Fighters of the Florentine archetype practice a refined and deadly style of dual weapon combat, rooted in ancient traditions of honor, discipline, and fluid motion. To the untrained eye, a Florentine duelist appears like a dancer — their blades a blur, their footing poised, their expression calm even in the heart of battle. But beneath the elegance lies ruthless precision and centuries of honed battlefield wisdom.

The Florentine style originated in the fortified city-states of the Old World, where narrow alleyways and palace duels demanded a fighting technique that combined grace, agility, and relentless offense. Originally developed by swordmasters hired to protect nobility, the technique spread through fencing schools and clandestine orders until it became an art of its own — respected by strategists and feared by assassins.

The name "Florentine" originates from its symbolic birthplace — the city of Florence, whose scholars and soldiers combined philosophy with warfare. There, weapon masters discovered the advantage of pairing a longer blade with a shorter one, not simply for offense, but for control. A Florentine fighter doesn't just fight — they shape the battlefield, forcing foes into openings, baiting attacks, and punishing recklessness with precision.

Code and Discipline

Though not bound by oaths like paladins, many Florentines uphold an inner code — one that values clarity, efficiency, and respect for the art of combat. Some see themselves as protectors, using their skills to defend others. Others become legendary duelists or mercenaries, their names whispered with awe or fear.

No matter where they walk, the world sees their stance and knows: this one is no brawler. This is a blade-master. This is Florentine.

Level 3: Two-Weapon Training

Any melee weapon you wield in one hand that deals piercing or slashing damage and is not Heavy is treated as though it has the Light property while you wield it.

You also gain Proficiency on Performance.

Level 3: Florentine Flair

Starting at 3rd level, your relentless dueling style rewards precision and pressure.

If you hit a creature three times during your turn, you can make an additional attack with your off-hand weapon as a Free Action.
This extra attack must target a creature you have already hit this turn and uses your off-hand weapon.

You can use this feature once per turn.

Level 7: Parry

Starting at 7th level, your poised defense turns enemy aggression into opportunity, deflecting strikes with finesse and answering with steel.

When a creature makes a melee attack roll against you, you can use your reaction to increase your AC until the end of the current turn. This bonus is up to the damage die of your weapon.

d4: +4 AC
d6: +3 AC
d8: +2 AC

If this increase causes the attack to miss, you may immediately make a melee attack against the attacker with advantage. Whether or not the counterattack hits, you retain the AC bonus until the start of your next turn. 

Level 10: Ambidextrous

Starting at 10th level, you gain mastery over the weapon you wield in your off hand.

When a weapon you wield in off-hand does not have Nick property, it gains this property.

If the off-hand weapon already has Nick, you can add Vex, Sap, or Slow properties to your weapon.

This property can be changed after you take a Long Rest.

Level 15: Dansante

Starting at 15th level

When you use your Action Surge, you may also reset the use limitation of Nick on your weapons and Florentine Flair, allowing you to reapply them as if they were unused.

*You must land the attack 3 more times to activate Florentine Flair for the second time.

Level 18: Flawless Riposte

When a creature misses you with a melee attack, you can immediately make a melee attack against that creature without using a reaction. You may use this feature multiple times in a round, but only once per creature.