Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Khaalis" data-source="post: 1705975" data-attributes="member: 2167">You could do either. The ability as written for the PrC = INT bonus spread out at +1 per level (thus gaining full benefit of an 18 INT by 4th level) or you could spread it out. My original version gave the following, but people felt it was too weak a defense.Defense Bonus (Ex): Duelists are specialists at fighting solitary opponents and thus beginning at 5th level, they learn to better defend themselves when concentrating on a single foe. During their action, the duelist may designate a single opponent and receive a +1 dodge bonus to AC against melee attacks from that opponent. They can select a new opponent on any action. This bonus increases by +1 for every five levels of duelist attained after 5th. This defense bonus is lost if the duelist wears medium or heavy armor or carries a medium or heavy load. If the duelist also has the Dodge feat, the duelist must designate the same target for the defense bonus as for the Dodge feat, but all bonuses stack.You could simple make it...Defense Bonus (Ex): Duelists are specialists at fighting in melee and thus they learn to better defend themselves. The duelist gains a +1 competence bonus to AC. This bonus increases to +2 at 10th level, +3 at 15th level and +4 at 20th level.(Note: Competence bonus makes it stackable with most every other AC bonus.)This is true, but it makes sense that a Precise Strike would be used more often, but it also deals less damage +4 dice by 20th.  Sneak Attack makes no sense for a Duelist in that they do not use stealth and they do not specialize in creating a DEX Denial situation as rogues do.  Precise Strike is about skill not opportunity. JMHOEither I need sleep or this isnt quite coming across clearly to me. It seems a bit convoluted and a bit too much to figure out in each situation if you do or dont get the bonus.  I think that using the existing feats might work better but as virtual feats.Something along the line of:Blade Mastery (Ex): During your action, you designate an opponent. Against this opponent you act as if you have the Weapon Focus feat with whatever weapon you currently wield as your primary weapon. The weapon must be a one-handed or light melee weapon. You can select a new opponent on any action.Improved Blade Mastery (Ex): During your action, you designate an opponent. Against this opponent you act as if you have the Weapon Focus and Weapon Specialization feats with whatever weapon you currently wield as your primary weapon. The weapon must be a one-handed or light melee weapon. You can select a new opponent on any action.Greater Blade Mastery (Ex): During your action, you designate an opponent. Against this opponent you act as if you have the Weapon Focus, Greater Weapon Focus and Weapon Specialization feats with whatever weapon you currently wield as your primary weapon. The weapon must be a one-handed or light melee weapon. You can select a new opponent on any action.Expert Blade Mastery (Ex): During your action, you designate an opponent. Against this opponent you act as if you have the Weapon Focus, Greater Weapon Focus, Weapon Specialization and Greater Weapon Specialization feats with whatever weapon you currently wield as your primary weapon. The weapon must be a one-handed or light melee weapon. You can select a new opponent on any action.Just a thought...As for virtual feats, I am always a fan of using an existing feat as a virtual feat over writing new abilities. It makes it easier to balance, it uses the 'official' ability and it can be restricted by what requirements make it virtual. Just my personal taste.If you are set on using the ability, I would drop alertness. It really doesnt fit the flavor of the class and is just an arbitrary requirement. Improved Initiative makes sense.Hope that helps. Again - JMHO, YMMV</blockquote>

Verification