Each of the new subclasses added in Baldur’s Gate 3 Patch 8 comes with a distinct concept behind it, featuring abilities that perfectly match their themes. The Swashbuckler Rogue, for instance, lets players take on a character reminiscent of pirates, engaging in close-quarters combat while using deception and flair to outmaneuver opponents. It’s an excellent choice for dealing with isolated targets in a stylish and efficient way.
For those who want to win through the most underhanded means, such as blinding, knocking down, or even taunting enemies, this is the ideal subclass. It introduces a refreshing flavor to the Rogue archetype in the game. However, to truly unlock the full potential of what this subclass offers, building an optimal Swashbuckler Rogue in Baldur’s Gate 3 is key, especially when it comes to selecting the right items, races, and even multiclass.
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Swashbuckler Rogue Overview In Baldur’s Gate 3
Among all the options introduced in Patch 8, the Swashbuckler Rogue stands out as the most stylish of the twelve. Drawing inspiration from duelists and pirates, it captures the feeling of playing a flashy, agile fighter who thrives in one-on-one scenarios. This subclass performs best when operating away from both allies and other enemies in combat, maximizing the chances of landing high-damage attacks under the right conditions.
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The Bladesinging Subclass for the Wizard, added by Baldur's Gate 3 Patch 8, offers powerful melee abilities to mix with your spellcasting.
It excels in isolated encounters, using mobility and cunning tricks to control the battlefield. It also happens to be one of the best Rogue variants for generating Advantage to trigger Sneak Attacks, while simultaneously inflicting various debilitating effects on targets. That said, due to its high mobility, mastering this subclass demands smart positioning during every encounter.
When choosing this subclass at Rogue level 3, players gain the following abilities:
- Fancy Footwork: Prevents Opportunity Attacks from a target you made a melee attack against for the remainder of your turn.
- Rakish Audacity: Grants a +2 bonus to initiative (scaling with Rogue level) and enables Sneak Attacks without needing Advantage, as long as the character is within 1.5 m / 5 ft of the target and does not suffer Disadvantage.
- Rakish Sneak Attack (Melee): Deals bonus damage even without Advantage if no other enemies are within 2 m / 7 ft of the target, or if no enemies are within 5 m / 17 ft and an ally is close by.
- Rakish Sneak Attack (Ranged): Functions like the melee version but with ranged weapons. The conditions for triggering it without Advantage remain the same.
Best Races For Swashbuckler Rogue In Baldur’s Gate 3
While any race can work reasonably well for a Swashbuckler Rogue in Baldur’s Gate 3, since attribute bonuses are no longer tied to race, there are three standout options that offer meaningful synergy with this subclass. These choices provide additional racial features that complement the Swashbuckler’s playstyle, offering both versatility and power:
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- High Elf: With Booming Blade now available through Patch 8 and widely regarded as the best cantrip in Baldur’s Gate 3, High Elves become an optimal pick. This race grants a free cantrip, allowing players to acquire Booming Blade without needing to multiclass or rely on feats.
- Githyanki: Among all playable races, Githyanki grant access to some of the game’s most powerful racial spells and abilities. Their unique spellcasting, including Misty Step at level 5, provides unparalleled mobility, perfectly aligning with the Swashbuckler’s hit-and-run tactics.
- Half-Orc: With Relentless Endurance, a poorly placed Swashbuckler gains a second chance instead of dropping outright. Combined with Savage Attacks, which boosts critical hit damage, this race adds both survivability and burst potential in combat.
Best Multiclass Options For Swashbuckler Rogue In Baldur’s Gate 3
Since most of the subclass-defining abilities are acquired by level 9, players can often consider multiclassing afterward to enhance their builds further. Several multiclass combinations stand out as particularly effective, expanding the Swashbuckler’s offensive capabilities and action economy. The most impactful options include College of Swords Bard, Hexblade Warlock, and Fighter for those reasons:
- College of Swords Bard: Gaining Extra Attack at level 6, this Bard subclass blends beautifully with the Swashbuckler’s burst damage potential. It also adds utility through Bardic Inspiration and magical versatility, making it a well-rounded choice.
- Hexblade Warlock: Offers Charisma-based attacks from level 1 and allows the Rogue to deal consistent weapon damage while scaling with their main casting stat. With five Warlock levels, players unlock Extra Attack through Pact of the Blade, turning the build into a dual-threat powerhouse.
- Fighter: The classic choice for boosting damage output, the Action Surge feature provides an additional action once per short rest, making it invaluable for executing high-damage combos. Additional attacks from Fighter levels further increase the effectiveness of Sneak Attacks and can compensate for missed opportunities.
Best Build For Swashbuckler Rogue In Baldur’s Gate 3
Players aiming to create one of the best Swashbuckler Rogue builds in Baldur’s Gate 3 have two distinct paths to follow. Those who prefer a purist, single-class approach should prioritize Dexterity, Constitution, and Charisma, ensuring survivability in melee combat while also maximizing the impact of Dirty Tricks against isolated enemies.
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The second route involves multiclassing, most notably with Hexblade Warlock. Choosing this path eliminates the need for high Dexterity to deal damage, as Charisma becomes the primary stat for attacks. Dexterity can still be kept as a secondary attribute to maintain a respectable Armor Class. This setup allows players to focus on Charisma, boosting both damage output and the effectiveness of their Dirty Tricks.
