Pugilist subclass
The Squared Circle
A grappling-focused Pugilist who pins, controls, redirects attacks, and turns close contact into a finishing hold.
The Squared Circle changes how a Pugilist spends moxie, survives pressure, and controls close-range fights.
This page collects the fight club overview, feature progression, subclass features, and table-use notes from the Pugilist Clean Edition.
The Squared Circle
Pugilists who fight in the Squared Circle know you do not have to knock an opponent senseless to get them to submit. Of course, members of the Squared Circle do beat their opponents senseless, they just know they do not have to.
| Pugilist Level | Feature |
|---|---|
| 3rd | Groundwork |
| 6th | Meat Shield |
| 11th | Heavyweight |
| 17th | Clean Finish |
Groundwork
Level 3
Starting when you choose this fight club at 3rd level, you gain the following additional moxie features.
- Compression Lock. When a creature attempts to break a grapple with you and succeeds, you can use your reaction
D&D Portal - Reaction Action rule Reaction is an action economy rule used to describe what a creature can do on its turn. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/actions/reaction/ and spend 1 moxie point to force
D&D Portal - Force Damage type Force is a damage type used by attacks, spells, class features, resistance, immunity, and vulnerability. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/damage-types/force/ the creature to roll again. The creature must use the second result.
- Quick Pin. When a hostile creature movement provokes an opportunity attack
D&D Portal - Reaction Action rule Reaction is an action economy rule used to describe what a creature can do on its turn. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/actions/reaction/ from you, you can use your reaction
D&D Portal - Reaction Action rule Reaction is an action economy rule used to describe what a creature can do on its turn. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/actions/reaction/ and spend 1 moxie point to make a grapple attack instead of an opportunity attack
D&D Portal - Reaction Action rule Reaction is an action economy rule used to describe what a creature can do on its turn. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/actions/reaction/.
- To the Mat. You can use a bonus action
D&D Portal - Bonus Action Action rule Bonus Action is an action economy rule used to describe what a creature can do on its turn. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/actions/bonus-action/ and spend 1 moxie point to make a grapple attack against a creature within range. If successful, the creature is also knocked prone
D&D Portal - Prone Condition Prone is a game condition that can affect what a creature can perceive, do, or resist during play. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/conditions/prone/.
Meat Shield
Level 6
At 6th level, when you have an enemy creature grappled D&D Portal - Grappled Condition Grappled is a game condition that can affect
what a creature can perceive, do, or resist during play. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/conditions/grappled/, you gain half cover against all attacks made against you by a creature you are not grappling. When a weapon attack made by a creature you are not grappling misses you, you may use your reaction
D&D Portal - Reaction Action rule Reaction is an action economy rule used to
describe what a creature can do on its turn. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/actions/reaction/ and spend 1 moxie point to have that creature make the same attack with a new roll against an enemy creature you are grappling.
Heavyweight
Level 11
At 11th level, you count as one size larger than you are for the purposes of grappling. In addition, you can move your full movement speed D&D Portal - Speed Movement rule Speed is a movement rule used during
exploration, encounters, and combat. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/movement/speed/ when you are dragging or carrying a grappled
D&D Portal - Grappled Condition Grappled is a game condition that can affect
what a creature can perceive, do, or resist during play. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/conditions/grappled/ creature your size or smaller.
Clean Finish
Level 17
At 17th level, your mastery of grappling reaches its peak. While you have a creature grappled D&D Portal - Grappled Condition Grappled is a game condition that can affect
what a creature can perceive, do, or resist during play. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/conditions/grappled/, you gain advantage on all attacks against it. Additionally, when you make an unarmed strike or pugilist weapon attack against a creature you have grappled
D&D Portal - Grappled Condition Grappled is a game condition that can affect
what a creature can perceive, do, or resist during play. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/conditions/grappled/, you score a critical hit
D&D Portal - Critical Hit Combat rule Critical Hit is a combat rule used by attacks,
damage, defenses, or turn order. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/combat/critical-hit/ on a roll of 19 or 20.
FAQ
What is the The Squared Circle subclass?
The Squared Circle is a specialised subclass option that builds on the features and progression of its parent class.
Read more: The Squared Circle D&D Portal - The Squared Circle Pugilist subclass A grappling-focused Pugilist who pins, controls, redirects attacks, and turns close contact into a finishing hold. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/classes/pugilist/squared-circle/
How does the The Squared Circle subclass work?
The The Squared Circle subclass changes the character’s play style through its own feature progression.
Read more: The Squared Circle D&D Portal - The Squared Circle Pugilist subclass A grappling-focused Pugilist who pins, controls, redirects attacks, and turns close contact into a finishing hold. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/classes/pugilist/squared-circle/
What features does a The Squared Circle get?
The subclass page lists the features gained by a The Squared Circle and explains their effects.
Read more: The Squared Circle D&D Portal - The Squared Circle Pugilist subclass A grappling-focused Pugilist who pins, controls, redirects attacks, and turns close contact into a finishing hold. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/classes/pugilist/squared-circle/
Is The Squared Circle a good subclass?
Whether The Squared Circle is a good choice depends on the role, abilities, and play style you want for the character.
Read more: The Squared Circle D&D Portal - The Squared Circle Pugilist subclass A grappling-focused Pugilist who pins, controls, redirects attacks, and turns close contact into a finishing hold. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/classes/pugilist/squared-circle/
How do you play a The Squared Circle?
Use the subclass features to specialise the normal class play pattern and support the role you chose.
Read more: The Squared Circle D&D Portal - The Squared Circle Pugilist subclass A grappling-focused Pugilist who pins, controls, redirects attacks, and turns close contact into a finishing hold. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/classes/pugilist/squared-circle/