Does Swashbuckler Weapon Training Apply To Thrown Weapons?

[Duskblade]

Pretty much what the title says: if a swashbuckler uses a weapon that can be used as a throwing weapon (lets say, a trident), does the swashbuckler weapon training bonus still apply? Currently the bonus states that they get +1 to hit and damage for all one-handed or light piercing melee weapons, but I wasn't sure if these bonuses applied to the weapon if it was thrown (which is a ranged attack, obviously...but the swashbuckler is still using a melee weapon so...yeah...not really sure).

[Nefreet]

It does specify "melee weapons", so I'd say no.

Plus, the Precise Strike ability calls out thrown weapons, so if they intended Weapon Training to work with thrown weapons, they would have worded it the same.

[Byakko]

Debatable.

Per page 141 of the Core Rules:

Quote:

Melee and Ranged Weapons: Melee weapons are used

for making melee attacks, though some of them can be
thrown as well. Ranged weapons are thrown weapons or
projectile weapons that are not effective in melee.

Quote:

Swashbuckler Weapon Training (Ex): At 5th level, a

swashbuckler gains a +1 bonus on attack and damage
rolls with one-handed or light piercing melee weapons.
While wielding such a weapon, she gains the benefit of
the Improved Critical feat. These attack and damage
bonuses increase by 1 for every 4 levels beyond 5th level
(to a maximum of +4 at 17th level).

The trident is listed as a One-Handed Melee Weapon, and thus qualifies for the bonus. Is a swashbuckler who is throwing a trident "wielding such a weapon"? I'd say yes.

Some thrown weapons are "Melee Weapons" and other thrown weapons are "Ranged Weapons". It's odd, but this is one of those overlapping groups cases. Note that the trident IS effective in melee, and thus isn't a ranged weapon (and is listed as such).

Is a thrown melee weapon still a melee weapon? This is where it gets murky. A ranged attack is being made, not a melee attack. But does this change the inherent classification of the weapon?

If someone were, say, proficient with all melee weapons, would they take a non-proficient penalty if they tried to throw a trident? If a paladin casts Holy Sword on a weapon... and then throws it, does the spell temporarily shut off while it's in the air?

As far as I know, this has never been answered concretely, so expect table variation.