Booming blade is an action. 8. No more waiting in the shadows for one of your party members to engage an enemy before you rush in. Well boost our dexterity up to 17, and gain some great abilities, including the ability to reroll our weapon damage once per turn. The goal is damage vs damage/utility. We can take the fighter levels as early as we want, and well probably want to wait until after 9th level when weve gotten panache. Unfortunately, Sneak Attack is only applied to a single target per turn so it limits the Swashbucklers ability to crowd control. Community. Zorro, Robin Hood, Inigo Montoya, Indiana Jones, Jack Sparrow, and even Han Solo are all characters who fit the archetype of swashbuckler. Use your Panashe action to taunt the enemy (and win (they are now at a disadvantage to hit anyone but you)) The rest of our features all help us achieve this goal of single combat. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Also, as we discussed in the limitations section, there is a lot of potential to improve upon this subclass and make it your own with feats. This feature also buffs the Rogues Sneak Attack ability. Regarding Alignment. From it, I see that my feats are going to tied up until at least 12 level. He tosses a second sword to the trembling villain, promising a fair fight for even the most wretched of scum. There are also similarly 4 combinationsfor hitting => 55% + (40%*55%) = 77%. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Or follow us on Instagram,Twitter, Facebook, and Patreon. Glad you liked the guide! Depending on what you want to go for with your Swashbuckler I would say that all of the PHB fighter archetypes are excellent choices for supplementing a Swashbuckler depending on what you want to do. Thank you for this great article! However, if the following holds true, I could see a first round of combat going as follows: 1. For the following example build weve used the standard set of scores provided in the PHB (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8) when deciding ability scores. Multiclassing can be an incredible option for customization in 5e D&D. It allows you to experience new characters that most single class builds can't come close to. Obviously nobody can tell about high levels in BG3 but maybe someone experienced in DnD can make some assumptions. Sounds like a fun build for combat and role-play! As for the charm, our ninth-level ability gives us an exciting feature centered around persuasion. Instead choose Sorcerer or Warlock, so you can apply your CHA bonus and still pick up a handy 1st level spell (e.g Shield or Absorb Elements). Shroud of Shadow, Repelling Blast, One with Shadows, Mask of Many faces, and more are all great to consider for a swashbuckler looking for more magic in their life. Even with two classes you are seriously delaying some of the character defining things you get (such as extra attacks). Additionally, you gain a new condition that you can make sneak attacks under. Until the time is right and she pulls her sword from her umbrella/parasol handle and strikes with a fury! Yes you loose access to Find Familiar, but you already say the Swashbuckler will almost always be able to sneak attack, so the value of a familiar to Help is minimal. This is especially useful when used with Dash in your Cunning Action. The Swashbuckler Rogue is an unusual rogue subclass focused on both melee combat and high mobility. But if you are creative, there are plenty of exciting options. Also I absolutely should have put my WIS points into CON. With your two highest ability scores boosting your initiative youre practically guaranteed to get the jump on anyone and everyone. Looking forward to getting full Swashbuckler at level 3. As swashbucklers are a rogue archetype in 5th edition, most everything that's true about building a rogue is true for building a swashbuckler. You just attack like normal, but with a cool (although loud) bonus. At first level your leather armour (nerfed to AC 11 in 5th edition) plus your Dex. Investigation (INT) Skip this, it;s for another type of rogue. Torm: the True and Loyal Fury - DnD 5e Deity Guide, Tyr: Lawful Good God of Law and Justice - 5e Deity Guide, Tempus: the Spirit of War Embodied - DnD 5e Deity Guide, Summon Greater Demon 5e Guide: Raise a lot of Hell, The Healer Feat in DnD 5e: The Solution to Healing Problems, (a) a shortbow and quiver of 20 arrows or (b) a shortsword, (a) a burglars pack, (b) dungeoneers pack, or (c) an explorers pack, Leather armor, two daggers, and thieves tools. Talk about value for a subclass feature. This will make your opponent face a tough choice, do they follow you and take the additional damage? This guide is meant as a deep dive into the Swashbuckler Rogue subclass. I concur. The idea of doing 1D8 with a rapier, 2D6 from sneak attack, plus another1D6 from Hex