I love my Swashbucker Rogue. It's all about timing and maneuvering. As someone else pointed out, it also allows me the flexibility of either taking out the trash mobs solo while the rest of my party deals with the BBEG or vice versa. I've done both and been the only person to survive. I've also played a Thief and enjoy the Swashbuckler a good deal more.
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#OpenD&D #ORC
"...or you can find the secret tunnel that leads to the Vault of Dickish DM which is filled with 10,000,000 copper coins and a 5,000 pound solid gold statue of a middle finger that is too big to fit through the door."
Swashbuckler is on my top 2 for my next character.
My build (before Tashas): Swashbuckler 15 / Battle Master 5 - Starting rogue until 5, the 5x fighter, then rogue again - Fighting style: two-weapon fighting (makes total of 3 attacks per round, 2 more from action surge and one additional sneaky reaction with riposte or sentinel. That is up to 6 attacks in one round) - Maneuvers: Riposte (extra sneak attacks!), Precision Attack, any choice of others. Maybe the AC boost to allow quick movement to the boss passing enemies. - Feats: luck, defensive dualist, ... alert or sentinel maybe later on - Race: Half-Elf (a half drow but without magical abilities, as I want to play a non-gish. Originally my role model was a drow elite fighter for this build).
Dex 16, Cha 16, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10 starting attributes including racial bonus
I'm currently playing a tabaxi lvl 10 swashbuckler. Like most he is hit and run but, I tend to hit the nearest enemy first as I usually get to go first, due to not so high initiative (+6) but the fact I also get advantage on it to.
I took magic initiate for booming blade and green, flame blade and find familiar. I use a weasel as my familiar who gets to ride on me. Use him for help action for advantage on attacks.
I took an asi to improve Dex to 18
Then piercer feat Dex now 19 I'm using a rapier of warning and shield so have a AC of 18 but I also have a cloak of displacement which gives disadvantage to attacks against me.
But basically I hit the first enemy then I just run around the battle field backstabbing whichever would be the best to attack next. As being a rogue and tabaxi I can get around the battle field real easy.
It's a lot of fun to play though my DM is hating the high damage I can do at times and all the skills we have to limit the damage received. That cloak has saved me so many times too.
After the heat I took when posting this, I've done some reflecting and thanks to Tulok the Barbarian's Zorro build and the suggestions here I've come to realize how wrong I am.
As @TricksterMunchkin mentioned, Rogue/Battlemaster is disgusting. You add Booming Blade to that and good luck.
I've got a Swashbuckler / Sword Bard. I took Sword Bard to 8 (6 for the extra attack, then couldn't resist two more for the ASI). So he's got two attacks, then the option of dashing away or making another attack. With his Rapier of Speed he can get four attacks. With the defensive Flourish, and a Slasher Feat, he can (if he hits all four times) do 6d8+28 and a sneak attack for 6d6 and gets to reroll a damage die. Or 5d6+28 and a sneak attack if he decides to dash away. Just full of options. When it comes to stabbing people, I think he's the best.
I've got a Swashbuckler / Sword Bard. I took Sword Bard to 8 (6 for the extra attack, then couldn't resist two more for the ASI). So he's got two attacks, then the option of dashing away or making another attack. With his Rapier of Speed he can get four attacks. With the defensive Flourish, and a Slasher Feat, he can (if he hits all four times) do 6d8+28 and a sneak attack for 6d6 and gets to reroll a damage die. Or 5d6+28 and a sneak attack if he decides to dash away. Just full of options. When it comes to stabbing people, I think he's the best.
I've got a Swashbuckler / Sword Bard. I took Sword Bard to 8 (6 for the extra attack, then couldn't resist two more for the ASI). So he's got two attacks, then the option of dashing away or making another attack. With his Rapier of Speed he can get four attacks. With the defensive Flourish, and a Slasher Feat, he can (if he hits all four times) do 6d8+28 and a sneak attack for 6d6 and gets to reroll a damage die. Or 5d6+28 and a sneak attack if he decides to dash away. Just full of options. When it comes to stabbing people, I think he's the best.
I have a few thoughts...
There is no rapier of speed magic item. I assume you mean a scimitar of speed that's had its magic applied to a different weapon.
