Gaining the same class ability twice, need some advice

[Kyle Linger]

Gonna put this out right now, this contains homebrew material and houserules. I'm looking for some opinions here.

I'm creating a swashbuckler-type character, using a Pathfinder rewrite of the 3.5 class, posted here: http://kolidascope.wikia.com/wiki/Swashbuckler_%28Pathfinder%29

I'm also going into the Duelist prestige class, because getting Int to damage and AC is pretty cool in my book. But there's a slight problem; Since I'm taking 10 levels of swashbuckler and 10 levels of duelist, I'm gaining Acrobatic Charge twice. The ability doesn't have any stacking mechanic (see: Uncanny dodge and Evasion), so gaining it twice is pretty useless.

Now my DM isn't the type of guy to tell me to suck it up and deal with it, but I'm unsure of what to ask for in exchange. I'm considering maybe asking for a bonus feat, or the ability to ignore difficult terrain while Spring Attacking, but I'm also interested in hearing your thoughts. If it matters, the conflict wouldn't happen until the character hits level 17.

[Noah Fentz]

I'd say 'suck it up and deal with it', to steal your phrase.

Some abilities will occur twice in multiclassing, just as skills are class skills for more than one of your classes. You don't receive a bonus for that, nor would you receive a bonus for this in my campaign.

Since you know this overlap is occurring going into it, I'd say you knew what you're getting yourself into.

[pipedreamsam]

Swashbuckler is an archetype of rogue usually and though your version more of its own class than an archetpye you still fill the same basic niche (save for the trapfinding/disarming role). Asking for a feat or rouge talent wouldn't be a bad idea. Maybe if your dm is feeling nice you could ask for a few more class skills disable device, stealth, sleight of hand and knowledge (local/dungeoneering) are some of them that come to mind. I wouldn't ask for all of them, but two or three would probably be a fair tradeoff.

[Kierato]

Funny thing is, the guy in the picture is a rogue...
I assume the reason for 10 levels of Swashbuckler is for Improved Evasion. IMO, It would be better to take Duelist as early as possible (7th level) and take levels of fighter after you hit Duelist/10 (if you are still playing). This would solve your problem, even if it is not the answer you are wanting.

[Kyle Linger]

Kierato wrote:

Funny thing is, the guy in the picture is a rogue...

I assume the reason for 10 levels of Swashbuckler is for Improved Evasion. IMO, It would be better to take Duelist as early as possible (7th level) and take levels of fighter after you hit Duelist/10 (if you are still playing). This would solve your problem, even if it is not the answer you are wanting.

Good advice. I'm actually going into Duelist at level 6, since my DM has a slightly different view on how prerequisites work (for example, I'm taking Improved Critical at level 3, but can't use it until level 4. His logic is that if you have power attack and get strength drained, you don't lose the feat - you just can't use it. theoretically, you can learn a feat early and it just lies inert until you meet the prereqs. But that's neither here nor there.)

I opted for finishing Swashbuckler because the class abilities (uncanny dodge, evasion, improved flanking, etc.) can't be gained through feats, and I already have all the feats I need for this particular concept. Still, you make a good point.

As for the other posts, I can't think of a situation where 2 classes have an identical ability without a caveat about stacking, but I guess it makes sense. I suppose in 3.5, if you somehow got both Knight Protector and Frenzied Berserker, you would have Supreme Cleave twice.

In any case, I have 17 levels to decide on how to handle this. Thanks for the input.

[LazarX]

Kyle Linger wrote:

Gonna put this out right now, this contains homebrew material and houserules. I'm looking for some opinions here.

I'm creating a swashbuckler-type character, using a Pathfinder rewrite of the 3.5 class, posted here: http://kolidascope.wikia.com/wiki/Swashbuckler_%28Pathfinder%29

I'm also going into the Duelist prestige class, because getting Int to damage and AC is pretty cool in my book. But there's a slight problem; Since I'm taking 10 levels of swashbuckler and 10 levels of duelist, I'm gaining Acrobatic Charge twice. The ability doesn't have any stacking mechanic (see: Uncanny dodge and Evasion), so gaining it twice is pretty useless.

Now my DM isn't the type of guy to tell me to suck it up and deal with it, but I'm unsure of what to ask for in exchange. I'm considering maybe asking for a bonus feat, or the ability to ignore difficult terrain while Spring Attacking, but I'm also interested in hearing your thoughts. If it matters, the conflict wouldn't happen until the character hits level 17.

You don't really deserve anything in exchange. It all depends on how generous the GM is feeling.