Using Companion Guard Style with Insightful Strike

[Wolfspider]

I was just wondering if you thought that combining the feat Companion Guard Style (Dragon 315) with the Swashbuckler's class ability of Insightful Strike would be unbalancing.

Companion Guard Style [General]
You've been trained in the combat style of the gray elven Companion Guard of Celene.
Prerequisites: Proficient with longsword, longspear, and bows; base attack bonus +4
Region: Celene, gray elf
Benefit: When fighting with a longsword or longspear, you may use your Dexterity modifier instead of your Strength modifier on attack rolls. If you use a shield, its armor check penalty applies to your attack rolls. Additionally, you gain a +2 bonus on attack rolls made to confirm a critical hit with any bow.
Special: You may take this feat as a fighter bonus feat.

Insightful Strike (Ex): At 3rd level, a swashbuckler becomes able to place her finesse attacks where they deal greater damage. She applies her Intelligence bonus (if any) as a bonus on damage rolls (in addition to any Strength bonus she may have) with any light weapon, as well as any other weapon that can be used with Weapon Finesse, such as a rapier, whip, or spiked chain. Targets immune to sneak attacks or critical hits are immune to the swashbuckler’s insightful strike. A swashbuckler cannot use this ability when wearing medium or heavy armor or when carrying a medium or heavy load.

I am, of course, referring to the use of a longsword and/or longspear with Insightful Strike.

Thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[SadisticFishing]

Um, for one thing, the feat isn't weapon finesse, so you still need a light weapon (or rapier, whip, or spiked chain).

For another, the difference between a Longsword and a Shortsword is literally 1 damage. One point of damage per swing. I would personally use a Rapier over a Longsword, even without Finesse, as I find the 1 crit range (which makes you crit from 15-20 lategame) worth far mroe than 1 damage. As for the Longspear, just use a Spiked Chain, as this feat is already a waste because you already have Weapon Finesse and probably aren't going to use a bow very often.

All in all, no, not very unbalancing.

 

[Wolfspider]

Well, I know the weapons--long sword and longspear--aren't light weapons. But the feat ESSENTIALLY gives the ability to use those weapons with Weapon Finesse without actually callling it such.

Insightful strike, though, does actually name Weapon Finesse and light weapons.

Again, I'm just wondering if the spirit of the feat and the Swashbuckler ability are compatible.

Thanks.

 

[SteelDraco]

It's not RAW, but I would allow it as a GM. A feat and a class ability from a sub-par class are sufficient cost for the ability to add your Int modifier to damage with a longsword.

 

[Thanael]

I think there's a feat in Dungeon that allows to finesse with a longsword.

 

[Wolfspider]

I think there's a feat in Dungeon that allows to finesse with a longsword.

In Dungeon? Hmmm. Well, I'll certainly look for it. If you can be any more specific as to when you saw this feat, that would be very helpful.