
RaizielDragon |
Im looking into putting together a small-sized, dex-based fighter, taking advantage of Weapon Finesse, Slashing Grace, TWF, Weapon Focus/Specialization/Training for offense and high Dex + Armor Training for defense.
Slashing Grace limits weapon options to Dueling Swords, which will net me -4 for TWFing. Would it be worth it to take a level of Swashbuckler to expand my options? Any other suggestions for the build?

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With exotic weapon proficiency, you can apply Slashing Grace to Sawtooth Sabres, which are treated as light weapons for TWF if you're proficient. So they're still one-handed weapons to work with Slashing Grace, but you have the lowest TWF penalties.
This does require one level in Swashbuckler or Daring Champion Cavalier, but you were gonna pick up Weapon Finesse anyway. And even if your charisma mod is negative, you'll still have one panache for the occasional opportune parry and riposte.

RumpinRufus |

The problem with sawtooth sabres is that they'd still use Str to hit, even if they get Dex to damage.
I don't know if Slashing Grace is worth it for a non-Swashbuckler, it is so much easier to use agile weapons. If you're going to go the Slashing Grace route:
1) You can use sawtooth sabres, get good TWF and Dex to damage but still use Str to hit
2) Take Martial Versatility and use a one-handed and light weapon in the same group (like whip/scorpion whip,) get Dex to damage and to hit on both, but have to take Weapon Focus and Weapon Finesse twice
3) Take Martial Versatility and then take Weapon Focus and Slashing Grace for a weapon you don't intend to use (like whip) and then dual-wield scorpion whips, so you can focus your (Greater) Weapon Focus/Specialization on the one weapon
4) Take the penalties for dual-wielding a non-light weapon, and do something like you suggest with the dueling sword
Maybe there's a good way to make this work, but I'm not really seeing it.

RaizielDragon |
Hm. I just realized I cant dip Swashbuckler as a Fighter. So the Cavalier would be my only option for getting the class feature.
I will have to compare the non-dip build with dueling swords to the dip build with something else and see which I like more.
On that note, can someone provide me with the target AC at each level, so I can run numbers so I can (try to) do my own weapon comparisons?

Alexander Augunas Contributor |

Eigengrau, thanks for the tip. I did not realize that.
Also, don't the sabers say they only count as light for purposes of TWFing? Meaning that they don't count as light weapons for Weapon Finesse? Meaning that I'd still have to dip Swashbuckler to get Dex to hit on them?
Swashbuckler's Finesse (or Champion's Finesse, if you go Cavalier) allows you to treat all light or one-handed piercing weapons as finesseable. Slashing Grace allows you to treat all one-handed slashing weapons as one-handed piercing weapons. This is how you finesse a sawtooth saber.
Personally, I would dip Swashbuckler rather than cavalier. The cavalier's Fortitude save might be better, but the cavalier gives you a bunch of abilities that do not scale with your fighter level, particularly challenge 1/day and tactician 1/day. The swashbuckler deeds you get from being a 1st level swashbuckler are awesome no matter what level you are.
If 3PP stuff is allowed, I wrote a fighter archetype in my 3PP product, Kitsune Compendium that might be something you would be interested in.
Dancer's Finesse (Ex) At 1st level, the dancing blade selects one fighter weapon group. He gains the benefits of the Weapon Finesse feat with all light or one-handed melee weapons that belong to the chosen weapon group. Treat these weapons as one-handed piercing weapons for all feats and class abilities that require such a weapon (such as a swashbuckler's or duelist's precise strike). This ability counts as having the Weapon Finesse feat for the purpose of meeting feat prerequisites. This ability replaces the 1st-level fighter bonus combat feat.
Panache and Deeds At 2nd level, the dancing blade gains Amateur Swashbuckler and Extra Panache as bonus feats. This ability replaces the 2nd-level fighter bonus combat feat.
Bonus Feats The dancing blade may choose combat feats or panache feats as bonus feats. Additionally, he may select one swashbuckler deed with a level equal to or less than his fighter level in place of a fighter bonus feat or a feat earned from character advancement. He may not select the precise strike deed.