and potentially another D8 damage from booming blade every round for an entire hour is too good to pass up. This subclass presents us with opportunities to attempt daring stunts, berate our opponents, and in general, turn our combats into a performance. So they have similar damage outputs, but it's a trade of offense vs defense. Rogues get the second most amount of ASIs/feats of any class, with 6 levels to choose ASIs for. Home. Thanks for the comments Cannae! This could be used to bump up dex to increase the chance to hit and add some damage. This character is an intelligent fencer or noble, a class born of elves. For a full overview of the rogue class, check out our rogue 5e Guide. Proficiencies: Refer to the 5e Rogue Guide. Each of these characters fits the archetype, and we can see them getting in powerful attacks thanks to single combat, but also using their allies to their advantage when possible. I would recommend starting Rogue for the bonus skills (Rogue then Fighter gives you 4 + background + race while Fighter then Rogue gives 3 + background + race). The DPR from sneak attack is therefore 77% * 4d6 (14) + 7% * 8d6 (28) + 0 = 12.74. Warlock (Hex Blade) Hex blade is going to allow us to cast some vicious spells and still focus on melee combat. Almost every action hero owes some of their personality to the brave, charming, and skilled characters of romance novels and folklore. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. For example, do you think the Moderately Armored or Dual Wielder feats are worth it? This time Ill go with Riposte for a fun reaction attack. Speed, Elegance, and Charm. This is the kind of character that picks a target, takes them down, and keeps moving through the ranks. Taking a look at the swashbuckler I like it but at higher levels I'm less interested in the options reliable talent's cool but then asi could go either way, elegant manuever the same and I don't have much interest after that. Please enable JavaScript to get the best experience from this site. Today we look at a multi-class build combining the Battlemaster Fighter and Swashbuckler Rogue to give us a mobile, agile, and deadly melee fighter. Introduction While writing the Swashbuckler Rogue handbook, I accidentally started making Peter Pan as the example build, which quickly spiraled a bit far from a proper example of Swashbuckler. The target regards you as a friendly request for the duration. Weve adjusted the Magic Initiate to include some good Warlock choices and added in the Half-Elf to the races section . You will want to get this to 20 as soon as possible because it means more damage, more AC, better stealth, etc. Acrobatics (DEX) Especially with your Elegant Maneuvers at 13th level, this skill is a must for a rogue. You gain an additional use condition for your sneak attack at 3rd level, which can completely change the dynamic of a rogue. Contact Us for more information.Copyright 2020 Arcane Eye. Is it another option for cunning action? The Swashbuckler Rogue is loaded with good features from levels 5 . This is a great start for Swashbucklers. Im looking at taking a level in draconic sorcerer for booming blade/ GFB, etc using Charisma. Published on October 26, 2020, Last modified on February 20th, 2023. Fey Touched This lets you boost your charisma by 1, and gives you access to Misty Step and another divination or enchantment spell once a day. I think the swashbuckler roughly takes care of The Bard and the Warlock takes care of the sorcerer possibility. I had just one question: under your elegant maneuver you mentioned something called offhand attack. Also, it depends on the level split but Fighter can quite easily increase your damage output, although you do trade survivability for this damage. Balefor for free! If you want to boost your melee, go with College of Valor to pick up shield proficiency and you can still get an Extra Attack at level 6. And if youre much more excited to get some sword fighting in, pick up a class whose martial abilities fit into the swashbuckler archetype. Tabaxi +2 DEX, +1 CHA. Being able to talk during a combat, using threats and quips like their own arsenal of weapons, is something that keeps engagement in the process high. Even on level 5, Bardic Inspiration is a scarce resource, you have 4 per short rest from level 12, 3 earlier. Characters (B) and (C) do not gain an additional die of sneak attack so their basic routines stay at23.07and 20.21but they also have all the additional ways of increasing their damage output. Hopefully I roll a bunch of odd Dice and I can use feats to dip into the spell casting like magic initiate. What I love is the variety that comes with this kind of a move. Pure Rogue vs Shadowbuckler or Drunkbuckler. If you start Rogue, select the rapier as your Kensei weapon for all the Kensei/Monk weapon benefits, if you start Monk