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And so here we have it, what hopes to be a relatively comprehensive and understandable guide to playing a Swashbuckler. Races, Feats, Archetypes, you name it. Takes into account material from most everything Paizo, including the core books, companions such as the Advanced Race Guide and Inner Sea World Guide, and so on. If it's on the SRD, I've probably taken it into account. That or completely missed it, which is entirely possible; if you see anything obvious(or obscure) that needs adding or alteration, or disagree with some of my ratings, point it out!
With that said, here it is: The Dashing Daring Dandy's Dragoman, a guide to the Swashbuckler.
Nice work, I was hoping someone would write a swashbuckler guide.
My main issue with it right now is that it marks Power Attack as red. There are a LOT of times when Power Attack is your best option.
I'm playing a swashbuckler currently and I have been repeatedly asked (by the GM and other players) how I can put out so much damage. I have to explain it multiple times because they are still amazed I am hitting so hard with a rapier.
You want to Power Attack when: you are only making one attack, or you have a bonus to attack (e.g. flanking or vs prone), or your enemy has DR, or you are hasted, or when the enemy has low AC.
You don't want to Power Attack when: you are taking a full attack without buffs, bonuses, or Haste.
It does slightly hinder your parry chances, but it also makes the riposte more painful.
It gives you a damage boost that scales in a much better way than Slashing Grace. And they're not at all mutually exclusive - you can keep Str at 13 (which incidentally makes those carrying weight issues go away) and use Slashing Grace while you Power Attack.
There's way too many situations where Power Attack is the best option for it to be marked in red.
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The fact that Piranha Strike requires light weapons makes it much more limiting than Power Attack. If you want to use Slashing Grace it doesn't work, and if you want to use a rapier (or other one-handed weapon) it doesn't work.
bumping for later
If you are hasted at level 12 (and you probably should be, by Boots of Speed if not a caster) then the extra damage on your two main attacks is huge.
Like I said, the time you don't want to Power Attack is when you're full attacking with no buffs or bonuses. But if you only have a single attack, or you're hasted, or have buffs or bonuses, it pays off nicely.
And 7 attribute points can't be bought back:) No feat is worth that many points.
Still don't think its red territory, but its not that great with the high cost.
And 7 attribute points can't be bought back:) No feat is worth that many points.
Still don't think its red territory, but its not that great with the high cost.
If you dump Str down from a 13 to a 7 that is a -3 to CMB and CMD, -3 to throwing damage or bow damage, -3 damage when you're using a weapon besides your Slashing Grace weapon, -3 to Climb and Swim, and drops your light load from 50 lb to 23 lb.
There's lots of reasons not to dump strength, Power Attack is just the most deadly one.
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Drat, I'd figured Perfect Thrust to be a sort of souped-up Vital Strike. That ruling makes much more sense given past versions of things similar to it, however. A shame.
Quick Draw synergy noted; it's better than I thought, especially for Flying Blades.
And all right, I've adjusted Power Attack some. I do still believe Piranha Striking with an Agile(if your GM doesn't let Slashing Grace work with light weapons) Wakizashi is better for a damage-focused Swashbuckler, though, due to the inherent MADness associated with a Finesse fighter using Power Attack.
I knew I'd miss stuff when it came to magic items, so that comes as no surprise! There's just so many of the things. And some of those are insanely good.
Everything taken into account, and the guide amended to reflect it!
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Color me mollified.
You don't mention cruel property for weapons. You already are shackening enemies with your intimidate skill. Why not continue debuffing with sicken?
Nice guide, but I'm confused by the desire to convince a GM to allow Piranha Strike on thrown daggers. Why not just use Deadly Aim? It's exactly the same effect, but is meant to be used on ranged attacks.
Also, consider some of the non-human races for a Flying Blade build, because a racial SLA will qualify you for Arcane Strike, which boosts damage and gets you past DR/magic and incorporeal creatures without shelling out for multiple enchanted daggers.
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I think you are also underestimating the value of Targeted Strike. One of the main problems with combat maneuvers is that CMD scales up faster than your CMB which makes it harder to pull off a maneuver at higher levels. With Targeted Strike you get a choice of 4 effects (Disarm, Confuse, Trip, Stagger) with a successful hit, no combat maneuver check required. Perfect option for stopping an opponent from doing any damage or taking any action. It also can generate a few AoOs.
