June 06, 2026

The Swordsman Class

The swordsman is a precision fighter. Unlike the brute warrior who relies on raw strength, shields, heavy armor, or rage, the swordsman wins through timing, angles, footwork, counters, blade control, and mastery of specialized weapons.

They are not just “people with swords.” They are trained duelists, battlefield cutters, bodyguards, royal champions, wandering blade masters, mercenary captains, assassin-hunters, and disciplined killers.

A proper swordsman system should make the player feel like they are controlling someone who has spent years mastering the blade.

Core Identity

The swordsman should focus on:

Precision
They do not waste movement. Their strikes target wrists, knees, shoulders, necks, exposed ribs, tendons, armor gaps, and weapon hands.

Footwork
They dodge by inches, circle enemies, step inside attacks, pivot around shields, and reposition constantly.

Counters
The swordsman should punish reckless enemies. If an enemy swings wildly, the swordsman should be able to parry, redirect, disarm, riposte, or cut them down.

Weapon Mastery
Different swords should change the way they fight. A longsword should not feel like a saber. A rapier should not feel like a greatsword. A curved blade should not feel like a straight blade.

Style Switching
A master swordsman should have combat stances or forms that change their moveset.

Specialized Weapons

1. Longsword

The classic balanced weapon.

Best for:

Duels
Counters
Two-handed control
Guard breaking
Versatility

Special moves:

Half-Sword Thrust
The swordsman grips the blade with one hand and drives the point into armor gaps.

Mordhau Strike
The swordsman flips the sword and strikes with the pommel or crossguard like a hammer, useful against armored enemies.

Crossguard Trap
Catches an enemy blade against the crossguard and twists it aside.

Shoulder-Line Cut
A diagonal slash aimed at the collarbone, shoulder, or upper chest.

Binding Pressure
Locks blades with the enemy and forces them off balance.

2. Rapier

A duelist’s weapon.

Best for:

Speed
Thrusting
One-on-one fights
Weak-point attacks
Dexterity builds

Special moves:

Needle Thrust
A fast thrust to the throat, eye, armpit, or exposed joint.

Duelist’s Lunge
A long-reaching forward attack that closes distance instantly.

Wrist Flick Cut
A quick slash to the enemy’s weapon hand, reducing their attack speed.

Thread the Guard
A precision thrust that bypasses shields or heavy guard.

Elegant Riposte
After a successful parry, the swordsman instantly counters with a lethal thrust.

3. Saber

A fast curved blade built for slashing.

Best for:

Mounted combat
Quick cuts
Fighting lightly armored enemies
Hit-and-run attacks
Bleeding wounds

Special moves:

Crescent Cut
A sweeping curved slash that hits multiple enemies in front.

Hamstring Sweep
Cuts the back of the leg, slowing or crippling the target.

Rider’s Draw Cut
A moving slash that becomes stronger while sprinting or mounted.

Backhand Arc
A reverse cut that catches enemies trying to flank.

Whirl of Steel
A fast spinning slash, useful when surrounded.

4. Greatsword

A large battlefield sword.

Best for:

Crowd control
Armor damage
Heavy stagger
Wide arcs
Anti-monster combat

Special moves:

Executioner’s Drop
A brutal overhead strike that can break helmets, shields, and guard.

Sweeping Reaper
A huge horizontal swing that knocks enemies back.

Impaling Charge
The swordsman drives the greatsword forward into a large enemy or monster.

Ground Splitter
A heavy downward strike that creates a shockwave if magically enhanced.

Monster Cleaver
A specialized attack against ogres, demons, dragons, brontos, and large creatures.

5. Shortsword

A close-range weapon.

Best for:

Fast attacks
Rogue-warrior hybrids
Shield pairing
Grappling range
Tight spaces

Special moves:

Rib Needle
A fast stab under the ribs.

Close-Quarters Flurry
Multiple rapid strikes at very short range.

Blade Hook
Uses the sword to pull an enemy’s weapon arm aside.

Knee Cut
A low slash that damages movement.

Second-Hand Finish
If paired with a dagger, the swordsman uses both blades in a brutal combo.

6. Falchion

A heavy chopping sword.

Best for:

Cleaving
Breaking bones
Fighting through armor
Brutal close combat
Mercenary-style fighters

Special moves:

Butcher’s Chop
A heavy cut that damages armor and causes trauma.

Shield Biter
A chopping strike that weakens or splits shields.