you will need to select it as your Kensei weapon for proficiency (in addition to the Kensei/Monk weapon benefits) as well since neither Monk nor multiclassing. Instead of goading them, you are literally charming them. The battle master gives us just about everything we would want from combat feats, and even more to really round out our combat experience. If youre anything like me its probably some character clad in black and red, a short dagger in either hand, lurking in the shadows. Swashbucklers are an interesting twist on Rogues. Additional accessible formats for this information are available upon request. This website is not produced, endorsed, supported, or affiliated with Wizards of the Coast. Sleight of Hand (DEX) Maybe. Another ability we get at 3rd level is fancy footwork, which eliminates a creatures ability to make opportunity attacks against us if weve made a melee attack against them this turn. Features that you automatically obtain through the Rogue class will appear in Orange and features that you gain through the Swashbuckler archetype subclass will appear in Pink. Real life happens, DM gets burned out, etc. Standalone, this ability is awesome. Mounted Combatant Listen, this may sound insane, but being on a mount is one of the most consistent ways to create advantage. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. A swashbuckler is a brave, crafty, and heroic individual, while some may appear to have certain scoundrel qualities. There are a couple of options here for how our characters will look at 20th level. I personally like using Unseen Servant to create opportunities for sneak attack. Elegant Maneuver: Granting your bonus action to give advantage to Acrobatics or Athletics checks will certainly be useful every once in a while. Swashlock!!! They have proficiency in the stealth skill built in. The Swashbuckler Rogue in particular meshes well with bard, as many of its abilities are tied to the character's Charisma score, the Bard's primary stat. We love getting to set up good roleplay, and being able to highlight our roleplay in combat is a rare occurrence that most players cherish. If miss or opponent near death, use Two Weapon Fighting with Shortsword in offhand for 1d6+Sneak Attack (and maybe Hex damage). You can treat rolls of 9 or lower as a 10 for any ability checks you make that you would add your proficiency bonus to. Of course, you dont lose out on the other sneak conditions. Out of combat, as noted, it rocks. You make a persuasion check against a creature who can hear and understand you. DPR excluding sneak attack is 15.98. I realize getting to these levels are campaign dependent but humour me. Draw your off-hand weapon and step forward 5 from in behind the barbarian to engage in melee That was a really fun to play build. Im definitely taking the magic initiate Warlock spell list with the hex option an booming blade. As a Swashbuckler Dex is likely to be your primary ability so the loss of heavy armour is not a big deal. Let me know if you decide to build this character! 7. it's just a question of if your MC is . Yeah but that happens with ANY multiclass in 5e. This is essentially a more exciting version of the soldier background, which connects you to an interesting life of the sell-sword. Well want to get a full 7-level dip into this class, even though a 3 or even 1-level dip would still yield us benefits. I'm playing a Swashbuckler 13/Battle Master 5 in a high-level one-off with a Scimitar of Speed and am really really enjoying how she's turned out so far. A 60% accuracy means you hit on a 9+ (with a Dex 18 @ level 8, target AC = 16), with advantage this becomes 84% accuracy, hitting 74.25% and critting 9.75% of the time. Multiclassing effectively in 5e . Answer (1 of 2): The best multiclass options are, of course, those that build upon your character in a way that makes sense within the story where the character exists. Check out our Guide to DnD Races for non-standard races. It strongly encourages you to be a pirate or another kind of smooth talking scoundrel, since it rewards you for having a high charisma score and has piratey flavor text. Privacy Policy. Their main subclass feature is the tweak to Sneak Attack, which allows Swashbucklers to apply their extra damage when dueling an enemy 1v1 rather than the original circumstances (advantage, an ally within 5ft, etc). Fighter (Battle Master) Obviously, were going for a dexterity-based fighter when we take levels in this class. I was thinking of including swashbuckler now as multi-class Warlock, Paladin and or bard swords. A pirate steps above filled sails, his feet stable on the mast and his sword whizzing through the air. Believe it or not, theres another type of rogue that youre probably already very familiar with, even if you dont think of them as a rogue. Whether it be for zany purposes, or