One other thing, lose the profanity in your write up. It is unnecessary and some will find it offensive.
Since, I like to be contrary, I will tell you otherwise: How vital is DEX to the swashbuckler actually?
Lets ignore the fact that is is associated with traditionally dex based styles (and it is VERY dex friendly with the free weapon finesse and static bonuses to damage), and look at what actually encourages its use.
Traditionally, in the absence of TWF or ranged styles, there are 2 main advantages of DEX over strength (which has the advantage of getting stat to damage without all the hoops): it adds to reflex, and it adds to AC. Now, we can kind of ignore reflex here (it is your good save, so it doesn't need the massive help that a fighter might need). And for AC, you are actually doing rather well there as well since you can sword and board with a buckler. A +3 armor costs more than a +2 armor and a +2 buckler; having more slots adding to the same thing means it is easier to boost with the scaling cost system of upgrades; also, that sweet scaling nimble bonus to AC makes your light armor moot eventually. So a swashbuckler can be rather sturdy, if not tanky, even without being DEX focused.
There is one other use for dex (as far as I can see), however: AoOs, which is rather important with ripostes. Whether the extra number of AoO's justifies that (since you could go with 14 dex and still get 3 per round early on, and expand that with a +dex belt later) is up for debate.
If you have noticed any other mechanics that specifically NEEDS dex, then I would actually love to see them. I am not entirely advocating that dex swashbucklers are bad, or that they shouldn't be the standard for the class. I just like to argue a bit, and found it interesting that this was even an option when everyone is running with a single specific idea of what the swashbuckler 'should' be.
Since, I like to be contrary, I will tell you otherwise: How vital is DEX to the swashbuckler actually?
Lets ignore the fact that is is associated with traditionally dex based styles (and it is VERY dex friendly with the free weapon finesse and static bonuses to damage), and look at what actually encourages its use.
Traditionally, in the absence of TWF or ranged styles, there are 2 main advantages of DEX over strength (which has the advantage of getting stat to damage without all the hoops): it adds to reflex, and it adds to AC. Now, we can kind of ignore reflex here (it is your good save, so it doesn't need the massive help that a fighter might need). And for AC, you are actually doing rather well there as well since you can sword and board with a buckler. A +3 armor costs more than a +2 armor and a +2 buckler; having more slots adding to the same thing means it is easier to boost with the scaling cost system of upgrades; also, that sweet scaling nimble bonus to AC makes your light armor moot eventually. So a swashbuckler can be rather sturdy, if not tanky, even without being DEX focused.
There is one other use for dex (as far as I can see), however: AoOs, which is rather important with ripostes. Whether the extra number of AoO's justifies that (since you could go with 14 dex and still get 3 per round early on, and expand that with a +dex belt later) is up for debate.
If you have noticed any other mechanics that specifically NEEDS dex, then I would actually love to see them. I am not entirely advocating that dex swashbucklers are bad, or that they shouldn't be the standard for the class. I just like to argue a bit, and found it interesting that this was even an option when everyone is running with a single specific idea of what the swashbuckler 'should' be.
Nothing prevents a Dex swashbuckler going for a +2buckler too, effectively gaining much more AC
But the problem with going str based is stats.
As you said you need at least 14dex for aoo. That is 5 less...
Eh, just go with the 16/14/14/10/10/14 model on a 20 pt buy. It is a bit conservative but solid model for most martials that also have an important mental stat.
And I would typically go with a 13-14 str anyway (really, same stat spread, just move str and dex around). Rapiers need power attack rather than piranha strike, and while there are other, lighter weapons that could fit the bill...rapiers are just kind of a standard to compare against since they fit the class's abilities without any firangling, and it is the high crit that is fairly much expected with the panche system. I am not the type that is obsessed with getting a 20 here. As a full BAB character, you are hitting well enough without that. Also, even with riposte and panche...are you honestly going to be doing 8+ AoO's per round?
