Base Class: Fighter
(This Subclass is a WIP, any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated!)
Gladiators are armed combatants who entertain audiences in violent confrontations with other gladiators, wild animals, and condemned criminals. Some gladiators are volunteers who risk their lives and their legal and social standing by appearing in the arena. Others are slaves, schooled under harsh conditions, socially marginalized, and segregated even in death.
Irrespective of their origin, gladiators offer spectators an example of martial ethics and, in fighting or dying well, they inspire admiration and popular acclaim. They are celebrated in high and low art, and their value as entertainers is commemorated in precious and commonplace objects throughout the world.
Gladiatorial Style
When you choose this archetype at 3rd level, you may select a Gladiatorial Style, which determines the particular skills and bonuses that you will receive as you gain experience.
Bestiarius
WIP... beast fighter
Cestus
WIP... fist weapons
Dimachaerus
WIP... dual wielder
Laquearius
WIP... whip and weapons
Provocator
WIP... sword and board
Retiarius
WIP... net and thrown weapons (spear, trident, etc.)
Secutor
WIP... pursuer, counter to Retiarius
Familia Gladiatoria
Gladiators are trained within their home coliseums by specialized coaches. During this training, the competitors often form tight, familial bonds.
When you choose this archetype at 3rd Level, you gain access to the familia gladiatoria, or the Gladiatorial Family. At your DM's discretion, you may look for work in town competing in local arenas or coliseums, or even competing in street fights if the culture so permits, for money or other rewards. You may also utilize the familia gladiatoria to seek information and assistance, again, at the discretion of your DM.
Crowd Favorite
Gladiators specialize in performing in front of crowds, and as such, are careful to give people a good show.
At 7th Level, you gain a bonus equal to the number of allies that you can see within 30 feet of you (maximum bonus of +5). You may add this bonus to an attack roll, or you may subtract it from an enemy's attack roll, but not after knowing the result of the roll. Once you use this trait, you can't use it again until you finish a short or long rest.
Pollice Verso
The motion of the thumb is almost universally recognized as a symbol for approval or disapproval, and, in the case of a defeated gladiator's fate, the sparing of his life, or his swift execution.
When you reach 10th Level as a Gladiator, you gain a special feature with three uses per long or short rest. You may expend one use of this trait to gain one or the other of two bonuses per use. You may:
Gain advantage on an attack roll against an enemy that you can see within 30 ft. of you that you know is in Critical condition.
OR
If you or an ally you can see within 30 ft. of you would reduce an enemy to 0 HP, you can use your reaction to reduce that enemy to 1 HP instead.
Rudiarius
A gladiator who had earned his freedom received a wooden sword called a rudis. If he chose to remain a gladiator, he was called a rudiarius. These were very popular with the public as they were hardened veterans of the arena, survivors who had seen their share of blood and sand, and who could always be counted on to give the people a show they would never forget.
When you gain this trait at 15th Level, you gain a feat of your choice and you may increase one ability score of your choice by 1.
The Undisputed Champion
WIP... final defining feature
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