Building a swasbuckling pirate

[Khitan]

Ok, here I come again asking for advice for a new build. This time is a simple 1st level build. What I need, other than some advice regarding archetypes and feats at first level, is some advice for the next levels^^

I'm creating a carismatic swashbuckling pirate, a bit of a showoff, decadent, smiling, playboy, elegant son of a bitch xD In game terms I'm trying o create a charismatic skill monkey with some combat abilities (it's a pirate!). Being a pirate I don't want him to be the "typical rogue" finding traps and stuff like that... so that's what I created by now:

Race: Human/Half Elf
Class: Rogue
Archetype: Scout and Swashbuckler/Acrobat
Abilities: STR 12 DEX 16 (+2 race) CON 10 INT 14 WIS 8 CHA 16
Skills: I haven't decided them yet but I know that I'm going to max out Acrobatics, Bluff, Sense Motive, Perception and Use Magic Device. Probably I will put grades in Swim, Climb, Sleight of hand, Escape Artist, Profession (cook), Linguistic, Knowledge (Geography) or Survival.
Feats: I'm not sure but I'm tending towards Weapon Finesse and Two Weapon Fighting. Other feats could be Improved Initiative, Dodge or Combat Expertise (to enter the trip chain).
Equip: 2 Short swords (or 2 kukris if I take the swasbuckler archetype), studded leather armor, a lot of darts and maybe a whip (for the future possible Improved Trip). Obviously I'll ad al the fluff stuff^^

Can it work?
And now for the questions:

1) It's better Swashbuckler (the tipical swift sword fighter) or Acrobat (the pirate that tumbles on the ropes of the ship)? I can't decide what archetype to take^^ (but I'm almost pretty sure about scout)
2) The human gives me the bonus feat... the half-elf gives me the skill focus (Acrobatics) usefull for avoiding AoOs plus a lot of other stuff and is better for multiclassing... which one is better?
3) Multiclassing with warrior (to keep the "combat" part of the pirates) o sticking to the rogue?
4) Every other critic/advice/thought or piece of wisdom you can give me is more than welcome^^ Even if it's something like "this build sucks!" xD

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

Con 10 is suicidal.


And if you want to be charismatic and have no use for trapfinding, have you considered the Ninja alternate Rogue class? Especially if the DM allows you to swap Poison Use and...the stupid standing still bonus thing as if they were Trapfinding and Trap Sense for Rogue archetypes. I'd look into Rake, they're all about showing off.

[sblock]My personal favorite is Thug, though I hate the name. Mechanics are awesome, though. Best Archetype for the creepy warrior rogue that smirks at the thought of bloodshed and unnerves his foes as he nonchalantly eviscerates them. Probably not what you want, just saying, it's my favorite Rogue archetype. [/sblock]

Don't do tripping. It's difficult for a Fighter to beat the CMDs, it'll be impossible for you, and your BAB means not getting to "the good stuff" (Greater Trip) until level 9+. Also, you'd need Int 13 to do this at all.

If you want to multiclass with a warrior type, I'd suggest doing that for your first level. Having the higher HD maximized and BAB +1 right off the bat for feat qualification is a huge help.

Good dips: Fighter (regular or any of these archetypes: Mobile, Weapon Master, Brawler, Gladiator)1-3, Cavalier (specifically the Emmissary archetype) 1, Paladin (I'd do Divine Hunter if doing under 3 levels, it's just better) 1-3, or Ranger 1-2. I've also always been partial to dipping Barbarian as a Rogue, in 3E and PF.

Race: If you don't care about their sickening lack of darkvision (I do care, myself), Halfling sounds perfect: Bonuses to dex and cha. I really like the Fetchling race since it came out (also buffs dex and cha, and gives low-light and darkvision, and enhanced miss chance in darkness and other cool racial features).
Of course, I also try to avoid playing humans whenever possible, just cause 90% of all characters I've ever seen have been human...

 

[Khitan]

Con 10 is suicidal.


And if you want to be charismatic and have no use for trapfinding, have you considered the Ninja alternate Rogue class? Especially if the DM allows you to swap Poison Use and...the stupid standing still bonus thing as if they were Trapfinding and Trap Sense for Rogue archetypes. I'd look into Rake, they're all about showing off.

