In a Pathfinder 2e party, bruiser characters take on the formidable role of dealing heavy damage up close and engaging in melee combat alongside the tank. With their immense strength and higher than average resilience, bruisers excel at dishing out devastating attacks to enemies in close-quarters combat.
Their primary objective is to unleash powerful blows, be the first to break through enemy defenses, and create chaos amidst the ranks of adversaries. Working in tandem with the tank, bruisers often flank enemies, drawing attention away from more vulnerable party members and engaging foes in direct combat. Outside of combat, bruisers can serve as enforcers, instilling fear in potential threats, and using their physical prowess to intimidate or persuade NPCs during negotiations or investigations.
While bruisers are adept at dealing damage, they may rely on the tank and healers for support and protection, as they may have less durability compared to dedicated tanks. Communication and coordination within the party are essential for bruisers to maximize their effectiveness and ensure their melee strikes are strategically timed and positioned.
In summary, the role of a bruiser in a Pathfinder party is to be the powerhouse on the frontlines, dealing devastating damage up close and engaging in melee combat alongside the tank, creating chaos and opening opportunities for their party members to succeed.
Engaging
Bruisers aren't the highest health members of a party, but they are close. With such robust frames, they can put themselves in harms way without needing to panic about taking a hit or two. With that in mind, Bruisers are great at being the first one into a fight – running, jumping, charging or otherwise moving into the enemy's reach to start an encounter.
Bashing
To put it simply, Bruiser's are DPS characters. Every turn should hopefully have at least one action spent hitting someone. They don't deal high burst damage, like some other roles, but they deal consistent damage. That's important – it sets up teammates for finishing, it changes enemy priorities, and it wears down enemy forces.
