Why ever take fighter?

[Jon Otaguro 428]

whatever; all you need to see is

swashbucklers use shields and have nimble, their AC should be higher than a fighter (which most people seem to think is synonymous with a character using a 2H weapon)

[Scavion]

Rough Mutation Warrior Fighter math.

+3 Mithril Breastplate(+9)(13k)
Belt of Physical Might(Dex and Str +2)(10k)
+4 Dex (18 Dex after Belt)
Ring of Protection +2 (8k)
Amulet of Natural Armor +2 (8k)
Jingasa of Fortunate Soldier (5k) +2 with fate's favor
Dusty Rose Prism +1(5k)

=49,000 gold spent.

Dodge +1

The four bonus feats the Swashbuckler doesn't get will go to...
Improved Unarmed Strike
Crane Style
Crane Wing
Crane Riposte
For a -1 to Attack Rolls for a +4 to AC

+2 Natural Armor from Mutagen

10+9+4+2+2+2+1+1+4+2+2= 37 AC