Fighters who follow the Gladiator of the Pits archetype are survivors of ruthless arenas where life and death are determined by strength, cunning, and the whims of the crowd. Whether fighting for their freedom, glory, or the entertainment of others, these warriors are unorthodox combatants, blending showmanship with lethal precision. Years of grueling battles against wild beasts, skilled opponents, and overwhelming odds have honed their skills into an art form.

The gladiator thrives in combat's chaos, mastering the ability to exploit their foes’ weaknesses and endure even the harshest blows. Their favored enemies, chosen through hard-earned experience, fear their calculated strikes and unyielding ferocity. Gladiators are not only fighters; they are performers, capable of intimidating crowds and enemies alike with their victories.

For the Gladiator of the Pits, combat is more than survival—it is a spectacle where every action carries weight, and every fight is a chance to prove their unshakable will. While their past may be marked by hardship, they wield their scars as both armor and a reminder of their indomitable spirit.

Level 3: Pit Survivor

• Unarmored Defense: Your AC equals 10 + your Dexterity modifier + your Constitution modifier while you are not wearing heavy armor. You can use a shield with this ability.
• Favored Enemy: Choose one favored enemy type (Aberrations, Beasts, Fiends, etc.) or two humanoid races. You gain the following benefits against them:
  • You have advantage Intelligence (History) to recall information about them.
  • You deal an additional 2 damage to your favored enemy when you hit them with a weapon attack.

At 7th and 15th levels, you can choose one additional favored enemy type or two humanoid races.

Level 7: Show of Strength

• Exploit Weakness: Once per turn, when you hit a creature that is restrained, grappled, or prone, you deal an extra 1d6 damage.
• Defensive Stance: When a creature you can see targets you with an attack roll, you can use your reaction to impose disadvantage on the roll. You can use this ability twice per long rest.

Level 10: Arena Veteran

• Resilience in Combat: While below half your maximum hit points, you gain resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage from nonmagical attacks (attacks not imbued with magic or from magical weapons).
• Seasoned Fighter: You gain a second Fighting Style of your choice.

Level 15: Intimidating Presence

Fear the Victor: When you reduce a creature to 0 hit points, you can use a bonus action to make an Intimidation check against all creatures of your choice within 30 feet (DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Charisma modifier). On a failed save, those creatures are frightened until the end of your next turn.

Level 18: Unyielding Gladiator

 

• Imposing Defense: When a creature attacks you and you can see it, you can use your reaction to reduce its attack roll by 1d6.
• Unshakable Will: You cannot be frightened or charmed.