Have a game coming up, and have decided to play a Swashbuckler, but am kind of on the fence about exactly what direction I want to take him in. He will be a pirate, hired by Taldor to do some spying/underhanded stuff, it sounds like.
Build stuff:
25 point buy, no stat above 17 AFTER racial modifiers
Character options (traits, feats, etc...) from non-core material have to be flavor-justified (ie, Cornugon Smash would mean I was an ex-Hell Knight probably).
Definitely Dex-based, using a cutlass and Slashing Grace.
Probably going half-orc with Sacred Tattoo and City-Raised, but open to suggestions on this.
Was considering going the Intimidate route with things like Shatter Defenses and Violent Display, but the swift action for the built-in Demoralize attack seems like it will be tough to get reliably, so I was thinking Cornugon Smash, but not sure I really want Power Attack (it's good, but I'd rather keep my to-hit high for Parry, and that would allow me to not put points in Str).
Was thinking about taking 2-4 levels of rogue for trapfinding, sneak attack (seems like a poor trade vs. more levels on Precise Strike and Weapon Training), earlier Evasion, and a bonus feat or talent.
Was thinking maybe 2 levels of Corsair Fighter for free (no Power Attack) Cleave with no AC penalty to boot.
Considering getting a combat maneuver (Dirty Trick makes the most sense I think), but waiting to hear back on whether we will be mostly fighting humanoids.
Looking for any suggestions on where to go with this character.
Looks like we will have a Drunken Master or Drunken Brute, a bard of some kind, and a "healer" of some kind.
If you don't pick up Great Fortitude and Iron Will, all the damage options you pick will be wasted.
Was on the fence between Iron Will and Steadfast Personality.
If you can find a way to mix in nonlethal damage then Enforcer becomes a very nice way to intimidate. The Skulking Slayer archetype for Rogues can do some Dirty Trick stuff.
Skulking Slayer looks interesting.
So, I'm looking hard at Corsair Swashbuckler (in-flavor, especially if I'm the captain of the ship), maybe Freebooter Ranger for probably 2 levels (also in-flavor as captain, and lets me pick up something like Cleave without needing Power Attack, and maybe Pirate Rogue (Swinging Reposition seems cool!).
May also just stay single-classed Corsair Swash.
Anyone want to convince me one way or the other?
Still trying to figure out some feats.