D&D 5E What Classes in PHB?

jadrax · Jul 19, 2014

CrusaderX said:
I was hoping that a Swashbuckler-type option would be one of the "subclasses" under either Fighter or Rogue. I still hope this type of lightly armored but still very competent combatant is represented well in 5e, even if it's only done via Feats.

Right now, 5e is looking to probably be the most Dex friendly version of D&D ever.

What exactly do you want for a swashbuckler that is not present in the current fighter?

gyor · Jul 19, 2014

I can see there being room for a swashbuckler subclass, although I'll admit its already easy to build one with the classes we have have. I'm thinking a rogue with a subclass ability that allowing feinting as a choice for the cunning action, and another that allows one to make an arcobatic check with ones movement for stunts.

Just an idea.

gyor · Jul 19, 2014

Still here is a build for now for a fighter swashbuckler.

Fighter
Champion
Wild Elf or Lightfoot Halfling
Pick twf or dualist as you fighting style and then the other later.
High dex and either leather armour or if you prefer the puffy white shirt get a wizard to cast mage armour on you.
Rapier if dualist, or a scimatar or short sword in one hand and a dagger in the other if twf.
High Dex, High Charisma Criminal/spy background.
You'll be brutally deadly with your sword/swords, picture a rapier with +2 damage, two attacks per action which can be against different foes or the same one, with a 18-20 crit range and you can even do the princess bride manvuer.

PS the Princess Bride manvuer in this case is getting back to ones feet after a savage wound and saying I am blank, you killed my father, prepare to die!

Which champion can do first with his second wind and later his regeneration ability.

Scrivener of Doom · Jul 20, 2014

gyor said:
I still want to know what the Tempest domain is, is it storms?

Yes, and the tempest cleric can throw out thunder and lightning damage. I'll post more on this later.

Sword of Spirit · Jul 20, 2014

gyor said:
Still here is a build for now for a fighter swashbuckler.

Fighter
Champion
Wild Elf or Lightfoot Halfling
Pick twf or dualist as you fighting style and then the other later.
High dex and either leather armour or if you prefer the puffy white shirt get a wizard to cast mage armour on you.
Rapier if dualist, or a scimatar or short sword in one hand and a dagger in the other if twf.
High Dex, High Charisma Criminal/spy background.
You'll be brutally deadly with your sword/swords, picture a rapier with +2 damage, two attacks per action which can be against different foes or the same one, with a 18-20 crit range and you can even do the princess bride manvuer.

PS the Princess Bride manvuer in this case is getting back to ones feet after a savage wound and saying I am blank, you killed my father, prepare to die!

Which champion can do first with his second wind and later his regeneration ability.

Mostly I agree. I still have a problem with the fact that there is insufficient incentive to not use a shield. The Dueling fighting style? You can carry a shield with it. Dex-based, lightly armored, acrobatic rapier-wielding musketeer...with a shield?

I really hope there is a good feat that only works if you aren't using a shield.

(I also hope it applies equally to Str-weapons. There are plenty of fantasy sword-wielders who use a longsword without a shield.)

Andor · Jul 20, 2014

Sword of Spirit said:
Mostly I agree. I still have a problem with the fact that there is insufficient incentive to not use a shield. The Dueling fighting style? You can carry a shield with it. Dex-based, lightly armored, acrobatic rapier-wielding musketeer...with a shield?

I really hope there is a good feat that only works if you aren't using a shield.

(I also hope it applies equally to Str-weapons. There are plenty of fantasy sword-wielders who use a longsword without a shield.)

You ... You do realize that the buckler in the phrase "swashbuckler" is a type of light shield commonly employed with fencing weapons, right?

Sword of Spirit · Jul 20, 2014

Andor said:
You ... You do realize that the buckler in the phrase "swashbuckler" is a type of light shield commonly employed with fencing weapons, right?

Sure. But to put it bluntly: it looks stupid. Most historically accurate combat styles aren't as aesthetically pleasing to modern sensibilities as sword-combat in action movies. I can't remember having ever seen a swashbuckler using a buckler. Either they have a free hand or are dual-wielding. I'd rather have swordplay express cinematic battles than attempt to recreate awkward looking historical re-enactments. And I'm pretty sure a lot of people would agree with me on that preference.

Andor · Jul 20, 2014

Then use the two weapon fighting style and fight with the more cinematic florentine style. I really like the fact that you can now fight off two orcs with one hand and throw you off hand dagger at the cultist Mage to break his concentration. Sounds cinematic to me.

gyor · Jul 20, 2014

Andor said:
Then use the two weapon fighting style and fight with the more cinematic florentine style. I really like the fact that you can now fight off two orcs with one hand and throw you off hand dagger at the cultist Mage to break his concentration. Sounds cinematic to me.

Yes its cool.

Gradine · Jul 20, 2014

Sword of Spirit said:
Sure. But to put it bluntly: it looks stupid. Most historically accurate combat styles aren't as aesthetically pleasing to modern sensibilities as sword-combat in action movies. I can't remember having ever seen a swashbuckler using a buckler. Either they have a free hand or are dual-wielding. I'd rather have swordplay express cinematic battles than attempt to recreate awkward looking historical re-enactments. And I'm pretty sure a lot of people would agree with me on that preference.

Houserule improvised shields. You don't often see such characters carrying and utilising shields, but you do see them grabbing things from their surroundings to block attacks. A broom handle. A flagon. A leg of mutton.

Or allow the Duelist feature to include the use of items intended for parrying (parrying daggers and cloaks are both historical and cinematic).