CGR2 - The Complete Gladiator's Handbook

the sands and dodging missiles and sword blows, they
gain this option.
Recommended proficiencies for gladiators include
Blind-Fighting, Endurance, Land-Based Riding, Rope
Use, Tumbling, Charioteering, and Running. All of these
enhance the PC’s abilities in the arena. Intimidation and
Observation (found in The Complete Thief’s Handbook)
are also useful, although they are more advantageous
outside the ring than inside.
More esoteric proficiencies for the gladiator include
Mountaineering, Tightrope Walking, Juggling, and Animal
Lore. Although they may seem to have no immediate
use in the arena, consider that the advanced games of
most cities call upon knowledge that most gladiators
could not be expected to have. By taking physical proficiencies
that may seem out of the ordinary, the gladiator
can try to prepare himself for any twists the host of the
Games may implement.
Nonweapon Proficiencies Table
Proficiency Slots Ability Modifier
Arena Acting 1 Charisma -1
Dirty Tricks 1 Wisdom -2
Massage 1 Dexterity 0
Tactics 1 Intelligence - 1
Taunting
Weakness
1 Wisdom 0
Identification 2 Wisdom -2
Descriptions of New Proficiencies
Arena Acting: The Acting proficiency allows the gladiator
to feign a weakness in the arena to trick his opponent.
If the check is successful, he has shown a weakness he
does not really possess. For example, he could convince an
enemy that his left side is overexposed, or that his weapons
are unfamiliar in his hands. More often than not, these
tricks succeed. If the enemy attack against the gladiator’s
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assumed weakness, the PC attacks his foe with a +3
bonus to attack and damage rolls. These reflect the surprise
the target feels upon realizing he has been duped.
Arena Acting can work only once against any given
opponent. Thereafter, the enemy is far more cautious in
his attacks.
Dirty Tricks: The Dirty Tricks proficiency allows any
fighter character (not just a gladiator) to learn how to fight
dirty against an opponent. Although the exact methods
may vary from character to character, the proficiency
allows the PC to distract an opponent just long enough to
get away with something otherwise not possible.
The method of trickery must necessarily vary depending
on terrain, the opponent, and numerous other factors.
Even weather can have a serious effect on the tricks a gladiator
can play. The Dirty Tricks proficiency gives a +1
bonus to one of several actions the PC can take in the
combat round, provided the PC makes a successful proficiency
check. A foe may make a Wisdom check at -2 to
detect the trick. A successful Wisdom check negates the
Dirty Trick for that round.
The Dirty Tricks bonus may be applied to the user’s
attack, initiative, or damage results. The Dirty Trickster
may also choose to apply the bonus as a penalty (-1) to an
opponent’s attack, initiative, or damage. The desired
bonus must be announced before the proficiency is
checked. A failed check indicates that the enemy is alert
to such tricks, and will not fall prey to them later in the
combat.
Dirty Tricks generally work only once or twice against
any given opponent, no matter what forms are used. They
remember those who engage in such tricks against them,
usually with negative overtones. Only those with Average
or lower Intelligence will succumb to a Dirty Trick played
twice unless it is exceptionally clever. Players are encouraged
to think of the tricks themselves, rather than simply
rolling the dice.
Each Dirty Trick played by the PC against the same
enemy gives the enemy a +2 on his Wisdom check, mak-