Collar Splitter
A downward diagonal chop aimed at the neck and shoulder.

Hooking Cleave
A curved strike that pulls enemies off balance.

Mercenary Finish
A brutal execution-style move used when the enemy is staggered.

7. Twin Blades

Dual sword style.

Best for:

Speed
Combo chains
Aggressive offense
Evasion
Stylish combat

Special moves:

Twin Fang Strike
Both blades stab into the target at once.

Cross-Cut
Two slashes form an X across the enemy’s chest.

Blade Cyclone
A spinning multi-hit attack.

Mirror Parry
One blade blocks while the other counters.

Relentless Pattern
Every successful hit increases attack speed temporarily.

Swordsman Skill Trees

The swordsman should have multiple paths, not just one generic damage tree.

Skill Tree 1: Duelist

Focused on one-on-one mastery.

Core Abilities

Opening Read
The swordsman studies the enemy’s stance. After a few seconds, they gain bonus accuracy and counter chance.

Parry and Riposte
Blocks an incoming attack at the perfect moment and instantly counters.

Disarming Twist
Attempts to knock the enemy’s weapon away.

Blade Feint
The swordsman fakes an attack, causing the enemy to block the wrong side.

Killing Line
A precise thrust that deals major damage if the enemy is attacking.

Ultimate Ability

The Final Exchange
The swordsman enters a dueling state. Time slows slightly. The enemy attacks, and if the player times the counter correctly, the swordsman delivers a cinematic finishing strike.

This should feel like a true master blade moment.

Skill Tree 2: Battlefield Swordsman

Focused on fighting multiple enemies.

Core Abilities

Circular Footwork
The swordsman moves around enemies faster and cannot be easily surrounded.

Wide Guard Cut
A sweeping attack that interrupts several enemies.

Push Through
The swordsman shoulder-checks or blade-checks an enemy to create space.

Steel Wall
A defensive stance that improves parries against multiple attackers.

Crowd Splitter
A strong slash that opens a path through enemy lines.

Ultimate Ability

Storm of Blades
The swordsman moves through a crowd, cutting multiple enemies in sequence. Each strike targets a different opponent. It should look controlled, not like random spinning.

Skill Tree 3: Armor-Piercing Swordcraft

Focused on fighting knights, golems, darkspawn elites, qunari, and armored enemies.

Core Abilities

Gap Finder
Reveals weak points in armor.

Half-Sword Drive
A controlled thrust into joints, helmet gaps, or underarm spaces.

Pommel Breaker
A blunt strike with the sword’s pommel that stuns armored targets.

Joint Cutter
Targets knees, elbows, or shoulders.

Guard Collapse
Repeated precise attacks weaken an armored enemy’s defense.

Ultimate Ability

Knight-Killer Technique
The swordsman enters a specialized anti-armor sequence: pommel strike, half-sword thrust, leg cut, and final drive through an exposed gap.

This would make armored enemies require technique, not just bigger damage numbers.

Skill Tree 4: Mystic Blade

For magical swordsmen or warriors trained around enchanted weapons.

Core Abilities

Runed Edge
Temporarily charges the sword with elemental damage.

Fade Step Cut
A short magical dash followed by a slash.

Spell-Splitter
Parries or cuts through incoming magical projectiles.

Spirit Edge
The blade damages demons, spirits, undead, and fade-touched creatures more effectively.

Arcane Guard
Creates a thin magical ward along the blade to block powerful attacks.

Ultimate Ability

Blade Between Worlds
The swordsman strikes from a half-step through the Fade, appearing behind the enemy and cutting through magical defenses.

This would fit Dragon Age very well if carefully explained through enchantment, ancient sword schools, Tevinter experiments, elven techniques, or spirit-bound blades.

Skill Tree 5: Royal Blade / Bodyguard

A defensive swordsman trained to protect others.

Core Abilities

Interpose
The swordsman instantly moves between an ally and an attacker.

Deflecting Guard
Parries attacks aimed at nearby allies.

Punish the Opening
If an enemy attacks an ally, the swordsman gains a counterattack bonus.

Hold the Line
The swordsman plants their feet and becomes harder to knock back.

Protector’s Cut
A slash that forces enemies to target the swordsman.

Ultimate Ability

No Blade Passes Me
For a short time, the swordsman automatically intercepts attacks aimed at nearby allies, parrying arrows, blades, and charging enemies.