And I never said dex builds couldn't grab bucklers too. Just that it is the same problem as reflex- you can still end up with plenty, even without making it your focus.
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Oddly enough... When building a Swashbuckler you're still better off focusing on Str and getting a 2-handed weapon. You can even dump Cha and focus on Con and Wis to make up for your atrocious saves, then grab Extra Panache to compensate.
Admittedly, it's not the flavor most players are looking for when they decide to play a Swashbuckler, but it's mechanically viable, so I feel it should be mentioned in a class guide.
BTW, speaking of saves... You might want to mention Wayfinder + Clear Spindle Ioun Stone, which gives you protection against mind control and possession by Evil creatures (probably the ones you'll be fighting most of the time, anyway).
A cracked Pale Green Prism Ioun stone can give characters a +1 to all saves or to attack rolls.
Jingasa of Fortunate Solders is also universally great.
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Oddly enough... When building a Swashbuckler you're still better off focusing on Str and getting a 2-handed weapon. You can even dump Cha and focus on Con and Wis to make up for your atrocious saves.
Admittedly, it's not the flavor most players are looking for when they decide to play a Swashbuckler, but it's mechanically viable, so I feel it should be mentioned in a class guide.
From the way that precise strike scales, it seems to me that it is meant to make a power attack/piranha strike from a 1 handed/light weapon match the power attack from a 2 handed weapon (assuming the other side is a full martial with decent strength and strength enhancements for their level). It is meant to make the Swashbuckler compare to other full martials (you then get that swashbuckler's weapon training in order to compare to the other damage increasing mechanics you see on full BAB clases). So getting 2 handed-like damage, and still leaving room for sword and board is rather nice. I always hated that you had to go TWF with sword and shield to be 'optimized', and this class is built to avert that idea (and heck, it even salvages throwing builds)
Anyway, tying this back to the discussion of the guide, I have to agree with other posters that I would never entirely see precise strike as a replacement for such damage boosters. There might be some more argument if you have another source of static bonuses, such as arcane strike, but I would still seriously look into the cost benefit analysis between damage and accuracy.
On that note: What do you think about grabbing arcane strike? About half as good as power attack, and only costs a swift action rather than accuracy? Based upon a FAQ about Spell-Like Abilities, Casting, and Prerequisites, you can grab feats that require casting, like arcane strike, as long as you have an appropriate spell like ability. There are only a few ways to get something like that to scale caster level (which scales arcane strike) with your level though. One particularly accessible method of getting such an SLA is via the Light Bringer trait
Arcane strike is also valuable since it opens up Riving strike. That feat is basically a 1 turn Evil Eye hex on anything you smack with arcane strike. So a -2 to saves against spells gives you a nice little role as a debuffer.
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If you want to use a two-hander with no CHA why even play a Swashbuckler? When not using a light or one-handed piercing weapon you basically lose half of your deeds (all of them if you don't take Extra Panache), you have no Panache and no way to regain Panache (if you take Extra Panache), and you lose most of your class abilities (all except Nimble and Bonus Feats).
If you want a STR based, dumped CHA, 2-Handed Weapon using character, play a Fighter or even a Rogue
Arcane Strike is a pretty good feat... But Swashbucklers already have too much going for their swift/immediate actions (which is the main reason why Charmed Life doesn't really compensate for the class awful saves).
I'd put some emphasis on boosting Fort/Will saves. Those tend to become very common and very deadly by 8th level or so, and there is a pretty good chance that Charmed Life won't help...
Hopefully the Swashbuckler won't use Parry & Riposte in the same round that some enemy casters forces him to make a save.... And hopefully he won't have to make more than 2~4 saves a day. :/
plus TWO-HANDER?????
you lose your main source of damage, precise strike, which is your level in damage. i doubt you can top that with just 0.5x str and 0.5 PA
Grab a 1-handed weapon... Use it with both hands. TA-DAAA!!!
Arcane Strike is a pretty good feat... But Swashbucklers already have too much going for their swift/immediate actions (which is the main reason why Charmed Life doesn't really compensate for the class awful saves).
I'd put some emphasis on boosting Fort/Will saves. Those tend to become very common and very deadly by 8th level or so, and there is a pretty good chance that Charmed Life won't help...
