Help with build: Dexterity based Swashbuckler->Duelist

[arcseed]

How to get int to AC: Be smart enough to buy the heaviest armor consistent with your DEX. With a +5 DEX, you can wear a mithril breastplate for an additional +5 AC and your full dex bonus, with additional enhancement bonuses cheaper than the armor bonus from bracers.

And no gimpy feats to qualify for a gimpy prestige class. And you can use two weapons, with a feat a buckler (and another source of enhancement bonuses).

Elaborate parry is the ability that really gets you the high AC from the duelist, but it's probably still not worth it.

 

[Genesist]

so would you recommend going straight warblade and ignoring dex (as well as choosing a different race). Or should I do that with warblade/3 levels in swash?

 

[kitcik]

Warblade is a very strong and flexible melee class. Tht said, if everyone played wizards, sorcs, druids, clerics and warblades, D&D wouldn't be as fun.

I agree with Dandu - go Swash 3 / Warblade X / ToB PrC - it will put you more in the RP mode while still making a strong character.

 

[Eman Resu]

the problem here is feel, vibe, flavor. It would be easier if you told us what you wanted and we could make it happen. If you want a unarmored pc that in and of itself cuts out a lot of ideas/suggestions but still leaves a lot to be discussed. Unarmored, is one thing but now you want to be a martial type-melee combatant? or a skill junky rogue/scout type? or a spell caster?

so its easier if you tell us what you want, do you want to cast spells, be a warrior type? just give us a percentage 1-100. The total sum of your pc is 100. Now place a value assigning a number to each ability, the higher the priority the higher the number. This should make it easy for us to help you. Just put a number next to the below, the total of eerything below to equal 100. This will give us a great idea as to what it is you want and we can really narrow down selections and give better advice

melee prowess
archer/thrown weapon
saving throws
hit pionts
armor class
skill points
spellcasting divine
spellcasting arcane
spellcasting psionic (called manefesting)
unarmored
any race with or without LA
big and strong
medium and quick


notice I didnt put down multiclassing or mixing of abilites we will do that with what you select.

 

[kitcik]

Cool idea - build me a character!

This should have its own thread, or even its own board.

I want my next character to have:
Sneak attack ability
Ability to move in and out of combat
Some missile weapon capability
Blazing fast speed or teleportation or something, or a fly speed
High AC or displacement or other
Any race, LA no more than +1
At least some utility in non-combat situations

OK, let 'er rip....

 

[Eman Resu]

This should have its own thread, or even its own board.

I want my next character to have:
Sneak attack ability
Ability to move in and out of combat
Some missile weapon capability
Blazing fast speed or teleportation or something, or a fly speed
High AC or displacement or other
Any race, LA no more than +1
At least some utility in non-combat situations

OK, let 'er rip....

a gish type that moves fast, displacement, have you ever looked into the Swiftblade prc? if not do so, its most of what you listed.

If you like teleport and you want it many times a day look into psion or erudite / elocater

 

[kitcik]

Thanks, that's perfect. I never looked at Swiftblade before since it's got a big arcane component and I usually don't play casters.

Would you suggest something like human Warblade 1 / Wizard 5 / Warblade +4 / Swiftblade 10 as a plan?

I mean Elf Wizard 10 / Swiftblade 10 gets a lot more casting power, but it seems to somewhat defeat the purpose of Swiftblade.

What would a good balance be? Should I enter Swiftblade as soon as I qualify, or build up to it more?

 

[Dandu]

Warblade 1 / Wizard 5 / Warblade +4 / Swiftblade 10 as a plan?

Seems like it would work fairly well, though if you're going for a Warblade/Wizard you might want to try Jade Phoenix Mage.

You want to have higher level spell slots to make full use of the Swiftblade capstone ability, so perhaps Warblade1/Wizard4/Abjurant Champion 5/Swiftblade 10 would be better for a Swiftblade build.

I want my next character to have:
Sneak attack ability

Assassin's Stance, ToB, gives +2d6 Sneak Attack.

Ability to move in and out of combat

You can definitely do this as a tumbling Swordsage.

Some missile weapon capability

There's the Bloodstorm Blade PrC in ToB that's very good for thrown weapon users.

Blazing fast speed or teleportation or something, or a fly speed

Swordsage gets a maneuver that allows for short ranged teleportation.

High AC or displacement or other

There's probably something in ToB for this.

At least some utility in non-combat situations

There's a few utility maneuvers in ToB.

I think you might find a Warblade/Swordsage/Bloodstorm Blade/Master of the Nine fun.

 

[Genesist]

Sorry, haven't been able to get on. I am not interested at all in casting. And don't want to play a burly armored character, nor am I interested in range or being a skill monkey. I am okay with some sneak, but not to the point of wanting to go rogue. A character who can dodge a bit, and deal nice damage, maybe with some interesting tricks is ideal. maybe the PrC sun/dark ninja thing from ToB?

 

[BENINHB]

I would go Swash3/Wiz3/Spellsword1/Abjurant ChampionX/SwiftbladeX

1 Swash (free Weapon Finesse, Feat TWF)
2 Wizard (pick up some buffs and utility spells, Trade away the Familiar for something else. i like Abrupt Jaunt)
3 Swash (Feat: Knowledge Devotion, Makes TWF work since you can actually hit and increase the INT to damage theme both mechanically and for role playing reasons)
4 Swash (Insightful Strike for +INT to Damage)
5 Wizard (more arcane goodness per day)
6 Wizard (feat: Power Attack, your To Hit should be super high from buffs and knowledge devotion. Use power attack to turn that into damage.)
7 Spellsword (+1 BaB, +1 casting class lvl, -10% spell failure)
8+ Abjurant Champion (Full BaB, Casting progression, Great Class features for a fighter/mage)
10+ Add some Swiftblade in here and there to fill out where Abjurant Champion ends

You could switch the order you take Power Attack and TWF if you want, i went with TWF first since i know you will meet the pre-reqs at 1st lvl and depending on where you put your stats you might not start with 13STR for Power Attack. Power Attack + Truestrike while two handing a weapon is a great combo at lower levels.

There is a lot of elf hate out there for the hit they take to CON but I like the Fire Elf from pg 17 of Unearthed Arcana for this build. +2 DEX +2 INT -2 CON -2 CHA, Fire Resistance 5 (so commonly useful, even outside of combat) and all the normal Elf Immunities and bonuses.