If a Duelist any good

[Tim Melnick]

My playgroup keeps telling me that the prestige class is no good, though i keep using my basic form of HL to make one, and as far as im concerned, its a great tank class with mediocre damage output, but the main effect is too defend like crazy via parry and repose as well as a great initiative. The one i keep making takes the Aldori Dueling mastery feat too get the bonuses and have some pretty decent AC. Just wondering which class and race would make the best. I read it and says rogue, bard or ranger are best, though i keep making a fighter and seems too do better than most since i can reach it a full lv faster. Just looking for your ideas/suggestions. TY in advance.

[GM Kyle]

I've seen people dip two levels of Monk for better saves and two free feats: Crane Style and Crane Wing, which give them even more defenses. Its not a bad choice.

[Vaellen]

The duelist is actually semi decent. I played a Lore Warden Fighter that entered into the class. Using Dervish Dance damage was that bad and with the Crane Style feats and Duelists bonuses to Fighting defensively he was effectively unhittable.

[blackbloodtroll]

Hamatulatsu feat makes for an interesting unarmed Duelist.

[Dominigo]

I played a duelist who ran fighter/rogue equally before taking it. I used my rogue talents to get the ability to cast Shield, and then got Greater Feint to let me do sneak attacks. Coupled with a monk who specialized in trips, we were easily able to control weaker enemies. With combat expertise and improved mobility, I could pretty much walk straight through whole crowds of enemies with everything rolling for 20s to hit. The +15 or so to initiative was also real nice.

[Tiny Coffee Golem]

dot

[Muser]

Damage was pretty bad before PF gave Dex-users some abilities to apply their hit stat to damage too. It was a very nice class defensively before that, but now it can remain relevant(outside high optimization campaigns) damage-wise to boot.

Another new powerful option is to, indeed, take advantage of the useless free arm. Then there's Kirin Strike which adds double your Int bonus to damage with a swift, which isn't completely worthless.

[pH unbalanced]

I keep thinking that a straight Free-Hand Fighter is a natural to move into Duelist, maybe with 2 levels of Rogue mixed in, but I haven't had a chance to try one in action yet.

[Dabbler]

pH unbalanced wrote:

I keep thinking that a straight Free-Hand Fighter is a natural to move into Duelist, maybe with 2 levels of Rogue mixed in, but I haven't had a chance to try one in action yet.

I have. Add in an agile weapon and it works beautifully!

What I would say is don't underestimate the value of maneuvers in a duelist build, either.

[hustonj]

Every class, every archetype, and every prestige class exists because somebody thought it was cool and had the potential to do amazing things.

If somethign appeals to you, try to figure out hwo to make and keep using it FUN FOR YOU.

People on these boards will tell you that there are certain decisions you HAVE to make or you aren't playing a reasonably capable character. They are wrong.

A reasonably capable character is one that contributes to the group efforts mechanically and that you enjoy playing. Min-maxing versus role-playing is just people demanding that everybody has ot think th way that they do. They are wrong.

A Duelist build can be a LOT of fun, AND useful to the group.

[blackbloodtroll]

Combining Hamatulatsu with Dervish Dance seems an interesting path as well.

[carn]

Tim Melnick wrote:

I read it and says rogue, bard or ranger are best, though i keep making a fighter and seems too do better than most since i can reach it a full lv faster. Just looking for your ideas/suggestions.

Urban barbarian. He can rage for dex bonus. Use dervish dance feat.

[phantom1592]

http://paizo.com/forums/dmtz5vlm?Oterisks-Guide-to-the-Duelist

Go here!

Oterisk did a pretty sweet guide to duelists that sounds just like what your asking about...

[Tim Melnick]

ty all for the responses, will look it up and work on it some more. You all have a good day/evening/night.

[Muser]

Well, thanks right back. It's rare when someone's this polite. =^_^=

As to the talk about playing what you want, my opinion is to not mind the majority's opinion. I agree. Most people are in this only for the fun. It's just that I usually reply with a grain of optimized salt since these fora have a large quantity of them.

[Leyren]

I think that a Vivisectionist might work, too. Prepare Shield extracts and Dex Mutagen