Gymnast swashbucklers at a disadvantage?

[Staffan Johansson]

I was looking over the different things that give swashbucklers panache:

Battledancer - Perform.
Braggart - Demoralize.
Fencer - Feint or Create a Diversion.
Wit - Bon Mot.
Gymnast - Grapple, Shove, or Trip.

Now, the Gymnast's options all have the Attack trait, which means they cause and are subject to multiple attack penalty. I see that the Swashbuckler can take a feat to reduce the MAP for maneuvers, but that only helps if you first attack and then regain panache. Are there any other options I'm missing that alleviate the Gymnast's problem? Or is it just a matter of those actions being stronger on their own which balances things?

[Deadmanwalking]

It's a matter of the actions being stronger and there being more options for what action you do, as well as for the stat they're based on just adding flat damage (a Gymnast can actually ignore Cha, if they wish).

But also always remember that every Swashbuckler can always Tumble Through for Panache. That's not an attack action, and it's available to every single Swashbuckler regardless of Style.

[shroudb]

it's a double edged sword.

their panache being tied to an attack action does make it more "expensive" to aquire (outside of tumble through or flamboyant general actions) but it's also more valuable to have the circumstance bonus (from panache) and the reroll (from derring-do) on an attack action rather than only on their respective debuff (feint, bon mot, intimidate, fascinate respectively)

they are a good candidate for Combination finisher though: 1st action maneuver at full MAP to trip the opponent, and then finisher at just -3 attack, 3rd action could easily be a tumble through to rebuilt panache for the next round and leave an enemy both prone and away, needing 2 actions just to reach you.

[ikemook]

You could also pick up Dual-Weapon Warrior Dedication. That nabs you Double Slice, which can help mitigate some of those MAP penalties (by giving you multiple attacks at current MAP). It also gels well with what will (presumably) be the 16 strength you're going to have to maximize your chances with athletics-based debuffs.

Imagine a sequence like so:

Round 1: Trip, Double-Slice with two agile weapons (probably won't hit with both, but extra attack means extra chance to hit with one and do some damage)
Round 2: Double-Slice (at no MAP with damage bonuses), something useful (Finisher, Tumble, what-have-you).

A lot of people seem to be focusing on swashbucklers making one big attack each round. I think that's a great idea, but I also think people are missing out on the potential for milking the base +2 precision damage you get while in panache no each attach. And with Dual-Weapon Warrior giving you Double Slice (which is a great feat), I think there's some real potential to build a kind of switch hitter/debuffer with a gymnast swashbuckler.

(Of course, there's the drawback of using up your 2nd level feat slot on something other than the nice feats there, but it seems like a reasonable option to me.)

--David