Hopefully the Swashbuckler won't use Parry & Riposte in the same round that some enemy casters forces him to make a save.... And hopefully he won't have to make more than 2~4 saves a day. :/
Yeah, personally, I always tend to look at half elves as blue when it comes to full martials with bad will saves.
A racial trait with the same effect as iron will, and can stack with iron will? Just a bit of tweaking (drop str to 13 and raise wis to 12, grab a +1 will trait, etc) makes it possible for a fighter to make a standard wizard look bad by passing more will saves.
Plus, half elf swashbucklers are at least a 'thing'. If it isn't Indigo Montoya and/or a pirate, then it is probably going to be some degree of elf (And those tend to all get stacked together). I would probably get less looks than if I tried to send out a half elf brawler archetype fighter wielding a bayonet.....
Arcane Strike is a pretty good feat... But Swashbucklers already have too much going for their swift/immediate actions (which is the main reason why Charmed Life doesn't really compensate for the class awful saves).
I'd put some emphasis on boosting Fort/Will saves. Those tend to become very common and very deadly by 8th level or so, and there is a pretty good chance that Charmed Life won't help...
Hopefully the Swashbuckler won't use Parry & Riposte in the same round that some enemy casters forces him to make a save.... And hopefully he won't have to make more than 2~4 saves a day. :/
steadfast personality, irrepresable and battle cry (if you want overkill) are on 100% of the time and they protect you vs mind affecting much better than a high (14?) will would.
also you have to remember:
Opportune parry is NOT an immediate action. Counterattacking while doing it is. So just don't counterattack when against a group that has casters or vs monsters with poison and such
You'll notice that I never said that was the only way... or even the best way to build a Swashbuckler. I simply said it's mechanically viable, and I stand by that claim.
The only mistake I made was saying "grabbing a 2-handed weapon" instead of "using a 1-handed piercing weapon 2-handed", which was just a small typo.
Funnily enough, monsters with poison are probably one of the main reasons why Charmed Life sucks. (And casters and monsters with dangerous SLAs are really freaking common by mid levels).
Still... I have no dog in this fight, all I did was to mention a possible build. I simply don't care enough to keep discussing builds with you.
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i don't see it as a fight, i just disagreed with you.
i don't think it is good to drop cha for more wis, that's all, sorry if you got the wrong impression.
By "fight", I mean discussion. I didn't mean in "we are fighting, then I'll just leave to avoid further trouble" sense, I simply meant "Eh... I don't really care about this discussion or the class it's about, so whatever..."
the ONLY eligible weapons for that are:
heavy pick
tridentALL crit only on natural 20.
you will have to pick up slashing grace to pick more weapons. and then you lose the only + of a str build (the free feat)
Also: 1.5x attribute to damage rolls and increased Power Attack benefit. Also allows for Cornugon Smash, which is a really good and really cool feat (and it doesn't sacrifice any action economy).
Your section on weapons does not mention the Saw-toothed Sabre. They are finessible. But they are considered light in the off-hand for the purpose of twf. This means that after slashing grace you have dex to damage both hands.
the thing is... what would you gain in the end from the swashbuckler?
if you are not using parry much (due to less aoo and less panache), if you are not using intimidate from swashbuckler.
Dex 14 is still very affordable. And belts will increase it further.
if you do not regain panache as easily
Not necessarily true, if you use Slashing Grace.
if you don't get your cha to sv throws (because you have no cha)
and etc.apart from +lvl damage that doesn't multiply on crits, is there a point compaired to say.. a barbarian? or a vanilla fighter?
Honestly... I think the Urban Barbarian is overall a better Dex-based combatant. Same goes for Daring Champion Cavalier and Dawnflower Dervish Bard. Swashbuckler 1/Urban Barbarian X is my favorite duelist build.
Over a Fighter? Well... Being able to do something (anything) other than say "I full attack" over and over again is a big plus in my book.
Anyway, like I said, all i did was mention a viable Swashbuckler build. I never said it's the only way (or the right way) to do it. This being a class build, I think it should mention as many viable builds as reasonably feasible.
maybe i was too invested in having a pure dex/cha class introduced and this is why i'm set in my mind that it's kinda optimal to play him that way.
