Defensive Duelist
Complete guide to the Defensive Duelist feat in D&D 5e. Use finesse weapons to parry attacks, boost your AC as a reaction, and avoid devastating hits.
Benefit
When wielding a finesse weapon, you can use your reaction to add your proficiency bonus to AC against one melee attack, potentially causing it to miss.
Mechanics
Defensive Duelist lets you parry incoming attacks with finesse weapons: **Parry Reaction:** When you are wielding a finesse weapon with which you are proficient and another creature hits you with a melee attack, you can use your reaction to add your proficiency bonus to your AC for that attack, potentially causing the attack to miss you. **The Math:** - Level 1-4: +2 AC - Level 5-8: +3 AC - Level 9-12: +4 AC - Level 13-16: +5 AC - Level 17-20: +6 AC **Important Details:** - You must be wielding the finesse weapon (rapier, shortsword, dagger, etc.) - Works only against melee attacks, not ranged or spells - Declared after the hit is announced but before damage - Uses your reaction (no opportunity attacks that round) - Scales with level via proficiency bonus
Synergies
- *Riposte maneuver (Battle Master) - Defensive reaction synergy
- *Swashbuckler Rogue - Already using finesse weapons
- *Dexterity-based fighters and rogues - Natural fit
- *Shield spell - Different triggers, can use both in different rounds
- *Uncanny Dodge - Use Defensive Duelist to avoid the hit entirely, Uncanny Dodge if you still get hit
- *Evasion - Defensive Duelist for melee, Evasion for ranged saves
Common Mistakes
DM Tips
Sources & Further Reading
- Defensive Duelist — D&D 5e Wikidot — Full SRD feat text
- Feats — D&D Beyond — Official feat list