Quick Links
As one of the most stylish new classes inBaldur’s Gate 3, the Swashbuckler Rogue is certain to spice up any playthrough. More straightforward than your average rogue, this pirate-inspired swordmaster isn’t afraid to get up close and personal.
But just because you’re upfront about your intentions doesn’t mean you have to fight fair. With the ability to blind, trip, and taunt your opponents, you’ll be able to find every path to Advantage and, with any luck, to victory.
Best Swashbuckler Rogue Races And Backgrounds
In a rare twist of circumstances, there is only one race that benefits the Swashbuckler Rogue more than any other:Githyanki.
While races such asWood Elf, Half-Orc, and Tieflingmight be generally useful, theGithyanki alone has the following crucial advantages:
As the Swashbuckler Roguehas no spellcasting abilityandis a melee Dexterity class with poor jumping and maneuverability, the Githyanki fills all the Rogue’s needs and then some.
The great downfall of this choice is a lack of Darkvision. TheSarevok’s Horned Helmetthis build uses undoes that for Act Three. However, acts before will require the use of a spell scroll or teammate cast ofDarkvision. Alternatively, you can rely on a teammate with a light source.
Backgrounds for the Swashbuckler Rogue are less crucial because of the Expertise talent. However, if you want to reach the highest possible bonuses,we recommend backgrounds with Dexterity-based proficiencies:
TheDark Urgeis thematically very fun for a rogue class, but there are no great benefits to the Swashbuckler beyond what most other subclasses would receive. The Haunted One background is Wisdom and Charisma based, and the Invisibility cloak can sometimes even hinder Swashbuckler’s strategy. Your greatest benefits take shape in the transformation of your Slayer Form.
In fact, choosing Lae’zel as your Swashbuckler Rogue might not be a bad choice as an alternative to Fighter.
Multiclassing As A Swashbuckler Rogue
Spellcasting for the Swashbuckleris not necessaryand is often antithetical to the class’s intention of close-melee combat, with a few exceptions.
The best multiclassesfor the Swashbuckler are melee-benefitingoptions such as:
No multiclass option should exceed beyond a five-level dipas seven levels in Rogue grants you access to the ever-important Evasion feature.
Nevertheless,five levels in Fighter or Ranger will give you an extra attackper action.
Barbarians might be nice, but as this build focuses on armour and its benefits,the Unarmoured Defense feature of the Barbarian is not useful.You’ll have to balance a lost feature with the benefits of Rage or go off on your own path without the recommended equipment.
Recommended subclassesfor this multiclass areGiant, Berserker, and Wild Heart (Bear and Elk).
Raging does impact your ability to use Hunter’s Mark and Challenge to Duelfrom this build’s recommended equipment.
10
–
17
20-22
+2 Ability Score Improvement, +1 Auntie Ethel’s Hair, +2 Mirror of Loss
14
Dexterity is the bread and butter of a Swashbuckler.There is no other score so crucial to its success, so investing in it early is highly recommended.
Afterward,Constitution for better HP and Wisdom for higher save chancesagainst mind-altering effects in the early and midgame are nice to have.
The other ability scores can be mostly ignored, brought to 10 for no negative saving throws.
Higher Strength means better Jump distanceand higher chances of success against being pushed. If your Swashbuckler is not going to do very much talking, you can increase your Strength at the detriment of Charisma.
You’ll have four chances for an Ability Score and feature upgrade, andwe recommend the following choices:
Level 12
Choice: Mage Slayer, Alert, or Athlete
Yourtwo more important featureswill be chosen after your more-important Ability Score Improvement:
Finally,you’ll have a choice for your last feature:
You can also bypass the need for Athlete in Auntie Ethel’s Hair’s absence if you trade your knowledge of the Book of Thay at the Mirror of Loss. This will give you a 21 in Dexterity.
If you have already used Auntie Ethel’s Hair or Athlete before receiving the Mirror of Loss benefit, you can increase your Dexterity to 22.
Sarevok’s Horned Helmet
3
Lower your Critical Hit requirement by one. Gain Darkvision and immunity to mind-altering effects such as the Frightened condition.
Armor of Agility
Add your full Dexterity to your AC and don’t have Disadvantage on Stealth checks when wearing Medium Armor. Additionally, gain +2 to all Saving Throws.
Enemies within melee range have vulnerability to Piercing damage.
Can be bought at the Murder Tribunal after choosing to become an Assassin of Bhaal.
Craterflesh Gloves (Evil Run)
Deal an extra 1d6 Force damage when you deal a Critical hit.
Ignore Resistance to Piercing, Slashing, and Bludgeoning damage.
Boots of Psionic Movement
Gain a free cast of Fly that lasts 10 turns. Whenever you fly as a githyanki, your weapon attack deals an extra 1d4 Psychic damage. Additionally, add +1 to your Dexterity Saving Throws.
Dropped by Ch’r’ai Har’rak in the Knights of the Shield Hideout under the Elfsong Tavern.
Cloak of Displacement
Creatures have Disadvantage on attacks made against you until you take damage.
1
Gain +1 to your AC and Saving Throws.