This would make the swordsman useful beyond damage.

Specialized Moves

Parry Types

A real swordsman system should have different types of parries.

Hard Parry
Stops a heavy attack but costs stamina.

Soft Parry
Redirects the enemy’s blade and opens them up.

Cross Parry
Uses two blades or crossguard leverage to trap the enemy’s weapon.

Spell Parry
Available only through enchanted blades or Mystic Blade training.

Monster Parry
Does not fully stop huge monsters but redirects claws, bites, or weapon swings enough to survive.

Counter Moves

Riposte Thrust
A fast stab after a parry.

Elbow Cut
Targets the enemy’s attacking arm.

Throat Line
A lethal counter if the enemy has no helmet.

Inside Step Cut
The swordsman steps into the attack and cuts from close range.

Weapon-Hand Sever
A high-level counter that can disarm or maim.

Movement Skills

Blade Step
A quick sidestep with a slash.

Pivot Cut
Turns around an enemy and attacks their side.

Low Slip
Ducks under a horizontal attack.

Backstep Thrust
Retreats while stabbing forward.

Circle Walk
Maintains facing while moving around the enemy.

Advance Under Guard
Moves forward while keeping the blade positioned defensively.

Finishing Moves

Finishers should depend on weapon type and enemy condition.

Against Light Enemies

Clean Draw Cut
A fast slash across the body.

Heartline Thrust
A direct thrust through the chest.

Falling Leaf Cut
A graceful downward strike as the enemy collapses.

Against Armored Enemies

Helmet Hook and Thrust
The swordsman pulls the helmet aside and stabs into the gap.

Knee Break Finish
Cuts the leg, drops the enemy, and ends them with a downward strike.

Pommel Crush
Stuns with the pommel before finishing with the blade.

Against Monsters

Tendon Sever
Cuts the monster’s leg or joint.

Climb and Cut
For large creatures, the swordsman climbs briefly and drives the blade into a weak spot.

Eye-Line Thrust
A high-risk precision attack to the face.

Against Demons or Spirits

Spirit Sever
A glowing blade cut that disrupts the demon’s form.

Fade Anchor Strike
Pins a spirit temporarily to the physical world.

Banishing Cut
A finishing move that tears through the spirit’s connection to the area.

Sword Styles / Forms

The player should be able to unlock sword forms. Each form changes bonuses, animations, and tactics.

Form of the Needle

Built around thrusting.

Best with:

Rapier
Longsword
Estoc
Shortsword

Bonuses:

Faster thrusts
Higher critical chance
Better weak-point attacks

Weakness:

Poor crowd control

Form of the Crescent

Built around curved slashes.

Best with:

Saber
Scimitar
Falchion
Curved elven blade

Bonuses:

Bleed damage
Better movement attacks
Strong against lightly armored enemies

Weakness:

Weaker against heavy plate

Form of the Mountain

Built around strength and control.

Best with:

Greatsword
Bastard sword
Heavy longsword

Bonuses:

Guard breaking
Stagger
Anti-armor damage

Weakness:

Slower recovery

Form of the Mirror

Built around counters.

Best with:

Longsword
Twin blades
Rapier

Bonuses:

Improved parry windows
Better ripostes
Enemy attacks become opportunities

Weakness:

Requires timing

Form of the Storm

Built around aggressive chained attacks.

Best with:

Twin blades
Saber
Shortsword
Light longsword

Bonuses:

Combo speed
Momentum
Multi-target pressure

Weakness:

Burns stamina quickly

Form of the Veil

Mystic sword style.

Best with:

Enchanted swords
Spirit blades
Elven relic blades
Fade-touched weapons

Bonuses:

Magical damage
Anti-demon effects
Short-range teleport cuts

Weakness:

Vulnerable to anti-magic fields, lyrium disruption, or Templar abilities

Unique Swordsman Weapons

The Estoc

A stiff thrusting sword made to pierce armor gaps.

Special ability:

Armor Needle
Ignores part of the target’s armor if aimed at weak points.

The Spadone

A massive two-handed sword used for battlefield control.

Special ability:

Keep Them Away
Enemies have a harder time closing distance.

The Main-Gauche

A parrying dagger used with a sword.

Special ability:

Trap and Thrust
The dagger catches the enemy weapon while the sword strikes.

The Elven Leafblade

A curved, elegant blade with ancient balance.

Special ability:

Silent Arc
Attacks from stealth or flanking deal increased damage.