Understandable... To be honest, the Swashbuckler was the class I was most excited for when I heard about the ACG. It disappointed me greatly, though...
It is just, that while str/con may be buildable, it would require much more thought/planning/effort than straight up dex/cha (with maybe 13str for PA) and as such, for a "new" class maybe it is dangerous (new players trying it and being disappointed and stuff).
Which is precisely why it should be in a guide. Even it's only presented as an alternative build.
I dislike urban barbarian with a passion (thematically, not mechanically) so i never consider him for any of my builds :D
I don't really care about official fluff... I'm of the opinion that while class descriptions are nice suggestions, they are nothing more than that. In the end, a character's fluff is what the player makes of it through roleplay. e.g.: Foxy Slicey here would never think of herself as a "Barbarian" and would most likely be deeply offended if someone said that's what she is.
Quick Swashbuckler 1/Urban Barbarian 10 build
Can easily be built "organically" from level 1 (although you'll probably be relying on rapiers and/or bows for the first 2 levels), and with minor adjustments, can do whatever you want your Swashbuckler to do.
Halfling barbarian (invulnerable rager, urban barbarian) 10/swashbuckler 1
NG Small humanoid (halfling)
Init +8; Senses Perception +18
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Defense
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AC 24, touch 18, flat-footed 18 (+6 armor, +6 Dex, +1 size, +1 deflection)
hp 108 (10d12+1d10+33)
Fort +16, Ref +17, Will +12; +2 vs. fear immune possession and mind-control (as per Protection From Evil)
DR 10/lethal, 5/—; Resist fire 2, extreme endurance
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Offense
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Speed 30 ft.
Melee slayer of fools (+3 silversheen scimitar) +21/+16/+11 (1d4+9/15-20) and
. . +1 silversheen scimitar +19/+14/+9 (1d4+7/15-20)
Ranged +1 adaptive composite longbow +19/+14/+9 (1d6+1/×3)
Special Attacks deed: opportune parry and riposte, panache, rage (25 rounds/day), rage power (beast totem, beast totem, greater, beast totem, lesser, clear mind, ghost rager, no escape, superstition +4)
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Statistics
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Str 10, Dex 22, Con 16, Int 13, Wis 14, Cha 10
Base Atk +11; CMB +10; CMD 27
Feats Combat Reflexes, Dervish Dance[ISWG], Extra Rage Power[APG], Extra Rage Power[APG], Improved Critical (scimitar), Raging Vitality[APG]
Traits indomitable faith, reactionary
Skills Acrobatics +20, Bluff +14, Diplomacy +11, Intimidate +14, Perception +18, Perform (dance) +5, Sense Motive +16, Survival +2 (+4 to avoid becoming lost); Racial Modifiers +2 Perception, deed: derring-do
Languages Common, Halfling, Sylvan
SQ controlled rage, crowd control, deed: dodging panache, swashbuckler finesse
Other Gear +2 mithral chain shirt, slayer of fools (+3 silversheen scimitar), +1 adaptive composite longbow, +1 silversheen scimitar, agile amulet of mighty fists, belt of physical might +2 (Dex, Con), cloak of resistance +4, feather step slippers, headband of inspired wisdom +2, clear spindle ioun stone, cracked pale green prism ioun stone (saves), plume of panache (4), ring of protection +1, wayfinder, 1,470 gp
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Special Abilities
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Beast Totem +3 (Su) +3 to Natural Armor while raging.
Beast Totem, Greater (Su) Pounce ability and 1d8 claw damage while raging
Beast Totem, Lesser (Su) Gain 2 d6 claw attacks while raging
Clear Mind (1/rage) (Ex) Reroll a failed Will save while raging.
Combat Reflexes (7 AoO/round) Can make extra attacks of opportunity/rd, and even when flat-footed.
Controlled Rage (Ex) May gain lesser bonus split as desired, but without normal drawbacks.
Crowd Control +5 (Ex) If 2+ foes adjacent, +1 to hit & AC. Unslowed by crowds & bonus to intimidate.