For this build, the recommendation is a Swashbuckler Rogue with just one level of Hexblade Warlock.
Ability Score Distribution
|
STR |
DEX |
CON |
INT |
WIS |
CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
8 |
15 (+1) |
14 |
8 |
10 |
15 (+2) |
Level Progression For Swashbuckler Rogue
|
Level |
Class |
Details |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Rogue 1 |
Expertise: Stealth & Sleight of Hand |
|
2 |
Warlock (Hexblade) 1 |
Cantrips: Booming Blade, Friends Spells: Shield, Wrathful Smite |
|
3 |
Rogue 2 |
— |
|
4 |
Rogue 3 (Swashbuckler) |
Subclass selected: Swashbuckler |
|
5 |
Rogue 4 |
Feat: +2 Charisma |
|
6 |
Rogue 5 |
— |
|
7 |
Rogue 6 |
— |
|
8 |
Rogue 7 |
— |
|
9 |
Rogue 8 |
Feat: +1 Charisma / +1 Dexterity or Alert |
|
10 |
Rogue 9 |
— |
|
11 |
Rogue 10 |
Feat: Alert or Lucky |
|
12 |
Rogue 11 |
— |
In addition to allowing players to use Charisma for attack and damage rolls, the Hexblade Warlock also offers several situational benefits that complement the Swashbuckler's toolkit. For instance, Booming Blade serves as an excellent damage boost in the early game and remains a solid option throughout the campaign, while Shield provides a much-needed layer of defense during close encounters.
However, not having maximum Dexterity at level 1 can make early fights, especially on the Nautiloid and during the first few encounters in Act 1, slightly more challenging. Fortunately, it doesn't take long to level up and gain access to Hexblade features. Alternatively, players can begin with a full Rogue build and respec using Withers later, once the camp becomes available.
Best Companions For Swashbuckler In Baldur’s Gate 3
Party composition is essential to ensure the Swashbuckler Rogue performs at peak efficiency in Baldur’s Gate 3. Since the subclass thrives when supported by a balanced team, companions who complement its hit-and-run and crowd-isolation tactics are ideal.
- Lae’zel – Choosing the Battle Master subclass turns her into a reliable frontline tank with strong crowd-control capabilities. Her ability to draw enemy attention and apply status effects helps create openings for the Swashbuckler to engage isolated targets.
- Gale – While the Swashbuckler focuses on single-target damage, Gale excels in handling groups with powerful area-of-effect spells. His magical support ensures that enemies are kept in check, preventing the Rogue from being overwhelmed.
- Shadowheart – Essential for group survival, Shadowheart’s healing spells keep the party going through prolonged fights. Switching her subclass to Life Domain significantly boosts her healing output, making her far more effective than if she stays as a Trickery Domain cleric.
Best Equipment For Swashbuckler Rogue In Baldur’s Gate 3
When gearing up a Swashbuckler Rogue, players should prioritize equipment that enhances Charisma, improves mobility, and increases survivability in one-on-one engagements. Additionally, combining the Phalar Aluve with a buckler can slightly boost Armor Class, although Duellist’s Prerogative remains a strong alternative for more offensive setups.
|
Slot |
Item |
Summary Description |
|---|---|---|
|
Head |
+2 Charisma |
|
|
Cloak |
Cloak of Displacement |
Enemies have Disadvantage to hit until you take damage |
|
Armor |
Applies full Dexterity modifier to Armor Class |
|
|
Gloves |
Ignores target’s physical resistances on attacks |
|
|
Boots |
Grants Misty Step and prevents slipping on grease/fire |
|
|
Weapon |
Buffs allies or weakens enemies with a special ability |
|
|
Amulet |
Prevents Opportunity Attacks |
|
|
Ring 1 |
Guarantees a critical hit after defeating an enemy |
|
|
Ring 2 |
+1 to Armor Class and Saving Throws |
Birthright
Armour of Agility
Bonespike Gloves
Disintegrating Night Walkers
Phalar Aluve
Moondrop Pendant
Killer's Sweetheart
Ring of ProtectionOne of the biggest strengths of this build is the use of Flick o' the Wrist as a Dirty Trick bonus action to gain an extra attack per round, removing one of the Rogue’s main disadvantages in Baldur’s Gate 3 compared to other classes - the limited number of attacks per turn. However, this attack only works on opponents wielding a weapon and also has a chance to disarm them, so it can occasionally be a more situational move. Therefore, if players want a Swashbuckler with more attacks, it might be worth dropping a few Rogue levels to take 4 more levels in Hexblade Warlock and selecting Pact of the Blade at level three.
Baldur's Gate 3
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 96 /100 Critics Rec: 97%
- Released
- August 3, 2023
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Larian Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Larian Studios
- Engine
- Divinity 4.0
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op, Local Co-Op
- Cross-Platform Play
- Full cross-platform play.
WHERE TO PLAY
- Cross Save
- Full cross-platform progression.
- Franchise
- Baldur's Gate
- Number of Players
- 1-4
- Split Screen Orientation
- Vertical Only
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Verified
- PC Release Date
- August 3, 2023
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- December 7, 2023
- PS5 Release Date
- September 6, 2023
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, macOS
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
- Local Co-Op Support
- 1-2 Players
- How Long To Beat
- 100+ Hours
- X|S Optimized
- yes
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