The Dwarven Lockblade

A compact sword with mechanical locking teeth.

Special ability:

Weapon Catcher
Can trap enemy weapons, shields, or armor plates.

The Tevinter Spellblade

A sword inscribed with runes.

Special ability:

Stored Spell Cut
Can hold one spell effect and release it through a strike.

The Seeker’s Judgment Blade

A Chantry-linked anti-magic sword.

Special ability:

Rite of Severance
Deals bonus damage to demons, blood mages, abominations, and magical barriers.

The Qunari War-Saber

A heavy curved blade used by disciplined soldiers.

Special ability:

Iron Discipline
The wielder resists fear, stagger, and panic effects.

Weapon Quality Should Matter

A swordsman should care deeply about their blade.

Weapons should have:

Balance
Edge retention
Weight
Reach
Guard design
Grip quality
Rune slots
Flexibility
Armor penetration
Parry strength
Recovery speed

A cheap sword might do damage, but a master blade should feel different.

A poor sword may:

Chip against armor
Lose sharpness
Break under heavy parries
Have slower recovery
Drain more stamina
Fail against enchanted enemies

A legendary sword should not just have bigger numbers. It should unlock techniques.

Legendary Swordsman Weapons

The Kingless Blade

A sword once carried by a royal champion whose kingdom no longer exists.

Power:

Oathless Cut
Deals more damage against corrupt nobles, tyrants, false kings, and oathbreakers.

Mercy’s Edge

A thin silver blade used by an executioner who spared more lives than he took.

Power:

Judgment Choice
Finishers can either kill, disable, or spare enemies with consequences.

The Fade-Splitter

An ancient sword designed to cut things that are partly real.

Power:

Veil Sever
Can damage demons, spirits, illusions, and fade-touched enemies.

The Last Lesson

A worn training sword used by a legendary swordmaster.

Power:

Teacher’s Punishment
Every time the enemy repeats the same attack, the sword gains a stronger counter bonus.

Thorn of the Divine

A narrow anti-mage blade carried by a hidden Chantry duelist.

Power:

Silence Through Steel
Interrupts spellcasting and weakens magical barriers.

Swordsman Specializations

1. The Duelmaster

A legendary one-on-one fighter.

Specialty:

Duels
Nobles
Champions
Boss fights
Enemy leaders

Signature move:

Name Your Stroke
The Duelmaster declares the next attack type. If timed correctly, the strike becomes devastating.

2. The Blade Dancer

A fast, mobile swordsman.

Specialty:

Movement
Evasion
Multiple enemies
Twin blades
Light armor

Signature move:

Dance of Nine Cuts
The swordsman moves through enemies, striking different weak points in sequence.

3. The Knight-Breaker

Anti-armor specialist.

Specialty:

Heavy armor
Shields
Qunari warriors
Chevaliers
Darkspawn alphas
Golems

Signature move:

Open the Shell
Breaks guard, damages armor, and exposes the enemy to a finishing strike.

4. The Spirit Blade

A mystic swordsman.

Specialty:

Demons
Spirits
Magical enemies
Fade creatures
Enchanted duels

Signature move:

Cut the Unseen
The sword strikes the spirit behind the body, damaging possessed enemies or abominations deeply.

5. The Royal Protector

A defensive swordsman.

Specialty:

Guarding allies
Escort missions
Holding doors
Protecting mages
Saving wounded companions

Signature move:

Behind Me
Pulls nearby allies into protection range while the swordsman counters incoming attacks.

Enemy-Specific Sword Techniques

Against Bandits

Use fast intimidation, disarms, and nonlethal cuts.

Move:

Drop Your Steel
A disarming technique that can make weaker enemies surrender.

Against Darkspawn

Use brutal kill-confirming cuts.

Move:

Taint-Cleaver
A heavy slash that prevents darkspawn from recovering or frenzying.

Against Demons

Use spirit-severing techniques.

Move:

Name the Shape
The swordsman identifies the demon type and gains a bonus against its behavior.

Against Qunari

Use footwork and joint attacks.

Move:

Under the Horns
A close-in technique that targets the legs and lower body of taller enemies.

Against Mages

Use pressure and interruption.

Move:

No Time to Cast
Every forward step reduces the mage’s spellcasting window.

Against Shielded Enemies

Use binds, hooks, and angle changes.

Move:

Around the Wall
The swordsman steps past the shield line and strikes the exposed side.

