The obvious answer is the Free Hand Fighter archetype, which focuses on having an empty hand. It gains benefits for having a free hand and is focused on disarming because you can use that empty hand to take the other guy's weapon rather than just knocking it to the ground.
If you would accept a bit of magic, you could go with Kensai or Myrmidarch magus archetypes. They both focus on more martial concepts than the normal magus.
Your main concern is that your AC will be a few points below target because you won't have a shield, but your damage is also lower because you aren't swinging a two-handed weapon. That's sort of what Free Hand Fighter looks to mitigate.
Last idea would be a form of monk with a Temple sword. There are quite a few archetypes that would work here, such as Weapon Adept or Martial Artist. Weapon Adept may work slightly better if you can get temple sword added to the list of weapons with which the feat Perfect Strike (which is gained for free) can be used. Martial Artist gets you Fighter feats for monk weapons.
The main question between Fighter and Kensai is whether you want zero magic or some non-traditional spellcasting. The question between those two and Monk is if you want to wear armor or not. The monk gets you around several AC issues, but the weapon path isn't exactly their forte... Though don't be put off by the flavor and fluff, you can dress your monk in a different skin and instead of being a bald guy who trains in the mountains, you have hair and are just very focused on your physical state of being and skill.
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The swashbuckler really is Tailor-made for your character in concept (one-handed high damage dealer). Granted it stays with one-hand, but it does damage LIKE it is using the second hand; so you won't miss it, and can carry a buckler or a flag (Flagbearer feat) in the other hand. Also encourages a higher Cha and Dex; which is nice.
For "strictly" having a longsword in one hand and keeping the other open, there's nothing mechanically that will support that; anything that has an advantage for keeping the other hand open is regulated to piercing, dex-based weapons. Does it need to be a longsword, or could you see yourself using a Rapier or similar weapon?
And I disagree with the Lorewarden; you're not really doing manuevers, and you're already not carrying a shield, so your AC is awful.
This sounds like you are trying too hard to make the character mechanically non-viable with the game; the game supports one-hand no shield with Dex weapons, Sword and board, and Two-handed; but there's no actual advantage (either mechanically or role-playing wise) to having someone strictly use a longsword one-handed).
I can't add anything to this discussion other than this homebrew feat if your dm allows such things:
One hander.
Prerequisites: int 13.
In a round when you make melee attacks with only one hand (and no natural weapons) your attacks deal 1 point of bonus damage. The damage bonus increases by +1 for every 4 character levels you possess.
If you possess Weapon focus (and/or Weapon focus greater), the one hander damage bonus increases by +1 for that weapon for each feat.
The one hander damage bonus is doubled on vital strikes.
The feat I described puts your damage on par with a 2 handed fighter (1 point difference assuming both are humans with 18 str and power attack lvl 1, not including weapon damage where the 2 hander ofc wins out) initially but at the cost of 1 feat.
The 2 hander will still pull ahead, but this feat at least helps you keep up and does not prevent you from holding a shield. (I know a shield won't fit the concept, but ever bit of extra damage helps.)
If you're okay with switching the longsword out to a scimitar, Dervish Dance into Duelist is pretty simple and effective enough.
The swashbuckler really is Tailor-made for your character in concept (one-handed high damage dealer). Granted it stays with one-hand, but it does damage LIKE it is using the second hand; so you won't miss it, and can carry a buckler or a flag (Flagbearer feat) in the other hand. Also encourages a higher Cha and Dex; which is nice.
For "strictly" having a longsword in one hand and keeping the other open, there's nothing mechanically that will support that; anything that has an advantage for keeping the other hand open is regulated to piercing, dex-based weapons. Does it need to be a longsword, or could you see yourself using a Rapier or similar weapon?
Actually in the updated ACG Playtest document they did add a feat that would allow you to use one-handed weapon as though it were a piercing weapon.
Slashing Grace
Choose one type of one-handed slashing weapon.
Prerequisites: Dex 13, Weapon Finesse, proficient with
chosen weapon.Benefit: When wielding your chosen weapon one
handed, you can treat it as a one-handed piercing weapon
for all feats and class abilities that require such a weapon
(such as swashbuckler’s precise strike). The weapon must
be one for your size.
And remember Swashbuckler's Finesse does now count as Weapon Finesse at first level.
Swashbuckler Finesse (Ex): At 1st level, a swashbuckler
gains the benefits of the Weapon Finesse feat with light
or one-handed piercing melee weapons, and she can
use her Charisma score in place of Intelligence as a
prerequisite for Combat Expertise. This ability counts as
having the Weapon Finesse feat for purposes of meeting
feat prerequisites
One of the weird things that happens because of Slashing Grace is that the Aldori Dueling Sword and the Longsword are now essentially the same thing (as far as my group has been able to determine), except that it takes a EWP(Aldori Dueling Sword) to use that or Slashing Grace(Longsword) to use a longsword. In the longhaul of any campaign as written, Slashing Grace(Longsword) is going to be the better choice because odds are a magical longsword will drop, but not a magical Aldori Dueling Sword.
