Duelist melee Swords Bard 8/ Rogue 4. Which Rogue subclass? (Honor mode)
EDIT AT THE END!
Hi all! I've beaten the game a few times and I'm thinking on finally taking the plunge and try to earn the golden dice.
I'm thinking on playing a fencer/duelist, swashbuckling melee style that will use the Duelist's Prerogative, and is very capable at talking. The build I've brainstormed is this:
High Half Elf (for Booming Blade and shield proficiency, which I'll need until I get the Duelist's Prerogative)
Rogue 4 / Swords Bard 8
8 STR
22 DEX (17+ASI+Hag+2Mirror)
14 CON
8 INT
10 WIS
20 CHA (16+Birthright+Actor and 1Mirror, or ASI)
Feats: ASI, Savage Attacker, either Actor or ASI depending if I get the +1 CHA from mirror
Gear: Birthright, Bhaalist Armour, Legacy of the Masters or Helldusk Gloves, Broodmother's Revenge, Ring of Regeneration, Ring of Arcane Synergy (haven't decided on boots or cloak yet)
On paper, this build fills the fantasy of a suave swashbuckler and lets me take care of lockpicking, stealing, talking, and having high priority and good AC with flourishes to not get smoked in honor mode. Lots of skills and proficiencies, and access to both Bardic Inspiration and Enhance Ability to get the highest chances of succeeding checks.
My main question is, should I pick Swashbuckler or Thief?
Swashbuckler feels very fitting theme-wise and gives me a disarm, free disengage, easier sneak attack, further initiative, and a bonus action Vicious Mockery that gives me advantage. Flick o' the Wrist is specially handy during leveling as it's a 3rd attack on armed enemies, but competes with the Duelist's Prerogative extra attack by the end of the run.
Thief gives me the extra bonus action. Duelist's Prerogative can only do the bonus attack once per turn, but it opens up options such as poisoning my weapon during a fight, access to potions (which could be a lifesaver), or Dash/Hide away from danger, giving me resets. Also opens up insteresting synergies with the Band of the Mystic Scoundrel.
Which Rogue subclass would you pick? I'm open to both advice and additions/modifications to the build, as well!
EDIT: After considering suggestions, I'm going with 1Rogue/6Battlemaster/5SwordsBard. Starting the game as Bard of course until level 6, then Fighter, and finally Rogue (though Rogue will be the starting class of the final respec).
Gets DEX Saving Throws, proficiencies, and Expertise from Rogue (and a weak sneak attack as a freebie).
Gets Dueling fighting style, flourishes, more Expertise, Enhance Ability, a Feat, refillable short rest Bardic Inspiration and Longstrider from Swords Bard.
Gets Defence fighting style, Disarming Attack (thus getting what Swashbuckler would have given me), Riposte (huge miss not having for Duellist's Prerogative), Extra Attack and two Feats from Battlemaster.
Thank you all! And here's hoping I get a good run 🥂j