Problem is I really hate the idea behind the ninja... as I hate monks (and samurai, wu jen, and so on in 3.5). I simply can't see the oriental classes in D&D and PF^^" Then again the only manual I can use are Core and APG^^"
About the Rake... There's something I can't quite grasp... it seems to me to much of a show off, even for my tastes (and I really like showoff characters xD) I still prefer the acrobat or the swashbuckler.

[sblock]My personal favorite is Thug, though I hate the name. Mechanics are awesome, though. Best Archetype for the creepy warrior rogue that smirks at the thought of bloodshed and unnerves his foes as he nonchalantly eviscerates them. Probably not what you want, just saying, it's my favorite Rogue archetype. [/sblock]

You're right... not what I want^^ But thanks for the tip.

Don't do tripping. It's difficult for a Fighter to beat the CMDs, it'll be impossible for you, and your BAB means not getting to "the good stuff" (Greater Trip) until level 9+. Also, you'd need Int 13 to do this at all.

Ok^^ It was just an idea, I never really considered it

If you want to multiclass with a warrior type, I'd suggest doing that for your first level. Having the higher HD maximized and BAB +1 right off the bat for feat qualification is a huge help.

Good dips: Fighter (regular or any of these archetypes: Mobile, Weapon Master, Brawler, Gladiator)1-3, Cavalier (specifically the Emmissary archetype) 1, Paladin (I'd do Divine Hunter if doing under 3 levels, it's just better) 1-3, or Ranger 1-2. I've also always been partial to dipping Barbarian as a Rogue, in 3E and PF.

I still prefer starting with the rogue, more skill points and a lot more flavour. I don't really care about min/maxing with this PC so it's not a big problem for me^^

About the dips: Fighter and Ranger are possible choices, the other 2 aren't for BG's reasons xD But the question still stands... is better to stick to the rogue or to multiclass? And I'll add a new question: why (eventually) multiclassing with ranger?

Race: If you don't care about their sickening lack of darkvision (I do care, myself), Halfling sounds perfect: Bonuses to dex and cha. I really like the Fetchling race since it came out (also buffs dex and cha, and gives low-light and darkvision, and enhanced miss chance in darkness and other cool racial features).
Of course, I also try to avoid playing humans whenever possible, just cause 90% of all characters I've ever seen have been human...

No: only possible races are humans and half-elves. I have a really clear picture of the PC in my mind and he can be only a human or an half-elf^^ I'm actually tending to the half-elf, the bonus Skill Focus + the other stuff is simply more attractive than just (just?? xD) one talent and one skill point.

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

I still prefer starting with the rogue, more skill points and a lot more flavour. I don't really care about min/maxing with this PC so it's not a big problem for me

Flavor's what you make it out to be. Don't choose your class order just based on that and gimp yourself for no reason. There are plenty of ways to flavor Fighter, Ranger, etc.. as being more "Roguish" than the common perception. Especially with archetypes. Mobile Fighter fights in a fashion most would think of for a Rogue, for example. If you're concerned about going 1st level low on skills...Ranger's only 2 less than Rogue...

About the dips: Fighter and Ranger are possible choices, the other 2 aren't for BG's reasons xD

Heh, don't just assume from the name that Cavaliers are incompatible with your background. They can be ANY alignment, and not all the orders are quasi-paladin stick in the muds. Check out Order of the Cockatrice:
[sblock]Order of the Cockatrice
A cavalier who belongs to this order serves only himself, working to further his own aims and increase his own prestige. Cavaliers of this order tend to be selfish and concerned only with personal goals and objectives.

Edicts: The cavalier must keep his own interests and aims above those of all others. He must always accept payment when it is due, rewards when earned, and an even (or greater) share of loot. The cavalier must take every opportunity to increase his own stature, prestige, and power.

Challenge: Whenever an order of the cockatrice cavalier issues a challenge, he receives a +1 morale bonus on all melee damage rolls made against the target of his challenge as long as he is the only creature threatening the target (not counting his mount). This bonus increases by +1 for every four levels the cavalier possesses.

