Shattered Kingdoms

However, no amount of vials and such will allow a merc or barb to taunt.

Defensive stance is worthless for a swashbuckler.

Seriously, Edoras?

I know you're elite and all, but swashies have VERY little versatility. It's taunt, trip, disarm and dirt kick. Plus light armor.

QFT

I was just pointing out that swashies bring something to the table that no other class can, which even as you acknowledged should count for something. Swashies are the main class that can strike fear into the hearts of otherwise unkillable PCs.

I'm not saying that they shouldn't have a buff, although I'll say that if swashies become able to not only seal kills on casters but also outmatch a merc or barb in melee combat, then they'll be extremely powerful.

Yeah, but they really can't hope to land a kill on their own. Like . . . ever.

They're not supposed to be an adventurer class, they're fighters. And they SUCK at it.

Give them an extra bonus to parry/eparry. More finesse weapons.

How about ACTIVE skills that they can use to their tactical advantage so they're not boring as hell to fight with? They only have ONE active skill that's different than any other class.

I'm all for thinking up creative, "active" skills to make them cooler, but that is a lot more difficult and seems like it would require more of a coding effort.

What about giving swashies heavy armor? I know it may not be traditional or "thematic" but maybe it is what they need.

Not heavy armor, no. But maybe a skill that strengthens their armor, something like the spell Magical vestments but as a skill instead and it works on all kinds of light armor and not just certain materials. (This would help with their survivability a bit, but they still need more than just that)