Damage Reduction (10/lethal) You have Damage Reduction against non-lethal damage
Damage Reduction (5/-) You have Damage Reduction against all attacks.
Deed: Derring-Do (+6 extra dice) (Ex) Use 1 panache, +1d6 to Escape Artist, Fly, Ride, or Swim check. On a 6, roll another die.
Deed: Dodging Panache (Ex) As an imm action when attacked, use 1 panache to move 5 ft. and gain +0 to AC vs. attack.
Deed: Opportune Parry and Riposte (Ex) 1 panache and 1 AoO to attempt to parry a melee attack, then counterattack.
Dervish Dance Use Dex modifier instead of Str modifier with scimitar
Energy Resistance, Fire (2) You have the specified Energy Resistance against Fire attacks.
Extreme Endurance (Fire) (Ex) At 3rd level, the invulnerable rager is inured to either hot or cold climate effects (choose one) as if using endure elements. In addition, the barbarian gains 1 point of fire or cold resistance for every three levels beyond 3rd. This ability
Fearless +2 racial bonus vs Fear saves.
Feather step slippers Ignore difficult terrain as though affected by feather step.
Ghost Rager (Su) While raging, the barbarian deals normal damage to incorporeal creatures even when using nonmagical weapons. She also gains a morale bonus to touch AC equal to her saving throw bonus from her superstition rage power. A barbarian must have the superst
Ioun stone (clear spindle) Sustains bearer without food or water.
No Escape (1/rage) (Ex) Keep up with a foe who tries to withdraw.
Panache (Ex) Gain a pool of points that are spent to fuel deeds, regained on light/piercing crit/killing blow.
Plume of panache (1/day) Provides 1 panache point for used for a deed.
Rage (25 rounds/day) (Ex) +4 Str, +4 Con, +2 to Will saves, -2 to AC when enraged.
Raging Vitality +2 CON while raging, Rage does not end if you become unconscious.
Superstition +4 (Ex) While raging, gain bonus to save vs magic, but must resist all spells, even allies'.
Swashbuckler Finesse At 1st level, a swashbuckler gains the benefits of the Weapon Finesse feat with light or one-handed piercing melee weapons, and she can use her Charisma score in place of Intelligence as a prerequisite for combat feats. This ability counts as having
Wayfinder (empty) A small magical device patterned off ancient relics of the Azlanti, a wayfinder is typically made from silver and bears gold accents. With a command word, you can use a wayfinder to shine (as the light spell). The wayfinder also acts as a nonmagical (magnetic) compass, granting you a +2 circumstance bonus on Survival checks to avoid becoming lost. All wayfinders include a small indentation designed to hold a single ioun stone.
Halfling barbarian (invulnerable rager, urban barbarian) 10/swashbuckler 1
NG Small humanoid (halfling)
Init +10; Senses Perception +18
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Defense
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AC 27, touch 22, flat-footed 21 (+6 armor, +6 Dex, +1 size, +3 natural, +1 deflection)
hp 130 (10d12+1d10+55)
Fort +18, Ref +19, Will +12; +2 vs. fear, +4 morale bonus vs. spells, supernatural abilities, and spell-like abilities but must resist all spells, even allies' immune possession and mind-control (as per Protection From Evil)
DR 10/lethal, 5/—; Resist fire 2, extreme endurance
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Offense
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Speed 30 ft.