Companions with Swordsman Skills

A swordsman companion should not just be another warrior. They should have personality in combat.

The Noble Duelist

Polished, arrogant, deadly.

Combat style:

Rapier
Feints
Counters
Insults during battle

Special trait:

Prideful Precision
Fights better against elite enemies but worse when surrounded.

The Mercenary Cutter

Dirty, practical, brutal.

Combat style:

Falchion
Shortsword
Armor chopping
Cheap shots

Special trait:

No Fair Fights
Deals more damage to staggered, distracted, or wounded enemies.

The Chantry Blade

A holy-trained swordsman.

Combat style:

Longsword
Anti-magic cuts
Demon disruption
Bodyguard work

Special trait:

Righteous Guard
Protects mages even while distrusting magic.

The Elven Blade Ghost

Silent, fast, ancient technique.

Combat style:

Curved elven sword
Footwork
Bleed cuts
Fade-adjacent movement

Special trait:

Steps Between Roots
Moves faster in forests, ruins, and ancient elven sites.

The Dwarven Sword Engineer

Uses mechanical sword tools.

Combat style:

Lockblade
Parrying traps
Spring-loaded guards
Armor hooks

Special trait:

Built to Catch
Can trap weapons and shields better than anyone else.

Swordsman Combat Needs Weight

The most important thing: sword combat cannot feel floaty.

A proper swordsman should have:

Blade contact
Sparks on armor
Different sounds for flesh, leather, mail, plate, bone, shields, and magic
Enemy reactions based on where they are hit
Stamina loss from bad swings
Weapon clashes
Binding animations
Parry timing
Foot placement
Recovery frames
Realistic reach
Consequences for missing

Every strike should feel like the blade actually connected with something.

Mission Ideas for the Swordsman Class

Mission: The Master Without a School

A legendary swordsman lives alone because every student he trained either died, betrayed him, or became a murderer. The player must convince him to train them, but he refuses until they prove they understand restraint.

Choices:

Defeat him honorably
Spare his last student
Recover his stolen sword
Expose the noble who used his style for assassinations

Reward:

Form of the Mirror

Mission: The Blade Trial

The player enters a secret tournament where each opponent uses a different sword style.

Opponents:

Rapier duelist
Greatsword knight
Twin-blade assassin
Saber rider
Mystic blade user
Anti-mage swordsman

Reward:

A custom sword style based on how the player fought.

Mission: The Sword That Refuses Blood

The player finds a legendary blade that will not kill innocent people. If used wrongly, it becomes dull. If used with discipline, it grows stronger.

Reward:

Mercy’s Edge

Mission: The Armor That Learned Fear

An armored enemy seems impossible to cut. The swordsman must learn anti-armor techniques from old battlefield records.

Reward:

Knight-Killer Technique

Mission: Duel at the Broken Bridge

The player must duel a famous enemy champion while armies watch from both sides. Winning can prevent a full battle. Losing starts a war.

Reward:

Political reputation, not just loot.

Final Thought

A swordsman class should be about skill, not just sword damage.

The player should feel the difference between:

A brute swinging steel
A trained duelist reading the enemy
A battlefield swordsman controlling space
A knight-breaker opening armor
A mystic blade cutting demons
A royal protector guarding allies
A legendary swordmaster ending fights with one perfect movement

That is how you make the swordsman feel special.
Not by giving him a sword.
By giving him a craft.

Fencing as a Specialized Swordsman Discipline

Fencing should be its own swordsman branch, not just “fast sword attacks.” A fencer is a precision duelist trained around distance, timing, footwork, thrusts, counters, and reading the opponent’s body before the blade even moves.

In a Dragon Age-style world, fencing could come from Orlesian nobles, Antivan duelists, Nevarran academies, Tevinter court assassins, or elite bodyguards trained to fight in narrow halls, palace courts, and public honor duels.

This style should feel elegant, dangerous, arrogant, technical, and deadly.

Core Fencing Identity

Fencing is built around:

Distance Control
The fencer wins by staying just outside danger, then striking the moment the enemy overextends.

Point Accuracy
The blade targets eyes, throat, wrist, ribs, armpits, exposed joints, and weak armor gaps.

Speed Over Power
A fencer does not need to split armor with force. They punish openings with sharp, surgical attacks.

Footwork
Advance, retreat, lunge, sidestep, pivot, recover. Movement is the weapon before the blade lands.

