Need Advice: "Best Swordsmen in the World"

[Perpetr8r]

So I wanted to play a cocky Gaston-esque character who believes he is the best swordsmen in the world. Now of course there will be builds who deal more damage, yada yada yada but I want him to be very charming, swav and good with a blade but also a bit of magics.

I am stuck between the ideas of a Bard with Paladin or Bard with Swashbuckler. Or without magic Swashbuckler with Paladin

Bard//Paladin is amazing in saves and has solid BAB and good HD, it can smite to add much needed damage.

Bard//Swashbuckler is very iconic and the Parry and Riposte, along with precise strike gives good sword power to the bard. If focused on a Selfish Bard build it could do some seriously good one on one duelist style play.

Swashbuckler//Paladin gets only a very little boost save for Fort save, good saves over all and the ability to add double level to damage a few times per day.

[kestral287]

From the // I'm assuming this is a gestalt game?

If so, I would consider something like Bard//Paladin and you take the Amateur Swashbuckler feat as a real option. However, that will stunt your damage against non-evil targets. If you don't think evil will be predominant, then sacrifice the saves and go Bard//Daring Champion (though you still have three good saves, so they're far from bad).

And I'm obligated to suggest that you consider the Magus. Kensai//Inspired Blade or straight Magus//Inspired Blade is brutal.

[Perpetr8r]

I hadn't even thought of the Magus but yes it would do well as well. Kensai would make damage output when needed to loads of damage.

But I must admit yes I like the Bard's manipulation spells and powers as I am a complete Bullsh*tter in character.

Yes its Gestalt

[Magda Luckbender]

Change your name to Hiro Protagonist and pass out business cards that say, "Last of the freelance hackers and Greatest swordfighter in the world.".

[kestral287]

Some GMs have a hard time reconciling "manipulation" and "Paladin", so that might be something to lean away from unless you know the GM is cool with it.

Which really brings me back to Bard//Daring Champion. Order of the Flame, probably, as the theme fits wonderfully ("Dedicated to personal glory") and their damage racks up insanely fast with double-level-to-damage before you get into Glorious Challenge. AC sucks, so Blur, Mirror Images, et al. are good ideas, but hey.

[Diminuendo]

Armored Swordsman
Daring Champion 4 + Brawler/Sohei 2 + Ninja 2

Wield a Blade of Sword Saint with a Champions Banner in your off hand. Pull on a pair of Jaunt Boots and run around in Mithral Kikio Armor.

Take the Redirect Force Ninja Trick with your favourite Improved combat maneveur for a guarenteed hit when you need it.

How important is Evasion and the extra Monk feat is to you? Thats how you to decide if you want to go Brawler or Sohei.

[Sebastian Hirsch]

Swashbuckler Paladin should work, but does limit your weapon and shield choices.

[GeneMemeScene]

Keep in mind that if you're pulled between options you can always just take the Amateur Swashbuckler feat to pick up Parry and Riposte.

[Jadeite]

Dawnflower dervish bard.

[GeneMemeScene]

Oh, didn't notice the gestalt part. With that in mind, I'm actually running a very similar character.

Blade Adept Arcanist gestalted with Order of the Flame Daring Champion Cavalier, although that might be more magical than you're going for.

[Cap. Darling]

Daring champion//oracle or possibly warpriest if all your stats are good.
This Will allow you both good seordmanship spell support and defense. Skills wont be impressive if that is important i go bard as secondary class( that Will also give you all good saves but cost cha to saves.
Finally i Think daring champion//investigator is worth a look it Will allow you a insanely high to hit.

[Eigengrau]

I think a Half-Elf Inspired Blade-Swashbuckler//Empyricist-Investigator would be completely awesome for your style of play.

You said your character likes to Bull@#$% his way through things. Investigator with all his abilities along with the Student of Philosophy trait can help with this. Half-Elves get Skill Focus too which you can use in either in Bluff or Diplomacy AND their favored class bonus for Investigator is just SICK!

With INT being a big stat for you that makes a lot of your abilities work, there's many traits/feats that allow you to switch out normal ability scores to use INT for the stat bonus to rolls.

Get yourself an Inspired Weapon A.S.A.P.

Also you have Alchemy. While it's not magic it can fit the flavor of a Steampunk/Renaissance era ability. Plenty of buffs to be had from it.

[the xiao]

destined eldritch scion magus//daring champion of the cockatrice/flame. You get a lot from high Cha and you can say you are destined for greatness!

[Cavall]

Pally bard would work great as you play to strengths but may I suggest a non mounted Cockatrice Cavalier Bard instead?