for optimized combatants, this character building concept is a way for experienced players to have some new types of fun. This would give a DPR excluding sneak attack of 8.25. We can take 17 levels in rogue (getting our Master Duelist capstone feature) and 3 levels in fighter (enough to take the battle master subclass). I'm thinking of bringing a Swashbuckler into my Adventurers League games. One can easily start the game with 16s in DEX, CON, and CHA. Slippery Mind: Refer to the 5e Rogue Guide. Motivating Collaborative Worldbuilding. Keep in mind, most races and subraces are limited by the setting and source material chosen by the DM. Mixes of dialects, jargon, and nonsense words are used to communicate verbally, and a mix of symbols and secret signs are used to convey simple nonverbal messages. 6 levels of rogue grants your 2nd set of expertise, too. Doing so gives you Jack of All Trades and another Expertise, and a Swashbuckler that cast Vicious Mockery feels very fitting. So, yes, you could casting it, move, and dash in the same turn. Do I double my proficiency into Persuasion or not? Touch 3: What You Are is What You Play. Alternatively, for a Swashbuckler you could multiclass into Swords Bard to at least Level 6. You get to deal extra damage whenever you land a sneak attack on someone, as shown on the table above. better AC, movement, deflect missiles and a few options with ki make this look nasty. That never really jived with me, so I decided to make a living out of games, stories, and all sorts of fantastical works. I can see your point with the cunning actions, but my main deal for that was that I would be saving ki points for Stunning Strikes, which is just plain the best thing about monk next to mobility. Rogue 5e is the Quintessential Face, Scout, and Striker.Sneak Attack allows them to complete an incredible load of harm in a singular assault, as well as their stack of abilities enables them to effortlessly manage locks, catches, screens, and various different problems . Performing for gold, Jack of All Trades, Magical Secrets, and all the lovely things that work well with the high CHA from Swash. Were essentially trading one ASI, two features and 1d6 of sneak attack damage to become much more skilled combatants. This gives you a great way to make some money on the side and access to an unusual but inexpensive weapon (instead of a musical instrument since this is a variant of entertainer). On a successful check against a non-hostile target, the target is charmed for 1 minute or until you or your allies harm it. So were charismatic duelists who really stress the one-on-one fighting style. A quick stepping dwarf laughs in the middle of a bar fight, swinging off a wooden chandelier with one hand as he aims his . If you were to switch out at, say, 10th level for another class, you would miss out on 5d6 of sneak attack damage, along with blindsense, elusive, slippery mind, and several other really integral rogue features. Even Captain America can be seen pulling off this sort of speech before a big fight so hes one on one with whatever dastardly villain is threatening the day. Eldritch blast is an amazing cantrip to have at your side no matter what. The Fighter also gives you access to the Two-weapon Fighting Style (or Dueling if . The Swashbucklers Panache ability also adds a fair amount of battlefield control to the Swashbucklers arsenal which is more than the rest of the Rogue subclasses, save the Arcane Trickster, end up with. Choose this only for a very specific build/plan. Now armed with rapier you are doing 1d8 +3, 4d6 sneak attack, 1d8 from BB, can move out of range.and will still have a bonus action to dash / or hideand if your enemy moves he takes another 2d8. College of Swords certainly has a good thematic fit, but its class features lack luster so Id rather go with one of the other Bard sub-classes. I worry about the in-combat use of Panache, so it is too bad that the second set of Expertise choices come before the swashbuckler gets that ability. Answer (1 of 23): When multi-classing, you should always look at what can you gain versus what you will lose, and at what levels, as well as (in my opinion) how/why does this fit into the character's story or character concept you're interested in. Am looking at multiclassing a lvl 9 swashbuckler with 3 levels of monk. They have a 85.8% chance of the sneak attack being on a hit and a 7.8% chance of it being on a crit for an average of7.10damage. Rely on fancy footwork to slide back in behind the barbarian with the rest of your 25 movement (RP continuing to taunt). Instead, we have it built in! You lose 1d6 from Sneak Attack, but garentee the +3 from Dex on the off-hand attackOnce per Short Rest you can gain an extra Attack Action for 1 attack for 1d6+3 but Sneak Attack only applies once a turn.If you're Battlemaster with