RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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Just wondering why there’s no love for the Aldori dueling sword.
These slightly curved swords measure just over 3 feet in length. An Aldori dueling sword may be used as a Martial Weapon (in which case it functions as a longsword), but if you have the feat Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Aldori dueling sword), you can use the Weapon Finesse feat to apply your Dexterity modifier instead of your Strength modifier on attack rolls with an Aldori dueling sword sized for you, even though it isn’t a light weapon.
So we have what is essentially a finessable long sword. There’s also a fighting style feat that, for a dedicated swordman, really only has one ‘throw away’ pre-req in Quickdraw. While the ever (over?) popular Dervish Dance makes the scimitar finessable, (and adds dex to damage), Aldori Dueling Mastery adds a shield bonus to AC. Also the Aldori prestige class adds dex to damage (and grants the above feat) with a one level ‘dip’
I’ve a fighter/rogue who uses this, and am really thinking of running a pure lore warden/aldori sword lord. So am I off my rocker, or is this an underappreciated gem?
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It does sound fairly cool, though to be frank, I try to use RP logic when creating characters, and I don't really like Rostland...so I don't often get to make characters that would, for any reason, be an Aldori Swordlord. I know its dumb, but I tend to try and justify basic character choices to myself, and there's really nothing to justify with a standard longsword. But the dueling sword...sheesh, that there requires backstory.
It is a nice Weapon it just isn't "Optimized".
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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Shower thought hit me...
Tiefling Lore Warden, with armor of the pit and EWP: Aldori dueling sword at first level. It's his father's sword, which is all he has to remember him by. Travelling Golarion as a western ronin rescuing villagers and the like.
Level 1: Armor of the Pit, EWP Aldori Dueling sword.
Level 2: Combat Expertise (bonus) Weapon Finesse
Level 3: Weapon Focus: Aldori Dueling Sword.
Level 4: Quick Draw *or* Weapon specialization
Level 5: Aldori Dueling Mastery *or* Dazzling Display.
Then at level 6, either weapon specialization or take that first level of Aldori Swordlord.
Not bad, fighting one handed you'd have an AC at 6th level of 14+ armor + dex + any enhancements +2 bonus on CMB and CMD from Lore Warden, and a +1 on initiative if the sword is out. Full BAB.
Personally, I'd take my 3rd and 5th level feats for Iron Will and Fiend sight to shore up weakensses, delaying the Aldori Sword Lord...
I'm using one in a pathfinderized Ptolus setting and had a finesse CAD use one, she loved it. For "optimized" characters the feat tax hurts, but I love the weapon and like both the fighter alternate built and the prestige class built around the weapon.
I love the flavor behind Aldori Swordlords. Dueling schools and fencing styles in fantasy settings have always interested me.
I'm currently playing a Magus (Kensai/Bladebound)/ Monk (Master of Many Styles) from Brevoy (so Aldori Dueling Sword of course).
Currently getting 10 + Dex + Int + Wis + Mods to AC. AC has hit 33 at Level 4 (after buffs from my allies). Problem is my damage is still only 1d8+1/round.
So I play him as an elite duelist, always trying to resolve conflicts by offering to duel the biggest and the toughest, to first blood if possible.
GMed for a Bladebound Magus using one, reflavored as a dervish's sword as she was from an Arabesque desert kingdom in my setting. Sadly that game has been paused/cancelled due to player inactivity (not the Magus, another player).
I always imagined the aldori dueling blade to be just like the heron marked warders blade from the wheel of time series.
Shower thought hit me...
Tiefling Lore Warden, with armor of the pit and EWP: Aldori dueling sword at first level. It's his father's sword, which is all he has to remember him by. Travelling Golarion as a western ronin rescuing villagers and the like.
Level 1: Armor of the Pit, EWP Aldori Dueling sword.
Level 2: Combat Expertise (bonus) Weapon Finesse
Level 3: Weapon Focus: Aldori Dueling Sword.
Level 4: Quick Draw *or* Weapon specialization
Level 5: Aldori Dueling Mastery *or* Dazzling Display.
Then at level 6, either weapon specialization or take that first level of Aldori Swordlord.Not bad, fighting one handed you'd have an AC at 6th level of 14+ armor + dex + any enhancements +2 bonus on CMB and CMD from Lore Warden, and a +1 on initiative if the sword is out. Full BAB.
Personally, I'd take my 3rd and 5th level feats for Iron Will and Fiend sight to shore up weakensses, delaying the Aldori Sword Lord...
BWAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! I'm basically playing that character, backstorywise, in our Council of Thieves game (I went Magus (Bladebound/Kensai) 6/Aldori Swordlord 1 for class, though). His father was an embarrassment to his house and was sent off to Cheliax, where his excesses would fit in. His mother was a Tiefling prostitute whom he's never met. His father insisted on raising the boy as his own, but when the old man died, Nicos found himself turned out. He did have enough time to steal a few of his fathers things, the sword being the only one he still has. He's done a decent job of stepping in for the fighter after his player got booted from the table, and I went with Broken Wing Gambit and Combat Expertise to pair off with the rogue. We shred absolutely anything we can flank.
EDIT: Forgot, with this build I've got an AC of 27 (Fully buffed, that bumps up to 32) at 7th level. Would have been that earlier, but we were already 4th level when Paths of Prestige came out. You lose the full BAB, but you can make up for it with a wand of shocking grasp or the Close Range Arcana by 6th and still make an extra attack each full attack.
The Archetype is nice because it has an ability that stacks with the Prestige Class.