The additional attack granted by the weapon requires the wielder's Bonus Action, so a fourth attack is impossible without outside help. Other magic has to be at work, or else the magic item has been modified to be more powerful than originally designed.
Eight levels in Bard mean 4th-level spells. Does haste factor into this somewhere? It feels like it should, but you haven't said so.
The rapier does piercing damage, so it cannot be used with the Slasher feat. Just what is this magic item?
I've got a Swashbuckler / Sword Bard. I took Sword Bard to 8 (6 for the extra attack, then couldn't resist two more for the ASI). So he's got two attacks, then the option of dashing away or making another attack. With his Rapier of Speed he can get four attacks. With the defensive Flourish, and a Slasher Feat, he can (if he hits all four times) do 6d8+28 and a sneak attack for 6d6 and gets to reroll a damage die. Or 5d6+28 and a sneak attack if he decides to dash away. Just full of options. When it comes to stabbing people, I think he's the best.
I have a few thoughts...
There is no rapier of speed magic item. I assume you mean a [magicitem]scimitar of speed[/item] that's had its magic applied to a different weapon.
The additional attack granted by the weapon requires the wielder's Bonus Action, so a fourth attack is impossible without outside help. Other magic has to be at work, or else the magic item has been modified to be more powerful than originally designed.
Eight levels in Bard mean 4th-level spells. Does haste factor into this somewhere? It feels like it should, but you haven't said so.
The rapier does piercing damage, so it cannot be used with the Slasher feat. Just what is this magic item?
for whatever reason haste is not on the base bard spell list and he is too low level to have acess to magical secrets
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i am soup, with too many ideas (all of them very spicy) who has made sufficient homebrew material and character to last an thousand human lifetimes
Out of combat? It's a free Charm person that requires no spell slot and does not alert the target. It can't be counterspelled, and in most cases even failing it simply means the other guy isn't having your guff. It's almost entirely risk-free, and allows you to bullshit your way into so much shenanery.
if you are playing by some kind of genie DM who is magically bound to the rules as written, a failed check means nothing since there is nothing stopping you from trying again immedeatly, unlike other at-will charm effects where a target becomes temporarily immune on a successful check.
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i am soup, with too many ideas (all of them very spicy) who has made sufficient homebrew material and character to last an thousand human lifetimes
Yes, I was drinking a little. Our DM did create a Rapier of Speed . . . yes I know it is unorthodox, but if he's offering, I'm accepting. The attacks are my standard two attacks and then a bonus action with the Rapier of Speed, granting two more. So, if we wanted to play strictly within the canon (no Rapier of Speed), it would just be the three.
And, I misspoke when I said Slasher feat, I have the Piercer feat, so that takes out one die. So, not as good as I remembered. Whiskey is a wonderful thing, but, maybe I shouldn't post when I'm drinking.
Yes, I was drinking a little. Our DM did create a Rapier of Speed . . . yes I know it is unorthodox, but if he's offering, I'm accepting. The attacks are my standard two attacks and then a bonus action with the Rapier of Speed, granting two more. So, if we wanted to play strictly within the canon (no Rapier of Speed), it would just be the three.
And, I misspoke when I said Slasher feat, I have the Piercer feat, so that takes out one die. So, not as good as I remembered. Whiskey is a wonderful thing, but, maybe I shouldn't post when I'm drinking.
even if this mythic rapier of speed did exist and had the same powers as a scimitar of speed that would still be a total of one additional attack and thus three attacks made in total, not four, the bonus action granted by the scimitar of speed is not the same as taking the attack action
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i am soup, with too many ideas (all of them very spicy) who has made sufficient homebrew material and character to last an thousand human lifetimes
I really like the Swashbuckler. The only ability that's kinda bad is master duelist. All of the other ones are good. If you don't like it, play a College of Swords Bard instead. What kind of features were you expecting?
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Erean Cabenrith a Variant Human Cleric (Light Domain)
It’s a roleplay game not a combat game - you know, a game about role playing. Swashbucklers are great fun for those who enjoy ummm roleplay. [REDACTED]
Notes: Please keep comments respectful, constructive, and on-topic.
Swashbuckler is a great rogue subclass. Dual Wielding is very useful for swashbucklers, our party's halfling swashbuckler dual wields a sun blade and flame tongue shortsword.
They are very good at melee combat, especially because they can run away from combat without needing to take a bonus action to do so. Very useful in combat.
