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View Full Version : Pathfinder Dex-based Fighter A.K.A. "The Duelist"



pablcol
2015-10-10, 05:34 AM
All right, all right, don't shoot me for that thread title.

I have made a search and, knowing that this isn't the first post in this forum, it seems that I won't be getting many responses in here, but I want to, at least share my questions and "build" around here, if someone reads it.

So, let's begin: the main topic is that I want to build a Fighter, but not a Standard STR/CON Fighter. The idea here came by reading the "Duelist Bard" Archetype... and thought, "Why the Nine Hells there isn't a proper "duelist" class; then I cried a little, and stopped to thought again, "Maybe I should build a DEX-Duelist-Fighter!". The idea was cool in first place... but it became clear soon that that was going to be a nightmare; but hey! what would life be without a little of "spice" and some challenges? Let’s see how I have been doing so far.

Before getting inside the actual character build, I want to explain the main concept and ideas behind this: even though this is a DEX-based fighter, it has a particular purpose, and that is to engage combat as fast as possible, then try to disarm the foes whoever he/she is fighting to. The main topic behind this is that I don’t want him/her to be optimized to deal the most possible damage with the carried weapon, which is a Rapier, actually, I just want that the character be as competent and capable of doing that thing, which is mastering the combat maneuver of disarming.
For that, what I am trying to get, is a very fast, very agile combatant, and the inclusion of feats like “Dodge” or “Agile Maneuvers” are a must, but I am not very sure of including things like “Vital (and Greater Vital) Strike”; that’s why I am here, to clarify my mind with the thoughts and recommendations of other people.
On other topic, even I’m including things like the Ability Scores increases concerning levels, I’m not including HERE (at the forum build) other things like Armor and Weapon Training, and bravery, but I actually have those in mind while building it.
Without further wait, here it is, my Duelist.

== ABILITY SCORES ==

Here are my base ability scores, assuming a High Fantasy (20 points) camping setting.

Race: Elf.



Lvl. 1 Char
Base
Points purchase
Costs
Racial mod (elf)
Final scores





(As of 20 avaliable)

(Being a 1st level char)


STR
10
14
5
+0
14


CON
10
12
2
-2
10


DEX
10
17
13
+2
19


INT
10
11
1
+2
13


WIS
10
9
-1
+0
9


CHA
10
10
0
+0
10



Rationale:

STR: Even though this is not a Strength based fighter, it is always nice to have a little amount of STR when not fighting with your prefered weapon, isn't it?
CON: I know, I know, one of the biggest downsides of my base character, but I hadn't that many room to maneuver since the elf race was the most logical for my purposes.
DEX: The main focus of this character, a, nearly, maximized Dexterity score at level 1. See "Char advancement" for further information.
INT: I really don't like this archetype for the "big, dumb, muscle mass fighter", so I added a little more-than-average Intelligence socre to my duelist... Okay, you got me, there's a pure rule background too: it's here because a plentiful amonunt of feats I want, need at least INT 13 to be picked.
WIS: Hmmm, this is just for getting that extra point I needed to make possible the 19 level 1 DEX Ability score.
CHA: This is more a personal choice, that anything else. In the average. I just don't want to scare my story-important NPC listener because of my looks xD.

Those are my base statics and Ability Scores for the Fighter. In my next post I’ll write down my actual build.

pablcol
2015-10-10, 05:36 AM
------- Reserved ------- :3

gartius
2015-10-10, 06:38 AM
I'd like to point out there is a duelist class based on dex-the swashbuckler

ghanjrho
2015-10-10, 07:59 AM
I recommend looking at the Free Hand Fighter or Lore Warden archetypes. They don't stack, sadly, but both of them go for that disarm-based combat style.

Mehangel
2015-10-10, 08:37 AM
If you are going to be front-line melee, you NEED constitution (unless you dont have a constitution score such as an undead). I would recommend doing one of the following:

A) Switch Str with Con.
B) Dump Cha and bump up Con.

MyrPsychologist
2015-10-10, 08:41 AM
Why a fighter adaptation? Wouldn't it be easier to just build this through an unchained rogue? Since they get weapon finesse and dex to damage for free and all.

Vhaidara
2015-10-10, 09:49 AM
Inspired Blade (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/hybrid-classes/swashbuckler/archetypes/paizo---swashbuckler-archetypes/inspired-blade) Swashbuckler (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/hybrid-classes/swashbuckler) seems to be EXACTLY what you are looking for. And take Fencing Grace (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/fencing-grace-combat) at level 1 to do damage and keep yourself from being disarmed.

SorenKnight
2015-10-10, 10:30 AM
You should consider the Fencing Grace (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/fencing-grace-combat) feat. It gives you dexterity to damage rolls instead of strength. With that you could afford to dump strength and raise something else, like constitution.

Edited for grammar.

Grod_The_Giant
2015-10-10, 11:35 AM
Inspired Blade (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/hybrid-classes/swashbuckler/archetypes/paizo---swashbuckler-archetypes/inspired-blade) Swashbuckler (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/hybrid-classes/swashbuckler) seems to be EXACTLY what you are looking for. And take Fencing Grace (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/combat-feats/fencing-grace-combat) at level 1 to do damage and keep yourself from being disarmed.
This. Pathfinder luckily made what you're trying to do a lot easier than 3.5 did- you can get everything you need in one level and two feats (the aforementioned Swashbuckler archetype, Fencing Grace and Agile Maneuvers). Your can get it all in at level one if you're playing a human. The Swashbuckler level gets you two bonus feats you'd normally need for a Dex fighter, along with some neat tricks.

Vhaidara
2015-10-10, 11:42 AM
This. Pathfinder luckily made what you're trying to do a lot easier than 3.5 did- you can get everything you need in one level and two feats (the aforementioned Swashbuckler archetype, Fencing Grace and Agile Maneuvers). Your can get it all in at level one if you're playing a human. The Swashbuckler level gets you two bonus feats you'd normally need for a Dex fighter, along with some neat tricks.

You don't even need Agile Maneuvers for his build. Weapon Finesse works for Sunder, Disarm, and Trip (http://paizo.com/paizo/faq/v5748nruor1fm#v5748eaic9ojt)

Agile Maneuvers is for Dex on things like Grapple, Dirty Trick, Reposition, etc.

Grod_The_Giant
2015-10-10, 12:30 PM
You don't even need Agile Maneuvers for his build. Weapon Finesse works for Sunder, Disarm, and Trip (http://paizo.com/paizo/faq/v5748nruor1fm#v5748eaic9ojt)

Agile Maneuvers is for Dex on things like Grapple, Dirty Trick, Reposition, etc.
Oh, neat. Did not know that.