Post/Author/DateTime	Post
MatteBlack 07-10-07, 12:11 PM	I was considering an Elf Swashbuckler with an elven courtblade for my Marshal's cohort. I am hoping a high to hit with power attack with very high initiative could be a nice addition to my regular party. The graceful bodyguard type appeals to my sense of style as well. How would you go about it given the Cohort Stats? Seems like A grey elf with Str13/Dex18(17+1@4th)/Con12/Int 14/Wis 10/Cha6 would be the way to go. Ideally I would have the following feats: EWP: courtblade, Weapon Finesse, Power Attack and Improved Intiative. Great sword spec., focus and imp. critical would all be great as well as dodge mobility and spring attack. How much fighter, scout or something else would be good to add? I haven't gotten home to my books to fit in all the pieces but, it seems like there is a viable build to be had with a nasty opening punch via the marshal's improved dex and movement.
jstorrie 07-10-07, 12:57 PM	You're looking for a human, 14 16 14 14 8 8: 1 Rogue: Telling Blow, Power Attack 2 Swashbuckler: Weapon Finesse 3 Fighter: Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Elven Courtblade, Weapon Focus: Greatsword 4 Rogue 5 Swashbuckler 6 Rogue: Daring Outlaw 7 Fighter: Power Critical* 8 Fighter 9 Fighter: Weapon Specialization: Greatsword, Melee Weapon Mastery (Slashing) 10 Swashbuckler 11 Rogue 12 Swashbuckler: Improved Critical* 13 Swashbuckler 14 Swashbuckler 15 Swashbuckler: Slashing Flurry Improved Critical swaps for Staggering Strike if you get keen access. Power Critical can swap for Improved Buckler Defense if you have a really great buckler you want to use. Rogue 4 at 11 is for Uncanny Dodge & topping up skills.
rutrow424 07-10-07, 01:16 PM	Don't cohorts now use the elite array? Both of you have made 28 point builds though the OP stated he was building a cohort.
Demoyn 07-10-07, 02:10 PM	What book is telling blow in? Better yet, since I'm not at home right now, do you have a summary?
LachlarlanIII 07-10-07, 04:56 PM	Telling Blow is from PHB2 and lets you apply sneak attack/skirmish damage whenever you get a successful critical hit.
MatteBlack 07-10-07, 11:38 PM	Don't cohorts now use the elite array? Both of you have made 28 point builds though the OP stated he was building a cohort. They do use the elite array: 15,14,13,12,10,8. I used that for the stats in my original post. Jstorrie's build is a good one but, I'd be happier with an elf in this incarnation. I also think the rogue levels and lower dex are watering down the ability to use high to-hit to power the power attack. Ideally, I'd have a higher Dex than the elite array allows for for to-hit, AC and initiative which allow the big full-power-attack sucker punch. I'd also like to be less reliant on crit damage. I haven't got around reading on Daring Outlaw. Upon looking in the CW, Swashbuckler looks good through 8th and fighter to 4 could be good for the extra feats and specialization. A little scout could be good too. I haven't got a good look at viable prestige classes yet. Due to how levelling is handled, xp penalties aren't really going to be an issue.
jstorrie 07-11-07, 03:43 AM	You only really need 14 Dex for a build like this; the rest you can shore up with Gloves of Dex +4 (14+4 is 18; that nearly maxes out a mithril breastplate, which you can finish with level-up points or a +6 if you can afford it.) Full-1 BAB and +2 to hit from starting stats is plenty for using Power Attack, since you should, really, be using it sparingly. Power Attack is for animals, low-AC-large-size-monsters, and surprised foes. The Rogue levels only cost you one single point of BAB, so I wouldn't throw the baby out with the bathwater here even if you do choose elf. Those Rogue skill points let you keep Tumble and Jump and Balance maxed–highly important for a mobile melee. Three of them (and why not take four, if you've taken three?) are necessary for Daring Outlaw, which lets your Rogue and Swashbuckler levels stack for Sneak Attack damage (which is itself the reason for Telling Blow.)
MatteBlack 07-11-07, 09:01 AM	You only really need 14 Dex for a build like this; the rest you can shore up with Gloves of Dex +4 (14+4 is 18; that nearly maxes out a mithril breastplate, which you can finish with level-up points or a +6 if you can afford it.) Full-1 BAB and +2 to hit from starting stats is plenty for using Power Attack, since you should, really, be using it sparingly. Power Attack is for animals, low-AC-large-size-monsters, and surprised foes. The Rogue levels only cost you one single point of BAB, so I wouldn't throw the baby out with the bathwater here even if you do choose elf. Those Rogue skill points let you keep Tumble and Jump and Balance maxed–highly important for a mobile melee. Three of them (and why not take four, if you've taken three?) are necessary for Daring Outlaw, which lets your Rogue and Swashbuckler levels stack for Sneak Attack damage (which is itself the reason for Telling Blow.) I can see how the Rogue levels are worth the the HP and BAB to get Daring Outlaw and Telling Blow. I think I still like the stats from my original set-up (13,18,12,14,10,8@4th). Would you stick to the same progression if XP penalties aren't really a factor? I just wonder if spring attack might be a more survivable way to go?