Counter-Fighting
The enemy attacks first. The fencer makes them regret it.

Fencing Weapons

1. Rapier

The classic fencing weapon.

Best for:

Noble duels
Precision thrusting
Counterattacks
Fighting lightly armored enemies
Weak-point damage

Special moves:

Needle Lunge
A long, fast thrust that hits before slower weapons can reach.

Courtier’s Riposte
After a successful parry, the fencer immediately thrusts into the enemy’s exposed side.

Wrist Puncture
Targets the weapon hand, reducing enemy attack speed or causing a disarm chance.

Throat Line
A high-risk thrust aimed at the neck. Devastating against unarmored enemies.

Between the Ribs
A narrow thrust into the side of the torso.

2. Épée-Style War Blade

A heavier thrusting sword used for battlefield fencing.

Best for:

Armored duels
Military officers
Elite guards
Anti-knight precision
Longer fights

Special moves:

Deep Line Thrust
A committed attack that pierces armor gaps.

Armored Court Strike
A thrust designed for enemies wearing mail, plate, or layered leather.

Guarded Recovery
After lunging, the fencer recovers into a defensive stance instead of being exposed.

Officer’s Measure
The fencer studies distance and gains bonus accuracy on the next thrust.

3. Smallsword

A lighter, elegant noble weapon.

Best for:

Speed
Parrying
Social duels
Assassination defense
Civilian combat

Special moves:

Silver Flick
A fast face-level cut that blinds or distracts.

Noble’s Warning
A nonlethal thrust that can force surrender or intimidation.

First Blood
A fast opener that causes bleeding and lowers enemy confidence.

Insulting Touch
A humiliating precision strike that enrages the enemy and makes them reckless.

4. Rapier and Main-Gauche

A rapier paired with a parrying dagger.

Best for:

Defensive fencing
Counterattacks
Blade trapping
Fighting aggressive enemies
Duelist builds

Special moves:

Catch and Kill
The dagger traps the enemy blade while the rapier thrusts forward.

Twin-Line Defense
The fencer blocks one attack with the dagger and counters with the rapier.

Dagger Bind
Locks the enemy weapon briefly, opening them to a precision strike.

Close Measure Finish
At close range, the dagger strikes first, then the rapier ends the exchange.

5. Antivan Needleblade

A thin assassin-fencer weapon.

Best for:

Poison use
Stealth
Critical hits
Weak points
Silent kills

Special moves:

Venom Point
Applies poison through a tiny puncture wound.

Quiet Entry
A stealth thrust that deals massive damage if the enemy has not detected the fencer.

Nerve Touch
A precision stab that weakens movement or spellcasting.

Crow’s Courtesy
A stylish finishing move used by Antivan-trained duelists.

Fencing Skill Tree

Skill Tree: The Point and the Line

This is the main fencing tree.

Tier 1 Skills

Measure

The fencer reads distance better than other swordsmen.

Effect:

Increased dodge distance
Improved thrust accuracy
Reduced stamina cost when backing away
Bonus damage after retreating from an enemy swing

This should make fencing feel like a game of inches.

Quick Thrust

A fast straight stab.

Effect:

Low stamina cost
Interrupts light attacks
Deals bonus damage to exposed targets
Can chain into lunge or riposte

Guarded Step

A defensive step backward or sideways.

Effect:

Avoids incoming melee attacks
Keeps the fencer facing the enemy
Sets up a counter window

Tier 2 Skills

Lunge

The signature fencing attack.

Effect:

Long forward thrust
Closes distance quickly
Deals bonus damage if the enemy is attacking
Strong against mages, archers, rogues, and lightly armored warriors

Upgrade options:

Deep Lunge
More damage, longer recovery.

Safe Lunge
Less damage, faster recovery.

Mage-Hunter Lunge
Interrupts spellcasting.

Parry Line

The fencer redirects an incoming weapon.

Effect:

Does not fully block like a shield
Turns the enemy’s strike aside
Opens the enemy for a riposte
Works best against blades, daggers, spears, and light axes

Weakness:

Poor against huge clubs, ogres, massive darkspawn, and heavy mauls unless upgraded

Riposte

A counterattack after a successful parry.

Effect:

Fast critical thrust
Higher damage if aimed at a weak point
Can interrupt the enemy’s next action

Upgrade options:

Blood Riposte
Causes bleeding.

