Give swashbuckler light shield proficiency

[ubergish]

According to wikipedia:

"Swashbuckler" is a compound of "swash" (archaic: to swagger with a drawn sword) and "buckler" (a small-shield gripped in the fist) dating from the 16th century"

Allowing light shields might allow a more defensive style of play whereas right now you either can continue down the one weapon path with a class like duelist, or go two weapon with a class like invisible blade.

I know there have been a few improvements to this class already to try to bring it up to the level of other 'combat archetypes'. I don't see this doing much but giving it a little bit more staying power, with the option for another magic item slot. Making it light shield only gives a little more value than the currently useless light shield, and helps fulfill the idea of a historical swashbuckler.

[aaron22]

Give swashy lore geo class skill for Ao's sake.

[Sun Wukong]

I am not sure if there is a way to just give light shield proficiency. If you give them the shield proficiency feat, you give them access to both light and heavy shields. Now, as far as I know, all Swashbuckler abilities actually work with a shield equipped, doesn't matter if it is light, heavy, or tower variety.

[Hoihe]

I agree on giving them shield ability, although swash/duelist is basically the designated combo, so it'll usually fall useless. Still, swashBUCKLER.


And yes please on giving them geography skills. They're sort of the sailory class.

[metaquad4]

I can't see any harm to them getting shield. It might give more diversity, at the very least (it'll open up sword and board builds more easily).

[gedweyignasia]

Possible to add it as a class weapon proficiency?

[chad878262]

We discussed lore geography in qc, but I don't think we ever finished the discussion. I just bumped the thread, but shield proficiency will need to be a separate discussion.

[Sun Wukong]

Possible to add it as a class weapon proficiency?

If Swashbucklers get the stock Shield Proficiency, is there any reason to not use a Heavy Shield over a Light Shield (buckler)? One gives +1 AC, and the dexterity based skill penalties do not matter to non-sneak players...

Thus, what if a Swashbuckler with a Light Shield would get +1 dodge AC with that Light Shield? (Disabled if encumbered, or in medium or heavy armor) It would put Light and Heavy Shields to the same bar for Swashbucklers - and perhaps negate possible 'Spartan' Swashbucklers roaming the coast.

[joleda]

Was it considered? Giving Swashbucklers the shield proficiency, that is.