Pugilist subclass
The Sweet Science
A boxing-focused Pugilist who blocks, counters, chains fast strikes, regains momentum, and looks for the knockout.
The Sweet Science 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 Sweet Science
Pugilists who practice the Sweet Science hit hard, fast, and often. This style is sometimes used by fighters who battle for the entertainment of the upper classes, but is just as often practiced in the back alleys and the bars by those whose next breath depends on a knockout.
| Pugilist Level | Feature |
|---|---|
| 3rd | Cross Counter |
| 6th | One, Two, Three, Floor |
| 11th | Float Like a Butterfly, Sting Like a Bee |
| 17th | Knock Out |
Cross Counter
Level 3
Starting when you choose this fight club at 3rd level, you can block the brunt of an attack and launch one of your own in the same fluid motion. 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 2 moxie points to reduce the damage of a melee weapon attack
D&D Portal - Melee Weapon Attack Combat rule Melee Weapon Attack is a combat rule used by attacks,
damage, defenses, or turn order. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/combat/melee-weapon-attack/ made against you by 1d10 + your Strength
D&D Portal - Strength Physical power and athletic ability Strength measures physical power, athletic
ability, and a character's capacity to exert force. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/rules/ability-scores/strength/ modifier + your pugilist level.
If you reduce the damage to 0, you can make an unarmed strike, or pugilist weapon attack, against a creature within range as part of the same 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/.
One, Two, Three, Floor
Level 6
At 6th level, when you use your 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/ to use the Old One-Two and hit the same creature with both attacks, you can spend 1 moxie to make an additional unarmed strike against that creature as part of the same 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/. If you hit, the creature is 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/ in addition to taking damage as normal for your unarmed strike.
Float Like a Butterfly, Sting Like a Bee
Level 11
At 11th level, when you reduce damage from an attack to 0 and successfully hit an enemy creature using your Cross Counter feature you regain 1 moxie point (up to your maximum).
Knock Out
Level 17
At 17th level, when you hit with an unarmed strike or pugilist weapon, you can spend 1 or more moxie points to try to knock out the opponent instead of dealing damage. Roll 3d12 + 2d12 for every moxie point spent after the first and add your pugilist level to the result; if the total is equal to or greater than the creature remaining hit points, it is unconscious D&D Portal - Unconscious Condition Unconscious 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/unconscious/ for 10 minutes.
FAQ
What is the The Sweet Science subclass?
The Sweet Science is a specialised subclass option that builds on the features and progression of its parent class.
Read more: The Sweet Science D&D Portal - The Sweet Science Pugilist subclass A boxing-focused Pugilist who blocks, counters, chains fast strikes, regains momentum, and looks for the knockout. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/classes/pugilist/sweet-science/
How does the The Sweet Science subclass work?
The The Sweet Science subclass changes the character’s play style through its own feature progression.
Read more: The Sweet Science D&D Portal - The Sweet Science Pugilist subclass A boxing-focused Pugilist who blocks, counters, chains fast strikes, regains momentum, and looks for the knockout. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/classes/pugilist/sweet-science/
What features does a The Sweet Science get?
The subclass page lists the features gained by a The Sweet Science and explains their effects.
Read more: The Sweet Science D&D Portal - The Sweet Science Pugilist subclass A boxing-focused Pugilist who blocks, counters, chains fast strikes, regains momentum, and looks for the knockout. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/classes/pugilist/sweet-science/
Is The Sweet Science a good subclass?
Whether The Sweet Science is a good choice depends on the role, abilities, and play style you want for the character.
Read more: The Sweet Science D&D Portal - The Sweet Science Pugilist subclass A boxing-focused Pugilist who blocks, counters, chains fast strikes, regains momentum, and looks for the knockout. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/classes/pugilist/sweet-science/
How do you play a The Sweet Science?
Use the subclass features to specialise the normal class play pattern and support the role you chose.
Read more: The Sweet Science D&D Portal - The Sweet Science Pugilist subclass A boxing-focused Pugilist who blocks, counters, chains fast strikes, regains momentum, and looks for the knockout. Full link: https://dnd-portal.com/classes/pugilist/sweet-science/