How long does it take to get good at fencing?

Define good. Enjoying bouts and holding your own at club night: a few months. Winning your first local novice event: often within the first year. Earning a mid-level rating (D or C) that makes you dangerous at open tournaments: typically two to four years of consistent training. The A-rated, national-points tier: five to ten years, like mastery in anything.

The encouraging part is how front-loaded the fun is, fencing is enjoyable at every rung, and beginners bout within weeks. The humbling part is why it's called physical chess: the movements come fairly fast; knowing WHEN to use them takes as long as any strategy game.

The single biggest predictor isn't talent, it's showing up every week and actually bouting, not just drilling.