nate lange RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32 |

yeah- as the feats stand now you really do need to dip swashbuckler or daring champion to make this work (and swashbuckler is better for your build IMO).
if your group is open to 3PP content, i haven't published these feats (yet?) but i think they work a bit more smoothly (and make more sense) than the current paizo feats... feel free to use them:
Graceful Combatant
Prerequisites: Dex 13, Weapon Finesse, +1 BAB
Benefit: You may apply your Dex modifier in place of your Str modifier on damage rolls you make with any weapon that benefits from weapon finesse. This bonus is not increased if the weapon is used in two hands but is halved for an off-hand weapon.
Slashing Grace
Prerequisites: Dex 13, Weapon Finesse, Weapon Focus with chosen weapon.
Benefit: Choose one kind of one-handed slashing weapon (such as the longsword). When wielding your chosen weapon one-handed, you can use the Weapon Finesse feat to apply your Dexterity modifier instead of your Strength modifier to attack rolls even though it isn't a light weapon and you can treat it as a one-handed piercing melee weapon for all feats and class abilities that require such a weapon (such as a swashbuckler’s or a duelist’s precise strike). The weapon must be appropriately sized for you in order to gain these benefits.
Double Precision
Prerequisites: Dex 15, Two-Weapon Fighting, Graceful Combatant
Benefit: When using the Graceful Combatant feat, you may apply your full Dex modifier to weapon damage rolls on attacks made with your off-hand.

RaizielDragon |
I think I'm set on just going straight Fighter, and using Dueling Swords. Not going to use the Two Weapon Fighter archetype either. I know there are some nice goodies in there for dual-wielders, but I don't want to lose the armor training.
I also decided on Halfling as the race, due to the feat Reckless Striker. I like the damage boost it can give to a TWF build, and only at the cost of 1 AC, which I should have plenty of.
Traits I'm looking at are: Defensive Strategist & Defender of the Society.
Any other suggestions?

Eigengrau |
Don't forget that if you decide on Dueling Swords to get the Sword Scion trait if your GM will let you have it.
Sword Scion
You have lived all your life in and around the city, growing up on tales of the exploits of your home city’s heroic and legendary sword lords. Perhaps one of your family members was a sword lord, you have a contact among their members, or you have dreamed since childhood of joining. Regardless, you idolize the heroes, styles, and philosophies of the sword lords and have sought to mimic their vaunted art. Before you can petition to join their ranks, however, you feel that you must test your mettle. Joining an expedition seems like a perfect way to improve your skills and begin your own legend.
Benefit: You begin play with a longsword or dueling sword and gain a +1 trait bonus on all attacks and combat maneuvers made with such weapons.

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Graceful Combatant
Prerequisites: Dex 13, Weapon Finesse, +1 BAB
Benefit: You may apply your Dex modifier in place of your Str modifier on damage rolls you make with any weapon that benefits from weapon finesse. This bonus is not increased if the weapon is used in two hands but is halved for an off-hand weapon.Slashing Grace
Prerequisites: Dex 13, Weapon Finesse, Weapon Focus with chosen weapon.
Benefit: Choose one kind of one-handed slashing weapon (such as the longsword). When wielding your chosen weapon one-handed, you can use the Weapon Finesse feat to apply your Dexterity modifier instead of your Strength modifier to attack rolls even though it isn't a light weapon and you can treat it as a one-handed piercing melee weapon for all feats and class abilities that require such a weapon (such as a swashbuckler’s or a duelist’s precise strike). The weapon must be appropriately sized for you in order to gain these benefits.Double Precision
Prerequisites: Dex 15, Two-Weapon Fighting, Graceful Combatant
Benefit: When using the Graceful Combatant feat, you may apply your full Dex modifier to weapon damage rolls on attacks made with your off-hand.
nice. consider adding an addendum to Graceful Combatant which includes any Strength penalty to damage - ie a ST-7 DX-18 character getting a +2 to damage...