They are honestly one of my favorite subclasses in the game for melee characters.
last time i checked you can not duel wield those 2 weapons
Swashbuckler is a great rogue subclass. Dual Wielding is very useful for swashbucklers, our party's halfling swashbuckler dual wields a sun blade and flame tongue shortsword.
They are very good at melee combat, especially because they can run away from combat without needing to take a bonus action to do so. Very useful in combat.
They are honestly one of my favorite subclasses in the game for melee characters.
last time i checked you can not duel wield those 2 weapons
Why? A flame tongueShortsword is still a shortsword and therefore has the light weapon property. By default it can be used with two-weapon fighting. While the Sun Blade is technically a Longsword and doesn’t have that property, it is not an uncommon houserule since the item itself calls out that proficiency with a Shortsword counts for using it. And besides, otherwise all one really needs RAW is the Dual Wielder feat and you’re good.
Swashbuckler is great if you want mobility or flair, and mixes well with other classes (Swashbuckler 3 is probably the best mixin for any Cha caster that wants to dip Rogue, IMO; especially good for Swords Bards, since Fancy Footwork, Mobile Flourish, and TWF sound a lot like "I'm just gonna walk through this crowd of enemies because none of them can lay a finger on me"). It's pretty good if played right, really. It is a bad Rogue, in the sense that it's all about being the stylish, flashy hero that loves having everyone's eyes on you, which is the literal antithesis of the Rogue class in general; this does not, however, mean that it's a bad archetype, just that it requires a different playstyle than your usual sneaky sneak style.
Swashbucklers being good doesn't fix Swords bards being bad, but Warlock... Warlock + Rogue is a lot of fun. Shadow of Moil is every Rogue's wet dream.
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What other rogue subclass is better at hand-to-hand? None. It isn't even close. It's totally fine.
I love my Swashbucker Rogue. It's all about timing and maneuvering. As someone else pointed out, it also allows me the flexibility of either taking out the trash mobs solo while the rest of my party deals with the BBEG or vice versa. I've done both and been the only person to survive. I've also played a Thief and enjoy the Swashbuckler a good deal more.
#OpenD&D #ORC
"...or you can find the secret tunnel that leads to the Vault of Dickish DM which is filled with 10,000,000 copper coins and a 5,000 pound solid gold statue of a middle finger that is too big to fit through the door."
Swashbuckler is on my top 2 for my next character.
My build (before Tashas): Swashbuckler 15 / Battle Master 5
- Starting rogue until 5, the 5x fighter, then rogue again
- Fighting style: two-weapon fighting (makes total of 3 attacks per round, 2 more from action surge and one additional sneaky reaction with riposte or sentinel. That is up to 6 attacks in one round)
- Maneuvers: Riposte (extra sneak attacks!), Precision Attack, any choice of others. Maybe the AC boost to allow quick movement to the boss passing enemies.
- Feats: luck, defensive dualist, ... alert or sentinel maybe later on
- Race: Half-Elf (a half drow but without magical abilities, as I want to play a non-gish. Originally my role model was a drow elite fighter for this build).
Dex 16, Cha 16, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 10 starting attributes including racial bonus
I'm currently playing a tabaxi lvl 10 swashbuckler. Like most he is hit and run but, I tend to hit the nearest enemy first as I usually get to go first, due to not so high initiative (+6) but the fact I also get advantage on it to.
I took magic initiate for booming blade and green, flame blade and find familiar. I use a weasel as my familiar who gets to ride on me. Use him for help action for advantage on attacks.
I took an asi to improve Dex to 18
Then piercer feat Dex now 19 I'm using a rapier of warning and shield so have a AC of 18 but I also have a cloak of displacement which gives disadvantage to attacks against me.
But basically I hit the first enemy then I just run around the battle field backstabbing whichever would be the best to attack next. As being a rogue and tabaxi I can get around the battle field real easy.
It's a lot of fun to play though my DM is hating the high damage I can do at times and all the skills we have to limit the damage received. That cloak has saved me so many times too.
But they are so much fun to use.
After the heat I took when posting this, I've done some reflecting and thanks to Tulok the Barbarian's Zorro build and the suggestions here I've come to realize how wrong I am.
As @TricksterMunchkin mentioned, Rogue/Battlemaster is disgusting. You add Booming Blade to that and good luck.
