Ideas for a Kitsune Swashbuckler 1 / Mesmerist X

[DarkNumbers]

Hey all!

I'm looking into building a Kitsune Mesmerist but I want a little more kick in it so I'm thinking of mixing in a level of Swashbuckler. I was hoping to get some advice on the build :)

The idea is to be an effective Mesmerist who can also also do something useful when the spells have run out (my opinion of the Mesmerist is that it looks great but I worry that it lacks the combat viability of the Bard to make up for the reduced, 6 level casting). My solution is to take a dip in a martial class.

Here's the current plan:

25 point buy.

Stats (after Kitsune adjustments (-2 STR, +2 DEX, +2 CHA):

STR: 5
DEX: 19
CON: 13
INT: 10
WIS: 7
CHA: 20

I know these stats take some big risks to get some high rewards but that's pretty much the direction I'm taking the character in- I want to rely on finesse, grace and charisma to evade death, rather than toughness or durability. If it goes pear-shaped and I die due to the sub-par CON then that's life ;)

I'll also need a set of Muleback Cords to carry my equipment.

Bonus ability points at 4 and 8 will go towards rounding off DEX and CON.

Level 1: Inspired Blade (Swashbuckler)
- Provides Weapon Winesse with a rapier
- Also provides Weapon Focus with rapiers
Feat: Slashing Grace

Level 2: Spirit Walker (Mesmerist)
- Spirit Walker loses some Mesmerist features to gain a neat ability to raise recently dead targets as temporary combatants
- Also gains the the ability to cast enchantments on undead (gets better as it levels)

Level 3: Spirit Walker (Mesmerist)
Feat: Realistic Likeness

Skills will be focused on providing party face capabilities and stealth

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As an alternative to the above build I'd also be very interested if anyone has any ideas for a dip that would allow the Mesmerist to fight effectively using Fox Shape (using DEX to hit/damage) as that would be pure awesome. This would involve using the Superior Shapeshifter alternate racial trait from Blood of the Beast (drop Kitsune Magic for the ability to turn into a fox at level 1 (no time limit)- same as the Fox Shape feat.

[JoeElf]

Fencing Grace is the feat you will want with a rapier (not Slashing Grace).

[Grandlounge]

If you drop inspired blade for a different archetype, Guided Blade is nice, and get slashing grace at level 3 you can get agile amulet of mightly fists. Now you can use fox form or use a schimitar. It also lets you use alterself. A good melee buff on your list turning small will increase your accuracy, relex, and AC with no effect on damage.

This will also allow you to use a teamwork feat percise strike or retrain in to outflank. This will help with the accuracy issues of the build especially if you get a menacing weapon.

Reflexive Trick will keep you alive. You have weak defenses this sures them up a little.

Are you set on Spirit Walker. Eyebiter will let you blind people helping you hit better. At a protecter familiar will keep you from dying. With weapon finesse you should touch easily.

Vexing Trickster is a decent option as well. Free trick feats are nice. Umbral Mesmerist stacks for some summoning and being invisible.

[Markov Spiked Chain]

I'm playing a Str based Half Orc Vox. Just hit level 4, and I'm debating the first level of Guided Blade. The extra damage from Vox looks promising, at least before full attacks become an issue.

I'd look at Reflexive Trick. It lets you implant tricks in yourself as needed. I hope it ends up giving a lot of flexibility. So far I've just used to keep Mirror Image up reliably, but once you've got a few Tricks, it should make for lot of combat options.

[Kemuri Kunoichi]

With a 5 Str you will only be able to carry 16 lbs of gear before you are encumbered...even wearing super light armor and carrying a weapon will tire you out, let alone any kind of adventuring gear.

Unless you are playing in a home game, with a super generous GM who completely ignores encumbrance, I would strongly suggest not dumping your Str down that low.

[avr]

Muleback cords preclude a cloak of resistance unless you can combine magic items - check that you'll be able to before that matters.

[DarkNumbers]

Thanks for the thoughts everyone- I'll take a look at Guided Blade and the other archetypes :) Thanks for the correction JoeElf!

Kemuri I'll be using Muleback Cords to circumvent this issue- it'll be tricky for the first level but once I have them my problem should be solved. I agree that it's a pretty hefty stat dump but I've always been fond of extremes!

Avr we've made extensive use of tattoos to double up on item slots in the past- I'll likely just use a tattoo variant of cloak of resistance or switch to one of my favourite items: the Otherworldly Kimono :)