Thugs are normally found as part of gangs either in cities or as roving bands. In cities, they tend to be enforcers, working in concert with other thugs to mete out punishment on those who transgress against their dominance; as a quasi-military arm of a thieves' guild; or just as street thugs who rob and intimidate citizens. When travelling, they tend to infiltrate merchant caravans as guards and launch surprise attacks against the unwary merchants to steal their goods. One way or another, they're brutal and intimidating combatants who aren't afraid of a little thuggery to get their way.

Thuggery

Starting at 3rd level, you can make a sneak attack with any weapon with which you are proficient and fulfil all other requirements of making a sneak attack.

In addition, you also gain a special attack called a garrotte. With any short length of strong material like rope, wire or even a twisted piece of cloth, you can attempt to strangle a surprised humanoid target. Make a grapple check against the target. If successful, the target is immediately considered to be choking, as detailed under the rule for Suffocation. Ending the grapple, ends the suffocation effect.

Thug Life

When you choose this archetype at 3rd level, you gain proficiency in the Athletics and Intimidation skills if you don’t already have them. In addition, you may make a Strength ability check instead of Charisma ability check when trying to intimidate a target.

Inevitable Betrayal

At 9th level, you can launch a surprise attack against an ally even if you are not hidden from them and they are aware of your presence. On initiation of combat, only this target is affected by this ability.

Silent But Deadly

Starting at 13th level, your violent nature is made manifest and your ability to kill quickly and silently becomes exceptional.

You have advantage on initiative rolls and Intimidation checks. In addition, targets grappled by you suffer disadvantage on their ability checks to end the grapple.

Gang Violence

Starting at 17th level, you can launch a devastating and coordinated strike against your enemies. If you are not surprised and you are the first creature to act first in the first round of combat, then your allies are not surprised on their first turn either. In addition, while your enemies are surprised, they suffer disadvantage on all saving throws and attacks against them have advantage.