Hello, everyone! Because this month’s class archetype heavily features unarmed attacks, I think it may be necessary to mention one of 5e’s clunkier rules definitions. According to errata in 2015, unarmed strikes qualify as “Melee weapon attacks” but do not qualify in situations which call for “Melee weapons” such as the Rogue’s Sneak Attack. When writing features which require a “Melee weapon attack” versus features which require a “Melee weapon,” I do so while acknowledging this (sometimes pedantic) distinction between action and object. For similar discussion for those of you who are curious, I recommend reading November 2015’s Rules Answers article from Wizards of the Coast.

Fighter Archetype

Street Brawler Archetype

The archetypal Street Brawler acknowledges certain truths in combat – You can’t possibly train yourself to face every form of attack, so why waste your time with fancy maneuvers and counter-maneuvers when you can headlock an enemy before they move? Weapons are useful tools, sure, but what if you don’t have yours? You’d better hope to your gods that your foe will wait patiently for you to get it for your “fair fight.”

Twist the Arm

Starting when you select this Archetype at 3rd level, when attacking a creature grappled by you, you can roll a d12 in place of the normal damage of your unarmed strike.

Human Shield

Also starting when you reach 3rd level, while you have a creature grappled, you gain resistance to all damage except Psychic damage. Whenever you receive damage, the grappled creature takes the same amount of damage.

Right Hook

Starting at 7th level, your skill at hand-to-hand combat is practically unmatched. You can roll a d12 in place of the normal damage of your unarmed strike, and when attacking a creature grappled by you, you can roll 2d12 in place of the normal damage of your unarmed strike.

Vicegrip Hold

Starting at 10th level, you may grapple creatures more than one size category larger than you. A creature grappled by you is also under the restrained condition until it escapes the grapple.

Bull Rush

Starting at 15th level, when you successfully shove a creature, you may also deal damage as though you hit the target with a melee weapon attack. If a creature failed to contest your shove by 5 or more, you may push the creature an additional 15 feet.