So I know the ACG hasn't been out long, but I'm curious if people have come up with ways to optimize the Inspired Blade swashbuckler archetype. I've got a player in an upcoming Skull and Shackles campaign that really likes the idea of playing a character who's specialized in the rapier (as he's an SCA fencer IRL), but I haven't familiarized myself with the new material enough yet to really make any recommendations.
I know a lot of people are annoyed at Slashing Grace, and if I'm reading it right it doesn't really accomplish anything for a rapier-wielder, so I'm unsure how to keep damage relatively competitive. Especially since the archetype would need Str, Dex, Int, AND Cha to really optimize the class features, which is a tough stretch.
Any general suggestions or rough builds to consider?
There's the Fencing Grace feat that's been previewed and will show up in a supplement in a few months. It's basically Slashing Grace, but for Rapiers.
That's actually a really solid choice. And the fact that Inspired Blade gets both Weapon Finesse and Weapon Focus (Rapier) at first level, you could have +Dex to damage at level 1, even for nonhuman races.
I kinda like the idea of an elf, half-elf, or halfling swashbuckler with a rapier.
A human could grab IUS and go for Crane Style, which would make for an amusing deflection-based duelist sort, parrying his opponents attacks and stabbing them for it. Hmm.