Ultimate Duelist

Adventurers League Build Guide

A 1st-20th level build guide suitable for Adventurers League play

Not for resale. Permission granted to print or photocopy this document for personal use only. ULTIMATE DUELIST
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 Ultimate Duelist
Adventurers League Build Guide

A 1st-20th level build guide suitable for Adventurers League play

Writing: David Friant, Doug Vehovec

Editing: Doug Vehovec
Layout and Design: Doug Vehovec

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2 ULTIMATE DUELIST Not for resale. Permission granted to print or photocopy this document for personal use only.
 swords, rapiers, shortswords
Duelist Tools: Thieves' tools
The duelist is all about fighting one on one. We envi- Saving Throws: Dexterity, Intelligence
sion them as being quick of wit and foot. Taking Skills: Acrobatics, Athletics, Intimidation, Performance
inspiration from of our favorite swashbucklers.
— Nerdarchy
Step 3 — Ability Scores
PHB +1
Xanathar’s Guide to Everything STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

On this one we are leaning heavy on Xanathar’s 8 (-1) 14 (+2) 15 (+2) 12 (+1) 10 (+0) 13 (+1)
Guide to Everything for access to the Samurai mar-
tial archetype for fighters and Swashbuckler roguish Step 4 — Background
archetype for rogues. Charlatan
Skills: Deception, Sleight of Hand
Languages: None
Step-by-step character build guide Tools: Disguise kit, forgery kit
Each step of the way, this guide will show you the
We were torn between charlatan and noble back-
choices made that are significant to this character
grounds. Instead of being a noble we went with a
build. Options that are of particular importance to
suave, debonair individual who masquerades as a
this character’s effectiveness are in bold.
noble.

Step 1 — Race
Step 5 — Class and Level Progression
Lightfoot halfling
Level Class Gains
Race option from the Player’s Handbook.
1 Rogue Expertise — Athletics,
We are modeling this character off of a highway Intimidation, Sneak Attack,
halfling from a book series we enjoy. Lightfoot hal- 2 Fighter Fighting Style — Duelist,
fling works perfect for its Dexterity and Charisma Second Wind, Proficiencies —
bonuses. We're not gonna lie, we also found it to be Martial Weapons, Medium Armor,
a little bit funny to make our swashbuckling hero a Shields
tiny terror.
3 Fighter Action Surge
4 Rogue Cunning Action
Proficiencies
5 Rogue Roguish Archetype —
Armor: None Swashbuckler, Fancy Footwork,
Weapons: None Rakish Audacity
Tools: None 6 Rogue Feat — Martial Adept (Disarming
Attack, Riposte)
Skills: None
7 Fighter Martial Archetype — Samurai,
Languages: Common, Halfling
Bonus Proficiency — Persuasion,
Fighting Spirit
8 Fighter Feat — Resilient (Constitution)
Step 2 — Class
9 Fighter Extra Attack
1st level
10 Fighter Ability Score Improvement —
Start with Rogue
+2 Dexterity
We are starting with the rogue from the Player’s
11 Rogue Uncanny Dodge
Handbook that offers up more skills so we are go-
ing to take advantage of that early. 12 Rogue Expertise — Deception, Persuasion
13 Rogue Evasion
Proficiencies 14 Rogue Ability Score Improvement —
+2 Dexterity
Armor: Light armor
Weapons: Simple weapons, hand crossbows, long- 15 Fighter Elegant Courtier

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 16 Fighter Ability Score Improvement —
+2 Constitution
17 Fighter Indomitable
18 Fighter Tireless Spirit
19 Fighter Extra Attack (2)
20 Fighter Ability Score Improvement —
+2 Constitution

Conclusion
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
8 (-1) 20 (+5) 20 (+5) 10 (+0) 12 (+1) 14 (+2)

Final Ability Scores

Proficiencies
Armor: Light armor, medium armor, shields
Weapons: Martial weapons, simple weapons
Tools: Disguise kit, forgery kit, thieves' tools
Saving Throws: Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence,
Wisdom
Skills: Acrobatics, Athletics (Expertise), Deception
(Expertise), Intimidation (Expertise), Performance,
Persuasion (Expertise), Sleight of Hand Master Duelist
Languages: Common, Halfling, Thieves' Cant Medium humanoid (any race), any
Armor Class 18 (studded leather)
Hit Points 78 (12d8 + 24)
Further Resources Speed 30 ft.
Character creation, build, roleplaying tips and
backstory elements are discussed in a video on STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
the Nerdarchy YouTube channel here. In the video 8 (-1) 18 (+4) 15 (+2) 12 (+1) 10 (+0) 14 (+2)
description, you can find a link to this character Saving Throws Dexterity +8, Wisdom +3
build on D&D Beyond.
Skills Athletics +2, Deception +4, Intimidation +4, Per-
suasion +4

For Dungeon Masters Senses passive Perception 10

Languages Common, one other language
We thought it would be fun and useful to take our
player character builds and create a version of them Challenge 6 (2,300 XP)
as a creature stat block for Dungeon Masters.
This character can be used as an ally, villain, or color- Precision. A melee weapon deals one extra die of its
ful NPC to engage the adventurers in your own home damage when the master duelist hits with it (includ-
games. In the video linked above we discuss several ed in the attack).
ways to use this character in your D&D games.
The master duelist makes a fine foil to one of the
more combat-oriented characters in the party. Fancy Footwork. If the master duelist makes a melee
attack against a creature, that creature can’t make
Or perhaps they are a local bully terrorizing a town opportunity attacks against it for the rest of its turn.
the party is passing through. They've got a gang
of ne'er-do-wells like thugs or veterans constantly
surrounding them. Fierce Defense. While the master duelist is wear-
They could even have a piece of information or ing light or no armor and wielding no shield, its AC
an item the party needs that they’ll only give up includes its Charisma modifier.
if a party member can defeat them in one-on-one
single combat.

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Actions

Multiattack. The master duelist makes two short-

sword attacks. If it has a second shortsword drawn, it
can also make another shortsword attack.

Shortsword. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5

ft., 1 target. Hit: 13 (2d6 +6) piercing damage.

Fighting Spirit (3/day). As a bonus action on your

turn, the master duelist can give itself advantage on
weapon attack rolls until the end of the current turn.
When it does so, it also gain 10 temporary hit points.

Reaction

Parry. The master duelist adds 3 to its AC against one

melee attack that would hit it. To do so, the master
duelist must see the attacker and be wielding a melee
weapon.

More online
Check out the Nerdarchy YouTube channel for
videos where we discuss all these character builds
and encounters, share tips and insights and
more.
Nerdarchy also has a series of Adventurers League
Character Guides that include level breakdowns
from 1st-20th level, plus a bonus for Dungeon
Masters — a brand new creature stat block in-
spired by the character build for use as an ally,
NPC or antagonist in your D&D games.
• Mind Breaker Paladin
• Zen Archery Master
• Sewer Ninja Tortle
• Nature Possessed Warforged
• Scaled Skald
• Quick Strike
• Night Parade

• Combat Medic

• The Roper Wrangler Encounter

• The Hag's Apprentice

• Kobold Cavalry Encounter

Thank you to the Nerdarchy and D&D commu-
nity for continued support and until next time,
stay nerdy!

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