Swashbuckler/Mage questions

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I'd like to try this interesting multiclass (using Shadowkeeper, obviously) for a run through SoA, all the way through Ascension/Redemption with Tactics and all improved battles. This will be my first attempt at this and I'm wondering what you think of my choice.

How would this compare to a fighter/mage? The hitpoint difference isn't that big a deal since mages are pretty good at not taking damage with a workable spell selection. I'm more curious about the Thac0 and damage numbers. How will it work?

I might be taking one other character (player created since I'll probably do this multiplayer with a friend) so it won't be completely solo, but close. Any tips would be great. Thanks.

 

Your multiclass will end up with a better AC and better damage than a fighter, since both increase by 1 every 5 Swashbuckler levels (the fighter's don't, so it's easy to do the math). For THAC0, I think the Fighter/mage has the edge here, but it's not really that critical, since you can always use spells to help you with this (Tenser's Transformation will make your THAC0 just as good as a fighter's).

The way I see it, the advantage of having a Swashbuckler rather than a fighter is that you don't have to worry about any traps or locked chests in the game. This is a far better deal IMO than a few extra THAC0 points. And once you get the Thief HLAs, this build becomes great fun

 

Here are the max base THAC0 values:
- Fighter/Mage base THAC0 of 0 (at Fighter level 21).
- Thief/Mage base THAC0 10 (at Thief level 22).

 

Sounds like a winner, thanks for your help.

 

What about Swashbuckler / Mage dual class? I've been thinking about ditching my current campaign (another boring Archer) and re-starting (I'm a chronic re-starter, I need a support group) as that. From a role-playing perspective it might be neat, but I don't know if it'll work in real life.

 

Multiclass is WAY better for soloing...you get all those nifty thief HLAs!!

 

Forgive my ignorance, but you can make kit-multiclasses via Shadowkeeper? How?

 

Just start the game as a multiclass thief/mage, save it and then set the class to swashbuckler in the 'kit' box.

 

Ahhh... I would laugh maniacally but it's late. This would be... interesting.

Thanks!

 

By the way, just remember that a thief mage will always end up with a higher / worse attack bonus than a fighter-mage.
What about FMTs, by the way? I've never tried one myself, but they seem an interesting class.

 

FMTs! Ah, the multiclass combo of champions... You've stumbled across one of my pet topics, I'm afraid! The FMT is a true one-elf commando unit. The combination of proficiencies, spells & a 5x backstab modifier is truly awesome, not to mention traps and the like, for when the going gets tough. My CG, soloing elvish FMT is probably my favourite character; the way they play suits me down to the ground. I could go on, but I'd only bore everyone. Tears of sheer joy are welling up in my eyes... And I need to go play it. Now.

P.S. I would dread to think of the devastation were someone to nefariously use Shadow Keeper to create such a thing as a Kensai/Mage/Thief ... just ... think ... of ... the ... backstab ... damage ...

*Wipes away drool; brain begins to dribble out of ears in sheer excitement*

 

Well, since you speak of devastation... A soloing FMT can probably get the experience needed to really become an avatar of divine/infernal backstabbing death with the forbidden Shadow Keeper lore: KMA: Kensai/Mage/Assassin.

If the magpie stops writing soon, I fear I may be guilty of an unpremediated murder by forum post...