Duelist
Duelist is a prestige class in NWN2.
NwN2 Duelist
Description: The duelist is a nimble, intelligent fighter trained in making precise attacks with light weapons, such as the rapier. They always take full advantage of their quick reflexes and wits in a fight. Rather than wearing bulky armor, a duelist feels the best way to protect themselves is not to get hit at all. Duelists are most often fighters or rangers, but almost as often rogues or bards. Wizards, sorcerers, and monks make surprisingly good duelists due to those classes’ lack of reliance on armor.
Requirements
Skills: Parry 5 ranks, Tumble 5 ranks
Feats: Dodge, Mobility, Weapon finesse
Class feature progressions
| Hit die: 10 |
| Proficiencies: Weapons (simple, martial) |
| Skill points: 4 + Int modifier |
| Class skills: Bluff, Craft weapon, Listen, Parry, Spot, Taunt, Tumble |
| Base attack bonus progression: High |
| Saving throws | high: | Reflex |
| low: | Fortitude, Will |
Additional progressions
| Level | Features Gained |
|---|---|
| 1 | Canny defense |
| 2 | Improved reaction x1 |
| 3 | Enhanced mobility |
| 4 | Improved reaction x2, Grace |
| 5 | Precise strike +1d6 |
| 6 | Improved reaction x3, Flourish |
| 7 | Elaborate parry |
| 8 | Improved reaction x4 |
| 9 | Deflect arrows |
| 10 | Improved reaction x5, precise strike +2d6 |
Canny Defense
When not wearing armor or using a shield, the duelist adds their intelligence bonus to their AC, with a maximum bonus equal to their Duelist level. This does not stack with Unfettered Defense from the Invisible Blade.
Improved Reaction
At 2nd level, the duelist can improve their speed and reaction time, triggering the equivalent of the haste spell as if cast by a sorcerer of the duelist’s class level. This ability can be used once per day at 2nd level, three times per day at 4th level, four times per day at 6th level, five times per day at 8th level, and 6 times per day at 10th level.
Enhanced Mobility
At 3rd level, the duelist gains an additional +4 dodge bonus to AC against attacks of opportunity provoked by movement. This bonus stacks with that granted by the Mobility feat.
Grace
At 4th level, the duelist gains a +2 bonus on Reflex saves.
Precise Strike
At 5th level, the duelist gains the ability to strike precisely with a light or one-handed piercing weapon, gaining 1d6 piercing damage. This only works against enemies vulnerable to critical hits. Precise Strike is automatically in effect when the duelist has no off-hand weapon or shield. At 10th level, the damage increases to 2d6.
Flourish
At 6th-level, Duelists can make an impressive, flashy attack with a light or one-handed piercing weapon that catches their foe off guard. This attack deals 2d6 additional points of piercing damage. There is no limit to the number of times per day the duelist may use this ability, but has a 30-second “cool down” between uses.
Elaborate Parry
At 7th level, the duelist masters the art of defense with their blade. Whenever they wield a light or one-handed piercing weapon, they add their duelist level to Parry checks.
Deflect Arrows
A 9th-level duelist gains deflect arrows as a bonus feat.
Bug Notes
As of the 1.10 Patch, Canny Defense now shows up properly on the character screen. It did not in previous patches.
NWN comparison
- This class didn't exist in NWN (but was included in the fan-made PRC pack).
DnD 3.5 comparison
- The parry skill was created by NWN and is not a feature of DnD 3.5. It has returned in NWN2 for the same reasons it was in NWN.
- In DnD 3.5, Improved Reaction grants a +2 bonus to Initiative checks at level 2. This bonus increases to +4 at level 8.
- In DnD 3.5, Elaborate Parry grants +1 Dodge AC bonus per Duelist level when fighting defensively or using total defense.
- In DnD 3.5, the Duelist receives Acrobatic Charge at level 6 instead of Flourish.