Shattered Kingdoms

This is about the default setting for the human primary statistic on swashbucklers.

The swasbuckler class has undergone a few changes as of late, with a heavier emphasis having been placed on the importance of the charisma of a swashbuckler. I understand the wish to have swashbuckler as a dexterity based character, but it is no secret dexterity is way more important for ranged combat and for a class that is irrevocably bound to the front-lines strength makes more sense. More so considering that of the three main fighter classes 2/3 have strength, and one does not. Even (un)holy warriors have strength as their prime and they shouldn't even be in the front row most of the time. Thematically it might make sense that a dual wielder would have greater nimbleness than strength or sharp tongue, but in the cold harsh reality of Shattered Kingdoms it is a real damper on a class that has no choice but to get up close and personal with their enemies. If strength is too much to ask of a class whose theme is to be nimble, shift the focus towards, as the helpfile says, their being witty and give it to charisma.

TLDR: Dex is an awful primary stat for a front row fighter class pls change.

I dunno, I think being able to hit lightning dex is pretty nice as a front-liner. No other human warrior can do that without (REDACTED).

That said, charisma is also very important for a swashbuckler.

In the world of -especially- swashbucklers (and most others) accuracy is king. Dexterity in no way assists this light armored fighter class in the one thing they need most - accuracy. Both strength and charisma would greatly improved the swashbuckler's accuracy. Unless I am mistaken and dex boosts melee combat accuracy. When it comes to defense sure dex might be helpful, but dodge doesn't carry (sure it helps) the swash, parry and riposte do. When it comes to reducing or avoiding damage using buff spells is the only viable option (armor/protection/sanctuary).

And please, correct me if I'm wrong.

Yeah, I'd for some reason, perhaps incorrect, carried the notion that finesse was a dex-based skill, meaning that higher dex meant higher accuracy with finesse weapons, much like the weapon finesse feat from DnD 3.5. I do know that finesse certainly means higher "AC" with respect to straight misses also, but obviously in PvP that doesn't carry over at all.

I'd vote Charisma.

You aren't wrong. Accuracy has always been based on DEX. Maybe that is not spelled out in the help anywhere? If so, it must be because I thought it was obvious...

So accuracy is based on dex for all melee attacks? That's extremely interesting, I would have thought it based on strength for anything besides swashie finesse.

So do you mean just for Swashie's or all classes. And wouldn't strength then add to that?

I know accuracy is based on Dex for ranged.

Is this from the to hit/accuracy merge?
With it rolled together now, is dexterity contributing towards accuracy just not as much as strength?
I am just guessing while trying to make sense of this, as it does not *feel* like Dex contributes much.

Wrote a long response to this and then accidentally deleted it. Much shorter second try:

I can see why there is some confusion. I will try to explain:

Accuracy is a game mechanic as reported by affects and identify. When I talk about "accuracy" I mean this game mechanic, not your probability to hit someone.

Strength gives a bonus to hit with melee attacks. Dex gives a bonus to hit with ranged attacks. Neither of these bonuses are the accuracy mechanic.

Accuracy is a mechanic that improves not only your chance to hit with any weapon but also other checks such as parry and disarm.

Accuracy is improved by spells and enchantments and skills, but you still get baseline accuracy from dexterity. Not from strength at all.

Offensive melee fighters should care most about str, although dex still has a role.
Defensive melee fighters should care equally and maybe more about dex over str.
Ranged fighters should doubly care about dexterity, although str still has a role.

The swashbuckler class is about finesse over brute strength. So their skills use accuracy even more than other classes. This is why their primary attribute is dexterity.