Dex-based

Dex-based melee characters use the Weapon Finesse feat to trade their strength-based to-hit bonuses for dexterity-based to-hit bonuses. These melee types are typically two weapon melee, who use the additional dexterity to boost their Armor Class as they do not use shields. They take advantage of the dexterity armor class bonuses afforded by using light armor (Robes with Armored Bracers, Mithral Chainshirt or the Kundarak Delving Suit).

Rogues, Rangers and Monks, as their classes' nature, have great synergy with being Dex-based.

Many dex-based fighters take either two Monk or Rogue levels to gain access to the Evasion feat. One of the main reasons for choosing a dex-based fighter instead of a Ranger, which gain the two weapon fighting feats and Evasion as class abilities, is access to fighter feats (Weapon Focus line typically) and fighter bonus feats.