character sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3oQlB72acoIeTFHbUM0TnNicnM/view?usp=sharing

My name is inego Montoya, you kill my father, prepare to die. … yes the next build in this series is here, the crit commander

Class

Swashbuckler: The swashbuckler has a few good class features and a Panache pool….It’s a small pool but it refills on a critical hit (and dropping opponents to 0), which is what makes the swashbuckler the perfect candidate for the crit commander build. In addition you get to spend that panache point pool on deeds. Lets take a look at some of the important deeds.

Dodging Panache: lets you as an immediate action, before the results are reveal, attempt to doge an attack by moving 5 feet. This gives you a bonus to ac equal to your charisma modifier. If it misses, you avoid further attacks assuming you have moved out of range.

Menacing Panache: attempt a demoralize check on a successful melee attack? Yes please.

Seems like I’m forgetting something…… oh right!

Precise strike: add your level to damage rolls….. yes you heard that right. Oh and you can double it by spending a panache point. Also you get the base damage bonus without spending panache

In addition there’s a few other bonuses you get while you have at least 1 point of panache, like weapon finess with your swashbuckler weapons and improved critical.

Race

Elf: What elf? Yes. In addition to being one of the core classes, meaning even PFS society chracters can run this build, the favored class bonus is nice, ¼ panache, and when you start out with a base of 3, an extra 2 panache is helpful. The dexterity bonus is nice too.

Abilities: 10 you won’t need it but you don’t want to be reduced to a cripple lying on the floor by a single str drain.

Dexterity: 20 you’ll be adding your bonus to damage hitting with it, just max it out.

Con: 11 Never a dump stat, but not a core of the build.

Int: 10 also not a dump stat

Wis: 10 Never a dump stat

Cha: 16 used for panache, attack, defense, this is your secondary stat.

Skills

Intimidate: Used in conjunction with menacing panache.

Bluff: useful for feinting. Lying, getting past guards, getting women into bed. Avenging your father.

Acrobatics: because you need to get where you need to be.

Equipment

Katana: 18-20 base crit range and one handed slashing weapon. (what swashbucklers use piercing weapons…. We’ll get to that)

Leather armor: good ac bonus for the buck

Buckler: same

Belt of incredible dex: adds to AC, damage, and Attack rolls….. enough said.

Feats

Exotic weapon proficiency, weapon focus, Slashing grace: turns slashing weapon to slashing piercing for class abilities and adds dex to damage…. Mmmmmmm +5…. Add weapon specialization and +1  weapon that’s +10 then add in your precise strike that’s +19 +29 on a crit or +38 on a crit with using a panache point….. +38…. With improved critical from class bonuses that’s 15-20 ….. welcome to the crit commander.

Strategy

With at least 30 ac most of which is touch, you are looking pretty good in defense even with only 11 con. You can add more and avoid attacks so get in there. Attack, demoralize and maybe occasionally feint when you need it. (remember you don’t have improved feint)  Use panache on crits to double that precise damage (it doesn’t automatically double), and jump out of the way of big nasty bosses. Attack away and don’t forget, you kill my father prepare to die (even though this build uses a katana, and not a rapier)