Exploring the Swashbuckler Rogue in Baldur’s Gate 3
The recently released Patch 8 for Baldur’s Gate 3 has introduced the Swashbuckler subclass for Rogues, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. As a long-time fan of this subclass in Dungeons & Dragons, I’m eager to dive into it within the game. While it’s not exactly the same as its tabletop counterpart—having received some slight nerfs—there are still plenty of reasons to consider a Swashbuckler build, especially with the exciting new features this game offers.
The Swashbuckler is one of the 12 new subclasses included in Patch 8, and the variety of new options can be a bit overwhelming. If you’re looking for guidance on crafting a Swashbuckler build or just want to get a better sense of how it operates before reshaping your character with Withers, I’ve got you covered. Even if you don’t plan to focus on this class entirely, having Astarion build his skills as a Swashbuckler could greatly benefit your party, particularly when it comes to picking locks.
Swashbuckler Rogue Explained
The Swashbuckler is a highly mobile combatant that excels in one-on-one duels. When you choose this subclass at level three, you immediately gain access to two new abilities: Fancy Footwork and Rakish Audacity.
- Fancy Footwork enhances your agility in combat, allowing you to move freely without provoking Opportunity Attacks after hitting an enemy with a melee attack. This capability also leaves your bonus action available for an extra attack, making the Swashbuckler an excellent choice for dual-wielding.
- Rakish Audacity not only provides a bonus to your initiative rolls but also alters the mechanics of your Sneak Attack.
The various Swashbuckler abilities in Baldur’s Gate 3 break down as follows:
| Swashbuckler Ability | Effect |
|---|---|
| Fancy Footwork | After a melee attack, your target cannot make Opportunity Attacks against you for the rest of the turn. |
| Rakish Audacity | Gain a +2 bonus to initiative rolls that increases to +4 as you level up. |
| Rakish Sneak Attack (Melee) | Deal extra damage to a target you have Advantage against. No Advantage is needed if no other combatants are within two meters or if you have an ally nearby within five meters. |
| Rakish Sneak Attack (Ranged) | Same mechanics as the melee version above apply here. |
| Dirty Trick: Flick o’ the Wrist | As a bonus action, attempt to disarm your enemy and gain Advantage on your next attack. |
| Dirty Trick: Sand Toss | Attempt to blind an enemy as a bonus action, gaining Advantage on your next attack. |
| Dirty Trick: Viscous Mockery | Cast the Viscous Mockery cantrip as a bonus action, granting you Advantage on your next attack. |
| Panache | Roll a Persuasion check contested by your target’s Insight. Enemies who fail suffer Disadvantage on attacks against anyone but you and cannot make Opportunity Attacks against anyone else. Non-hostile creatures who fail are charmed. |
A Swashbuckler’s primary role is to confront enemies in direct combat, utilizing their Dirty Tricks and Sneak Attack bonuses to rapidly eliminate foes. You can separate enemies from your party by using your free Disengage to retreat, prompting enemies to pursue you. Additionally, the use of Panache effectively makes enemies choose to attack you rather than your allies. Though Rogues may seem fragile, a high Dexterity score paired with the ability to use Uncanny Dodge can significantly enhance your survivability.
Optimizing Your Swashbuckler Rogue Build in Baldur’s Gate 3
In this section, I’ll focus purely on a dedicated Swashbuckler build instead of dipping into multiclassing. However, keep in mind that parts of this build could benefit multiclassing as well, particularly if you’re a Bard with some levels in Rogue. Here’s an overview of my starting and final ability scores:
| Ability | Starting Score | Final Score |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | 8 | 8 |
| Dexterity | 17 | 20 |
| Constitution | 10 | 8 |
| Intelligence | 8 | 17 (Warped Headband of Intellect) |
| Wisdom | 14 | 14 |
| Charisma | 16 | 20 |
With Dexterity being your primary attribute as a Rogue—impacting damage, Stealth, and Thieves’ tools—Charisma becomes your second most crucial skill. It determines your Spell Save DC for Dirty Tricks and enhances your Persuasion rolls for Panache. By selecting Persuasion as a proficient skill and utilizing Expertise, you can ensure that at level 11, your lowest Persuasion result is a 23 if your Charisma hits 20. I recommend taking the Actor feat for a Charisma boost and added Expertise, making your character a formidable conversationalist.
Weapon Choices
For weaponry, I prefer wielding two shortswords, as there are times when a bonus action is unnecessary for disengaging. At early levels, the Shortsword of First Blood is quite effective since your Initiative boost often lets you strike first. As you progress, the Crimson Mischief synergizes wonderfully with a Swashbuckler build because your Dirty Tricks provide Advantage on attacks, enabling you to capitalize on its damage bonus. Additionally, I usually wear the Warped Headband of Intellect to treat Intelligence as a dump stat while still upgrading it considerably.
In terms of gear, I seek items that enhance my mobility and improve my evasion. A Cloak of Protection for added AC is always beneficial, alongside Spaceshunt Boots, allowing for quick exits when facing tough situations. Admittedly, I’ve only just begun using this build since the patch’s release, so I welcome any suggestions from Baldur’s Gate 3 veterans who may have tips as they explore this build for themselves.
