Duelist — the close-range skirmisher
The Duelist is the sequel's speed class: win fights up close and stay moving. Identity per AvP Central's class tracking and the official showcase below.
Combat identity
The Duelist occupies the mobile-aggressor lane in the five-class launch lineup (official site; AvP Central). It's the class for players who want to hunt the hunters — taking the fight to Drones and Runners instead of waiting behind the firing line.
What the Duelist answers
- Mobile strains. Drones, Runners and Strikers punish static aim (GamingBolt); a Duelist fights them on equal footing.
- Flank security. When vents open behind the squad (G2A), the Duelist is the class that can rotate fast enough to matter.
- Multi-angle pressure. Wardens and riot shields demand attacks from several directions (G2A) — the Duelist is the angle.
Honest weaknesses
Skirmish classes eat the sequel's control enemies hardest: a Harbinger grab on a lone flanker is often a death (G2A), and Exploder splash punishes the close range Duelists live at. Buddy up on flanks and keep spacing when the crawlers come.
Squad fit & builds
The Duelist is the flex seat in squad compositions — bring it when the team already has sustain and area damage. Spread-reduction traits (M4 pistol's documented example, GamingBolt) suit close-range weapons; theorycraft in the Build Planner.
Sources: official site, AvP Central — classes, G2A, GamingBolt, official Duelist Showcase (YouTube).