Talk:Swashbuckler/@comment-139.192.168.58-20170420041505/@comment-210.19.183.214-20190816040624

It's not really a downside. If you want a character that fights and tanks well, then take a pure warrior class (fighter/ranger/paladin). Obviously, a pure warrior is better in fighting than a part-warrior/part-thief.

A Swashbuckler/Fighter's benefit is if you really want a fighter but you need someone to do basic thieving tasks (open locks/find traps) but you don't want to invest a party slot for a pure thief. The Swashbuckler fulfills this utility thief role nicely, and his kit bonuses slightly make up for the loss of the initial fighter levels compared to a pure fighter. For a pure-Warrior substitute, the Swashbuckler is the best fit compared to Bounty Hunters and Assassins as a base class to dual from.