I'm looking for ideas on combos that'll make each individual fighter stand out a little bit. So far I have (all level 5):
a half elf grappling monk
a power attacking half giant
a dire flail wielding mul who focus' on trip attacks
a two short sword wielding sneak attacking ranger rogue
an attack buffing human psychc warrior
a halfling soulknife
a young desert giant with a large rock on a chain
a psion shaper to go against the party's psion
Unfortunately that's not nearly enough and I'm running out of ideas and don't really want to reuse the same styles. So, I don't really need people to write up whole NPCs (unless you really want to), I just need some ideas I can work from.
* A thri-kreen focusing on hand-to-hand combat entirely.
* A mutant of some kind. Maybe an intelligent anakore?
* A very acrobatic theif being punished for his crimes.
I highly recomend them :D
Each combatant gets a blade lashed to their right hand (too bad if you're left-handed!), and have to grasp each others left hand so that they may be lashed together. And once the nod is given, they stab at each other until someone hits the sand dead.
It's quick, savage, extremely bloody, and the crowd just loves it. Close combat doesn't get much closer than this. :D
2) Unarmed combat with a half-giant.
Unfortunate if they are not half-giant or mul, but they're not really fortunate in the first place because they are in the arena, right? ;)
Biting, gouging, "nutters", throat rips; everything goes here. Hit 'til they drop and stop, plain and simple.
Seeing how this can lead to extended combat, these types of matches are best played out at the beginning of the day, when the spectators are still filling the seats and doing the social thing.
3) "Red Rover".
No, not that old kid's game. This game is played with a blindfold and knives.
Two pairs of partners are chosen. One person from each pair is blindfolded and given a knife. The people not blindfolded have to shout directions to their knife-wielding partners so that they may stab their opposite to death.
But that's not all.
Once there is a victor amongst the knife fighters, the people who shouted directions have to engage in tooth and nail combat until one is lying on the ground dead.
But wait; there's more. :D
Once there is a victor amongst the hand-to-hand combatants, they have to turn and engage the victorious knife fighter. This can be quite the spectacle because there is the obvious chance that these two combatants were once partners!
Crowds love this one, and wagers run quite high.
I know, these aren't gladiators that I threw at you. They're games. But the point in those three examples is that not everybody who fights in the arena has class levels. Sometimes the skill and challenge is in the game or match itself. And who's to say that a bard or several bards haven't been hired to act as "creative consultants"? The games are their "screenplay", and as such, they become the opponent, or, shadow opponent. ;)
I know, these aren't gladiators that I threw at you. They're games. But the point in those three examples is that not everybody who fights in the arena has class levels. Sometimes the skill and challenge is in the game or match itself. And who's to say that a bard or several bards haven't been hired to act as "creative consultants"? The games are their "screenplay", and as such, they become the opponent, or, shadow opponent. ;)
Actually, that's good. I need ideas for different matches too.
Another idea could be someone who focuses on Improved Feints with sneak attack damage dice. Get a 5 levels in Invisible Blade PrC, and you have a character that Feints as a free action.
Don't forget Improved Sundering. Always a nasty tactic against PCs.
Using the Athas.org cleric domains, a silt cleric with the Silt Slayer domain gets a granted power to automatically start grapples with a whip or alhulak hit. Make an Alhulak specialist a bit more hefty.
Have an arena with obstacles that block line of sight, and with a highly mobile gladiator NPC, with something like a monk's Abundant Step ability. Bouncing around where the PC won't expect the next attack.
Or a Swashbuckler.
A couple of PrC's might be decent to.(Too bad you didn't pick 7th level. The Bear Warrior would have kicked so much ass!) ;)
Maybe a Drunken Master? Since you already have the monk...
Gnome Giant Slayer? Yes I know Athas doesn't have Gnomes. Simple change the requirement to dwarf or halfling. Sheesh.
Halfling Outrider's a shoe in. Who doesn't want to see mounted combat? Especially with its popularity increasing in Tyr.
Hulking Hurler? Master Thrower?
Hunter of the Dead?
Actually those two would make great opponents, well the Hulking Hurler/Master Thrower would. The Hunter of the Dead would make for a great battle against say a condemned Necromancer or Summoner.
And you just know you want an Invisible Blade in there.
A Kensai, might work too.
A Mindspy could really help to unnerve the opponent.
Nature's Warrior would be nice touch. Actually a 5th level Druid would be a good choice as they get Wildshape 1/day at that level. Imagine someone turning into a bear before battling?
An Occult Slayer vs. any spellcaster.
Also the Gladiator from Sword and Fist ought to be considered.
Actually I just realized that most of these require the character to be level 6, instead of 5. Drat.
Oh well. Hope they've at least sparked your creativity. You might not allow any of these PrC's/Classes, but it could be something to have the NPC's work towards.
Just my 2 bits.