Swashbuckler specializing

[Klutz]

It's a known issue, and Baldurdash does NOT fix it. Swashbucklers (which are the only PC non-Fighter that can specialize in weapons) and the NPC Haer'Dalis (who is specialized in short swords and, if you get him at high enough level, long swords) are the only ones affected by this.

It's worth noting that even without the extra half-attack from specialization, Swashbucklers are considered one of the more powerful combat kits in the game.

This link hasn't been updated in a while, but as far as I know it's still the latest word on the issue:

http://www.baldurdash.org/buglist.html

Here's the relevant excerpt:

Description/Details: Weapon specialization (two points) is supposed to provide an extra 1/2 attack per round, but only does this for fighter-class (subclass, dual or multiclass) characters.
Suspected Cause: Programming.
Solution (if known): Unavoidable at present. Use Haste, Improved Haste or attack-increasing weapons such as the Belm scimitar or Tuigan short bow for extra attacks per round.

[ 04-29-2004, 04:56 PM: Message edited by: Klutz ]

[SixOfSpades]

It's hardcoded. Only characters who are at least part Warrior gain any ApR due to weapon specialization.

In a way, the Swashbuckler's strength is not in actual fighting ability, but the ability to attain the lowest AC in the game. Once UAI kicks in, he can slap on all the best equipment you've got and attain an armor class that Korgan can only dream of. With that in place, the only things he really needs to worry about in a toe-to-toe brawl are things like Kensai, Giants, and enemies that use Citical Strike. So what if he's limited to a maximum base of 2 ApR?

The funny thing is, Swashbucklers are actually damned good ranged fighters as well, since their THAC0/Damage bonus applies to missile weapons too. It's actually the opinion of many that Swashies are significantly overpowered.

[Jerr Conner]

No wonder my Swashie had a -12 AC and I couldn't get anyone else's higher.

[teardropmina]

-12 AC with or without equipments?

[mad=dog]

You don't actually NEED UAI. WDS is marked as light chain and usable by thieves.
-2(WDS)-4(Dex)-Kit)-4(2xGaxx)-1(Ioun) = -19
without any problems whatsoever and still dual-wielding. Now if you throw in a Greater Evasion you'll only get hit by crits for sure, except for end-of-level monsters perhaps. You even have whirlwind as HLA. Yummy. And your effective base THAC0 at level 40 is 2 compared to 0 for "true" warriors. Notte badde.
But my problem is of course that I dual and don't have access to all the nice and shiny high-level stuff. I really need the extra attacks to make this combo viable over, say a Kensai/Mage.
Could I console in a set of Gauntlets of Extraordinary Specialization perhaps?

[ 04-30-2004, 12:17 AM: Message edited by: Dundee Slaytern ]

[Dundee Slaytern]

WDS Armour loses to some of the high-end Full Plate Mails due to one reason.

Weapon Type AC Modifiers.

[SixOfSpades]

Your info is correct, mad=dog, but I just have to comment on these:

Originally posted by mad=dog: You don't actually NEED UAI. .... -2(WDS)-4(Dex)-Kit)-4(2xGaxx)-1(Ioun) = -19 .... Could I console in a set of Gauntlets of Extraordinary Specialization perhaps?

Umm....a player willing to use the Pickpocket Kangaxx cheese probably isn't going to look down his nose at Use Any Item. And you'd need UAI to wear the Gauntlets anyway, whether you CLUA's them in or not.

I really need the extra attacks to make this combo viable over, say a Kensai/Mage.

Yeah, I can see how being less powerful than a Kensai->Mage would really suck. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[Jerr Conner]

That's -12 with armor I think, teardropmina.

[mad=dog]

-- mildly spoily --

I can certainly see where the cheese comes from, however the lichform is ripe for picking and there is a ring in the inventory. Why would it be there is the question everybody asks.
Okay, so the BoES require UAI. Darn. No dice.
I have already started and stealing scrolls is golden. It's a rapid an efficient way to level once you dual. Perhaps I shouldn't complain and keep on roleplaying.
BTW I have problem with good old Gaxx. I have inflicted several hundred points of damage to his lichform, but he refuse to go demi. Odd, but there you go.

[Dundee Slaytern]

Baldurdash fixes the PP exploit on Kangaxx.