So, "new" player here, after many years of 1st - 3.5 editions and PF1. Looking to build a kobold swashbuckler for CoS to maximize flexibility for roleplaying, exploration, and combat, and I'm wondering if it's worth dipping into fighter for 3 levels to get battlemaster, or does the fact that the campaign only goes to 10th level make multiclassing less attractive?
From what I can determine, going pure swashbuckler 1-10 generally gives you a higher attack bonus, higher sneak attack damage, more ability score adjustments/feats (3 vs 1), and earlier access to abilities like Uncanny Dodge and Evasion.
Mixing in 3 levels of fighter to get battlemaster (after getting swashbuckler) gives maneuvers like Brace, Riposte, and Commanding Presence, and generally seems to have a higher AC (from being able to use a shield) and access to Second Wind, Action Surge, and a Fighting Style.
If this was a longer campaign, I would definitely pick up battlemaster as I like having more options on the battlefield, but since the earliest I could do so is 6th level, I'm wondering if multiclassing in this instance is a bit of a waste.
It wouldn't be too much of a sacrifice if you just want some more abilities to play with, depending on when you take it. Especially if you want neat tricks for your swashbuckler. I would be tempted to take it early though, since it really ups your survivability at low levels.
Alternatively, you can now get 2 martial dice and 3 maneuver options via feats. So if you want to just go straight rogue but still have half the maneuvers, you could.
Which feats would those be? I'm aware of Martial Adept, but that only provides 2 maneuvers and 1 superiority die AFAIK, which is completely underwhelming. As it stands right now, I'm more inclined to take Magic Initiate to provide a little more variety.
If you are focusing on ways to be able to reliably attack as a reaction, which seems like a focus with the maneuvers you chose, I would recommend the sentinel feat. This allows you to use your reaction very often and effectively when fighting side by side with an ally.
your reaction to attack a creature who attacked anything that isn’t you while your within 5ft of that enemy is mutually exclusive to your uncanny dodge feature. If a creature attacks you and misses, they didn’t deal damage and that’s good. If a creature attacks you and hits, you can halve that damage. If a creature attacks your ally, hit or miss, you get your reaction attack with the chance to get sneak attack twice in one round.
this feat never runs out of resources, regardless of if short rest if is available and used effectively. This also allows you to get your other two ASIs.
there are synergistic subclass choices that one of your teammates can choose to play to drastically increase the effectiveness of your party and you, but it’s not necessary at all. The cavalier fighter, ancestral guardian barbarian, or an armorer artificer would impose disadvantage on that creatures attacks vs you and potentially your party by using their level 3 subclass features.
Sentinel feat AND Riposte battle manuever can do wonders for drawing attacks. But it will be rough on your stats to split between classes and lose those ASI's. However, one of the benefits of playing a swashbuckler is that you don't have to draw attacks of opportunity with your fancy footwork... and wont usually be needing to end your turn in a melee
If you play to at least level 9 or 10, and get level 5 in at least one of your two classes, i certainly think it is worth the multiclass. Otherwise, Swasbuckler/Battlemasters are a great combo
Thanks for the suggestions. My character concept is based on swashbuckler as my primary class and I love the synergy with battlemaster. The main problem, as I see it, is I have to wait until 6th level in a 10 level campaign to get my core swashbuckler and battlemaster abilities online. Until then I'm basically just a slightly tougher swashbuckler. I guess I can't have everything! :)
Which feats would those be? I'm aware of Martial Adept, but that only provides 2 maneuvers and 1 superiority die AFAIK, which is completely underwhelming. As it stands right now, I'm more inclined to take Magic Initiate to provide a little more variety.
Thanks!
Martial adept gives you a d6 and 2 maneuvers, but through Tashas you can now take a fighting style as a feat, and one of the available fighting styles gives you another martial dice and meaneuver.
Magic initiate is definitely another fun way to go though!
Thanks! I'm also strongly considering a 1 level dip into sorcerer with a draconic bloodline, which would be perfect for my kobold. I'd get double the number of spells compared to Magic Initiate, and I'd keep my first ASI for Dex instead of spending it on a feat.
