Useless Trait

[AetherFox]

I know that the 'traits' from Unearthed Arcana aren't supposed to be particularly useful so much as fluff, but what is the point of the 'brawler (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/buildingCharacters/characterTraits.htm#brawler)' trait?!

It would be fine, if not for the special at the bottom. Unless of course you really wanted that +1 grapple.

Does anyone know of a single character build in which the brawler trait would actually be useful?

[monty]

Dedicated grappler, maybe? Of course, then you're even more screwed against anything better than you at grappling (or, gods forbid, FoM).

So yeah, it really sucks. Don't pick it, then.

[BRC]

Pure Caster who specializes in support magic and is worried about getting grappled.

[Asbestos]

Weird... someone going for Reaping Mauler and for some insane reason not taking Improved Unarmed Strike at first level?

Oh! How about a druid?

[Jack_Simth]

Dedicated grappler, maybe? Of course, then you're even more screwed against anything better than you at grappling (or, gods forbid, FoM).

Catch:
Improved Unarmed Strike is a requirement for Improved Grapple - and if you're a dedicated grappler, what is one of the more important feats?


So yeah, it really sucks. Don't pick it, then.
I think I'd need to agree on this aspect.

[snoopy13a]

A boxer who only fights in the ring against unarmed opponents where only non-lethal damage is used?

I think the description for the illiterate trait is fairly funny:

"Characters with this trait might be sensitive about not being able to read, or they might not value 'book learnin'.'"

[Inyssius Tor]

Weird... someone going for Reaping Mauler and for some insane reason not taking Improved Unarmed Strike at first level?

Oh! How about a druid?

A druid who likes wrestling things in his human form? Ooooo-kaaay...

[Asbestos]

A druid who likes wrestling things in his human form? Ooooo-kaaay...

Oh right :smallredface: Scratch that.

[AetherFox]

A druid who likes wrestling things in his human form? Ooooo-kaaay...

Mmmm. Not to beat a dead horse, but even if you went into super-flying-animal mode, the trait doesn't apply to natural weapons. The only sane use for it i can think of is this:

Player: I poke the drunken man until he shows a response.
DM (mad): Ok, he spins around in his seat and punches you. Does a... (Rolls) 15 hit?
Player: No. I continue poking.
DM: Grrr. Acutally, he has the brawler trait. He hits. You fall unconsious.
Player: What?! I have way more than... (Checks character sheet) 5 hit points!
DM: Yeah, well, you know what else hits? Me. With my falcon punch. (Picks up gamecube controller.) Lets do this.

[Oracle_Hunter]

DM: Yeah, well, you know what else hits? Me. With my falcon punch. (Picks up gamecube controller.) Lets do this.

Man, if 4e makes a Monk that doesn't suck, I will roll one for the sole purpose of shouting "FALCON PUUUUUUUUUUUUNCH" whenever I crit with an unarmed attack :smalltongue:

[UglyPanda]

I cannot decide whether this was an oversight or someone honestly believed that +1 to grapples and unarmed strikes was overpowered. Perhaps it was the game designer's intent that traits not be useful.


Man, if 4e makes a Monk that doesn't suck, I will roll one for the sole purpose of shouting "FALCON PUUUUUUUUUUUUNCH" whenever I crit with an unarmed attack :smalltongue:
Seems like a Kensai idea. Flaming Burst Sonic Burst (For the bird screech) Fists, Lightning Burst Knees.

[Sstoopidtallkid]

I've got it. A dedicated grappler who has few-to-no feats to spare. He takes this trait along with Monk one at first level in a game that's starting at 20 and uses one of the other player's Wizards doing the chaos shuffle to trash IUS. Because of the way you apply bonuses, you can make it work. It's nowhere near worth it, but you can get the benefit.

[Stupendous_Man]

DM: Yeah, well, you know what else hits? Me. With my falcon punch. (Picks up gamecube controller.) Lets do this.

No items. Fox only. Final Destination

[monty]

I've got it. A dedicated grappler who has few-to-no feats to spare. He takes this trait along with Monk one at first level in a game that's starting at 20 and uses one of the other player's Wizards doing the chaos shuffle to trash IUS. Because of the way you apply bonuses, you can make it work. It's nowhere near worth it, but you can get the benefit.

Traits are applied before your first level, I think.

[Adumbration]

A monk? A monk's Unarmed Strike isn't a feat, if I remember correct...

[AetherFox]

They get IUS at first level.

[monty]

A monk? A monk's Unarmed Strike isn't a feat, if I remember correct...


Unarmed Strike

At 1st level, a monk gains Improved Unarmed Strike as a bonus feat.

Their unarmed strike itself isn't, but IUS is part of it.

[hotel_papa]

Actually, in one of my copies of UA, I have that trait crossed out, with the words EPIC FAIL written over it.

Glad to see I'm not alone.

HP.

[Kris Strife]

Are these traits related to the 99 traits from the DMG?

[Vexxation]

No items. Fox only. Final Destination

But Fox is cheap!
His Down+B reflection move is way too powerful if used up close.

Nerf Fox!

[Sty2000]

innatentive trait is completely useless +1 to any complex check then -4 from it! (arent we doing something useful here?)

@vexx
sonic is cheaper, and you wanna battle you, me and solid snake brawl style! *messes around with the wii*

note: if they redo modern d20 4ed style; ima make a commando snake style just for the heck of it (up for debate whether it's solid or naked snake)

[monty]

innatentive trait is completely useless +1 to any complex check then -4 from it! (arent we doing something useful here?)

No, it's +1 to a simple check and -4 to complex checks based on the same skill. It only matters if you're using the complex skill checks variant.

[Sty2000]

oh i misread i thought it was entirely oxymoronic