Ultimate Gladiator

Adventurers League Build Guide

A 1st-20th level build guide
suitable for Adventurers League play

Not for resale. Permission granted to print or photocopy this document for personal use only. ULTIMATE GLADIATOR
1
 Ultimate Gladiator
Adventurers League Build Guide

A 1st-20th level build guide suitable for Adventurers League play

Writing: Ted Adams and Doug Vehovec

Editing: Doug Vehovec
Layout and Design: Doug Vehovec

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2 ULTIMATE GLADIATOR Not for resale. Permission granted to print or photocopy this document for personal use only.
Net Worth Proficiencies
We set out to create a character who makes great Armor: Light armor
use of the net in combat. There were several dead Weapons: Simple weapons
ends, but we kept digging and came up with a fun
character. Are you not entertained? Tools: None
— Nerdarchy Saving Throws: Wisdom, Charisma

PHB +1 Skills: Athletics, Intimidation, Sleight of Hand, Perception

Languages: None
We're choosing Sword Coast Adventurers Guide as
our +1 resource in addition to the Player's Handbook.
There's a Martial Archetype we have our eye on in that Step 3 — Ability Scores
book.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
12 (+1) 14 (+2) 14 (+2) 10 (+0) 13 (+1) 10 (+0)
Step-by-step character build guide
Each step of the way, this guide will show you the
choices made that are significant to this character Step 4 — Background
build. Choice options that are of particular impor-
Gladiator
tance to this character’s effectiveness are in bold.
Skills: Acrobatics, Performance
Tools: Disguise kit, drums
Step 1 — Race Languages: None
Hill Dwarf
Race option the Player's Handbook. Hill dwarves are This variation of the Entertainer background clearly
tough and shrewd, two traits that will serve well for fits the theme. We considered several others like
fighting for the entertainment of others. Soldier and Outlander, but at the end of the day
this character's background, which informs all their
The Constitution bonus and extra hit points will choices going forward, stems from time spent fight-
give this character staying power. The extra Wisdom ing to entertain crowds.
will be really important to make our preferred way
of fighting more effective.
Step 5 — Class and Level Progression
Proficiencies Level Class Gains
Armor: None 1 Rogue Skills — Athletics,
Intimidation, Sleight of Hand,
Weapons: Battleaxe, handaxe, light hammer, and
Perception, Expertise —
warhammer
Sleight of Hand, Perception,
Tools: Mason's tools
Sneak Attack, Thieves' Cant
Skills: None
2 Fighter Fighting Style — Archery,
Languages: Common, Dwarvish Second Wind
3 Monk Martial Arts, Unarmored
Step 2 — Class Defense

1st level 4 Monk Ki, Unarmored Movement

Start with Rogue 5 Monk Deflect Missiles, Monastic

From a story perspective we mash up their back-
ground and class a little. This character got caught
breaking the law and was sent to the gladiator
arena as punishment.
Starting as a rogue gives a bunch of skills, Exper-
tise, and some sneaky extra damage they use to
fight for their life for the praise of the crowds.
Tradition — Way of the Open
Hand
6 Monk Feat — Sharpshooter, Slow Fall
7 Monk Extra Attack, Stunning Strike
8 Rogue Cunning Action
9 Rogue Roguish Archetype — Thief,
Fast Hands

