Post/Author/DateTime	Post
DeLoren 05-31-05, 01:39 PM	I am building a finesse-based melee character and am looking for some advice. I envision a skillful character who uses some magic to help in combat and to help him get out of trouble. The swash/sorc build seems to be a good fit. I'm picturing two weapon fighting with light weapons, using mage armor and a blur spell to avoid damage,etc. While also being able to climb, jump, and bluff my way out of tough situations. Top ability scores will be Dex, Cha, and Int, followed by strength, con and wisdom. I could use some advice on feats, known spells (house rules allow for slightly more of both), and tactics in battle. Thanks!
Neb Rybel 05-31-05, 02:13 PM	First Suggestion: Don't. Strength is much more solid (Strength lends to both to hit and damage, while a Swashbuckler needs Dex to hit and Int to damage-and it can't even be two-handed). After that. Swashbuckler 3/Sorcerer 6/Eldritch Knight X? It requires no feats so it allows you to spend them where you need to. The Dread Commando in the new Heroes of Battle. Despite many people's misconceptions of it, it is pretty solid. The Team Initiative ability adds its class level to all allies Initiative Modifier. It greatly reduces your Action Check Penalty (A Level 4 Commando in Mithril Full-Plate has a -0 Action Check Penalty). The Champion of Corellon Larethian is similar. If you are a Charisma Focus, you can take advantage the Corellon's Wrath. But it doesn't lend itself to a spellcaster (unless you are satisfied with just 3rd level spells). If nothing else, 2 levels gets you Dexterity to damage (again, it doesn't seem to be 1.5 for Two-Handed). But you have to be either an Elf or Half-Elf (this is probably a better choice for the kind of character you described). A side track: Perhaps instead of Sorcerer, Bard? Bard also has Blur, but it has a better skill list, more skill points, better BAB, better Hit Dice, Bardic Music, and Bardic Knowledge. Half-Elf Swashbuckler 3/Bard 4 is a good start for 7 levels. Dodge Tree is a must. Combat Expertise to raise your Defense. Combat Reflexes to always be able to make attacks of opportunity. A lot of people forget that Combat Reflexes allows a character to take advantage of provoked AoO's even while Flat-Footed.
rilem 05-31-05, 02:36 PM	Books allowed? Couple points/questions - So you just want to dabble in magic? - You want to stay unarmored? - You realize that TWF screws up most somatic spellcasting (barring either the DaggerSpell Mage or a moderately liberal interpretation of Quick Draw?) - You realize that Swash/Wizard would be better, stat-wise? Lets you concentrate on Intelligence. - Is the Arcane Duelist (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/re/20030224a) kosher? Couple options: Swash3/Wizard2/DaggerSpellMage10/InvisibleBlade5 BAB +16, Saves 7/12/12, 6th level spells, Good skills, Int. to damage/AC, Free-action feint, 3d6 dagger sneak Feats: TWF, WF (dagger), practiced spellcaster, Able Learner, ITWF, Far Shot, Point Blank Shot, Eschew Materials. You can replace I.Blade with a spellcaster, of course -- I kept this b/c it didn't sound like you wanted that. Sorceror2/Ranger2/Fighter2/DaggerspellMage8/ArcaneDuelist4/Paladin2 BAB +15, Saves 12/13/13, 5th level spells, CHA to AC, Saves Have you considered bard? No Mage armor but lots of other nice stuff. EDIT: Oops, forgot that Daggerspells need sneak attack. You'll have to add a rogue level or somesuch in both of those. In first one, cut off Daggerspell at level 8 to preserve BAB.
DeLoren 06-01-05, 01:08 PM	Thanks for the advice guys. I think you're right...despite my favor of the cha-based abilities and spontaneous spell casting, the best combo with the swash is probably a wizard. Once insightful strike enters the game, that will really improve damage dealing...and might add a few bonus spells. I don't quite have the library to employ all your suggestions, but I'll keep them in mind!
Ripclaw 06-01-05, 01:43 PM	How about swashbuckler and Warmage? Int and Cha are both good for Swashbuckler and Warmage. Weapon finess a weapon, dex becomes ab to hit, and Dex is used a lot for Warmage rays.
UMiskatonic 06-01-05, 03:15 PM	paladin 2/sorceror X isn't bad either, you get a lot of mileage out of a high charisma, and you can sacrifice int and wis pretty easily. Likewise, paladin2/warmage ain't bad. If you like, cross out paladin and write in hexblade, that gets around that LG alignment.