, the target must make a Strength saving throw against your Brawler DC or be knocked back 10 feet. If the target collides with terrain they take 2d6 additional bludgeoning damage, if they hit a creature instead, both creatures take 1d6 bludgeoning damage. Lastly if you score a critical hit, while using this feature, the target must make a Constitution saving throw vs your Brawler DC or become paralyzed until the end of your next turn.

Brawler save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Strength modifier

Annihilating Strikes

At 5th level, the power of your unarmed and natural weapons is nearly unrivaled. You may now also add your proficiency bonus to any unarmed or natural weapon damage roll.