The Armored Brawler subclass focuses on using heavy armor to enhance unarmed attacks. While wearing heavy armor, the fighter will be able to deal more damage with unarmed attacks, and additionally can use these attacks to strike their opponent with heavy blows, knocking them off their feet. As you increase in level in this subclass, you gain the ability to become more mobile, which pairs nicely with the future ability to forcefully shove opponents with the force of your armored punches. With this archetype, you want to be right in the opponent's face in order to knock them down with your mighty fists, which can be followed up by devastating melee attacks.

Eventually, your unarmed attacks will also be able to deal force damage, a damage type that compliments your ability to force opponents away from you.

Armored Blows

When you choose this archetype at 3 level, while wearing heavy armor, you can add half your proficiency bonus, rounded down, to your unarmed attack damage rolls.

Heavy Hitter

Starting at 3 level, you can focus your attacks into single, powerful punches, backed by the weight of your armor. Once a turn, while you are wearing heavy armor and have hit a creature with an unarmed attack, you can use a bonus action to force that creature to pass a Constitution saving throw or become knocked prone. The DC for this check is equal to (8 + your Strength modifier + your proficiency bonus).

If you hit the creature with more than one unarmed attack in the same turn, the creature has disadvantage on that saving throw.

Voice of Steel

Starting at 7 level, you notice that other creatures hesitate to challenge your words when backed with your armored physique. You can add your Strength modifier to your Intimidation, Persuasion and Deception checks.

Unrelenting

At 10 level, when you use an Action Surge, you can immediately move up to half your movement speed. Then, you gain temporary hit points equal to (your level + your Constitution modifier).

Forceful Blows

At 15 level, you learn to throw your armored punches with inhuman force. While wearing heavy armor, your unarmed attacks deal force damage. Additionally, if your target fails their saving throw against your Heavy Hitter feature, they are shoved 10 feet away from you in addition to being knocked prone.

Concussive Assault

Starting at 18 level, your armored attacks can inflict traumatic head-injuries, destroying your target’s ability to think clearly.

If your target fails their Constitution saving throw against your Heavy Hitter feature, they have disadvantage on all attack rolls, saving throws and skill checks until the end of the encounter, in addition to all other effects.