Identity
The Duelist is the iconic court swordsman of the Aurelion Ascendancy — trained in the salle, oathed to a House, called out to settle questions of honor that the Ascendancy's law leaves unsettled. The fighting style is single-weapon, footwork-driven, and surgical: a Duelist does not trade blows; she answers them. Outside the Aurelion court the same training appears in Drownside knife-duelists, frontier pistol-and-blade specialists, and the few Halcyion officers who keep the old saber drill alive for ceremonial reasons.
Features
- L3 Salle Training
You gain proficiency in the Persuasion skill if you do not already have it. While wielding a finesse weapon in one hand and no other weapon or shield, you gain a +1 bonus to AC and your weapon damage die is increased by one step (1d6 becomes 1d8, 1d8 becomes 1d10; maximum 1d10). This stacks with the Dueling Fighting Style if you have it.
- L7 Parry and Riposte
When a creature within reach of your wielded finesse weapon makes a melee attack against you and misses, you can use your reaction to make a single melee attack against that creature with the same weapon. You can use this feature a number of times equal to your DEX modifier per short rest (minimum 1). Additionally, when an attack roll against you ties your AC, treat it as a miss instead of a hit (the Duelist's standard footwork).
- L11 Named Challenge
As a bonus action on your turn, you can issue a Named Challenge to one creature you can see within 30 ft who can hear and understand you. Until the end of your next short rest, until the target is reduced to 0 HP, or until you issue a new Named Challenge: you have advantage on attack rolls against the target with your wielded finesse weapon; the target has disadvantage on attack rolls against creatures other than you; and you take half damage (rounded down) from the target's first attack against you on each of its turns. You can issue a Named Challenge a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus per long rest.
- L15 Court Presence
Your reputation precedes you. You have advantage on Charisma (Intimidation) and Charisma (Persuasion) checks made against any creature that has heard your name, witnessed you fight, or is aware of your standing in the Aurelion duelling registries (or your equivalent reputation in another setting). Additionally, in any social setting where dueling is an accepted means of resolution, you may call out a single opponent as a bonus action; if the opponent refuses the duel publicly, you have advantage on all Charisma checks made against witnesses of the refusal for the next hour.
- L18 Master of the Salle
Your reaction is no longer expended by Parry and Riposte — you may use it once per round at no cost. Additionally, when you score a critical hit with a finesse weapon, you may immediately move up to half your speed without provoking opportunity attacks and make one additional attack against any creature within reach at the end of that movement. Once per long rest, when you are reduced to 0 HP and not killed outright, you instead drop to 1 HP, gain a free use of Action Surge, and have advantage on all attack rolls until the end of your next turn.