Disarming Riposte
Chance to knock away the enemy weapon.

Mercy Riposte
Can disable instead of kill.

Tier 3 Skills

Feint

The fencer tricks the enemy into defending the wrong line.

Effect:

Enemy guard opens briefly
Next thrust ignores some defense
Strong against shield users and disciplined soldiers

Upgrade options:

Double Feint
Can fool elite duelists.

Cruel Feint
Increases critical chance.

Taunting Feint
Draws enemy aggression.

Wrist Line

A precise attack to the weapon hand.

Effect:

Reduces enemy attack speed
Can cause enemies to drop light weapons
Weakens archers and dagger rogues
Makes shield users slower to raise guard

Circle Step

The fencer pivots around the enemy.

Effect:

Moves to the enemy’s side
Avoids direct attacks
Creates flanking bonus
Strong in duels and tight spaces

Tier 4 Skills

Thread the Guard

A master thrust through a tiny opening.

Effect:

Bypasses shields partially
Ignores some armor if aimed correctly
Deals high critical damage
Strong against elite humanoid enemies

This move should be terrifying because it proves the fencer does not need brute strength.

Duelist’s Eye

The fencer studies the enemy’s movement.

Effect:

Reveals attack patterns
Increases parry window
Increases critical chance after the enemy repeats the same attack
Makes reckless enemies easier to punish

Killing Distance

The fencer enters perfect range.

Effect:

Enemy attacks that barely miss create automatic counter opportunities
Fencer gains bonus damage after dodging by a small margin
Lunge and riposte become faster

Ultimate Ability

The Perfect Touch

The fencer enters a focused dueling state.

For a short time:

Time slows slightly during enemy attacks
The fencer sees the enemy’s attack line
Perfect parries trigger instant ripostes
Lunges target weak points automatically
The final hit becomes a cinematic precision thrust

Against weaker enemies, this can end the fight immediately.

Against bosses, it causes:

Major stagger
Armor-gap damage
Bleeding
Temporary weakness
Broken guard

This should feel like the enemy lost the fight the moment they stepped into the fencer’s range.

Fencing Forms

Form of the Needle

Pure thrusting style.

Best for:

Rapier
Smallsword
Needleblade

Bonuses:

Faster thrusts
Higher critical chance
Better weak-point attacks

Weakness:

Poor against crowds

Form of the Court

Orlesian noble fencing.

Bonuses:

Better feints
Social intimidation
Duel bonuses
Can force surrender after humiliating strikes

Special move:

Court Humiliation
The fencer wounds without killing, lowering enemy morale.

Form of the Crow

Antivan assassin fencing.

Bonuses:

Poison application
Stealth thrusts
Bleed damage
Bonus against distracted enemies

Special move:

Black Courtesy
A polite bow followed by a sudden killing thrust.

Form of the Lantern

Mage-hunter fencing.

Bonuses:

Interrupts spellcasting
Cuts through weak barriers
Faster lunges toward casters
Better resistance to fear and illusions

Special move:

Cut the Incantation
A thrust that stops a spell before it forms.

Form of the White Glove

Defensive bodyguard fencing.

Bonuses:

Better parries
Ally protection
Counterattacks against enemies targeting companions
Can redirect attacks away from mages or nobles

Special move:

Stand Behind Me
The fencer steps into the attack line and counters.

Fencing Against Different Enemies

Against Bandits

Fencing should make bandits look clumsy.

Moves:

First Blood
A quick wound that makes weaker enemies hesitate.

Drop the Blade
A wrist strike that may disarm.

Walk Them Down
The fencer advances calmly while the enemy backs away.

Against Knights

Fencing should target gaps, not armor plates.

Moves:

Under the Arm
Thrusts into the armpit gap.

Back of the Knee
Cripples movement.

Visor Line
A dangerous thrust toward the helmet opening.

Against Qunari

A fencer should not overpower them. They should out-position them.

Moves:

Low Line Entry
Attacks the legs and lower body.

Inside the Reach
Steps past the wide swing and thrusts close.

Horn Shadow Step
A side-step designed to avoid taller enemies’ downward attacks.

Against Mages

Fencing becomes a pressure style.

Moves:

No Breath to Cast
Each forward step shortens the mage’s casting window.

Spell Hand Prick
Targets the hand forming the spell.

Barrier Needle
Repeated thrusts weaken magical shields.

Against Darkspawn

Fencing becomes dirtier and less ceremonial.

