Codex Swashbuckler (3.5e Class)

Tome of Prowess. Compress it to a 12 level class.]] Length::12 Minimum Level::1 Base Attack Bonus Progression::Good Fortitude Save Progression::Good Reflex Save Progression::Good Will Save Progression::Poor Class Ability::Other Class Ability Progression::Full

Allowed Alignments::Lawful Good Allowed Alignments::Lawful Neutral Allowed Alignments::Lawful Evil Allowed Alignments::Neutral Good Allowed Alignments::Neutral Allowed Alignments::Neutral Evil Allowed Alignments::Chaotic Good Allowed Alignments::Chaotic Neutral Allowed Alignments::Chaotic Evil

Codex Swashbuckler
A 'fix' for the swashbuckler, I still recommend going with daring outlaw, although the class stand alright on it own too.

Making a Swashbuckler
Abilities: Dexterity is best, constitution is always a sound investment. Intelligence is right next to dex, granting more damages and increasing skill points. Charisma is also a good choice since it improved social interaction checks and some class features.

Races: Any race with some dexterity make good swashbuckler, sometime other races join in as well.

Alignment: Swashbucklers are usually chaotic but anything goes really.

Starting Gold: Lol

Starting Age: As rogue

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Swashbucklers are proficient with all simple weapons, martial weapons and one exotic weapon of her choice. Swashbucklers are proficient with light armor.



 (Ex): A 1st level swashbuckler may gains one of the following feats as a bonus feat; she does not need to meet the prerequisite of the feat: combat reflexes, improved initiative, fencing, improved unarmed strike, quick draw, two-weapon fighting or weapon focus.

At 4th level she may select another feat from that list.

 (Ex): You are an expert at using the buckler. For you, bucklers do not have an armor check penalty. You may use the arm which has the buckler without penalty. If the arm in which you hold the buckler is free, you may turn the buckler shield bonus into a dodge bonus as a swift action (with another swift action to return it to a shield bonus).

 (Ex): A 2nd swashbuckler's time in taverns and gambling hall has allowed her to pick up a few tricks. She can take a standard action to recall some of the tricks she learned, coming under the effect of the cheatDra spell as if her caster level were her character level. This ability can be used at will.

This is precision damage.

 (Ex): At 2nd level swashbuckler gains 1/3 of her character level (rounded up) or her dexterity bonus (whichever is lower) as a dodge bonus to her AC and reflex save. Grace only apply when the swashbuckler is wearing light or no armor and bearing no more than a light load.

 (Ex): At 3rd level a swashbuckler gains seduce to learn (although the codex swashbuckler gains it one level earlier than the source indicates).


 * ToP: The 3rd level swashbuckler gains a new untrained use for bluff, seduce to learn. The DCs for this ability are half the listed amounts, +5.

By example she could have a creature attacking her reroll it attack roll, or reroll her own attack roll/saving throw/skill check. She can only use lucky once per day and one additional time per day at 8th and 12th. She may reroll any type of dice, not just d20s.

 (Ex): A 5th level swashbuckler may deal extra damages granted by insightful strike to creatures immune to critical hits and increase to 1.5x her intelligence bonus. Additionally she may use her intelligence or dexterity (whichever is higher) instead of strength for special maneuver like trip, disarm, bullrush or overrun.

If a swashbuckler with slippery mind is affected by an enchantment spell or effect and fails her saving throw, she can attempt it again 1 round later at the same DC. She gets only this one extra chance to succeed on her saving throw.

She may charge over difficult terrain that normally slows movement or allies blocking her path. This ability enables her to run down steep stairs, leap down from a balcony, or to tumble over tables to get to her target. Depending on the circumstance, she may still need to make appropriate checks to successfully move over the terrain. Additionally she need not move in a straight line to charge, nor must she charge the closest available space. She still may not move back on herself during a charge, and her charge move still ends as soon as she threatens her target

Additionally any creatures an allies attacked during the last round is considered flanked by the swashbuckler if she attack them.




 * ToP: A 9th level swashbuckler is such a good acrobat she may take 10 to her acrobatics and jump checks with any abilities that she has acquired. With abilities that she exceeds the minimum ranks by 4 or more, she may take 15 without any increase in time.



 (Ex): A 10th level swashbuckler may now fight defensively without taking any penalties to attack rolls.

 (Ex): A 11th level swashbuckler is ready to leave her class soon (as it ends one level after) and to ease that change she gains one of the following feats as a bonus feat; she must, however, meet the feat's prerequisites: daring exile, daring outlaw, swift fencer or practiced attacker.





Alternate Class Features
While the Codex Swashbuckler replaces most class features and/or rearranges them, some players may wish to combine it with other ACFs. Now Grace is worth much more than in the original version, and some abilities that would be replaced do not exist anymore. Therefore, here is a list of alternate class features from WotC and some completely original to further customize the class.

Arcane Stunt (Complete Mage): Now replaces fighting style at 1st level. No change made to the ACF itself.

Shield of Blades (Player Handbook II): Now replaces the dodge bonus granted by grace at 2nd level. You gain Two-Weapon Defense as a bonus feat. You also gain 1/3 of your character level as a dodge bonus against any creatures you attacked with at least two light weapons this turn.

Brawny Swashbuckler: Replaces Weapon Finesse at 1st level. You gain flexible achiever with strength selected replacing dexterity.

Charming Strike: Change Insightful Strike and Improved Insightful Strike at 3rd and 5th level. The bonus damage from insful strike and improved insightful strike is now based on charisma instead of intelligence, it is no longer precision damage. Mindless creature are not subject to this bonus damage.

Ranged Swashbuckler: Replace Weapon Finesse at 1st level, Change Fighting Style at 2nd level. You gain sharpshooter as a bonus feat at 1st level. Instead of the normal feat selection in fighting style you choice become: combat reflexes, improved initiative, far shot, quick draw, rapid shot, rapid reload, two-weapon fighting or weapon focus.