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Many fighter subclasses inDungeons & Dragonsare all about mastery of fighting, or even honorable methods of combat. This is not the case with the scofflaw fighter subclass, which features in the Humblewood campaign setting for fifth edition. This fighter subclass is all about fighting rough-and-tumble and refusing to honor any sort of code of conduct for battle.
So, whether you’re playing in the Humblewood adventure setting or not, this subclass can prove to be an extremely great jumping-off point for a character concept. But, you might be wondering the best way to build one of these scruffy warriors. Here’s how.
Scofflaw Subclass Overview
As mentioned,scofflaw fighters are all about fighting dirtyand doing whatever they need to do to survive. Their reputation is notorious in the Humblewood.
Here’s a breakdown of the scofflaw subclassand the levels at which it earns its various features and abilities.
Bonus Proficiency
3
At third level, yougain an extra skill proficiencyin either Deception, Insight, Intimidation, Sleight of Hand, or Stealth.
Intimidating Banter
In combat, you may choose touse Strength or Dexterity instead of Charismafor any Charisma-based checks.
Brutal Brawler
Yougain proficiency with improvised weaponsand can spend bonus actions to break the weapon on your opponent.
Improvised weapons also have the finesse qualitywhen you use them. You gain improvements to this skill at 10th and 18th levels.
Misdirection
7
You cangoad your foe into acting rashly in combat, potentially attacking their allies by mistake.
Blindside
10
Once per long or short rest, you caninflict an extra 5d6 points of damageagainst opponents you haven’t taken a turn yet in combat, or have been misdirected.
The damage for this ability increases at 15th and 18th levels.
Infamy
15
As part of an attack you make, you caninflict the frightened condition on enemies.
Two For Flinching
18
Whenever you attack an opponent you have misdirected, youmay make an additional attack.
While Charisma isn’t necessarily an important stat for fighters,having a high-Charisma character helps support character concept.
Best Ability Scores For A Scofflaw Fighter
For fighters,your physical stats are always going to be the most important, given that most of your saving throw abilities are dictated either by Strength or Dexterity.
Details
Strength or Dexterity
Your physical stats will always be most important. Depending on your weapon choice,select either Dexterity or Strength as your highest ability score.
Constitution
As a fighter, having a good HP pool is always important, soplace your next highest stat in Constitution.
Charisma
Because it helps with the character concept of a scofflaw fighter,place a decently high stat in Charisma.
Wisdom
Wisdom is ultimately unimportant for fighters, but can help overcome spell save effects, soplace your second-to-lowest stat in Wisdom.
Intelligence
Ultimately, Intelligence is negligible for fighters, soplace your lowest stat in Intelligence.
Best Species For A Scofflaw Fighter
While there are a handful of speciesfrom the 2024 Player’s Handbook that also work great for this subclass, there arethree great species options from the Humblewood campaignsetting that work best.
Raptor
Raptors are hawk-like creatures that provide a+2 to Dexterity and a +1 to either Intelligence or Wisdom, depending on your sub-species, which can help level out your lower stats.
Corvum
Corvum are a crow-like species that provide a+2 to Intelligence, rounding out a lower skill, and also a +1 to either Dexterityif you select the dusk corvum.
Jerbeen
Jerbeens are a mouse-like species that provide a+2 to your Dexterity and a +1 to your Charisma, two stats that are perfect for a scofflaw.
All three of these species have mobility and proficiency-based abilitiesthat are great for fighters, so you can’t go wrong with any of the above!
Best Backgrounds For A Scofflaw Fighter
While there are many interesting backgrounds in the Humblewood setting,the best backgrounds for this subclass are actually from the 2024 PHB.
Soldier
Soldier is the best background for this subclass as yougain ability score improvements to Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution, as well as a Healer’s Kit, which will help round out your abilities.
Entertainer
An entertainer can also work great, as you cangain ability score improvements for Strength and Dexterity, as well as Charisma, which helps flesh out your character concept.
Keep in mind that the 2024 PHB backgrounds grant ability score improvements, butshould not be used in tandem with species-based ability score improvements.
Talk to your DM about which ability score improvements you would like to take:either species or background-based.
