Swashbuckler FAQ
What are the main Swashbuckler features?
Swashbuckler turns the Rogue into a mobile melee duelist. Fancy Footwork lets you attack and slip away from that creature without provoking its opportunity attack, Rakish Audacity improves initiative and creates a one-on-one Sneak Attack route, and later features add social pressure, physical finesse, and a high-level second chance on a missed attack.
3rd level — Fancy Footwork
After you make a melee attack against a creature, that creature cannot make opportunity attacks against you for the rest of your turn, whether the attack hit or missed.
3rd level — Rakish Audacity
Add Charisma modifier to initiative and gain an additional way to use Sneak Attack when dueling a nearby target without other creatures crowding you, provided you do not have disadvantage.
9th level — Panache
Use Persuasion against a creature's Insight to provoke a hostile creature into focusing on you or to charm a nonhostile creature for a short time.
13th level — Elegant Maneuver
Use a bonus action to gain advantage on the next Acrobatics or Athletics check made during that turn.
17th level — Master Duelist
When you miss an attack, reroll it with advantage, with limited use between rests.
How the features work together
The features reinforce a hit-and-run dueling loop. Rakish Audacity helps the Swashbuckler act early and qualify for Sneak Attack without needing an adjacent ally, while Fancy Footwork frees the bonus action that many Rogues would otherwise spend on Disengage. Panache later adds a social and combat-control option, and Master Duelist protects a crucial missed attack.