Dungeons & Dragons: How To Build A Scofflaw Fighter

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• Scofflaw Subclass Overview

• Best Ability Scores For A Scofflaw Fighter

• Best Species For A Scofflaw Fighter

• Best Backgrounds For A Scofflaw Fighter

Many fighter subclasses in Dungeons & Dragons are 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.

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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 dirty and doing whatever they need to do to survive. Their reputation is notorious in the Humblewood.

Here's a breakdown of the scofflaw subclass and the levels at which it earns its various features and abilities.

Feature/Ability

Class Level

Details

Bonus Proficiency

3

At third level, you gain an extra skill proficiency in either Deception, Insight, Intimidation, Sleight of Hand, or Stealth.

In addition, you can learn Thieves' Cant.

Intimidating Banter

3

In combat, you may choose to use Strength or Dexterity instead of Charisma for any Charisma-based checks.

Brutal Brawler

3

You gain proficiency with improvised weapons and can spend bonus actions to break the weapon on your opponent.

Improvised weapons also have the finesse quality when you use them. You gain improvements to this skill at 10th and 18th levels.

Misdirection

7

You can goad your foe into acting rashly in combat, potentially attacking their allies by mistake.

Blindside

10

Once per long or short rest, you can inflict an extra 5d6 points of damage against 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 can inflict the frightened condition on enemies.

Two For Flinching

18

Whenever you attack an opponent you have misdirected, you may 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.

Ability Score

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, so place 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, so place your second-to-lowest stat in Wisdom.

Intelligence

Ultimately, Intelligence is negligible for fighters, so place your lowest stat in Intelligence.

Best Species For A Scofflaw Fighter

While there are a handful of species from the 2024 Player's Handbook that also work great for this subclass, there are three great species options from the Humblewood campaign setting that work best.

Species

Details

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 Dexterity if 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 abilities that 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.

Background

Details

Soldier

Soldier is the best background for this subclass as you gain 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 can gain 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, but should 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.

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