Skills: An order of the cockatrice cavalier adds Appraise (Int) and Perform (Cha) to his list of class skills. In addition, an order of the cockatrice cavalier adds his Charisma modifier to the DC on another creature's attempt to demoralize him through Intimidate (in addition to his Wisdom modifier, as normal).

Order Abilities: A cavalier that belongs to the order of the cockatrice gains the following abilities as he increases in level.

Braggart (Ex): At 2nd level, the cavalier can spend a standard action to extol his own accomplishments and battle prowess. He receives Dazzling Display as a bonus feat. He does not need a weapon in hand to use this ability. The cavalier receives a +2 morale bonus on melee attack rolls made against demoralized targets.

Steal Glory (Ex): At 8th level, the cavalier can steal the glory from another creature's successful strike. Whenever a creature other than the cavalier scores a critical hit against a target that the cavalier is threatening, he can make an attack of opportunity against the same target.

Moment of Triumph (Ex): At 15th level, the cavalier can, as a free action, declare a moment of triumph. For 1 round, the cavalier receives a competence bonus equal to his Charisma modifier on all ability checks, attack rolls, damage rolls, saving throws, and skill checks. This bonus is also added to his AC. In addition, any critical threats he makes are automatically confirmed. The cavalier can use this ability once per day.[/sblock]

Flavor clearly works, and mechanically Braggart would work well for a demoralizing Rogue working towards Shatter Defenses. That said, I suggested Cavalier mostly because of the excellent Emissary archetype and the fact it (Ultimate Combat) gave options to swap the nigh-worthless low level mount for. With just APG and core, Cavalier is probably not a good choice.

But the question still stands... is better to stick to the rogue or to multiclass?

If you want to be good in combat, it's probably best to multiclass, straight Rogue has a lot of problems hanging in melee. Otherwise, don't. If you do multiclass, I STRONGLY suggest that by level 7 you strive for a build like this: "Rogue 4 / Full BAB classes 3." That way you'll have BAB +6 in time for the 7th level feat, which is nice because several useful feats for Rogues require BAB +6. Like... Shatter Defenses and Improved TWF. After level 7, just stick with Rogue.

And I'll add a new question: why (eventually) multiclassing with ranger?

It's a full BAB d10 HD class that also happens to give nice saves and lots of skills (and the ability to use any spell on the Ranger spell list via wand w/o needing a Use Magic Device check, too!)...it's just a really nice chasis. No real special secret, just nice boons. The level 2 feat, depending on what you do, can be (gratuitously) early access, but unlikely to help in your case (only ones that give early entry at level 2 IIRC are Mounted and Weapon and Shield styles). Flavor wise, it is bar none the most similar full BAB class to Rogue; both are often seen as crafty skillful loners.

No: only possible races are humans and half-elves. I have a really clear picture of the PC in my mind and he can be only a human or an half-elf^^ I'm actually tending to the half-elf, the bonus Skill Focus + the other stuff is simply more attractive than just (just?? xD) one talent and one skill point.

Note with APG you can trade the Half-Elf's Skill Focus for free proficiency with any one martial or exotic weapon instead, if you want. Obviously a better deal if you don't just multiclass with Fighter or something anyway.

 

[Glade Riven]

Ranger, AGP's Skirmisher Archetype. Eschews spells for special abilities that let you do all sorts of swashbuckly things. Perfect fer a pirate, and ye don't have t' take an animal companion unless ye want to. Yar.

 

[Herobizkit]

Charismatic? The answer is always Bard. I'll never understand how no one realizes this.

There's even a "Daredevil" alt class feature:
"As quick at wordplay as at swordplay, daredevils are dashing heroes, inspiring their allies to match their clever repartee and acrobatic feats."

Add in a gun feat, some appropriate traits (maybe Wharf Rat and Charming), and boom, pirate.

If you plan on multi-classing, Half-Elf... if not, Human (for that bonus Feat).

 

[Glade Riven]

All ya real swashbuckers throw your hooks in the air, and wave 'em around like ya just don't care. With sword, gun fire we get what we desire; but tonight my maties get down with the ladies.