Path of the Apex Predator

The Path of the Apex Predator is an exercise in might makes right, the animal kingdom has always been governed by this truth, man has merely forgotten. 

Those who tread this path remember man's origin. That we are not so different from the creatures we call "wild" as we would like to believe. Man merely fulfills a position in the hierarchy of all living things. At the Apex.

 Designed to Dominate

This is a path that seeks to conform the natural world around your will, giving you power over beasts. At 3rd level when you adopt this path, you are able to interact with beasts in the way they interact with each other, through dominance, violence, and the threat thereof. Animal handling checks are made with your strength modifier as opposed to wisdom. 

 The Ideal Made Manifest

3rd-level Path of the Apex Predator feature

Long days and long nights spent in the wilderness have made you more in tune with the elements and the ways of the wild than in the ways of man. Your skin is tough like leather, your muscles taught as sinew, your body is your tool and it has been tirelessly honed by the wilderness. While raging, you have resistance to all damage except psychic. Your body is as hard as one can be made.

 First Among Equals

6th-level Path of the Apex Predator feature

It has taken countless eons for the creatures of this world to adapt to their surroundings, you have witnessed their techniques and in your lifetime - improved them. 

Climbing

 You gain a climbing speed equal to your walking speed, and you can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.

Swimming

 You gain a swimming speed equal to your walking speed, and you can hold your breath while swimming for 15 minutes.

Primal Grip

You can attempt to grapple as a bonus action after a successful shove attack, if a successful shove and grapple are made while raging you can also make an attack as a part of the same action. While grappling a prone creature you can use both hands to attack as normal. 

Strength is All

10th-level Path of the Apex Predator feature

You gain expertise in Athletics, Survival and Animal handling. Grappling checks against creatures one size larger are made without disadvantage. 

On the Shoulders of Titans

14th-level Path of the Apex Predator feature

Your comprehension of leverage and application of force are second to none. You possess both the intuition and ferocity of a beast coupled with the abstract understanding of a man. 
While raging, attacks that you make while mounted, or against a creature you are straddling (Grappled while prone, or are climbing on top of) score a critical on a roll of 19 or 20. Grapple attempts can be made as a reaction whenever a creature enters or exits your range.

 

 

Designed to Dominate

At 3rd level when you adopt this path, you are able to interact with beasts in the way they interact with each other, through dominance, violence, and the threat thereof. Animal handling checks are made with your strength modifier as opposed to wisdom. 

The Ideal Made Manifest

Your skin is tough like leather, your muscles taught as sinew, your body is your tool and it has been tirelessly honed by the wilderness. While raging, you have resistance to all damage except psychic. Your body is as hard as one can be made.

 

First Among Equals

It has taken countless eons for the creatures of this world to adapt to their surroundings, you have witnessed their techniques and in your lifetime - improved them. 

Climbing

 You gain a climbing speed equal to your walking speed, and you can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.

Swimming

 You gain a swimming speed equal to your walking speed, and you can hold your breath while swimming for 15 minutes.

Primal Grip

You can attempt to grapple as a bonus action after a successful shove attack. While grappling a prone creature you can use both hands to attack as normal.

Strength is All

You gain expertise in athletics Survival, Animal handling and can make grapple checks against creatures one size larger as normal. Grapple attempts can be made as a reaction whenever a creature enters or exits your range.

On the Shoulders of Titans

Your comprehension of leverage and application of force are second to none. You possess both the intuition and ferocity of a beast coupled with the abstract understanding of a man. 
While raging, attacks that you make while mounted, or against a creature you are straddling (Grappled while prone, or are climbing on top of) score a critical on a roll of 19 or 20. Grapple attempts can be made as a reaction whenever a creature enters or exits your range.