Hey y'all, I've been bouncing an interesting idea around my head: making a realistic athlete character in D&D. My first idea was a fencer, as the rapier already exists in dnd and fencing was popular in medieval times. I have a few ideas on how to make this kind of character, but I'm open to suggestions.
Idea 1: battle master fighter (2014 or 24).
This one is simple. A dex based fighter with a rapier as a foil or epee, the dueling fighting style, and the battle master subclass. Take parry, lunging attack, and riposte, and you're good to go.
Idea 2: swashbuckler rogue (2014 or 24).
This was my first idea: swashbuckler rogue welding a rapier, acting as a foil or epee. Seems obvious, but kinda boring.
Idea 3: kensei monk (2024).
Okay, hear me out here. With kensei monk, you can use a longsword with dex, acting as a sabre. You can dodge on your turn as a bonus action (parrying withe your blade) and deflect attacks (riposte). Also you can run fast which is cool I guess.
Any other ideas would be appreciated.
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I thought about it a bit and no new ideas here but I think a champion might do better for the fighter build I play 2014 only so if that’s different, let me know
What are you doing with the other hand? I ask because D&D really assumes you are using both hands, either a second weapon or a shield. Where, to me a classic fencer has the other hand free.
You certainly don’t have to use your other hand, but you’re really nerfing yourself. The standard choice is either better AC (shield) or more damage (second weapon, or two-handed weapon) and the choice hit a fencer seems to be, neither.
What are you doing with the other hand? I ask because D&D really assumes you are using both hands, either a second weapon or a shield. Where, to me a classic fencer has the other hand free.
You certainly don’t have to use your other hand, but you’re really nerfing yourself. The standard choice is either better AC (shield) or more damage (second weapon, or two-handed weapon) and the choice hit a fencer seems to be, neither.
Well if we're aiming for realism then nothing in the off hand. But technically you could use a shield, but then your swordfighting, not fencing. Maybe a torch or lantern?
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I'm just your everyday dungeon master. Ignore that jar full of souls. And those bones in the corner are just props, don't worry. I'm definitely NOT a lich. Definitely.
Yes, I like beholders. Yes, I curated an exquisite personality for commoner #2864. Yes, my catchphrase is "are you sure?"
Monks are canonically magical in nature, so for a true realistic character you're looking at Fighter or Rogue. Battlemaster has plenty of thematic options, but you can also multiclass Fighter and Rogue (Swashbuckler) if you want. It depends what kind of fencer you want to play. A traditional upper class honourable-duel type fencer is definitely a battlemaster, whereas your Zorro or highway man type fencer would be a Swashbuckler Rogue.
Note that D&D is explicitly high-fantasy so it's really hard to play it as an ordinary character beyond level 5 or so.
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Hey y'all, I've been bouncing an interesting idea around my head: making a realistic athlete character in D&D. My first idea was a fencer, as the rapier already exists in dnd and fencing was popular in medieval times. I have a few ideas on how to make this kind of character, but I'm open to suggestions.
Idea 1: battle master fighter (2014 or 24).
This one is simple. A dex based fighter with a rapier as a foil or epee, the dueling fighting style, and the battle master subclass. Take parry, lunging attack, and riposte, and you're good to go.
Idea 2: swashbuckler rogue (2014 or 24).
This was my first idea: swashbuckler rogue welding a rapier, acting as a foil or epee. Seems obvious, but kinda boring.
Idea 3: kensei monk (2024).
Okay, hear me out here. With kensei monk, you can use a longsword with dex, acting as a sabre. You can dodge on your turn as a bonus action (parrying withe your blade) and deflect attacks (riposte). Also you can run fast which is cool I guess.
Any other ideas would be appreciated.
I'm just your everyday dungeon master. Ignore that jar full of souls. And those bones in the corner are just props, don't worry. I'm definitely NOT a lich. Definitely.
Yes, I like beholders. Yes, I curated an exquisite personality for commoner #2864. Yes, my catchphrase is "are you sure?"
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PM "Avocado" to Pug_With_Big_Weapons for a prize.
Don't touch the Jar
I thought about it a bit and no new ideas here but I think a champion might do better for the fighter build I play 2014 only so if that’s different, let me know
What are you doing with the other hand? I ask because D&D really assumes you are using both hands, either a second weapon or a shield. Where, to me a classic fencer has the other hand free.
You certainly don’t have to use your other hand, but you’re really nerfing yourself. The standard choice is either better AC (shield) or more damage (second weapon, or two-handed weapon) and the choice hit a fencer seems to be, neither.
Well if we're aiming for realism then nothing in the off hand. But technically you could use a shield, but then your swordfighting, not fencing. Maybe a torch or lantern?
I'm just your everyday dungeon master. Ignore that jar full of souls. And those bones in the corner are just props, don't worry. I'm definitely NOT a lich. Definitely.
Yes, I like beholders. Yes, I curated an exquisite personality for commoner #2864. Yes, my catchphrase is "are you sure?"
.-. .- -. -.. --- -- / -- --- .-. ... . / -.-. --- -.. . .-.-.-
PM "Avocado" to Pug_With_Big_Weapons for a prize.
Don't touch the Jar
Monks are canonically magical in nature, so for a true realistic character you're looking at Fighter or Rogue. Battlemaster has plenty of thematic options, but you can also multiclass Fighter and Rogue (Swashbuckler) if you want. It depends what kind of fencer you want to play. A traditional upper class honourable-duel type fencer is definitely a battlemaster, whereas your Zorro or highway man type fencer would be a Swashbuckler Rogue.
Note that D&D is explicitly high-fantasy so it's really hard to play it as an ordinary character beyond level 5 or so.