What this does though is make it a tough choice if you want to pick up a level of the PrC Aldori Swordlord (one level gives you Dex to Damage!) because one of the pre-reqs is EWP(Aldori Dueling Sword). What my group has decided is that since there is still the need to take a feat, a person could pick up the PrC if they have Slashing Grace(Longsword) instead.
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It would be better to just houseroule that the Swashbuckler Finesse is a valid prereq. for Slashing Grace, which is probably the intent too. Having two feat taxes to be able to play a class with a sub-optimal combat style is pretty lame IMO. With this logic you cannot start playing a Swashbuckler with a slashing weapon at lvl 1, unless you are a Human. You are already gimping yourself by playing a Dex-based free-hand type PC, one feat tax to make the Swashbuckler more customisable is enough.
If I am to take two feat taxes anyway, I would just rather be a Dawnflower Dervish Bard, that I can do my schtick right from lvl 1 more effectively than the Swashbuckler will ever do it.
Swashbuckler Finesse is a class ability at level 1. There for the player only needs to take Slashing Grace to use slashing weapons.
I agree that Dervish Dance is good, but I don't know if it puts the bard above the swashbuckler in the long run. Panache is really good with regards to precise strike, especially with an Agile weapon. Not to mention the added benefits of Opportune Parry and Riposte, Menacing Swordplay, and Swashbuckler Weapon Training.
**Edit: I just re-read your post and it looks like you missed the bottom of Swashbuckler's Finesse where it states, "This ability counts as having the Weapon Finesse feat for purposes of meeting feat prerequisites."
I am aiming to make an effective one handed combatant. Someone who can flexibly switch between using one and two handed attacks with a long-sword.
My concept revolves around him being an heir to a very prestigious wizarding family. His siblings are noted as being prodigies considering their progress as mages. My character has exhibited almost no magical aptitude or interest and expresses traits more commonly seen in a soldier or fighter. I want my character to kind of embody the fact that his natural ability doesn't manifest itself through magical talent but rather through his physical prowess.
I would preferably like him to be able to stand toe to toe using mainly a long-sword in his main hand and nothing in the off hand. Not even a buckler. Just looking for any tips and build suggestions that you might have on hand that could help me out a bit.
I'm not sure if this is enough to go off of but there it is. If you can pick my brain to answer some questions that may be able to make it a bit easier I am all ears. Thanks again.
My strongest recommendation would be to go Weaponmaster and use a Scimitar - or better yet a Falchion - which can be flavored any way you like. I've got a pretty great build for a pure Fighter using some of their best tricks that can really make show what can be accomplished at the pinnacle of swordsmanship.
Better yet, if you aren't limited to Fighter as a class, four levels of Lore Warden (makes sense since he would come from an educated family) followed by levels of Urban Barbarian would be pretty great too - I view an Urban Barbarian's Focused Rage ability as someone who has mind over body control, able to enter into an incredible combat focus to improve his strength or reflexes.
Let me know if you're interested in either and I'll post the build.
I went ahead and threw something together for you, just to show what I'm talking about.
The character will have Whirlwind Attack by 4th level, Lunging Whirlwind Attack by 7th, higher than average AC for a shieldless fighter and through his Barbarian levels will gain high saves vs. Magic, Damage Reduction and the ability to increase his Strength, Dexterity or Constitution as needed. He's more than just a master of the sword, he's a master of his own physical abilities, and you will find there are times (like saving throws) where those boosted physical stats can be surprisingly useful.
Some neat tricks in there too - Greater Beast totem gives you Pounce, a Dazing Lunging Whirlwind Attack makes for some nice crowd control, and combining Dazing Assault with a standard compliment of iterative attacks and the Rage Power Come and Get Me can really make things a nightmare for a single target, no matter how high his Fortitude saves are.
Combat Expertise, Reckless Assault and Power Attack give you the versatility to manipulate your attack, damage and AC as you think best for any given situation. Let me know if you have any questions
Human 4th level Lore Warden / 16th level Urban Barbarian & Invulnerable Rager
Human favored class option for Barbarians (Superstition)
Attributes: (20 point build)
STR - 16 (+2 racial bonus, +1 at 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th and 20th level)
DEX - 14
CON - 14
INT - 10
WIS - 12
CHA - 8
Traits:
Reactionary
Well-Hidden
Feats & Rage powers:
1st - Weapon Focus
1st - Power Attack
1st - Cleave
2nd - Dodge
2nd - Combat Expertise
3rd - Mobility
4th - Spring Attack (retrain Cleave to Whirlwind Attack)
5th - Extra Rage
6th - Superstition
7th - Lunge
8th - Lesser Beast Totem
9th - Extra Rage Power: Reckless Abandon
10th - Beast Totem
11th - Dazing Assault
12th - Extra Damage Reduction
13th - Extra Rage Power: Extra Damage Reduction
14th - Greater Beast Totem
15th - Combat Reflexes
16th - Come and Get Me
17th - Raging Brutality
18th - Witch Hunter
19th - Improved Initiative
20th - Auspicious Mark
Along the same line as the Swashbuckler, you could try out the ACG Warpriest. The damage die of a 1-hander and a 2-hander will (eventually) be the same thanks to Sacred Weapon and then you can elect to one-hand or two-hand your weapon based on what situation arrives. You also then get swift cast buff spells thanks to fervor, some free bonus feats, and full BAB with your Sacred Weapon (just take Weapon Focus: Longsword no matter what deity you choose). You will likely do less damage than a straight fighter, but get much more flexibility IMO.
