How do I make 1 handed rapiers viable?

[Your memes end here]

Rapiers are cool
I want to use a character that uses a rapier and only a rapier
Shields look lame
Is there a way to do this without severely reducing my character's effectiveness?

[Detective Costeau]

Play a rogue, use sneak attack. That'll get you all the damage you could want out of a single rapier.

[2LambBuna]

high dex

[fenixverloren]

Warlock could even be viable since pact of the blade is supposed to be pretty buffed in this game, almost like you are playing a Hexblade apparently.

[Yojo0o]

Non-thief Rogues love rapiers. Big one-handed damage, bonus action free for hiding/disengaging etc.

For an actual warrior class, it would be pretty restricting. There's not much purpose in having a hand free like that for a warrior, you'd always be better off with a shield, two-hander, or dual-wielding.

[Yojo0o]

Originally posted by fenixverloren:

Warlock could even be viable since pact of the blade is supposed to be pretty buffed in this game, almost like you are playing a Hexblade apparently.

That'll probably just mean the bladelocks will be swinging a two-hander, though. Rapiers won't matter much for anybody other than Wyll until level 3.

[2LambBuna]

rapiers are good for a dex based fighter too

[Yojo0o]

Originally posted by 2LambBuna:

rapiers are good for a dex based fighter too

Sure, but not with an empty off-hand, which is what OP is looking for. A dex fighter would put a shield in that hand.

[Detective Costeau]

I mean, if the question is how to make a single rapier *viable*, I'm pretty sure you could put together a dex fighter with dueling combat style and get through the game with it.
It won't be statistically optimal, but if it's good enough to get through the game and you're enjoying it, frankly, who cares?

[Yojo0o]

Originally posted by Detective Costeau:

I mean, if the question is how to make a single rapier *viable*, I'm pretty sure you could put together a dex fighter with dueling combat style and get through the game with it.
It won't be statistically optimal, but if it's good enough to get through the game and you're enjoying it, frankly, who cares?

That's just -2 AC for pure aesthetics, of course. More if there are good magical shields to not use.

There's just really not much to do with a free hand in this system, especially not without strength.

[2LambBuna]

Originally posted by Yojo0o:

Originally posted by 2LambBuna:

rapiers are good for a dex based fighter too

Sure, but not with an empty off-hand, which is what OP is looking for. A dex fighter would put a shield in that hand.

ive gone with a long bow and leather armour, the rapiers like the back up weapon, but shield is better than dual wield even if you dont invest skills in it

[Yojo0o]

Originally posted by 2LambBuna:

Originally posted by Yojo0o:

Sure, but not with an empty off-hand, which is what OP is looking for. A dex fighter would put a shield in that hand.

ive gone with a long bow and leather armour, the rapiers like the back up weapon.

Makes sense in tabletop, but you can swap between a bow and sword+shield in BG3.

[2LambBuna]

Originally posted by Yojo0o:

Originally posted by fenixverloren:

Warlock could even be viable since pact of the blade is supposed to be pretty buffed in this game, almost like you are playing a Hexblade apparently.

That'll probably just mean the bladelocks will be swinging a two-hander, though. Rapiers won't matter much for anybody other than Wyll until level 3.

a warlocks more likely to invest in dex than str to improve their AC, so a finese weapon like a rapier or short sword makes more sense

[Yojo0o]

Originally posted by 2LambBuna:

Originally posted by Yojo0o:

That'll probably just mean the bladelocks will be swinging a two-hander, though. Rapiers won't matter much for anybody other than Wyll until level 3.

a warlocks more likely to invest in dex than str to improve their AC, so a finese weapon like a rapier or short sword makes more sense

Pact of the Blade gives them charisma-based weapon scaling in BG3. 14 dexterity for good scaling with medium armor, but otherwise they don't need either stat. They'll be wielding either a heavy two-hander or a sword-shield combo, there's still just nothing gained with the single-rapier loadout.

[Detective Costeau]

Originally posted by Yojo0o:

That's just -2 AC for pure aesthetics, of course. More if there are good magical shields to not use.

There's just really not much to do with a free hand in this system, especially not without strength.

Sure. I even said it's not optimal. I'm just saying, if you really want to play a 1-handed rapier duelist, I'm sure you can make it work if, like the OP, you think "Shields look lame."
Is it as good as a shield or greatsword? No.

[fenixverloren]

Originally posted by Yojo0o:

Pact of the Blade gives them charisma-based weapon scaling in BG3. 14 dexterity for good scaling with medium armor, but otherwise they don't need either stat. They'll be wielding either a heavy two-hander or a sword-shield combo, there's still just nothing gained with the single-rapier loadout.

Eh depends on the type of player really, some would still prefer using a one handed, I mean it's still viable but yeah I know I'd go the heavy handed weapon route...that's what I always did with a Hexblade.