Swashbuckler or Thug? Which should I take?

[PapaZorro]

So my GM is being very nice and letting my Ninja character switch out Poison Use for something... you know... Useful.

I'm debating between the Thug's Frightening ability, which allows you to actually Frighten someone with an Intimidate check instead of just shake (making it quite useful all of a sudden).

Or the Swashbuckler's Martial Training, allowing me to take Combat Trick twice, and gaining proficiency in a martial weapon.

I just hit 10th level, so I've taken, most importantly, the Invisible Blade master trick. I've also got: Offensive Defense, Vanish (obviously), Forgotten Trick, and Fast Stealth I think. I also picked up a homebrewed trick that allows me to cast Nondetection (great vs. people with See Invisibility).

I do have the Scout Archetype.

Feats: Bludgeoner, Combat Reflexes, Human feat sub for Skill Focus: Perception and Survival so far (going to pick up Orc bloodline via Eldritch Heritage). Sap Adept and Sap Master, and Dampen Presence (screw you Blindsight/sense).

I've got Str 22 (24 w/ Belt), Dex 16, Con 14, Int 8, Wis 12, Cha 16 (18 w/ Headband).
I've also got a Goz Mask to help me see through fog/smoke. And a Ring of Ki Mastery, making Forgotten Trick suddenly much, much better. Also have an item of Negate Aroma (screw you Scent) and will shortly be getting a pair of Slippers of Soft Step (screw you Tremorsense).

I usually use a Kusarigama for the reach ability and Bludgeoning quality (allowing me to benefit from Sap Adept/Mastery). And sometimes I use my shortbow w/ blunt arrows (again, allowing me to benefit from Sap Adept/Master).

So with the Thug's ability I can Frighten people I hit, even with an attack of opportunity (if I pick up the Enforcer via whenever I want via Forgotten Trick: Combat Trick - Enforcer. Making them flee before they even get to me/by me.

And with the Swashbuckler's Martial Training I can take Forgotten Trick: Combat Trick TWICE!!! Allowing me to pick up an even... huger number of feats on the fly, even those that are branches.

So as we're getting higher in level... How often are groups seeing enemies immune to being Frightened? And if I took Martial Training, what would be a good Martial Weapon to gain proficiency in?

I'm planning on continuing Ninja, continuing to increase strength, and just being an Invisible Menace to society.

Mainly though.... go for the versatility of Martial Training and double-Forgotten Trick: Combat Trick? Or the Frightening ability?

[VRMH]

You should pick the Swashthugler, obviously!

Personally, I'd skip the Frightening. There are just too many critters immune to fear, and those that aren't might end up fleeing from you - which is cool, but annoying.

[PapaZorro]

Anybody else want to weigh in?

[David_Bross]

I would choose the ability that helps you shore up weaknesses more. If you're within 30 feet (able to intimidate) them you have to ask, are they circumstances under which you'd like to try to fear them. Keep in mind to ACTUALLY frighten them you have to hit a 20 + hit die + wis mod, not 10, because you forgo making them shaken for 4 rounds. Or would you rather use your scout abilities and go for an attack. That said I'd actually get trapfinding back, as you're the only class that can do it.