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You will likely do less damage than a straight fighter,
umm, I doubt it. Warpriest can cast swift action divine favor at second level. That one buff is as good as Weapon Training. Then they can Stack on weapon enchantments like a magus, and other fantastic cleric buffs like righteous might as swift actions, all while full attacking each round with their sacred weapon damage and full BAB.
I'd say late game, yes the Warpriest (which is arguably my favourite class - overtaking Fighter) will out damage, but at mid levels, with Weapon specialization and GWS, the fighter might come out on top. Also note, the fighter can more easily access feats that have a BAB requirement (such as the critical feats) because although they get full BAB with their Sacred Weapon attacks) they don't ACTUALLY have the BAB. On that same note, it's not explicit if Warpriests gain the additional iterative attacks one would get with additional BAB or not when only their Sacred Weapon BAB pushes them to the next tier, so if your GM rules that you don't, then you will fall even more behind the Fighter (yes Divine Power helps later but at that point the Fighter should be hasted 24/7).
Anyway, this is not a Warpriest vs. Fighter thread and I will not try to turn it into such, I had just planned on making a longsword + empty offhand character in the near future for a friend's game and was going to use the Warpriest to do so, so I thought I'd give my 2c.
There's a lot of discussion about duelists in this thread. And a single weapon fighter with high intelligence is exactly who should be looking to build toward duelist.
If you want to stick with an actual longsword, Slashing Grace from the ACG will let you into duelist with it, although you won't be actually using the Weapon Finesse feat. Which is an interesting idea; a high strength, high intelligence duelist build.
If you're willing to use an Aldori Dueling Sword (which looks like a slightly curved longsword), you open up some options - the Aldori Fighter archetype is very good at fighting with a one handed weapon; anarchitect's Swordlord Fighter guide is very useful (although the Crane Wing advice is out of date; Crane Wing and Riposte are no longer valuable feats)
If you dip one level into the Aldori Swordlord prestige class, then the Aldori Dueling Sword is another way into Duelist. Dervish Dancing scimitar builds also qualify for Duelist. You'll find example builds for both in the thread I linked at the top of the post. (I particularly like my Barbarian Duelist.)
Here's a build idea for the longsword duelist.
Lore Warden 5 / Student of War 2 / Duelist 4 / Sow +3 / Duelist +6
1: Power Attack, Weapon Focus
2: Dodge, Expertise
3: Skill Focus (Know Whatever), Manuever Mastery
4: Weapon Spec
5: Mobility, Weapon Training
6: Know Your Enemy +1
7: Finesse, Slashing Grace, Mind over Metal
8: Canny Defense, Precise Strike
9: FEAT, Improved Reaction +2, parry
10:Enhanced Mobility
11:FEAT, Combat Reflexes, Grace
12:Anticipate
13:FEAT, Know Your Enemy +2
14:FEAT
15:FEAT, Riposte
16:Acrobatic Charge
17:FEAT, Elaborate Defense
18:Improved Reaction +4
19:FEAT, Defelect Arrows, no retreat
20:Crippling Critical
Given an Int score of 18, this character could max out Celestial Armour while having a Dex score just high enough to meet feat prerequisites. Assuming Human, you choose between a bonus feat at level 1, dual talent to get the starting Int and Str higher, or three Skill Focus feats for the price of one, freeing up the level three feat.
With seven feats left unselected, there's still plenty of room to customize; maneuver feats, spring / whirlwind feats, critical feats, IUS+a style chain, or anything else really can be added to this base.
Any reason you don't EWP and pick up a Falcata? Easily the best of the one-handed weapons, although rare as a drop item. If you're Taldoran, it's their signature weapon.
One thing you get with the Aldori sword that you won't with a longsword is the shield bonus to AC. Note that an Aldori sword is treated as a longsword as long as you don't have EWP/Aldori.
The combination of Aldori and Crane Style makes you extremely hard to hit when fighting defensively. Lore Warden, however, is better for the image of an educated fighter.
'NOthing in the other hand, 2h when you want it' is basically the whole idea for Crane Style. You can take Master of Many Styles for a boost to saves and IHS backup to get the feats early. The feats are excellent at lower levels and still useful, if not absolute at higher levels.
==Aelryinth
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An interesting alternative to the post-nerf crane style is Snapping Turtle Style. If you take the entire chain, you will get a +2 Shield bonus to AC and CMD, can make an immediate action grapple on a missed attack, and enemies will have a -4 to confirm crits against you. This is best done with Lore Warden or another class that has a bonus to maneuvers though.