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Duelist
Duelists are masters of speed, evasion, and finesse—never there when the enemy attacks, yet always ready with a disorienting blow or a quick strike at a vital spot.
When becoming a Duelist, you gain the following benefits:
+2 Dexterity
+1 Damage
As a Duelist you gain access to the following talents.
More detailed information about each talent can be found on their individual pages.
 Dueling | Description | The duelist focuses on proper form, gaining a bonus to attack while the mode is active. Keen Defense adds a bonus to defense while in this mode. |
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| Type | Sustained | Cooldown | 5s | Requirements | none |
| Activation | - | Upkeep | 30 | Fatigue | 5 |
| Range | Personal | Target Type | |||
 Upset Balance | Description | The duelist executes a quick move that throws the opponent off balance, imposing penalties to movement speed and defense unless the target passes a physical resistance check. |
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| Type | Activated | Cooldown | 15s | Requirements | Level 12 |
| Activation | 25 Stamina | Upkeep | - | Fatigue | - |
| Range | Personal | Target Type | |||
 Keen Defense | Description | The duelist has an uncanny knack for simply not being there when the enemy attacks, receiving a bonus to defense. |
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| Type | Passive | Cooldown | - | Requirements | Level 14 |
| Activation | - | Upkeep | - | Fatigue | - |
| Range | Personal | Target Type | |||
 Pinpoint Strike | Description | The duelist has learned to strike the vitals of an enemy with pinpoint accuracy and from any angle. This attack is an automatic backstab if it hits. |
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| Type | Activated | Cooldown | 180s | Requirements | Level 16 |
| Activation | 60 Stamina | Upkeep | - | Fatigue | - |
| Range | Personal | Target Type | |||
Unlocking Duelist
Specializations in Dragon Age: Origins are not available from the start of the game. In addition to having a free Specialization Point, the character must have found a trainer willing to teach him the specialization before a point can be spent on training it.
Specialization unlocks are persistent between games, meaning that once unlocked in your player profile, your characters can learn a specialization without having to find the trainer first. They can also be unlocked even if the player character does not have the right class to actually learn them.
The following content includes story spoilers. Proceed at your own risk.
Spoilers below this point
The Duelist specialization is taught by Isabela in the The Pearl in Denerim after defeating her in a 'game of skill'.
Spoilers above this point