Boxer (Apath)

Unofficial rules compendium

Boxer is a fencer archetype that focuses on using fists, a variant of fencing that works with unarmed attacks and fist weapons. It is a martial arts class of the way of the mind.

Class Information

This is a martial arts archetype

Class: Fencer.

Hit Die: d12.

Class Features

The boxer has all the standard fencer's class features, except as noted below.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency

A boxer is proficient with all simple weapons, all weapons from the close weapon group (see the fighter's weapon training ability) and with shields (excluding tower shields) but not with any armor.

Boxing Limitations

A boxer may use an unarmed attack or any weapon from the close weapon group along with his boxing techniques, but may not wear armor or use a two-handed ranged weapon. A boxer who does not fulfill these conditions loses all class features except skills, weapon and armor proficiencies, and bonus feats. All abilities are instantly regained as soon as the boxer fulfills the requirements.

Improved Unarmed Strike

The boxer gains Improved Unarmed Strike as a bonus feat at first level. A boxer does not deal increased damage with unarmed attacks, but see lunge. This replaces Weapon Finesse.

Lunge (Ex)

This is the same as the fencer ability of the same name, except a boxer that uses a shield, two melee weapons, or wields a melee weapon in two hands only adds half his class level to damage on a lunge. A boxer can use Two-Weapon Fighting and subsequent feats with unarmed attacks and still do full damage on a lunge.

Canny Hardening (Ex)

This is the same as the fencer ability of the same name, except the boxer can use canny defense unarmed, but not if wielding a two-handed ranged weapon. In addition, as long as he is not wearing any armor, the boxer gains a circumstance bonus to natural armor equal to his Constitution bonus. He can use shields normally and the bonus stacks with both natural armor and with enchantment bonuses to natural armor.

This is a specific exception to the general martial arts rule that only two attributes can modify Armor Class.

Pain Resistance (Ex)

Starting at 2nd level, a boxer gains a +1 bonus on saves against pain effects and effects that would make him dazed, exhausted, fatigued, nauseated, sickened, staggered, or stunned. This bonus increases by +1 for every four levels beyond 2nd.

Boxing Styles

At 3rd level a fencer must select a boxing style to train in. Once chosen, this cannot be changed. This is similar to a fencing school, but specific to boxing.

Each style has a set of unique abilities boxers of that style develop as they advance in levels. A boxer gains school abilities at level 2, 3, 6, 11, 16, and 20. Note that certain style features have specific requirements that must also be fulfilled to use that particular ability.

It is possible to extend the choice of boxing styles through the Additional Fencing School feat, just as a fencer can. All decisions regarding a boxing style, such as which weapon to specialize in, are made when the ability is first gained and cannot be changed later.

Punching Practice (Ex)

At 4th level, the boxer gains a +1 attack bonus with unarmed attacks and attacks with weapons from the close weapon group. This bonus increases by +1 for every five levels beyond 4th.

Uncanny Dodge (Ex)

Starting at 11th level, a boxer can react to danger before her senses would normally allow her to do so. She cannot be caught flat-footed, nor does she lose her Dex bonus to AC if the attacker is invisible. She still loses her Dexterity bonus to AC if immobilized. A boxer with this ability can still lose her Dexterity bonus to AC if an opponent successfully uses the feint action (see Combat) against her.

Boxing Mastery (Ex)

At 19th level the boxer gains DR 5/-.

Table: Boxer

Level	Base Attack Bonus	Fort Save	Ref Save	Will Save	Special
1st	+1	+2	+2	+0	Boxing limitations, canny defense, Improved Unarmed Strike, lunge
2nd	+2	+3	+3	+0	Boxing style, parry 1/round
3rd	+3	+3	+3	+1	Boxing style ability
4th	+4	+4	+4	+1	Riposte
5th	+5	+4	+4	+1	Bonus feat
6th	+6/+1	+5	+5	+2	Boxing style ability, pain resistance +2
7th	+7/+2	+5	+5	+2	Parry 2/round
8th	+8/+3	+6	+6	+2	Bonus feat
9th	+9/+4	+6	+6	+3	Cunning opportunist
10th	+10/+5	+7	+7	+3	Bonus feat, pain resistance +3
11th	+11/+6/+1	+7	+7	+3	Boxing style ability
12th	+12/+7/+2	+8	+8	+4	Parry 3/round
13th	+13/+8/+3	+8	+8	+4	Bonus feat
14th	+14/+9/+4	+9	+9	+4	Aggressive defense, pain resistance +4
15th	+15/+10/+5	+9	+9	+5	Bonus feat
16th	+16/+11/+6/+1	+10	+10	+5	Boxing style ability
17th	+17/+12/+7/+2	+10	+10	+5	Parry 4/round
18th	+18/+13/+8/+3	+11	+11	+6	Bonus feat, pain resistance +5
19th	+19/+14/+9/+4	+11	+11	+6	Boxing mastery
20th	+20/+15/+10/+5	+12	+12	+6	Bonus feat, boxing style ability

Boxing Styles

These are the fighting styles available to boxers. Each has a series of abilities as the fencer boxer advances in level. See the boxing style class feature.

Out-Fighter

The out-fighter fights much like a fencer, keeping their distance and using mobility and tactics to win the fight.

Slugger

The slugger relies on heavy punches to finish the fight in a few mighty blows.

Swarmer

The swarmer or in-fighter relies on getting up close and delivering a rain of fast punches.