Thanks for all the feedback!
I've got a Swashbuckler / Sword Bard. I took Sword Bard to 8 (6 for the extra attack, then couldn't resist two more for the ASI). So he's got two attacks, then the option of dashing away or making another attack. With his Rapier of Speed he can get four attacks. With the defensive Flourish, and a Slasher Feat, he can (if he hits all four times) do 6d8+28 and a sneak attack for 6d6 and gets to reroll a damage die. Or 5d6+28 and a sneak attack if he decides to dash away. Just full of options. When it comes to stabbing people, I think he's the best.
The Slasher feat can't be used with rapiers.
Maybe they meant Scimitar of Speed?
Canto alla vita
alla sua bellezza
ad ogni sua ferita
ogni sua carezza!
I sing to life and to its tragic beauty
To pain and to strife, but all that dances through me
The rise and the fall, I've lived through it all!
I have a few thoughts...
for whatever reason haste is not on the base bard spell list and he is too low level to have acess to magical secrets
i am soup, with too many ideas (all of them very spicy) who has made sufficient homebrew material and character to last an thousand human lifetimes
if you are playing by some kind of genie DM who is magically bound to the rules as written, a failed check means nothing since there is nothing stopping you from trying again immedeatly, unlike other at-will charm effects where a target becomes temporarily immune on a successful check.
i am soup, with too many ideas (all of them very spicy) who has made sufficient homebrew material and character to last an thousand human lifetimes
Yes, I was drinking a little. Our DM did create a Rapier of Speed . . . yes I know it is unorthodox, but if he's offering, I'm accepting. The attacks are my standard two attacks and then a bonus action with the Rapier of Speed, granting two more. So, if we wanted to play strictly within the canon (no Rapier of Speed), it would just be the three.
And, I misspoke when I said Slasher feat, I have the Piercer feat, so that takes out one die. So, not as good as I remembered. Whiskey is a wonderful thing, but, maybe I shouldn't post when I'm drinking.
even if this mythic rapier of speed did exist and had the same powers as a scimitar of speed that would still be a total of one additional attack and thus three attacks made in total, not four, the bonus action granted by the scimitar of speed is not the same as taking the attack action
i am soup, with too many ideas (all of them very spicy) who has made sufficient homebrew material and character to last an thousand human lifetimes
I really like the Swashbuckler. The only ability that's kinda bad is master duelist. All of the other ones are good. If you don't like it, play a College of Swords Bard instead. What kind of features were you expecting?
Erean Cabenrith a Variant Human Cleric (Light Domain)
Eliem Lightblossom a High Elf Blood Hunter
Check out my Extended Signature Here
It’s a roleplay game not a combat game - you know, a game about role playing. Swashbucklers are great fun for those who enjoy ummm roleplay. [REDACTED]
Molon Labe, Lord Low
last time i checked you can not duel wield those 2 weapons
Check out my homebrew subclasses spells magic items feats monsters races
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help create a world here
Why? A flame tongue Shortsword is still a shortsword and therefore has the light weapon property. By default it can be used with two-weapon fighting. While the Sun Blade is technically a Longsword and doesn’t have that property, it is not an uncommon houserule since the item itself calls out that proficiency with a Shortsword counts for using it. And besides, otherwise all one really needs RAW is the Dual Wielder feat and you’re good.
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
Epic Boons on DDB
IMO, a Swashbuckler is a better Assassin than the Assassin is.
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
Epic Boons on DDB
Swashbuckler is great if you want mobility or flair, and mixes well with other classes (Swashbuckler 3 is probably the best mixin for any Cha caster that wants to dip Rogue, IMO; especially good for Swords Bards, since Fancy Footwork, Mobile Flourish, and TWF sound a lot like "I'm just gonna walk through this crowd of enemies because none of them can lay a finger on me"). It's pretty good if played right, really. It is a bad Rogue, in the sense that it's all about being the stylish, flashy hero that loves having everyone's eyes on you, which is the literal antithesis of the Rogue class in general; this does not, however, mean that it's a bad archetype, just that it requires a different playstyle than your usual sneaky sneak style.
Swashbucklers being good doesn't fix Swords bards being bad, but Warlock... Warlock + Rogue is a lot of fun. Shadow of Moil is every Rogue's wet dream.