Hi guys, I'm trying to build a 5th level de-buffing, cavorting, creepy assassin type Jester, and looking for a potential build. At the moment, I'm considering a multi-class swashbuckler (from the ACG)/Bard with the Court bard Archetype. I really like the Swashbuckler's "Opportune Parry and Riposte" ability, as it seem like a very Jester thing indeed to bonk an enemy when they try to stab you, and I'd like to dual-wield, though that's not necessary if it ruins a potential build.
Any advice as to which class to take first, or ability spread? I'd like to rock high DEX, and I'm leaning more towards The Jester from Devil May Cry/the Harlequin from Assassin's Creed/Shako from League of Legends than a typical silly fool.
If you're willing to drop spell progression/the bard side of things a bit, I'm a big fan of a halfling Swashbuckler working towards the Halfling Opportunist PrC. The ability to turn enemy actions into bonuses for yourself fits that thematic well, and a small character diving between people's knees to stab them in the ass is pretty cool. You can try to grab stuff like Improved Disarm and Taunt to work the debuff angle, mocking enemies and knocking their weapons out of their hands.
I also got a kick out of the halfling opportunist, but i'd like to stick to some amount of bard-ery, and avoid small races. I played one recently and am looking to branch out.
Should I be taking Court Bard FIRST, or Swashbuckler? Is there any benefit to doing one first over the other?
So far i"m thinking 4 levels of Court Bard (two second level spell slots for Blistering Invective and Hideous Laughter) and 1 level of Swashbuckler, and then just sticking to Swashbuckler?
I've also been considering a swashbuckling jester, after watching Scaramouche. But I was thinking a gnome, either a Mouser or a Prankster.
Unfortunately, I haven't found a good way to synergize Swashbuckler and Bard. I would probably say start with a one-level dip into Swashbuckler to pick up parry and riposte, and then go straight bard. Because if you go bard, it's got to be for the spellcasting, and you really can't afford to put more than one level into Swash I'm thinking.
That's what I was thinking. I mostly want to go bard for debuffing and some social skills, though i'm not sure how many people will want to talk to a creepy, stabby Hellequin. XD
Dual wielding creepy assassin type that wants to have high dex and dip Swashbuckler?
You my friend need Slashing Grace and sawtooth sabres.
I'd go Court Bard, Daring champion and then Battle Herald
Dual wielding creepy assassin type that wants to have high dex and dip Swashbuckler?
You my friend need Slashing Grace and sawtooth sabres.
Would that take up Weapon Focus and Exotic Weapon Prof. Sawtooth? What is the benefit of sawtooth sabres?
EDIT: Ah, for the light weapon exotic wep. feat bonus?
I'd go Court Bard, Daring champion and then Battle Herald
Why Daring Champion Cavalier over Straight Court Bard?
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For fun and reward, here's a quick couple sketches of my upcoming Jester. >}
Sweet Creepy Jester Masks For The Win!
I'd go Court Bard, Daring champion and then Battle Herald
This actually doesn't work, the Court Bard replaces Inspire Courage and therefore does not qualify for Battle Herald.
The aasimar favored class bonus would be pretty handy for improving Satire. Unlike Inspire Courage, the penalties on Satire aren't capped, so you could reach a -5 penalty at bard level 16.
The Steel Falcon PrC grants Heroic Speech at 2nd level, which functions like the inspire courage aspect of bardic performance, using your steel faclon level + bard levels as your effective bard level for the ability.
Assuming heroic speech works in all ways like bardic performance, you'd need the virtuoso performance or shadow bard spell to pull off both at once, but the combined penalties and bonuses to attack would help you pull off those parries. The master performer and grand master performer feats can boost inspire by +1 each, but again, that assumes heroic speech is treated like a bardic performance. If not, then I'm not sure how to handle the ability.
Just an idea!
Hmm...very cool synergy, but i'm not sure aasimar fits the "creepy jester assassin" idea. I didn't even notice that about Satire! Nice!
So I'm thinking ability priority should be DEX, CHA, CON, INT, WIS, STR, with weapon finesse to add dex to attack rolls. Is there a way to be able to add character levels instead of just swashbuckler levels to damage with the Precise Strike deed? Or Dex to damage other than Dervish Dance (I think the Dervish Dancer feat chain with Slashing grace would be too many feats to be plausible)?
Well, for Dex to damage the Slashing Grace + Martial Versatility combo works, if you're going human.
Also, you realize that Swashbucklers essentially get free Weapon Finesse, right?