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 10 Fighter Action Surge
11 Fighter Martial Archetype — Purple
D&D Encounters
Dragon Knight (Banneret), • The Roper Wrangler Monster BFF Series
Rallying Cry • Kobold Cavalry Encounter
12 Fighter Ability Score Improvement — • The Hag's Apprentice Encounter
Wisdom +2 • Druid Circle from the Beyond
13 Rogue Ability Score Improvement —
Wisdom +2 Other Character Guides
14 Fighter • Mind Breaker Paladin Character Build Guide
15 Fighter Ability Score Improvement — • Zen Archery Master Character Build Guide
Wisdom +2
• Sewer Ninja Tortle Character Build Guide
16 Fighter Skill — Persuasion
• Nature Possessed Warforged Character Build Guide
17 Fighter Ability Score Improvement —
Dexterity +2 • Scaled Skald Character Build Guide
18 Fighter Indomitable • Quick Strike Character Build Guide
19 Fighter Inspiring Surge • Night Parade Character Build Guid
20 Fighter Extra Attack (2) • Combat Medic Character Build Guide
• Ultimate Duelist Character Build Guide
Conclusion • Justicar: Path of Justice Barbarian Character
Stocked with nets, the ultimate gladiator is pre- Build Guide
pared to coordinate in combat with allies. They'll • Ultimate Spell Duelist Character Build Guide
set up the enemies by controlling them with nets,
• Extreme Adventurer Character Build Guide
stuns and knocking them prone. After that their
fellow adventurers can go to town for the delight of • Whirling Devish
the crowds. • Library Agent Character Build Guide
• Shadow-Haunted Rogue
Final Ability Scores • Flesh Render Character Build Guide
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA • Stealer of Souls (Hexadin) Character Build Guide
12 (+1) 16 (+3) 16 (+3) 10 (+0) 20 (+5) 10 (+0) • Spell Savant Character Build Guide
• Master of Undeath Character Build Guide
Proficiencies • Champion of the Wild Characters Build Guide
Armor: Light armor, medium armor, shields • Adopted Trash Panda Character Build Guide
Weapons: Simple weapons, martial weapons • Illusion Warrior Character Build Guide
Tools: Disguise kit, drum, mason's tools, thieves' tools • Storm Herald Character Build Guide
Saving Throws: Dexterity, Intelligence • Hell's Enemy Character Build Guide
Skills: Acrobatics, Athletics, Intimidation, Perception • Purveyor of Peace Character Build Guide
(Expertise), Performance, Persuasion (Expterise),
Sleight of Hand (Expertise) • Beast Binder Character Build Guide
Languages: Common, Dwarvish, Thieves Cant

Further Resources
Character creation, build, roleplaying tips and
backstory elements are discussed in a video on
the Nerdarchy YouTube channel here. In the video
description, you can find a link to this character
build on D&D Beyond.

4 ULTIMATE GLADIATOR Not for resale. Permission granted to print or photocopy this document for personal use only.
For Dungeon Masters
Pit Fiend. As a leader in the gladiator pits, the
arena commander rallies their team of fighters and
sets up opponents to suffer devastating attacks.
They're so effective and successful in the arena,
they've earned patronage and relish in the life of
combat.

Bring 'Em in Alive. With a fighting style based on

subduing opponents, the arena commander who is
no longer in the gladiator pits makes a living as a
bounty hunter. The same skills honed in the arena
serve them well to capture dangerous individuals
and entities.

Arena Commander
Medium humanoid, any alignment
Armor Class 17 (unarmored defense)
Hit Points 112 (15d8 + 45)
Speed 35 ft.,

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

12 (+1) 18 (+4) 16 (+3) 10 (+0) 16 (+3) 15 (+2)
Saving Throws STR +4, DEX +7, CON +6
Skills Acrobatics +10, Athletics +7, Intimidation +5,
Performance +8
Senses passive Perception 13
Languages Any two languages
Challenge 6 (2,300 XP)

Brave. The arena commander has advantage on saving

throws against being frightened.
Brutal Blow (4/Day). When the arena commander hits
with an attack he may declare it as a Brutal blow. The
target must succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving
throw or be stunned until the end of the arena com-
mander's next turn.
Net. Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft. and
range 15 ft., one target. Hit: No damage but target is
restrained until they free themselves from the net.
Target can make a DC 10 Strength check as an action or
deal 10 points 0f slashing damage, AC 10 to free them-
selves. Dealing 10 points of damage destroys the net.
The arena commander carries 3 nets.

Rally the Team (1/day). As a bonus action, the arena
commander can choose up to two creatures within 60
feet of it that are allied with it. Both creatures and the
arena commander regain 10 hit points, provided the
creatures can see or hear the arena commander.
Fist. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
creature. Hit: 9 (1d8 + 4) bludgeoning damage. If the
target is a Medium or smaller creature, it must succeed
on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.

Reactions
Actions
Dodge. The gladiator adds 3 to its AC against one me-
Multiattack. The arena commander makes one attack lee attack that would hit it. To do so, the gladiator must
with its net and two attacks with its fist. see the attacker.
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