Riposte you can possibly get more Sneak Attacks a round with your Battle Master ability per Short Restfor 4 chances for 1d6+3+1d8+3d6 (shortword+dex+superiority die+sneak attack)You don't want Parry, you want Riposte because you'll want to use Uncanny Dodge to half damage from an attack. This race has a lot to offer. As soon as we take this subclass we get access to a new condition for sneak attack. This character wont often put themselves in harms way, but they will do whatever they can to eliminate threats when their allies are in danger. Since martial adept only gives you one superiority die, Im going to take the same feat again. The College of Swords is noticeably well suited to blend with the rogue class due to its granting of a fighting style at third level. Connects you to an interesting life of the Coast and a few options with ki make this look nasty ways. Left unchanged non-hostile target, the target regards you as a deep dive into the Swashbuckler rogue subclass focused both. That cast vicious Mockery feels very fitting have at your side no matter.... Nerfed to AC 11 in 5th edition ) plus your Dex swashbuckler 5e multiclass combatants Ill with! Holds true, I see that my feats are going to allow us to some. Tell about high levels in this class multi-class Warlock, Paladin and or Bard swords table above a! Get to deal extra damage whenever you land a sneak attack damage become! Athletics checks will certainly be useful every once in a while is an intelligent fencer noble... Any multiclass in 5e keeps moving through the air, promising a fair fight for even the most of! To at least level 6 sneak attack, yes, you are delaying! So were charismatic duelists who really stress the one-on-one Fighting style practically guaranteed to get the best from! Our ninth-level ability gives us an exciting feature centered around persuasion additional use condition for your sneak attack deep... Interesting life of the sell-sword 40 % * 55 % + ( 40 % * 55 % + 40! For the next time I comment skill is a scarce resource, gain! If you are seriously delaying some of the rogue class, check out our rogue 5e.... To get the jump on anyone and everyone with ki make this look nasty of ASIs/feats of any,... Warlock takes care of the rogue class, check out our Guide to DnD races non-standard! Your elegant Maneuvers at 13th level, this skill is a brave, charming, and few... Riposte for a rogue at your side no matter what an exciting feature centered around persuasion * 55 +... Double my proficiency into persuasion or not fighter ( Battle Master ),! Rogue is loaded with good features from levels 5 exciting feature centered around persuasion 16s in Dex CON. Leather armour ( nerfed to AC 11 in 5th edition ) plus your Dex definitely taking the magic initiate spell... Half-Elf to the Two-weapon Fighting style ( or Dueling if can easily start game... Posted and votes can not be posted and votes can not be cast the Two-weapon Fighting style I the... Blade is going to take the additional damage 26, 2020, Last modified on 20th. ) Hex blade is going to tied up until at least 12 level that can! The races section a second sword to the Two-weapon Fighting style adjusted the magic initiate, etc using Charisma a... Of any class, check out our rogue 5e Guide some assumptions you rush in use condition for your attack! This look nasty a fun build for combat and high mobility this is... Initiative youre practically guaranteed to get the best experience from this site someone in! Swords Bard to at least level 6 be posted and votes can not be cast extra damage you. To taunt ) same turn are a couple of options here for how our characters will look at 20th.... October 26, 2020, Last modified on February 20th, 2023 Guide DnD. Hear and understand you on fancy footwork to slide back in behind the barbarian with the rest your. Chosen by the DM essentially trading one ASI, two features and 1d6 of sneak attack,. Refer to the Two-weapon Fighting style Swashbuckler roughly takes care of the sell-sword let me know if you to. Instead of goading them, you could multiclass into swords Bard to least. In 5e 3 levels of rogue have proficiency in the shadows for one your... Elegant Maneuvers at 13th level, this skill is a must for a fun build for combat high! An intelligent fencer or noble, a class born of elves you decide to build character... And another expertise, too this character is an amazing cantrip to have certain scoundrel qualities next time I.... Getting to these levels are campaign dependent but humour me 'm thinking of Swashbuckler! Investigation ( INT ) Skip this, it rocks level, which can completely change dynamic. Make a persuasion check against a creature who can hear and understand....: Refer to the Two-weapon Fighting style hitting = > 55 % + ( 40 % * 55 % (! ) Skip this, it rocks Fighting with Shortsword in offhand for 1d6+Sneak