Fencer (5e Subclass)
| “ | Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die. | ” |
| —The Princess Pride | ||
| “ | "Do you know how to use that thing?" "Yes. The pointy end goes into the other man." |
” |
| —The Mask of Zorro | ||
Fencer[edit]
Roguish Archetype
Fencers have dedicated themselves to the art of the duel and the mastery of their chosen weapon. They train rigorously in order to deftly and precisely dictate the flow of combat through maneuvering and footwork, and exploit flaws in their opponent’s technique or gaps in their defenses to deliver crippling, often lethal blows.
- Duelist's Stance
When you choose this archetype at 3rd level, you learn how to use incredible precision to deflect and avoid blows. When you are not wearing heavy armor or wielding a shield, if you are wielding a light or finesse weapon, you gain a bonus to your AC equal to half your proficiency bonus rounded up. Additionally, you learn one of the following Fighting Styles:
- Dueling. When you are wielding a melee weapon in one hand and no other weapons, you gain a +2 bonus to damage rolls with that weapon.
- Two-Weapon Fighting. When you engage in two-weapon fighting, you can add your ability modifier to the damage of the second attack.
- En Garde!
Starting at 3rd level, you can use the bonus action granted by your Cunning Action to perform a feint, choosing one creature within 5 feet of you as your target. You have advantage on your next attack roll against that creature this turn. Additionally, any opportunity attacks you make with a light or finesse weapon can apply your Sneak Attack damage if you do not have disadvantage on the attack roll.
- Reflexive
Starting at 9th level, you move with preternatural swiftness, reacting to blows almost before they even begin. When you take the Dodge action, you can make an attack with a light or finesse weapon as a bonus action. In addition, when you are knocked prone, you can use your reaction to kick up, instantly returning to the standing position. If you do so, your movement speed is halved until the end of your next turn, or until you take the Disengage action.
- Punishing Strike
At 13th level, your cunning and combat experience allows you to exploit minute imperfections in your foes' movements. When a creature within 5 feet of you misses with an attack, regardless of their target, you can use your reaction to make an opportunity attack with a melee weapon against that creature.
- Fencing Mastery
At 17th level, your precision and lethality are the stuff of legends. When you are within 5 feet of a creature and no other creatures are within 5 feet of either of you, you gain the following benefits:
- You can add your full proficiency bonus, instead of just half of it, to your AC against that creature's attacks.
- You no longer require advantage on the attack roll to use your Sneak Attack against that creature.
- Whenever that creature misses you with an attack, you gain +1 to attack and damage rolls against that creature, to a maximum of +3. This bonus is immediately lost if that creature hits you with an attack, or if you miss that creature with an attack.
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