Duelist

The Duelist is a nimble, intelligent fighter trained in making precise attacks with the following dueling weapons; dagger, rapier, short sword, and spear. Also known as the swashbuckler, the Duelist always takes full advantage of his quick reflexes and wits in a fight. Rather than wearing bulky armor, Duelists feel that the best way to protect themselves is to not get hit at all.

Requirements

Base Attack Bonus: +6

Skills: Tumble 5 ranks, Perform 5 ranks

Feats: Dodge, Mobility, Weapon Finesse, Weapon Proficiency (Martial, Rogue or Elf)

Hit Die: d10

Proficiencies: Weapons (Simple, Martial)

Skill Points: 4 + INT

Class Skills: Bluff, Craft (all), Escape Artist, Discipline, Heal, Intimidate, Knowledge (all), Listen, Lore, Parry, Perform, Profession (all), Sense Motive, Spot, Taunt, Tumble

Lvl	BAB	Fort	Ref	Will	Special
1st	+1	+0	+2	+0	Elaborate Parry
2nd	+2	+0	+3	+0	Thug, Improved Initiative
3rd	+3	+1	+3	+1	Spring Attack, Precise Strike (+1d6)
4th	+4	+1	+4	+1	Grace
5th	+5	+1	+4	+1	Canny Defense
6th	+6/+1	+2	+5	+2	Precise Strike (+1d6)
7th	+7/+2	+2	+5	+2	+5% Dodge Chance
8th	+8/+3	+2	+6	+2	Improved Finesse
9th	+9/+4	+3	+6	+3	Deflect Arrows, Precise Strike (+1d6)
10th	+10/+5	+3	+7	+3	+15% Piercing Damage Done

Canny Defense

When not wearing armor or using a shield or off-hand weapon, a duelist adds 1 point of Intelligence bonus (if any) per duelist class level to her Dexterity bonus to modify Armor Class while wielding a melee weapon. If a duelist is caught flat-footed or otherwise denied her Dexterity bonus, she also loses this bonus. This is done by manipulating tumble ranks. When you level up, ensure that Canny Defense is not active. This will be enforced.

Thug

At 2nd level a Duelist gains the Thug feat, which grants the Duelist a +2 bonus to Initiative and Persuade checks.

Improved Initiative

At 2nd level a Duelist gains the Improved Initiative feat.

Spring Attack

At 3rd level a Duelist gains the Spring Attack feat.

Grace

At 4th level, a duelist gains an additional +2 competence bonus on all Reflex saving throws. This ability functions for a duelist only when she is wearing no armor and has nothing equipped in their off-hand.

Precise Strike

At 5th level, a duelist gains the ability to strike precisely with a light or one-handed piercing weapon, gaining an extra 1d6 damage added to her normal damage roll. When making a precise strike, a duelist cannot attack with a weapon in her other hand or use a shield. A duelist’s precise strike only works against living creatures with discernible anatomies. Any creature that is immune to critical hits is not vulnerable to a precise strike, and any item or ability that protects a creature from critical hits also protects a creature from a precise strike. At 10th level, the extra damage on a precise strike increases to +2d6.

Elaborate Parry

Bonus to Parry Skill or Armor Class.

Parry mode: The Duelist gains a bonus to their parry skill equal to their Duelist level, while this mode is active. Whenever you parry an attack in Parry Mode you gain deflection AC equal to your duelist level and concealment equal to 8 * Duelist level for 1.5 seconds. Deals damage to the attacker equal to half your parry ranks on a successful parry. This damage is piercing damage.

Defensive Fighting Mode: The Duelist gains a bonus to their armor class equal to their Duelist level +2 (maximum +12), but suffers a -4 attack penalty, while this mode is active. This ability may not be used with Expertise/Improved Expertise.

Improved Weapon Finesse

The duelist adds their dexterity modifier to their damage instead of their strength, if higher.

Deflect Arrows

At 9th level a Duelist gains the Deflect Arrows feat.