Fencing Sword build: the Nimble Lunge specialist

A Fencing Sword’s Lunge can target an enemy two tiles away and moves the fencer into the adjacent attack hex, ignoring Zone of Control; damage scales with current initiative. This aggressive Lunge/Berserk specialist needs unusually high initiative and melee attack, plus enough melee defense, health and fatigue to survive after jumping into danger. The Fencing Sword requires Beasts & Exploration; a hyena mantle for extra initiative requires Blazing Deserts.

Nimble Lunge attacker

Fencing Sword

Look for high starting initiative, melee attack and defense. On level-ups, favor melee attack and defense, then initiative; add health and fatigue when needed. Wear light Nimble armor and, if available, a hyena mantle to preserve initiative. Carry a Fencing Sword and a one-handed backup for enemies resistant to piercing. Do not use a shield: it costs initiative and prevents Duelist. Avoid bad terrain and isolated dives where the fencer can be surrounded.

Immediate combat

Level	Perk
2	Colossus
3	Dodge
4	Gifted
5	Sword Mastery
6	Relentless
7	Nimble
8	Duelist
9	Berserk
10	Recover
11	Killing Frenzy

For a recruit protected while leveling, use these changes. Keep other levels unchanged; at 11, spend the normal and returned points. Student and Gifted.

Student route	Perk
2	Student
4	Colossus
11	Killing Frenzy + Gifted

Lunge can target a foe two tiles away, move into an adjacent attack hex and ignore Zone of Control. Ordinary movement away from an adjacent enemy can still draw a free attack. This build does not take Footwork, so avoid isolated finishes; use an ally’s Rotation or replace Killing Frenzy at level 11 with Footwork for safer escape. Pathfinder is another option if rough terrain is the main problem. Lunge is fatigue-heavy, and terrain, armor and damage all affect current initiative. Relentless slows initiative loss as fatigue builds. If the first action of a full 9 AP turn is a 4 AP Lunge that kills, Berserk restores 4 AP and brings the turn back to 9 AP for Recover. A later kill may leave too little AP for Recover. See weapon details and the progression guide.

Do not build around a paper initiative number: check what remains after armor and fatigue. When choosing level-up rolls, keep melee defense and health in the plan so Lunge does not turn a fast brother into an easy target. If no recruit has both attack and initiative potential, use an ordinary sword build instead; Slash reaches one tile, while Lunge can target two tiles away, so the role depends on choosing its approach carefully.

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Sources

Game values: 1.5.2.3 weapon and perk data. Lunge: Overhype Studios’ weapon overview and community mechanics notes. Build advice: current fencer discussion and Turtle225 and Abel’s perk guide. Further viewing: Fencer Builds: Battle Brothers Build Guide.