Ultimate Guide to Swashbuckler AAs (Part I of a Series)

The swashbuckler is a very powerful class whose advanced achievements (AA) make them unstoppable in Everquest II. This guide will provide an overview of the swashbucklers AAs, a recommendation for a soloing build and a recommendation for a PVP build.

Rogue AA Tree:

Swashbuckler AAs are broken into two main trees with branches coming off each tree. The first tree that I want to describe is the Rogue Tree. I feel that this is the tree that beginning swashbucklers should add their first AA points.

Every swashbuckler who chooses to put AA points in the rogue tree is forced to put an AA point in this ability. “Pickpocket” allows the swashbuckler to steal money from a humanoid npc whenever the swashbuckler attacks a monster from behind. I have not found the money gained from this ability to be that great, but it is free plat.

The rogue tree has five branches that come off of the “pickpocket” AA ability; the strength line, agility line, stamina line, wisdom line, and intelligence line.  For every AA point you add to one of these lines you gain a certain number of attribute points in that particular attribute.  For example, for each AA point that you put into the strength line, your strength increases by 4.

Strength Line:

• Torporous Strike - Once a swashbuckler has put four points into the strength line, a swashbuckler can put points in the “torporous stike” ability.  The torporous strike ability decreases the casting speed of the target, inflicts a medium amount of melee damage on the target, and decreases the recovery speed of the target.
• Blackguard’s Defense - Once a swashbuckler has put four points into the Torporous Strike AA, a swashbuckler can increase his defense skill by putting AA points into this AA ability.
• Blackguard’s Luck - Once a swashbuckler has put four points into Blackguard’s Defense, a swashbuckler can increase his melee chance to inflict critical damage by putting AA points into this AA ability.
• Traumatic Swipe - Once a swashbuckler has put four points into Blackguard’s luck and a total of 22 points into the strength line, a swashbuckler can decrease the reuse speed of his enemy by 50% by putting two AA points into this ability.  The traumatic swipe ability also inflicts 118 - 197 melee damage on the target.

The strength line is one of my favorite lines on the rogue AA tree.  It is great for soloing and for pvping.  Please subscribe to my blog to make sure that you do not miss any articles within this series.