So, How does the Complete Warrior Swashbuckler play out?

[Mercule]

I'm very interested in the concept of light fighters and I don't think there is a core option that handles them even passibly well. The CW Swashbuckler looks okay, but maybe a bit lacking in power and flavor.

Anyone have experience with it? How does it stack up with Fighter, Paladin, Barbarian, and Ranger? Could it fill the front-line fighter position in most groups?

 

[Sejs]

So far? Lackluster.

The old Fighter/Rogue to Duelist was much more enjoyable.

 

[MerricB]

I'm about to play one. I'll let you know how it goes.

Personally, I rather like the class.

Enrei, Human Swashbuckler 1
Str 12, Dex 15, Con 9, Int 16, Wis 12, Cha 15.
HP 9, AC 15, Spd 6; SV F+1, R+2, W+1
rapier +3 melee (1d6+1/18-20) or
dagger +3 melee (1d4+1/19-20) or
rapier +1 melee (1d6+1) and dagger +1 melee (1d4)
shortbow +3 missile (1d6/x3)
Feats: Two-Weapon Fighting, Two-Weapon Defense, Weapon Finesse.

Cheers!

 

[drnuncheon]

Looking at the swashbuckler's abilities, I think my current swashbuckling-type character is better off as a ftr/rog. Better skills, better saves, better specials...improved evasion and sneak attack dice to go along with that Bluff score are just too nice to give up. If I were going to swap for anything, it'd be the Unfettered from Monte Cook's Arcana Unearthed.

J

 

[Calico_Jack73]

If I'm not mistaken you should be able to take the Duelist PrC by only taking Swashbuckler levels (I don't have my books with me). If that is the case then you should be able to qualify for it faster since your BAB won't take a hit from multiclassing as a Rogue. Of course you won't get the sneak attack but let's face it, being a Swashbuckler is all about being flamboyant... you WANT your enemy to see you and to hear your witty taunts. If you REALLY want to cheap out for a lightly armored warrior you could take a level of Psychic Warrior to take the Inertial Armor feat (Just like Mage Armor except it is always on as long as you have one Psi Point held in reserve). That way you 'll get the +4 AC and not be wearing any armor. The Duelist will apply your Int modifier to your AC and the Swashbuckler will apply your Int to a damage bonus. See a trend? You want a high Dex and Int.

 

[Darklone]

Swashbuckler is nice... but I don't really see any reasons why you'd take more than 3 levels to get that Int bonus to damage. Then take 4 fighter levels to keep a little damage for creatures that laugh about your critty Int damage... and go duelist.

 

[Remathilis]

Next campaign I play in I'm trying a swash/duelist.

IIRC, Peform (needed for duelist) is c.c. for swashbuckler. I noticed a few other skill discremptancies. That, and you get acrobatic attack twice.

Other than thad, they do synergize nicely.

However, I still need to see one in action.

 

[Darklone]

Another nice way for duelist (if you do have some Kalamar stuff) is Basiran Dancer 7/Ftr1. You get some bonus feats, spells, Perform and weapon finesse.

 

[Desdichado]

Looking at the swashbuckler's abilities, I think my current swashbuckling-type character is better off as a ftr/rog. Better skills, better saves, better specials...improved evasion and sneak attack dice to go along with that Bluff score are just too nice to give up. If I were going to swap for anything, it'd be the Unfettered from Monte Cook's Arcana Unearthed.

Yep. My homebrew uses a slightly modified (mostly just to get the skill sets in line) Unfettered as a core class.

 

[havoclad]

Consider the Dervish

Dervish is a decent alternative to Duelist if you like the concept

I currently am playing a Swashbuckler 1/Rogue 2/Fighter 1 on his way to Dervish. (1 more fighter and rogue before he's ready).

Dual wielded scimitars, doing full attacks, while taking a regular move is pretty cool.

It isn't the strongest melee build around by any shot, but so far its fun. Plenty of skill points to throw around to (human int 16)