Considering how to run an underground fighting ring in DnD? The first rule of Fight Club is: you don’t talk about Fight Club! No but seriously, adding a fight club to your Dungeons & Dragons campaign can spice things up with action, intrigue, and opportunities for creative roleplay. Whether it’s a gritty pit where adventurers brawl for glory or a high-stakes arena with spectators placing bets, an underground fighting ring introduces new dynamics for players to explore.
Tavern Brawls and Underground Mayhem
As a Dungeon Master, I quickly noticed that my players had one unshakable obsession: tavern brawls. No matter how many story hooks or epic quests I dangled in front of them, they’d always find a way to turn a cozy inn into a chaotic free-for-all. One night, after yet another ale-soaked showdown that left half the town in shambles, I decided to lean into their love for fisticuffs.
Inspired by the gritty, underground mayhem of Fight Club, I introduced an underground fighting ring into the campaign. What started as a simple pit-fight side quest spiraled into one of the most hilarious and memorable arcs we’ve ever had. From the bard moonlighting as a hype man to the rogue rigging bets, every player found a way to shine—and wreak havoc. By the end, the fighting ring had become a centerpiece of our campaign, complete with secret patrons, shady dealings, and a running tally of who held the title of “Ring Champion.”
If your players love to throw hands as much as mine, incorporating an underground fighting ring is guaranteed to deliver epic moments and endless laughs. Let me show you how to make it happen!
How to Run an Underground Fighting Ring in DnD
As a Dungeon Master (DM), you’ll need to balance combat mechanics with storytelling to create a memorable experience. This guide will help you design and run an underground fighting ring that’s immersive, fun, and full of possibilities.
1. Establish the Setting
The atmosphere of your underground fighting ring sets the tone for your players. Decide where it’s located, who runs it, and what kind of vibe you want to convey.
Key Details to Consider
- Location: Is the ring hidden in the backroom of a shady tavern, deep within a sewer system, or in the basement of a wealthy noble’s estate? The location should match the tone of your campaign.
- Audience: Who attends the fights? Is it a secretive gathering of outlaws, a rowdy crowd of commoners, or a high-society spectacle?
- Management: Who runs the ring? This could be a charismatic crime boss, a retired fighter with a love for the sport, or an enigmatic figure with a mysterious agenda.
Example: The Rusted Arena is an underground fighting ring located beneath a disreputable tavern called The Broken Mug. Run by Kaela “Ironhand” Draenor, a former gladiator, the arena draws a mix of desperate adventurers, rowdy gamblers, and shady nobles looking for entertainment.
2. Decide on the Stakes
Fights in an underground ring are rarely just for fun. Establish clear stakes to keep players invested in the outcome.
Potential Stakes
- Gold and Loot: Fighters and gamblers alike stand to win or lose fortunes.
- Reputation: Winning a match could earn the party valuable allies or fearsome enemies.
- Secrets and Favors: The ring could serve as a place to exchange information or curry favor with influential NPCs.
- Survival: For a darker twist, the ring could be a life-or-death arena where unwilling participants must fight to escape.
Example: The Rusted Arena offers hefty gold prizes to winners, but rumors suggest the true power lies in its connections—Kaela might grant favors to those who catch her attention.
3. Design the Fights
The heart of an underground fighting ring is, of course, the combat. Tailor the matches to challenge your players while keeping them varied and exciting.
1v1 Duels
- Format: Pit one player against a single opponent. This is a great way to spotlight individual characters.
- Opponents: Create NPC fighters with unique abilities, such as a brute with high strength, a nimble rogue, or a spell-slinging sorcerer.
- Balance: Keep fights challenging but fair—adjust difficulty based on the player’s level and abilities.
Team Battles
- Format: Have the party fight as a team against another group of challengers.
- Opponents: Create rival adventuring parties or themed groups, like a pack of werewolves or elemental summoners.
Themed or Gimmick Fights
- Environmental Hazards: Add traps, shifting platforms, or collapsing terrain to the arena.
- Unusual Rules: Restrict players to unarmed combat, or introduce magical effects like wild magic surges during the fight.