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So, "new" player here, after many years of 1st - 3.5 editions and PF1. Looking to build a kobold swashbuckler for CoS to maximize flexibility for roleplaying, exploration, and combat, and I'm wondering if it's worth dipping into fighter for 3 levels to get battlemaster, or does the fact that the campaign only goes to 10th level make multiclassing less attractive?
From what I can determine, going pure swashbuckler 1-10 generally gives you a higher attack bonus, higher sneak attack damage, more ability score adjustments/feats (3 vs 1), and earlier access to abilities like Uncanny Dodge and Evasion.
Mixing in 3 levels of fighter to get battlemaster (after getting swashbuckler) gives maneuvers like Brace, Riposte, and Commanding Presence, and generally seems to have a higher AC (from being able to use a shield) and access to Second Wind, Action Surge, and a Fighting Style.
If this was a longer campaign, I would definitely pick up battlemaster as I like having more options on the battlefield, but since the earliest I could do so is 6th level, I'm wondering if multiclassing in this instance is a bit of a waste.
Thanks in advance for any tips.
It wouldn't be too much of a sacrifice if you just want some more abilities to play with, depending on when you take it. Especially if you want neat tricks for your swashbuckler. I would be tempted to take it early though, since it really ups your survivability at low levels.
Alternatively, you can now get 2 martial dice and 3 maneuver options via feats. So if you want to just go straight rogue but still have half the maneuvers, you could.
Which feats would those be? I'm aware of Martial Adept, but that only provides 2 maneuvers and 1 superiority die AFAIK, which is completely underwhelming. As it stands right now, I'm more inclined to take Magic Initiate to provide a little more variety.
Thanks!
If you are focusing on ways to be able to reliably attack as a reaction, which seems like a focus with the maneuvers you chose, I would recommend the sentinel feat. This allows you to use your reaction very often and effectively when fighting side by side with an ally.
your reaction to attack a creature who attacked anything that isn’t you while your within 5ft of that enemy is mutually exclusive to your uncanny dodge feature. If a creature attacks you and misses, they didn’t deal damage and that’s good. If a creature attacks you and hits, you can halve that damage. If a creature attacks your ally, hit or miss, you get your reaction attack with the chance to get sneak attack twice in one round.
this feat never runs out of resources, regardless of if short rest if is available and used effectively. This also allows you to get your other two ASIs.
there are synergistic subclass choices that one of your teammates can choose to play to drastically increase the effectiveness of your party and you, but it’s not necessary at all. The cavalier fighter, ancestral guardian barbarian, or an armorer artificer would impose disadvantage on that creatures attacks vs you and potentially your party by using their level 3 subclass features.
Sentinel feat AND Riposte battle manuever can do wonders for drawing attacks. But it will be rough on your stats to split between classes and lose those ASI's. However, one of the benefits of playing a swashbuckler is that you don't have to draw attacks of opportunity with your fancy footwork... and wont usually be needing to end your turn in a melee
If you play to at least level 9 or 10, and get level 5 in at least one of your two classes, i certainly think it is worth the multiclass. Otherwise, Swasbuckler/Battlemasters are a great combo
Thanks for the suggestions. My character concept is based on swashbuckler as my primary class and I love the synergy with battlemaster. The main problem, as I see it, is I have to wait until 6th level in a 10 level campaign to get my core swashbuckler and battlemaster abilities online. Until then I'm basically just a slightly tougher swashbuckler. I guess I can't have everything! :)
Martial adept gives you a d6 and 2 maneuvers, but through Tashas you can now take a fighting style as a feat, and one of the available fighting styles gives you another martial dice and meaneuver.
Magic initiate is definitely another fun way to go though!
Thanks! I'm also strongly considering a 1 level dip into sorcerer with a draconic bloodline, which would be perfect for my kobold. I'd get double the number of spells compared to Magic Initiate, and I'd keep my first ASI for Dex instead of spending it on a feat.