how would you build a 'Duellist'?

[mice-pace]

I thought this was quite a cool idea, but I wanted some more experienced viewpoints on how to do it. I'm aware that there is a prestige class called Duellist, but that's not what this is about... specifically, any way. if you were to build a character, right from level 1, what classes and/or feats would you pick? which classes and feats do you feel typify duelling traits, and which ones do you feel work best together?

Here's some of the things i've been considering:

* Monk - Pugilism (fist-fighting) was one of the more common ways of solving duels. Plus you should be prepared for it if your opponent gets to choose weapons. It kind of sells itself, bonus AC, evasion, increased unarmed damage. Not to mention stunning fist & flurry of blows, which could work well with...
* Rogue - Look at those weapon proficiencies, it covers pretty much all the classic duelling weapons, including Crossbow and Rapier. Sneak Attack could be thematically quite good, the first crossbow bolt or the unexpected flank having deadly accuracy.
* Fighter: This is technically a fighter, even if he migy disdain armor and shields. Plus who doesn't like the idea of bonus feats?
* Fighter (unearthed arcana variant) Like a rogue who trades his trapfinding for weapon/armor proficiencies and a full BAB.
* Swashbuckler - Free weapon finesse and int bonus to damage, but is it worth it? Could stack nicely with:
*Duellist - Prestige class with int bonus to AC and +1D6 damage

Feats:
Weapon Finesse - Make that dexterity bonus work over time, if you want to be good without armor and good with a ranged weapon Dex is a must, but with weapon finesse you can use it in close combat instead of strength

 

[Empirate]

If you're going for a one-handed finesse fighter, I'd heavily recommend looking into Tome of Battle: The Book of Nine Swords. All classes in there can at least make one-handed fighting feasible (if still inferior to other styles). That's because they get so-called maneuvers, which are most often standard actions to perform but add a ton to damage and/or versatility - so only having one non-two-handed weapon doesn't hurt as much. You can still try and dip Swashbuckler for Int to damage or something, but straight Warblade or Swordsage is probably better.

For pugilism, you can look into the unarmed variant for the Swordsage class in the same book, which is like an actually functioning Monk substitute.

Feat-wise, take a look at the Einhander feat.

 

[Chalice]

Human Rogue with good Strength, and at least 13 Int. Combat Expertise and Improved Feint at 1st level. Basically 20 levels of Rogue.

There's the perfect duellist, using core rules only.

Well, except for the fact that you'd have to go for TWF (sigh), or that Einhander feat, which might have to take priority...

Otherwise, the ToB would be the first place I'd look, as well. As usual.

 

[James the Newbie]

The Knight class from the PHII 'typifies' dueling

'Fighting Challenge' forcing an opponent to fight against you one on one, really speaks for itself. The fact you get bonus' to a one on one fight, and your character concept is built around it in this class makes it an obvious choice

There are more, but if you want to dip into it for that bit of flavour, it seems to suit what your looking for? It also has full BaB progression and d12 hit die

'Armor Mastery' at higher levels lets you ignore speed reduction of armour. This idea comes from 'Shin Okada' and it is that you can use tumble (as you have no speed reduction) so for those 'nimble' qualities you look like you are hinting at are not lost, even in full plate.

This said, ToB Tends to have more effective 'fire power' and the duellist cant use armour, but there still useful for combat situations that aren't one on one.

If your not wearing armour, diping into a level of monk or ninja for the wis bonus to AC sounds like a good idea. And monk fits with Pugilism as you mentioned before.

 

[jtylerk]

Are you going more for theme/flavor? If so, I'd stay away from the Monk avenue--that requires intense focus etc, and about the only thing I'd imagine a swashbuckler/duelist type is focused on is getting into (and then out of) trouble.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

Swashbuckler/Rogue with Daring Outlaw feat.

Or basically any tome of battle class.

Duskblade, since it's so good at high single-target damage, could work well, too.

 

[Will]

Yeah, I'll third/fourth/whatever the rogue (and possibly swashbuckler) suggestions.

My go-to core rules duelist is usually some mix of fighter and rogue with a lot of Dex -- fighter gives you feat 'fuel' to do a bunch of cool things plus a little more hit points and attack bonus.

 

[Grogg of the North]

I've always been a fan of Swashbuckler.

Pick up combat expertise and deadly defense and you'll be poking holes in your enemies in no time.

 

[Dandu]

Barbarian.

 

[Loonook]

Step 1: Choose Rogue.
Step 2: Max out Dex, secondary Cha.
Step 3: Con your DM into allow Iajutsu Focus from Oriental Adventures.
Step 4: LEARN TO GO BEFORE ANYONE ELSE.


Massive damage checks on your first (and only needed) attack...

Treat yourself to a large amount of precision damage to kill them deeeeead.

Slainte,

-Loonook.