Example: In the Rusted Arena, players might face a duo of twin fighters whose coordinated attacks deal devastating damage or a shapeshifting druid who floods the pit with water and transforms into a shark.
4. Incorporate Roleplay Opportunities
Underground fighting rings are more than just combat—they’re social hubs filled with colorful NPCs and shady dealings. Use the downtime between fights to build intrigue and deepen the story.
Potential NPCs
- The Gambling Shark: A fast-talking bookie who pressures players into making risky bets.
- The Desperate Fighter: A fellow competitor who begs for help or offers a deal to rig a match.
- The Secretive Patron: A noble or crime boss who watches the fights from the shadows, looking for talent to recruit—or exploit.
Player Interactions
- Negotiations: Allow players to haggle over entry fees, bet on matches, or strike deals with the ring’s owner.
- Information Gathering: The ring could serve as a hotspot for overhearing rumors, meeting informants, or learning about the campaign’s villains.
- Moral Dilemmas: Present ethical challenges, like deciding whether to throw a fight, help a reluctant competitor escape, or confront the corruption behind the ring.
Example: Kaela, the ring’s owner, approaches the party after a match, offering them a lucrative (but morally questionable) job in exchange for future fights in her arena.
5. Engage Non-Combat Players
Not every player wants to step into the ring—and that’s okay! Provide ways for non-combat-focused characters to engage with the fighting ring.
Betting and Gambling
Let players place bets on the matches. Add excitement by allowing them to influence the outcome through clever manipulation, such as distracting opponents or boosting their allies.
Support Roles
- Strategists: Allow players to analyze opponents and provide advice or tactical advantages.
- Healers and Buffers: If the ring permits magic, let support characters aid their allies from the sidelines.
Investigation and Intrigue
Non-combat characters can explore the ring’s darker secrets. Is it connected to a criminal organization? Are the fights rigged? Could they find leverage against the owner?
Example: A party’s rogue might pickpocket a wealthy patron, while the bard distracts the crowd with a rousing song.
6. Keep Things Dynamic
Underground fighting rings thrive on drama and unpredictability. Throw in surprises to keep players on their toes:
- Unexpected Challenges: Introduce a mid-fight twist, like a wild animal being released into the arena or a collapsing structure.
- Interruption: Have city guards raid the ring, forcing the players to choose between escape or defending their new allies.
- Repercussions: Winning or losing a fight could ripple through the campaign, earning the players allies, enemies, or unexpected fame.
Example: After winning a major fight, the party is approached by a rival fighter’s gang, demanding revenge in the streets.
Running an underground fighting ring in D&D 5e is a fantastic way to add excitement and intrigue to your campaign. With a blend of high-energy combat, rich storytelling, and opportunities for roleplay, a well-crafted fighting ring can become a highlight of your game.
A Tale of Glory, Betrayal, and a Very Angry Owlbear
I’ll never forget the climax of our underground fighting ring arc. The party’s monk had worked their way to the championship match, earning the adoration of the rowdy crowd and the ire of some less-than-reputable gamblers. The final fight? A one-on-one bout against an enraged owlbear—because why not turn the drama up to 11?
The monk was holding their own (barely), but just as victory seemed within reach, the rogue couldn’t resist trying to steal the ringmaster’s betting chest. Chaos erupted. The bard started playing an impromptu fight song to distract the guards, while the wizard cast Grease under the owlbear for a laugh—and accidentally sent it careening into the stands.
What followed was absolute pandemonium. The audience fled in terror, the rogue got caught mid-heist, and the monk had to finish the match while dodging flaming debris (courtesy of the sorcerer, naturally). In the end, the monk was crowned champion, the rogue narrowly escaped imprisonment, and the fighting ring was shut down indefinitely—though not before the party made off with a hefty pile of loot.
That arc became one of the highlights of our campaign, with players still joking about “the Great Owlbear Incident.” So, now that you know how to run an underground fighting ring in DnD, go for it—you never know what unforgettable moments might emerge from a little organized chaos!