I think Dirty Trick is even more flavorful than Feint. Pull down the pants, squirt ink in the eyes, thrown dung in the face, have fun!
Dual wielding creepy assassin type that wants to have high dex and dip Swashbuckler?
You my friend need Slashing Grace and sawtooth sabres.
Would that take up Weapon Focus and Exotic Weapon Prof. Sawtooth? What is the benefit of sawtooth sabres?
EDIT: Ah, for the light weapon exotic wep. feat bonus?
It's the only way to get dual wielding dex to damage without suffering the -4 hit penalties. Plus the sawtooth sabre as a weapon matches your concept almost exactly.
Well, for Dex to damage the Slashing Grace + Martial Versatility combo works, if you're going human.
Also, you realize that Swashbucklers essentially get free Weapon Finesse, right?
Isn't martial versatility Fighter lvl 4 only?
and yes, I'm rather counting on the free finesse. >}
Are you looking for optimization or flavor?
Assuming you're looking for a little flavor in the mix ... how about this? Court Bard and Swashbuckler, of course. Max out ranks in Bluff (or Perform [comedy] for the versatile performance). Carry no obvious weapons with you. Instead, your main "weapon" is a jester's head on a stick with a blade concealed inside -- a flavorful adaptation of a sword cane, which lets you use your weapon finesse.
In combat, you draw the sword cane from inside the jester head on a stick, but you continue holding the stick in your off-hand. When you use your bardic abilities on an opponent, or when you feint or demoralize in combat (and you should constantly feint or demoralize), talk to your opponent through the head on a stick.
Name the head on a stick Binky.
You: "Hello, Mister Orc. Binky here says that you smell like a goblin's undershorts."
"Binky" (actually you with a funny voice): "Yeah, but even a goblin baby's got more in those shorts than Mister Orc does!!"
Then both you a Binky laugh as you whack the orc with the sword bit of your sword cane.
Everything about that is BLOODY FANTASTIC! XD Ahahahahaaa!
I almost wish i could disguise a mace as a jester's head and use it for Swashbuckler's Riposte."NICE SWING! BONK! *crushes opponents face in* AHAHAHA"
BOINK.
Isn't martial versatility Fighter lvl 4 only?
and yes, I'm rather counting on the free finesse. >}
At 4th level, Swashbucklers can count their swash levels for Fighter levels for the purposes of feat prereqs.
A Morningstar would work for Swashbuckler abilities. Neither a Mace nor a Morningstar are the most ideal of weapons to use, but if you wanted them for flavor then sure.
At 4th level, Swashbucklers can count their swash levels for Fighter levels for the purposes of feat prereqs.Isn't martial versatility Fighter lvl 4 only?
and yes, I'm rather counting on the free finesse. >}
0_0 THAT ABSOLUTELY ROCKS. Hmm..though that means I'd have to go swashbuckler 4, court bard 1, which would hurt spell progression pretty bad? Though the jester would be a much more deft melee combatant.
A Morningstar would work for Swashbuckler abilities. Neither a Mace nor a Morningstar are the most ideal of weapons to use, but if you wanted them for flavor then sure.
Right, Piercing weapons! Forgot about the morningstar.
Is the swashbuckler supposed to be a straight dex/cha dps build class, or do are they more in line with the magus styled crit-based builds? It seems like they innately lean towards Rapier use almost to the extent that the gunslinger focuses on guns. 0_0
Also, I'm trying to decide between dhampir, human, and fetchling for the starting race. Human has the obvious versatility and the free feat, while dhampir has +2 dex and Cha, and "Manipulative" (+2 bluff and perception), all of which rocks for a bard (though detect undead is rather meh for me). They also have to deal with negative energy affinity, though.
Fetchling have the same ability bonuses + elec and cold resistance 5, a miss chance in dim light, and Disguise self as a spell-like (gotta meet that noble jerk or the king? Disguise self as nobility and bluff your way through for maximum laughs). The penalty to wisdom could suck, due to low perception rolls, and a wand of disguise self isn't all that expense.
Thoughts?
We've got a party of a human rogue, a tiefling gunslinger, a changeling slayer, and this new character. Is bard going to actually help at all, or just step on other character's toes? We're running through book 2 of Runelords right now, and have just finished the misgivings...
Bards always help.
Thinking about a swashbuckler/bard[archaeologist] build myself, although starting at 3rd--maybe 4th.
I have been thinking, though, of just going straight Swashbuckler with dangerously curious trait for UMD.
The more I am reading the class, the more I do not want to multi-class, as with most PF classes.
Well played PF. Well played....