Just to check to ensure i'm interpreting this right.
The Whirling dervish archetype has Dervish Finesse, which alters swashbuckler finesse. It basically says you can scimitar as a 1h piercing weapon for the purposes of swashbuckler finesse and other class/feats but you only receive this benefit if you aren't using a weapon or shield in your offhand.
This otherwise leaves swashbuckler finesse alone to work as it normally does right?
I'm wondering for a couple reasons.
1. If finesse works normally i could still use a rapier and a buckler with this archetype and basically ignore the scimitar piece, as it doesn't seem to suggest I HAVE to use a scimitar.
2. The way this is worded it seems like once you get the 4th level ability called dervish dance, which counts as dervish dance, but more importantly it just says anything you use with swashbuckler finesse works uses dex instead of str for damage. The way its worded you could basically pick up any light/1h piercing weapon and gain the benefits of weapon finesse and use dex modifier on damage rolls.
I am currently looking at a build using a buckler, and I also wanted to confirm for a future build idea because it seems like outside of breaking precise strike one could in theory have a TWF build with this that could get dex to damage with both weapons. The other benefit is it seems to have some advantage over inspired blade where for a dex to damage build it saves you a feat in that feat tax chain, but it doesn't lock you down to a singular weapon.
Bucklers are not held in your hand.
Dervish Dance can be used with a buckler.
There was a rather lengthy FAQ request thread a couple of weeks ago, before it was locked.
Bucklers are not held in your hand.
Dervish Dance can be used with a buckler.
There was a rather lengthy FAQ request thread a couple of weeks ago, before it was locked.
This isn't about the dervish dance feat, its about the Whirling Dervish swashbuckler archetype. Also i mention it because it specifically calls out shields.
That said even though it calls out not holding a shield as the buckler isn't held it still doesn't answer the 2nd part of the question.
The 2nd question was does the "Dervish Finesse" feature of the archetype can you use a rapier or something else and still receive the benefits. I ask as even though those two are basically the same i'm more curious on the ability to use other weapons with it in general.
It does seem to imply you don't lose the ability to use piercing weapons with your swashbuckler's finesse, so I believe you still can. In fact, the wording of Dervish Finesse may not even work if Swashbuckler's Finesse wasn't the same as it usually is.
sounds like you have the right of it to me. dervish finesse just adds the scimitar to what can be used with swashbucklers finesse essentially giving you slashing grace for free. you wouldnt be able to twf with a scimitar but using a rapier would be fine.
the ability dervish dance doesnt specify how many weapons nor does it restrict you from using anything in the other hand so it doesnt conflict with twf or using a buckler unless theres an errata i dont know about. youre right that you wouldnt be able to twf with precise strike though.
Cool, thanks for the answers.
I thought it worked like that but sometimes I'm wrong on archetypes when they only alter a feature rather than replace it.