Looking to make a Kitsune that mixes enchantment/compulsion spells with a little swordplay. Given that both Sorcerer and Swashbuckler need high Charisma, it makes sense at lower levels. However, am I going to be worthless in a combat once we get to levels 5-9 because my access to spells will be so limited? Ultimately, would it make sense to go to Eldritch Knight? BTW, this is for PFS play.
Thanks!
In my opinion, the best Swashbuckler class features are all at 1st level, so using it as a base to Eldritch Knight is effective. You basically lose a couple points of BAB for delayed Casting. Just think of yourself as a Martial first with the magical tools at your disposal to change things (even if they are delayed).
Alternatively (and I don't know if this is PFS Legal, check up the sources, but it would be super sweet), you could take the new Favored Class option (for ANY Kitsune, ANY class) from Blood of Beasts (1/6th of a Magical Tail feat) and just go the Magical Tail route with Swashbuckler with the trait Nine Tailed Scion and spend your Swashbuckler feats on it as well. You gain a lot of neat Spell-Like abilities (including high level ones such as Displacement and Dominate Person) which would fit into your Enchantment and Compulsion effects.
This would be perfect for EK with the stat synergy. This means you only need high Dexterity and Charisma. 1st level too if you go inspired blade for weapon focus (rapier) and nab Fencing Grace for DEX to Damage.
Sounds fun.
Thanks for the comments so far, some good ideas. I'd prefer not to go the 9 Tails route (even though it sounds fun thematically). I'm thinking as a general rule, I would use a compulsion spell in the first round. Then, if the enemy engages, hit with sword and then use Swashbuckling abilities to either move back (Dodging Panache) or stay engaged (Opportune Parry and Riposte). If I decided to move back, cast another compulsion/enchantment spell. Lather, rinse, repeat for the rest of the combat.
One problem I see is that my AC will be very low in melee due to not wearing armor (other than a Haramaki or other no penalty armor). Of course, I'll pick up a wand of Mage Armor ASAP which will help some. Any other equipment you would recommend to offset this?
Finally, any good trait suggestions?
Thanks again?
Magical Knack is a standard must have for EK's. With high DEX, it could be worse in terms of AC.
Eldritch Knights actually have spells that are just as powerful as non multiclass casters with Magical Knack, so Spell Focus, Greater Spell Focus, and Varisian Tattoo can blow your DC's through the roof.
This has a lot of resources so make sure not to burn it all. I think a general rule of thumb is that usually there are four combats in a day, each typically lasting three rounds. Pretty much you should never expend more than a quarter of your daily resources in a single combat.
A mithral buckler would have no ASF and works with the Swashbuckler abilities.
The Bard spell list has a lot of enchantment spells on it. You could use that instead of Sorcerer and wear light armor while casting. I do not think this would work well with Eldritch Knight though since it would take so long to get 3rd level spells.
The attributes work well between the two classes, but I don't see a lot of synergies between enchantment spells and the melee abilities of a swashbuckler.
Likewise, have you looked at the Vexing Daredevil mesmerist archetype?
A bard such as the dervish dancer or an arcane duelist may work slightly better. Personally, I would say either get only 1 duelist level or stay until 5 or so. However, if you want to have an eldritch knight character, it is definitely a passable option to take 1 level in swashbuckler and the rest in sorcerer until you qualify is definitely a solid idea and won´t put your casting THAT much behind compared to, say, and eldritch scion or a bard build. You have a bit of a disadvantage early on - i.e. you will get level 3 spells around the same time as the bard and mesmerist - but later on things pick up for you.
If you go with a haramaki (and initially using mage armor as a stopgap measure), a mithral buckler and high dexterity, you would likely have fairly solid AC. The bigger problem may be that casting spells in melee without a reach weapon to give you some "breathing room" means either making casting defensively or risking damage, and both require making a lot of concentrate checks.
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The bigger problem may be that casting spells in melee without a reach weapon to give you some "breathing room" means either making casting defensively or risking damage, and both require making a lot of concentrate checks.
Excellent point, but easily overcome as a Swashbuckler. A Swordmaster's Flair Blue Scarf uses 1 point of panache to give reach with your swashbuckler weapon for 1 minute(!).
Holding it counts as having a hand free for Slashing/Fencing Grace, but perhaps not for spell casting, now that I think about it.