Defensive Duelist 5e | DnD Feat Optimization Guide | Arcane Eye

Anna Podedworna – Wizards of the Coast – Dueling Rapier

Which 5e Classes Make the Most of Defensive Duelist?

Defensive Duelist is best on builds that:

• Prefer Finesse weapons, like Daggers, Rapiers, and Shortswords.
• Don’t have a class ability for damage avoidance as a Reaction.
• Plan to reach level 12 or higher, as the feat scales much better at later levels.

Several classes and subclasses already have similar effects to Defensive Duelist as a class ability, so this feat usually competes with those. Since the feat requires Finesse weapons, the characters looking to get Defensive Duelist will typically be Dexterity-based.

Artificer: Artificers aren’t going to have a lot of Dexterity outside of what they need for AC. Most Artificers in melee range benefit more from their spellcasting modifier (Intelligence) than Dexterity.

Barbarian: Almost all Barbarian subclasses don’t offer any defensive reactions, so this isn’t a terrible choice. However, Dexterity Barbarians aren’t particularly potent, so it’s not worth it in the end.

Bard: Not a bad choice, especially for melee Bards. College of Valor and Swords will allow you to benefit from this feat.

Cleric: No Dlerics are outright designed with Dexterity or Finesse weapons in mind, but something like the Trickery Domain could work.

Druid: For Druids, Dexterity is only for AC and Initiative rolls. Melee Druids will either be in Wild Shape or using their Wisdom modifier for attacks because of Shillelagh, and won’t benefit from this feat.

Fighter: If you’re going for a Dexterity build, this feat is pretty good. However, Eldritch Knights and Battle Masters are better off keeping their Reactions for other abilities.

Monk: This feat isn’t terrible if your build already includes a Finesse weapon. Your other option for Reactions is catching missiles, so it works. However, it does lock you into using Shortswords or choosing the Way of the Kensei.

Paladin: Dexterity Paladins do exist, so it’s not a terrible idea. However, there are so many better feats for Paladins to get. It gets lost in the crowd, but it becomes a better option at level 12 and beyond when it scales up.

Ranger: Most Rangers focus on Dexterity, so this feat is an excellent option for builds that use Finesse weapons.

Rogue: Most Rogues focus on Dexterity, so this feat is an excellent option for builds that use Finesse weapons. Rogues do have the Uncanny Dodge Reaction, but seeing as Defensive Duelist can entirely negate the attack’s damage by causing it to miss (and causing subsequent attacks to miss), it’s a great action to have.

Sorcerer: You have no business being in melee range, so you don’t want this feat at all.

Warlock: Again, no need to be in melee range too often. However, Hexblades can work well as a Dexterity build, which can benefit from this feat.

Wizard: You have no reason to be in melee range, unless you are a Bladesinger. Shield is a much better option for Wizards than this feat.

Can I apply Defensive Duelist to an Unarmed Strike?

Sadly, no. Despite being attached to your body, your limbs do not have the Finesse property for this feat to trigger.

Can Monks use Defensive Duelist?

Yes and no. As mentioned above, Unarmed Strikes don’t count as Finesse weapons. However, Way of the Kensei Monks can pick up a Finesse weapon and benefit from this feat without any issues.

Can you stack Parry with Defensive Duelist?

No you cannot. Each of those abilities requires a Reaction, and you only get one Reaction per round.

Do I know the results of the attack roll for Defensive Duelist?

This depends entirely on your Dungeon Master. If they make public rolls, then yes. Otherwise, you will never know the result until you decide to use it.