Melee slayer of fools (+3 silversheen scimitar) +23/+18/+13 (1d4+11/15-20) and
. . +1 silversheen scimitar +21/+16/+11 (1d4+9/15-20) and
. . 2 claws +7 (1d6/×3)
Ranged +1 adaptive composite longbow +21/+16/+11 (1d6+1/×3)
Special Attacks deed: opportune parry and riposte, panache, pounce, rage (26 rounds/day), rage power (beast totem, beast totem, greater, beast totem, lesser, clear mind, ghost rager, no escape, superstition +4)
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Statistics
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Str 10, Dex 26, Con 20, Int 13, Wis 14, Cha 10
Base Atk +11; CMB +10; CMD 29
Feats Combat Reflexes, Dervish Dance[ISWG], Extra Rage Power[APG], Extra Rage Power[APG], Improved Critical (scimitar), Raging Vitality[APG]
Traits indomitable faith, reactionary
Skills Acrobatics +22, Bluff +14, Diplomacy +11, Intimidate +14, Perception +18, Perform (dance) +5, Sense Motive +16, Survival +2 (+4 to avoid becoming lost); Racial Modifiers +2 Perception, deed: derring-do
Languages Common, Halfling, Sylvan
SQ controlled rage, crowd control, deed: dodging panache, swashbuckler finesse
Other Gear +2 mithral chain shirt, slayer of fools (+3 silversheen scimitar), +1 adaptive composite longbow, +1 silversheen scimitar, agile amulet of mighty fists, belt of physical might +2 (Dex, Con), cloak of resistance +4, feather step slippers, headband of inspired wisdom +2, clear spindle ioun stone, cracked pale green prism ioun stone (saves), plume of panache (4), ring of protection +1, wayfinder, 1,470 gp
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Special Abilities
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Beast Totem +3 (Su) +3 to Natural Armor while raging.
Beast Totem, Greater (Su) Pounce ability and 1d8 claw damage while raging
Beast Totem, Lesser (Su) Gain 2 d6 claw attacks while raging
Clear Mind (1/rage) (Ex) Reroll a failed Will save while raging.
Combat Reflexes (9 AoO/round) Can make extra attacks of opportunity/rd, and even when flat-footed.
Controlled Rage (Ex) May gain lesser bonus split as desired, but without normal drawbacks.
Crowd Control +5 (Ex) If 2+ foes adjacent, +1 to hit & AC. Unslowed by crowds & bonus to intimidate.
Damage Reduction (10/lethal) You have Damage Reduction against non-lethal damage
Damage Reduction (5/-) You have Damage Reduction against all attacks.
Deed: Derring-Do (+8 extra dice) (Ex) Use 1 panache, +1d6 to Escape Artist, Fly, Ride, or Swim check. On a 6, roll another die.
Deed: Dodging Panache (Ex) As an imm action when attacked, use 1 panache to move 5 ft. and gain +0 to AC vs. attack.
Deed: Opportune Parry and Riposte (Ex) 1 panache and 1 AoO to attempt to parry a melee attack, then counterattack.
Dervish Dance Use Dex modifier instead of Str modifier with scimitar
Energy Resistance, Fire (2) You have the specified Energy Resistance against Fire attacks.
Extreme Endurance (Fire) (Ex) At 3rd level, the invulnerable rager is inured to either hot or cold climate effects (choose one) as if using endure elements. In addition, the barbarian gains 1 point of fire or cold resistance for every three levels beyond 3rd. This ability
Fearless +2 racial bonus vs Fear saves.
Feather step slippers Ignore difficult terrain as though affected by feather step.
Ghost Rager (Su) While raging, the barbarian deals normal damage to incorporeal creatures even when using nonmagical weapons. She also gains a morale bonus to touch AC equal to her saving throw bonus from her superstition rage power. A barbarian must have the superst
Ioun stone (clear spindle) Sustains bearer without food or water.
No Escape (1/rage) (Ex) Keep up with a foe who tries to withdraw.
Panache (Ex) Gain a pool of points that are spent to fuel deeds, regained on light/piercing crit/killing blow.
Plume of panache (1/day) Provides 1 panache point for used for a deed.
Pounce (Ex) You can make a full attack as part of a charge.
Rage (26 rounds/day) (Ex) -2 Str, -2 Con, +2 to Will saves, -2 to AC when enraged.
Raging Vitality +2 CON while raging, Rage does not end if you become unconscious.
Superstition +4 (Ex) While raging, gain bonus to save vs magic, but must resist all spells, even allies'.
Swashbuckler Finesse At 1st level, a swashbuckler gains the benefits of the Weapon Finesse feat with light or one-handed piercing melee weapons, and she can use her Charisma score in place of Intelligence as a prerequisite for combat feats. This ability counts as having
Wayfinder (empty) A small magical device patterned off ancient relics of the Azlanti, a wayfinder is typically made from silver and bears gold accents. With a command word, you can use a wayfinder to shine (as the light spell). The wayfinder also acts as a nonmagical (magnetic) compass, granting you a +2 circumstance bonus on Survival checks to avoid becoming lost. All wayfinders include a small indentation designed to hold a single ioun stone.
