Lots of questions!

[Deadmyst]

Well, I am new to the Swashbuckler class and semi-new to the game in general. I have been searching the forums looking for answers, so I did try for over an hour to research on my own. I have some good ideas, but I guess what I'm looking for is updated confirmation on the best path for me.I primarily solo and sometimes group. I have read that the DPS with DW and 1h/shield are the same, yes? In that case, it just seems to me like 1h/shield is better for a number of reasons. Sure you'd get more stats/procs with another weapon, but speccing for a shield gives you more survivability. Wouldn't that outweigh DW since they come out to be about the same damage?As for my AA's...I read that strength/agility is the best for DPS. Right now I am level 16 with 5 AA's and have gone down Agility to Walk the Plank. What should I do next? I guess that depends on if I decide to keep DW'ing or I switch to 1h/shield. Then I'd decide between strength or wisdom, respectively. I'm still not sure about that one.Thank you for any advice!

[PakMonyet]

<p>..... first off: Welcome to the Sexiest class in Norrath World!</p><p>..You question is the number one prime question every Swash struggles over and over:  How to best "build" and develop your character with AA and weapon style!</p><p>...BTW....the two major "builds" are generally: One Handed wield....with the offhand empty; and Duel Wield!   The 1Hw/Shield is a more specialized build....usually for a Swash that is working as an 2ndTank or Main Tank.</p><p>...In the young years of being a Swash, most Swash go down the Duel Wield and an AA build which focuses on AGI and STR lines.....from your post you've headed down the AGI line, and thats great!......especially for the solo'ing Swash....grouping Swash benefit too but usually add some STR in there to increase the damage they're doing (and when grouping Walk the Plank is not as useful, since we're generally standing behind the mob anyway, while the mob faces the tank....no need to turn them around).</p><p>...In the later years of being a Swash, or if you are lucky enough to stumble upon a GREAT FABLED weapon early, most Swash respec to the WISdom Line (with the STR Line or maybe AGI Line).  They may lose out some with the lack of stats from a second weapon but greatly benefit dps'wise with the WIS line.  The double attack benefits of the WIS line are more than a make up for the lose of DW...</p><p>...The newest wrinkle is the RoK....which for higher level Swash bring back the benefits of DW.....especially with the long delay weapons (~4 sec delays, etc., which help keep auto-attack up and so the dps too) available in the RoK.....so many High Level Swash have re-spec'ed back to STR and AGI and DW and that appeasrs to be the currently the main wisdom of the High Level Swash community....!</p><p>...Hope this helps out!.....((quick tip:  check out the profiles of various high level swash thru the players site....check out their AA builds and weapons....it will demonstrate the builds which people are using and benefiting from most!))</p><p>GOOD LUCK!!</p>

[Deadmyst]

Thank you, that does help a lot! Much appreciated!

[Rippitt]

The freehand build will give you avoidance very very close to what you would have by simply putting on a shield. On top of that, you gain a bunch double attack that you would lose by equipping the shield. IMO, the shield is NOT for soloing, it's for tanking, specifically for groups/raids where your dps as the tank is not going to make a large difference. Still with a 1h/shield, a swashbuckler should dps on par with a buckler-speced warrior. For soloing, freehand is definitely the way to go, for raiding/grouping only, DW will edge out the freehand build but only when your character is showered with enough buffs to make +DA% a moot point for a 1h setup.

[Deadmyst]

So for now, should I just go with a decent 1h weapon and an empty hand? I've been dual wielding since I started..but only because the game starts you out that way, heh.