Hi, I was checking some of the more unusual builds, and I was interested in making an aldori duelist. Now, the Duelist PrC states that for precise strike you need to have a light/one-handed piercing weapon (Aldori Dueling Mastery takes care of that), and you must not wear a shield or attack with another weapon. However, there's nothing that says you need to hold the weapon in one hand - ergo, if I'm reading it right, a duelist can hold the sword in both hands for better strength/damage and power attack ratio. Right?
Then I went back to the Aldori Swordlord archetype and I saw that it said the fighter must be "carrying nothing in his other hand". Again, it says nothing about having the hand free - so I presume it is also fine to use the sword two-handed.
Am I reading this right? That way, the only thing you lose is +1 shield bonus to AC from the dueling mastery feat, but the bonuses to damage should be significant.
Wielding a weapon with the other hand, even if it's two handing the weapon, is considered carrying something in the hand. It's a free action to take your hand off the blade, however, so you may be able to play it that way. Two hand it for your attack, then pull your hand off when it's time to be more defensive.
Well, it says carrying, not wielding. It is iffy, this is why I wanted it cleared out. OTOH, I think the duelist abilities should be ok, right?
Yes, duelist should be fine. In fact, as far as I know, you can use TWF with a duelist, as long as you don't attack with the other hand. But you can use the off-hand attacks to sub for the attacks you have to 'give up' for parry and riposte.
There actually are two handed swordfighting schools. They were mostly Renaissance & German, but at one time, a professional duelist would also learn them.
Monk using the feat Hamatulatsu duelist...they technically can flurry of blows while getting all the benefits of duelist....
Monk using the feat Hamatulatsu duelist...they technically can flurry of blows while getting all the benefits of duelist....
Oh, there are a few other feats for monks who want to do piercing damage in the UC book... Now I just need to find out if there is an update of the kung-fu genius/carmendine monk (both switch most monk abilities to Int instead of Wis) and a monk/duelist will certainly be an option.