Killer’s Sweetheart
2
When you kill a creature, your next attack is guaranteed to be a Critical Hit (once per Long Rest).
Dropped by the shadow of the player character in the Self-Same Trial in the Gauntlet of Shar.
Surgeon’s Subjugation Amulet
When you deal a Critical Hit, choose to Paralyse the struck foe for one turn.
Duellist’s Prerogative
Legendary rapier weapon that grants lowered Critical Hit requirement, the ability to cast Challenge to Duel, an additional Reaction, and ability to deal extra Necrotic damage equal to your proficiency with a Reaction use.
Given as a reward from Lora for saving Vanra during the Hag Survivors quest.
Hunting Shortbow
Gain the ability to castHunter’s Mark. You have Advantage against Monstrosity type enemies.
Sold by Dammon in the Emerald Grove or at any of his later locations.
While the Swashbuckler might be a fancy soul, their equipment doesn’t necessarily have to be.
In general, anySwashbuckler gear only needs to do one of the following:
The most important part of the Swashbuckler’s kit will likely be the theme-fittingDuellist’s Prerogative.
The reasons why this particular rapier is so important are:
Because theDuellist’s Prerogativeis found so late, rapiers like theSword Of Screamspaired with theBraindrain Glovesand Ring of Mental Inhibition is a viable enough option for the Swashbuckler.
Those who choose a race without Darkvision will wantSarevok’s Horned Helmet, but even those with will enjoy theCritical Hit requirement reductionas well as theImmunity to the Frightened Condition.
Your armor then has two options:
If you want Sarevok’s Helmet and the evil-path gear, simply become an Unholy Assassin and then attack Sarevok after you’ve finished your Sunday Shopping.
With gloves, the Swashbuckler has a variety of options:
Bonespike Gloves
Overcome the ever-present resistance to piercing damage often present in the late game; pairs well with the Bhaalist Armour to make Piercing-resistant enemies vulnerable.
Make Critical damage even more devastating. Simple, but effective.
Legacy of the Masters
Helpful in high-level difficulties, increasing chances to hit and overall damage.
Stalker Gloves
Deal extra sneak attack damage each round. Added initiative for the Swashbuckler is nice but not needed.
We prefer theBonespike Glovesourselves as increasing damage means very little when enemies can halve that damage.
However,Legacy of the Mastersis a better pick for Honour Mode runs when not used by anyone else.
For boots, theBoots of Psionic Movement are helpful for more damage and 10 turns of free movementaround the field.
However, theBoots of Persistencewith theirFreedom of MovementandLongstridercan also be useful if you need an alternative.
Jewelry is thankfully straightforward. We’ve chosen to pair theSurgeon’s Subjugation Amuletwith theKiller’s Sweethearttoensure that you’ll always paralyze one foeonce per Long Rest.
TheRing of Protectionis just a little more security, butit can be switched out for another ring of choice(especially if you have the Armour of Agility and the Cloak of Displacement).
How To Use A Swashbuckler Rogue - Battle Tips, Strategy, And Analysis
The Swashbuckler Rogue, though enjoying some flexibility, should more-or-less have a similar ending stat sheet:
10 (0)
20 (+5) - 22 (+6)
14 (+2)
87
20-24
9-14
Feats
Martial Prodigy, Githyanki Psionics, Uncanny Dodge, Evasion, Reliable Talent, Fancy Footwork, Rakish Audacity, Dirty Trick, Defensive Duelist, Sentinel, Mage Slayer or Alert, Volo’s Ersatz Eye
The Swashbuckler Rogue is a class specifically designed for melee. This is made clear from the very first class features you’re given for the subclass:
Therefore, playing as a melee class, you’ll want toclose the distance with your enemies quickly.
Your primary targetsshould be:
When fighting them, you’ll be able topin them downif you can’t finish them in one turnwith your Sentinel featin later levels, ensuring they can’t get away.
you may reach them with Disengage or your Misty Step if they’re too far back for you to reach without triggering Opportunity Attacks.
While engaged in combat,you’ll have two reactions.This means that you may choose to split up how you want to use Defensive Duelist, Withering Cut, and Sentinel.
We recommend:
If you are facing a melee enemy but they have a poor chance to hit, you can use Withering Cut as you see fit.
In the event that you need to get away, you have some options:
Misty Step and Fly are also helpful in getting to difficult-to-reach areas where ranged enemies linger.Jump, available to Githyanki and to be used pre-combat, can also be a helpful tool in reaching them quickly.
Bonus Actionswill have a few uses as well:
Hide is not really a requirement for the straightforward Swashbuckler and has niche uses. Dash will only be used to reach enemies that require immediate attention.
For Dirty Tricks, “Flick o' the Wrist” is the most useful of the three options. By disarming an opponent, they’ll likely lose their next turn trying to re-equip it.
Finally, sight is important for this character. With no magic to rely on,we recommend accepting Volo’s help to rid you of the parasite.
By accepting his offer, you’ll be able tospy invisible enemiesand prevent them from slipping out of your grasp.
Altogether, the name of the game is:
The Swashbuckler is a no-nonsense type of playstyle that will be taking enemies off the field one-by-one, darting around and making you wish you’d played as one sooner.