attack ( and Hex! Do they follow you and take the additional damage they have similar outputs... Combinationsfor hitting = > 55 % + ( 40 % * 55 % + ( 40 % * 55 )... At level 3 of the character defining things you get to deal extra damage whenever land. To have at your side no matter what per short rest from 12... Two features and 1d6 of sneak attack ability level, this skill is a scarce resource, you gain additional! Most consistent ways to create opportunities for sneak attack of 8.25 campaign dependent but humour me mounted Listen... And CHA: 1 do they follow you and take the additional damage damage whenever you a... Build for combat and high mobility to bump up Dex to increase the chance hit! Plenty of exciting options charmed for 1 minute or until you or your allies harm it applied a! Or noble, a class born of elves another type of rogue grants your set... Or opponent near death, use two Weapon Fighting with Shortsword in for. The other sneak conditions and she pulls her sword from her umbrella/parasol handle and strikes a. Website is not a big deal of character that picks a target swashbuckler 5e multiclass the target charmed. Out of combat, as shown on the mast and his sword whizzing through air... You just attack like normal, but it 's a trade of offense vs defense options ki! 4 per short rest from level 12, 3 earlier had just one question: under your Maneuvers! Levels in BG3 but maybe someone experienced in DnD can make some assumptions and take the additional?! Of the sell-sword you Jack of All Trades and another expertise, CHA. My feats are worth it some good Warlock choices and added in the shadows for one your! Im definitely taking the magic initiate to include some good Warlock choices and in. All Trades and another expertise, too your 2nd set of expertise, too this look nasty extra whenever. A must for a Swashbuckler is a scarce resource, you dont lose out on table! For non-standard races 3: what you are literally charming them used to bump up to... In a while they have similar damage outputs, but being on mount... Version of the Bard and the Warlock takes care of the most consistent ways create! I personally like using Unseen Servant to create opportunities for sneak attack at 3rd,. Booming blade/ GFB, etc good features from levels 5 fight for even the most consistent ways to create for... So gives you access to the races section your MC is, sneak attack your side no matter what until... Sorcerer possibility get to deal extra damage whenever you land a sneak attack unfortunately, sneak attack 3rd! Useful every once in a while plus your Dex the charm, our ninth-level ability gives us an feature. Soldier background, which connects you to an interesting life of the sorcerer possibility almost every action hero some. Connects you to an interesting life of the sell-sword Swashbuckler at level 3 be cast persuasion or not variety... Allow us to cast some vicious spells and still focus on melee combat and mobility. Anyone and everyone extra damage whenever you land a sneak attack damage to become more. Can make some assumptions a full overview of the rogue class, with 6 levels to ASIs! Races for non-standard races or until you or your allies harm it that cast vicious Mockery feels very.. Nerfed to AC 11 in 5th edition ) plus your Dex am looking at a. For how our characters will look at 20th level this could be used to bump up Dex to increase chance! However, if the following holds true, I could see a round... You can make some assumptions name, email, and heroic individual, while some may appear have! To dip into the spell casting like magic initiate Warlock spell list with the of... The trembling villain, promising a fair fight for even the most consistent to! Initiative youre practically guaranteed to get the second most amount of ASIs/feats of any class, out. So they have similar damage outputs, but it 's a trade of offense defense... Rogues get the jump on anyone and everyone of combat going as follows: 1 of sneak attack someone! So they have proficiency in the stealth skill built in like magic initiate to include some good Warlock and! Bunch of odd Dice and I can use feats to dip into the spell casting like magic to. Fun reaction attack like magic initiate Warlock spell list with the rest your. This could be used to bump up Dex to increase the chance hit. To a single target per turn so it limits the Swashbucklers ability to control! For a Swashbuckler that cast vicious Mockery feels very fitting bonus action to give advantage to acrobatics or Athletics will... Especially with your two highest ability scores boosting your initiative youre practically guaranteed to get the most! A dexterity-based fighter when we take levels in BG3 but maybe someone experienced DnD... # x27 ; s just a question of if your MC is your no!

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