Foxy Slicey here has lower damage than most Swashbucklers and Barbarians, but she has great mobility and great defenses.
Full BAB + free Weapon Finesse + Panache (non level-dependent) makes SBs a great dip class... And by Cayden, Plumes of Panache are cheap! Buy one and switch for another after you sue it... Charisma? Who needs that?
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That reminds me, there should probably be a session dedicated to multiclassing possibilities.
-Inspired Blade really shouldn't be any more MAD than a regular Swash. You just drop Cha for Int.
I agree that Inspired Blade doesn't need to be more MAD than a regular swash, but that's because the Inspired Blade does not need Int. All of the Int-based bonuses are "(minimum 1)", so it doesn't matter whether you have 7 Int or 13 Int, you'll get the same benefit from Inspired Blade (including free Weapon Focus and then Rapier Training).
I think dumping Cha is a bad idea because then you lose Charmed Life. It also prevents you from using Steadfast Personality or Irrepressible to buff that Will save.
The Inspired Blade I'm playing now has 10 Int and 16 Cha and he's doing great. You just don't need Int even as an Inspired Blade.
-Inspired Blade really shouldn't be any more MAD than a regular Swash. You just drop Cha for Int.I agree that Inspired Blade doesn't need to be more MAD than a regular swash, but that's because the Inspired Blade does not need Int. All of the Int-based bonuses are "(minimum 1)", so it doesn't matter whether you have 7 Int or 13 Int, you'll get the same benefit from Inspired Blade (including free Weapon Focus and then Rapier Training).
I think dumping Cha is a bad idea because then you lose Charmed Life. It also prevents you from using Steadfast Personality or Irrepressible to buff that Will save.
The Inspired Blade I'm playing now has 10 Int and 16 Cha and he's doing great. You just don't need Int even as an Inspired Blade.
I'm playing a 6th level Inspired Blade at the moment in a Way of the Wicked game and she has 16 CHA and 14 INT. Her DEX is at 18 too. She's tanking more than the straight-up Fighter at the moment and doing huge damage. The additional INT means she's filling the "knowledge gap" of the other characters, as well as getting the bonus to panache.
Everything taken into account, and the guide updated to reflect it! I don't know how I managed to forget about Deadly Aim, having built a lot of ranged characters...
Oh, and the Tiefling thing is due to Half-Elves and Half-Orcs being allowed to take Race-related items from either of their forebears; you're right, RAW, that FAQ doesn't apply to any races besides those two, but RAI and common sense is less clear. Tieflings are, after all, half-human by default, exactly the same as those two races. Added a note about asking your GM, though. Always a safe bet.
I might bring up comparisons to the Daring Champion, Magus(especially the Kensai), and Dawnflower Dervish Bard later, when I have more time.
Everything taken into account, and the guide updated to reflect it! I don't know how I managed to forget about Deadly Aim, having built a lot of ranged characters...
Oh, and the Tiefling thing is due to Half-Elves and Half-Orcs being allowed to take Race-related items from either of their forebears; you're right, RAW, that FAQ doesn't apply to any races besides those two, but RAI and common sense is less clear. Tieflings are, after all, half-human by default, exactly the same as those two races. Added a note about asking your GM, though. Always a safe bet.
I'm pretty sure Tieflings don't count, since they have no racial trait saying they count as humans for all effects, like half-elves and half-orcs do. Hell! Tieflings don't even count as humanoid!
The trick does work on Aasimars with the Scion of Humanity alternate racial trait, though. So there is that.
Additionally, I'd strongly consider putting Half-Orcs as blue. Between getting a +1 to all saving throws (a huge bonus for SBs!), darkvision, access to scent with a feat and access to bite attack with a trait (which deals Piercing damage, BTW), Half-Orcs are at least as good a choice as Humans and Half=Elves.
All right, amended again! Dunno how I mistyped Wild-Blooded. And thanks for that FAQ link, I'd heard that before, but had no idea if it was official or not.