D&D 3E/3.5 [3.5] Canny Defense Question

[dagger]

Got this from the 3.5 SRD, how does it work exactly?

"Canny Defense (Ex): When not wearing armor or using a shield, a duelist adds 1 point of Intelligence bonus (if any) per
duelist class level to her Dexterity bonus to modify Armor Class while wielding a melee weapon. If a duelist is caught flatfooted
or otherwise denied her Dexterity bonus, she also loses this bonus."



So if he is 2nd level duelist and he has a +4 intel he gets +2 AC for being 2nd level, and does it got up too +3 at 3rd level..ect....? Thank Ye!

 

[drnuncheon]

Yup. You get the lower of your int bonus or your duelist level (with a floor of 0).

J

 

[dagger]

Thanks!

So at 6th level if his intel is still +4 the AC bonus is still +4 correct? Basically the level is acting as a ceiling right??

 

[Dimwhit]

You got it. I guess they didn't want duelists adding all their INT bonus to AC at first level, so they're spreading out over however many duelist levels it takes to equal your INT bonus. Not sure why it's necessary (the Monk doesn't do it), but there it is.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

It's so you don't dip into Duelist for one level just for the Int bonus to AC, then move on.

 

[Dimwhit]

It's so you don't dip into Duelist for one level just for the Int bonus to AC, then move on.

Ah yes, that would make sense. And since I dislike taking one level in a bunch of classes, I guess I like the change!

 

[iwatt]

I like the change (never liked front loaded classes too much. Way too much temptation and you generally end up diluting your character concept).

On a general note, how does the 3.5 Duelist compare to the S&F version. I like that weapon finesse is a requirement (most duelist will take this feat). WHat are the most noteworthy changes in your opinion(s).

 

[Dimwhit]

On a general note, how does the 3.5 Duelist compare to the S&F version. I like that weapon finesse is a requirement (most duelist will take this feat). WHat are the most noteworthy changes in your opinion(s).

Not much seems to be different. Precise Strike doesn't kick in until 5th level, I think that's different. Otherwise, more or less the same (going off memory on the 3.0 version). It's a nice prestige class.

 

[Spatzimaus]

I don't know, to me the Duelist would be a far better PrC if they didn't restrict the abilities like Precise Strike to one-handed piercing weapons. If I want to play an armorless, high-DEX, skilled fighter, this sort of PrC would be perfect in general, but why does that automatically mean dagger or rapier?

 

[drnuncheon]

3.0 duelist required Ambidexterity rather than Finesse.

3.0 duelist had Precies Strike at levels 2/6/10, and only got +2 init at 8th.

3.0 duelist could use bucklers in conjunction with their abilities.

The Acrobatic Charge is significantly changed - in 3.0 it was a +2 on attack and damage if you leapt or swung (Jump check) at your opponent.

J