No. No, I’m not looking at you. No, I don’t want trouble. No. No. No. I don’t want to go.

Oh, you cannot imagine the number of times old Balbo will have to say that this weekend. I’ll be breaking up fistfights and barroom brawls all day and night till Monday morning. I’ll need to hire some bodyguards, which should be easy, since many of the brawlers in attendance work as guards too. Ha!

I’m glad you’re here today, old friend. It’s nice to share a drink while the inn is still quiet. Ho! Sometimes, I wonder if celebrating such a volatile class is worth it. You know, I tried skipping the celebration years ago, but it did not stop these scrapy fighters from finding a way to gather, brake bones, and bloody lips.

Yeah, to keep the town safe, it’s best to manage these brutes. Hmm…that has me thinking. What if I create a traveling group of brawlers who put on fights in each town, and we crown a champion at the end of the bouts? Maybe charge people admission like they do the circus. I could call it…Balbo’s Ultimate Brawlers. 

Weapons and Armor

Brawlers are first and foremost fearless barehand fighters. They are considered masters of hand-to-hand combat. Do they need weapons? No. Can they use them? Sure. They can use simple weapons like a club or a dagger. And you know they love brass knuckles. As far as armor, it just gets in their way and limits or removes some of their best bonuses. However, they can wear light armor if they want. It does help soak up the blood that splatters from the faces of their opponents.

Races

As you can imagine, the best brawler races are the big and tough ones that focus on strength and constitution. If you were thinking of making an Orc or Half-Orc brawler, you’re right on track. The Orc race feeds right into the stats you want to have boosted on your brawler class character. But do not feel like you need to be limited to Orcs, Dwarves can be a fun pick too. Imagine your Dwarf sitting in a tavern enjoying an ale, cracking his knuckles as he waits for a worthy opponent to battle with. Maybe that challenger is the regal-looking Aasimar sitting in the corner. For those of you who like to stick to human characters, finding them most relatable, lol, go ahead and roll one. Just don’t come crying to old Balbo when they lose some teeth and their charisma drops. Ha! Just Kidding!

Backgrounds

There are some fun options for your brawler’s backstory. Maybe your brawler has been bullying people all their life, using their size and strength to force weaker individuals to give them what they want, like drinks, or healing potion money. Perhaps, they put those bullying tendencies to use and became a thug or enforcer for a guild or criminal organization. It’s always possible that your brawler character is good-natured and is working as a bodyguard, protecting a traveling royal or wealthy merchant. Kimmicus Kardashdemon has several Half-Orc brawlers on her payroll.

Seeking a more common and simple background, have your brawler simply live their life as a tavern brawler, seeking a thrill after finishing an ale. Or…they could be in a mysterious underground fight club. You did not hear that from us. We have NO idea where any of those are. *WINK*

Want to be unique? Have your brawler become a devious cult member or embrace their devotion and become a religious zealot. Their motto can be, “I break noses for the lord!”

See, there is more to life than being a charlatan or urchin. Make your own fable.

Who should roll a Brawler?

A tabletop gamer who likes to settle differences with their fists. The brawler can be a fun change and challenge for gamers who have enjoyed playing as a fighter, monk, or barbarian. They may not be a replacement for the tank in your squad, but they can be a good addition and add some much-needed DPS and take some of the heat off your other teammates.

Think about it, who is your favorite brawler? Could it be Rowdy Roddy Piper (WWE)? Mike Tyson? James Dalton (Roadhouse)? Jack Reacher (Reacher)? Spider-Man? No? How about the Hulk? We’d love to hear your thoughts.

We appreciate what a good Brawler brings to the table at Tabletop Beard

We’ll say this, sometimes it’s good to have a brawler in your corner. You never know when a fight might break out and you would rather down some ale than raise some fists. Tabletop Beard celebrates our best brawling buddies with a scent that will make them feel at home in their favorite fantasy tavern. Enjoy the scent of oatmeal stout, as it mingles gentle with the well-worn scent of leather and is punctuated by a touch of golden honey. 

Tabletop gamers rejoice! Your new favorite beard oil is here!