Is there any way to make the learned duelist work (specially without an agile weapon)?

[Nicos]

As the title say. Before level 13 the learned duelist abilities seems to be designed for light armored, dex based intelligent fighters but the abilities does not seem to be good enough IMHO.

Duelist training do not support dervish dance, or THF with an elven curved blade,or TWF with light weapons. BAsically without agile weapon the DPR output will e lower than the rogue.

Armor training seems odd since duelist stance requires light armor. Precise thrust is almost worthless since light weapon have low dice.

The only good abilities are dirty trick with a weapon at level 13** and ability damage at level 17 (**the disarm and trip part are redundant)

So, it is just me or the archetype just fails? If not, then how to build a good one?

[Gregory Connolly]

It looks like a great way to spend 6 levels before hitting the prestige class Duelist. I'm not sure I would take it all the way up, but Armor Training 1 and a Mithral Breastplate is pretty good armor. Likewise the Duelist Training is basically Weapon Training 3 for your rapier.

[K177Y C47]

Pretty much not really worth it sadly... With the new swashbuckler class in ACG this archetype is pretty much dead now...