Dueling Lite by

## Dueling Lite

#### Version 0.3

Dueling Lite is a lightweight ruleset for use in D&D 5e campaigns featuring two-person duels. The intent is to provide a simple framework for martial and arcane duels between characters while also allowing for some degree of strategy.

*Created by [Eric J. Earley](https://www.reddit.com/user/EricJEarley) using [GM Binder](https://www.gmbinder.com/)*

*Last updated 2020/08/21*

### The Art of the Duel
Adventurers unfamiliar with the noble art of dueling may at first mistake it for combat. However, a proper duel is no tavern fisticuffs, no brutish brawl. It is a refined sport, one which balances physical prowess and martial training with strategy and insight.

Whereas battlefield combatants seeks to incapacitate one another, duelists seek to simply make contact with their weapon, but restrain themselves from severely injuring the other. They rely on a code of honor to gracefully admit the loss of a round.

#### Terms of the  Duel
When two people agree to a duel, they first set the terms (and wager) of the competition. Common terms include:

* **Score:** The first to earn a set number of points is the victor
* **Tournament:** The first to earn a set number of points more than their opponent is the victor
* **First blood:** The first to defeat their opponent's Dueling Check by 10 or more is the victor

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### The Martial Duel
When mention of a duel arises, it is the martial duel which typically comes to mind. Knights with halberds, monks with quarterstaves, and nobles with rapiers - all fall within the realm of the martial duel.

#### Selecting your Dueling Stance

##### Attack (STR)
In the **Attack** stance, you take an offense approach to the duel, advancing with a series of rapid consecutive blows.

The *Attack* stance is effective against **Feinting** opponents, but is countered by **Defending** opponents. It relies primarily on **Strength**.

##### Feint (DEX)
In the **Feint** stance, you rely on mobility and misdirection, circumventing your opponent's defenses.

The *Feint* stance is effective against **Defending** opponents, but is countered by **Attacking** opponents. It relies primarily on **Dexterity**.

##### Defend (CON)
In the **Defend** stance, you fall back into a defensive stance, attempting to block or parry incoming attacks.

The *Defend* stance is effective against **Attacking** opponents, but is countered by **Feinting** opponents. It relies primarily on **Constitution**.

#### Facing Off
You reveal your chosen stance at the start of each round. Make a **Dueling Check** comprising the relevant ability check and your proficiency bonus.

If your stance is effective against your opponent's stance, you have advantage on your Dueling Check.

The duelist with the highest Dueling Check wins that round of the duel and is awarded one point. The duel then continues until a victor emerges.

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### The Magic Duel
Although the art of dueling traditionally involves sword and shield, those touched by the Weave have adapted the noble art to magic spells. These duels have served as common ground of respect and honor between widely different practitioners of magic, from learned skalds to devout templars to prodigious magi.

To participate in a magic duel, you must have the Spellcasting or Pact Magic class ability.

#### Selecting your Dueling Stance

##### Reflect (INT)
In the **Reflect** stance, you aim to redirect your opponent's magic against them.

The *Reflect* stance is effective against **Instinctual** opponents, but is countered by **Misdirecting** opponents. It relies primarily on **Intelligence**.

##### Instinct (WIS)
In the **Instinct** stance, you rely on your intuition to guide how you modulate your magical power.

The *Instinct* stance is effective against **Misdirecting** opponents, but is countered by **Reflecting** opponents. It relies primarily on **Wisdom**.

##### Misdirect (CHA)
In the **Misdirect** stance, you trick your opponent to anticipate one incantation, but deliver another.

The *Misdirect* stance is effective against **Reflecting** opponents, but is countered by **Instinctual** opponents. It relies primarily on **Charisma**.

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****

#### Facing Off
You reveal your chosen stance at the start of each round. Make a **Dueling Check** comprising the relevant ability check and your proficiency bonus.

If your stance is effective against your opponent's stance, you have advantage on your Dueling Check.

The duelist with the highest Dueling Check wins that round of the duel and is awarded one point. The duel then continues until a victor emerges.

### Variant Rules

#### Monastic Training
Due to their unique training, *monks* can use Wisdom for all stances in martial duels.

<!-- No longer applicable
#### Proficiency Dice
If your stance is effective against your opponent's stance, you can roll a proficiency die and add the outcome to your Dueling Check, instead of rolling with advantage.

| Level         | Proficiency Bonus | Proficiency Die |
|:-------------:|:-----------------:|:---------------:|
|  1st - 4th    | +2                | 1d4             |
|  5th - 8th    | +3                | 1d6             | 
|  9th - 12th   | +4                | 1d8             |
|  13th - 16th  | +5                | 1d10            |
|  17th - 20th  | +6                | 1d12            |
-->

#### Alternate Dueling Rules
For DMs interested in a different dueling experience, consider the following rulesets:
* [Code Duello](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UFeImXbUcPpFmy1Wt9z1cAfKbDdo8PKZ/view) - Asoulliard
* [Single Combat Rules in 5e](https://www.reddit.com/r/DnD/comments/9pc3sk/making_single_combatduel_rules_in_5e/) - Refoundmyth
* [Duels](https://www.d20pfsrd.com/gamemastering/other-rules/duels/) - Pathfinder: Ultimate Combat

> ##### Art Credits
> * [Duel of the Dragons, by PeterPrime](https://www.deviantart.com/peterprime/art/Duel-of-the-Dragons-410681812)
> * [Mage Duel - Nature and Destruction, by Gjaldir](https://www.deviantart.com/gjaldir/art/Mage-Duel-Nature-and-Destruction-446708353)

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Dueling

Lite
 
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Dueling Lite is a lightweight ruleset for use in D&D 5e campaigns featuring two-person duels. The intent is to provide a simple framework for martial and arcane duels between characters while also allowing for some degree of strategy.

For more entries in the Homebrew Lite series, check out:

[Crafting & Imbuing Lite](https://www.gmbinder.com/share/-LuG4xzxCUzGNAhH4cqU)

[Learning & Language Lite](https://www.gmbinder.com/share/-MH342ePwvKAy8JLf26O)

[Travel & Exploration Lite](https://www.gmbinder.com/share/-Lcshwv-ApTzjtfy7Rx-)

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