im still confused about what you guys are talking about...
a swashbuckler is a low skill swordsman who challanges people, with no ability to fight, to duels, boasts and brags, or is just a bad person with a sword. a swashbuckler is an A-hole... so how does that conform to a high dex skill based character? it would seem to be more of a role-play choice then a mechanical build.
a barbarian is a better "swashbuckler" then any other character in the CRB because thats their nature.
im still confused about what you guys are talking about...
a swashbuckler is a low skill swordsman who challanges people, with no ability to fight, to duels, boasts and brags, or is just a bad person with a sword. a swashbuckler is an A-hole... so how does that conform to a high dex skill based character? it would seem to be more of a role-play choice then a mechanical build.
a barbarian is a better "swashbuckler" then any other character in the CRB because thats their nature.
That is how you see the swashbuckler. That is not how many see the swashbuckler. Once you understand that difference, it becomes a lot easier to see why some people prefer other classes to implement the concept.
I'd suggest a "Swashbuckler" is a skilled braggart.
They prefer a nimble fighting style since armor just weighs you down (Dex over Str.)
They fight intelligently rather than powerfully (Int 13 minimum, but realistically higher to fill out skills.)
They're a cocky a-hole (High Cha and several Cha-based skill choices.)
Rogues/Bards tend to play this character better than Fighters, but Fighters can pull it off. It's just much harder to pull it off and still contribute to the group in your role of "Fighter." (ie: If you base yourself off Rogue or Bard, you can fill your group role easily. If you base yourself off Fighter, it's easier on everybody if you're the "fifth wheel" character.)
To be fair though, when you think about your favorite Swashbuckler inspiration, the stories about them rarely contain monsters that don't carry disarmable weapons, are tough to trip up, etc. This type of thing will seriously contribute to making the character type a tough play.
The original term for swashbuckling came from the young men who would hook their bucklers over their sword-hilts, and they would clash as they swaggered about. The meaning has changed somewhat, it usually refers these days to an Errol Flynn-type dashing swordsman with rapier and little armour, doing acts of daring and being flash.
It means (to me) a fighter who focusses on speed, skill and intelligence rather than strength, power and toughness.
This is doable, but not the most optimal build for a fighter at low level.
What's keeping me from using the Fighter to make a Swashbuckler?
4. The combat rules don't really include a satisfying mechanic for swinging from a chandelier. All those Acrobatics/Climb checks, and rounds spent making them, just for a high ground bonus? Why wouldn't I just stand on the table?
Lol you ain't thinkin outside the box.
I'm not really sure what's keeping people from making a Swashbuckler type character with the fighter?Because people give me grief when I tell them my 3rd level swashbuckler is a Fighter1/Barbarian1/Rogue/1.
Do you rage ever?
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Rogues/Bards tend to play this character better than Fighters, but Fighters can pull it off. It's just much harder to pull it off and still contribute to the group in your role of "Fighter." (ie: If you base yourself off Rogue or Bard, you can fill your group role easily. If you base yourself off Fighter, it's easier on everybody if you're the "fifth wheel" character.)
In all fairness, the fighter class doesn't come with a specific role. No matter which direction you take the fighter it will always fill a role unless the group asks you to be a tank and you create an archery fighter.
The class is so diverse that it doesn't come with a default "role".
I see Jarlaxle from the Drizzt novels as a fantastic example of a "Swashbuckler" type of character.
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Do you rage ever?When the chips are down, he'll bounce back with renewed vigor to win the day, yes.
Haha, I like it!