SwashBuckler / Bard need some over all Advice

[JuliusCromwell]

I have been planning a swashbuckler/ Arcane Duelist for a mythic game and I could use some advice

I am not sure what Archetype I should take for my swashbuckler levels or how many swash buckler levels would be good for this build.

My character is a half Elf prince born from a political mirrage
He was born with a mark know for being a mark of heroes and his mother smuggled him out before his father father could find him and kill him.

He grew in a travel preformers group lead by one of his mother old retainers who taught him Swordplay to entertain people but was actually doing it to train him to fight for real

I am Torn cause I was thinking Bravo and the Arcane Duelist cause I was thinking of taking a lot of the dueling feats (I know there subpar at best) but it fits in too my mental image

The only thing I could think of would be

Inspired blade / Noble fencer 2 or 3and then 7 to 8 levels of Arcane Duelist
OR 2 To 3 level of Bravo swash buckler then 7 to 8 levels of Arcane duelist

I want him to fient in combat and be intimidating as well

[Secret Wizard]

Arcane Duelist is not particularly good to combine with Swashbuckler. Duelist is made to be better with heavier armors.

Imho, you don't need Swashbuckler levels at all really.

And Dueling feats are cute but nobody duels – and you can pick up useful feats that reflect a dueling combat style without being limited to actual duels.

If you ignore the flavor and keep the mechanics, Court Fool actually has a lot of things a Bard duelist would want, like bonuses to Acrobatics and Bluff!

[JuliusCromwell]

Secret Wizard wrote:

Arcane Duelist is not particularly good to combine with Swashbuckler. Duelist is made to be better with heavier armors.

Imho, you don't need Swashbuckler levels at all really.

And Dueling feats are cute but nobody duels – and you can pick up useful feats that reflect a dueling combat style without being limited to actual duels.

If you ignore the flavor and keep the mechanics, Court Fool actually has a lot of things a Bard duelist would want, like bonuses to Acrobatics and Bluff!

Ok your saying I should go Bard 10 (I see)

ok what would be some good feats for me? to keep the Dueling theme

[Secret Wizard]

What race are you planning to pick?

[JuliusCromwell]

Secret Wizard wrote:

What race are you planning to pick?

Half - Elf

and I am locked in to Arcane Bard so i have to go with that

[Ryze Kuja]

Max your Intimidate and get Cornugon Smash and a Cruel Weapon enchant for the Shaken/Sicken Combo so you can debuff -4 to Saves. Also get Riving Strike for an additional -2 to Saves vs Spells/SLA's. Maxing Intimidate for this will synergize nicely with Arcane Duelist's Rally Cry as well. With -6 to Saves, you and your group will be landing your spells/SLA's much easier.

I would consider taking a dip in Swashbuckler though. You're now proficient with all weapons, +1BAB, Opportune Parry and Riposte, and a Panache pool that gets better each time you pump your Cha up. You get an awful lot for only sacrificing 1 level.

[PCScipio]

IMHO, losing a Bard level is too big a price to pay.