Hardcore (HC) beginner Duelist recommended builds?Easy to gear

I have read a few guides and builds; however, being still a novel player, I might not be reading the hardcore version or hardcore builds at all.

What are good beginner friendly/easy to gear duelist builds? Are most meta builds for duelist use dual wield or shields?
And besdies, molten strike/ancestors call/ what other HC hardcore viable beginner builds are there for duelist?