Moves:

Taint Vein Thrust
Targets corrupted weak points.

Keep Them Stretched
Uses distance to avoid being swarmed.

Alpha Puncture
Precision attack against larger darkspawn leaders.

Against Demons

Fencing needs enchanted or spirit-trained blades.

Moves:

Pierce the Shape
Hits the demon’s manifested body.

Name and Needle
The fencer identifies the demon type and targets its weakness.

Fade-Line Thrust
A magical fencing strike that wounds spirits more deeply.

Fencing Weaknesses

Fencing should be powerful, but not perfect.

Weak against:

Large groups
Heavy shields
Massive monsters
Polearms with longer reach
Heavy armor without weak-point training
Enemies that do not feel pain
Enclosed brawls where movement is blocked

The fencer should be deadly when space and timing matter, but vulnerable when surrounded or trapped.

That balance makes the class feel real.

Fencing Companions

The Orlesian Duelist

Elegant, arrogant, political.

Weapon:

Rapier
Smallsword
Main-gauche

Personality:

Insults enemies while fighting
Treats combat like performance
Knows noble houses, scandals, and duel law

Unique ability:

For Honor, For Show
Gets stronger when fighting in front of witnesses.

The Antivan Needle

Assassin-fencer.

Weapon:

Needleblade
Rapier and dagger

Personality:

Charming
Calm
Deadly
Treats poison like seasoning

Unique ability:

One Drop Is Enough
Tiny puncture wounds apply stronger poison effects.

The Nevarran Grave Duelist

A funeral duelist trained to defend tombs and noble bloodlines.

Weapon:

Épée-style thrusting sword

Personality:

Formal
Morbid
Disciplined
Obsessed with proper death rites

Unique ability:

Respect the Dead
Deals bonus damage to undead, corpse constructs, and necromantic enemies.

The Chantry Fencer

A holy duelist trained to protect clerics and hunt abominations.

Weapon:

Rapier
Blessed thrusting sword

Personality:

Polite but dangerous
Believes restraint is divine discipline
Distrusts blood magic

Unique ability:

Pierce the Wicked Veil
Interrupts demons, blood mages, and possessed enemies.

Legendary Fencing Weapons

The Laughing Thorn

An Orlesian rapier used in dozens of political duels.

Power:

Embarrassing Touch
Nonlethal hits lower enemy morale and may cause surrender.

Crow’s Needle

An Antivan blade so thin its wounds are barely felt at first.

Power:

Delayed Bloom
Damage worsens several seconds after the strike lands.

The White Pin

A Chantry dueling sword used by a forgotten Seeker.

Power:

Silence the Hand
Thrusts interrupt magic and weaken barriers.

The Widow’s Line

A black rapier once used in revenge duels.

Power:

Last Word
Deals bonus damage when the fencer is wounded or outnumbered.

The Glass Point

An ancient elven thrusting blade that seems too delicate to survive battle.

Power:

Through the Lie
Can strike illusions, spirits, and magically hidden enemies.

Fencing Missions

Mission: The Duel That Cannot Be Refused

A noble house challenges the player or companion to a public duel. Refusing causes political damage. Accepting means entering a strict fencing match with rules, witnesses, and hidden assassins.

Choices:

Fight honorably
Expose the duel as a trap
Win without killing
Kill the opponent and start a noble feud

Reward:

Form of the Court

Mission: The School of the Broken Point

An old fencing academy has been abandoned after every student died in mysterious duels. The player discovers the master was teaching a forbidden style meant to kill mages silently.

Reward:

Form of the Lantern

Mission: First Blood in Val Royeaux

A public duel becomes a political crisis when the loser refuses to yield. The player must decide whether fencing is about honor, law, survival, or spectacle.

Reward:

Laughing Thorn

Mission: The Antivan Lesson

An Antivan Crow offers fencing training, but every lesson is also an assassination attempt.

Training stages:

Survive poison
Parry in darkness
Duel with one arm restrained
Identify the real attacker in a crowd
Win without drawing attention

Reward:

Crow’s Courtesy

Final Thought

Fencing should be the thinking person’s sword style.

Not heavy.
Not brute force.
Not wild slashing.

It should be about the moment where the enemy swings, misses by an inch, and realizes too late that the fencer already saw the opening.

A great fencing system would make the player feel like the blade is not just a weapon.

It is a sentence.

And the fencer decides where the period goes.