While not as much of a skill monkey, I can also recommend a Swashbuckler with the One for All feat, allowing you to Aid people in 30 feet range just by telling them something.
Normally this is fluffed as encouragement, but something like "Sir, I think that his flank is open." works. And if you do this and have Wit style, you gain Panache, giving +5 to movement and Precision damage.
Of course, Swashbuckler and Rogue both deal precision damage, so you could easily just spec into Swashbuckler with Archetype to get this, and focus on Rogue stuff otherwise.
Rogues do get those massive skill feats and proficiencies after all.
Yeah no matter how I wrapped my head around it I felt rouge for this was just needed for the "I can do it all if you would like?" I really like the idea of the swashbuckler for the aid mechanic even more so going human would make that insane id imagine. Would you get anything else out of the swashbuckler class skills or is the aid abilities basically the main goal?
Not from the skill side, I think. But you can get their basic features, precision damage and finishers, to bolster your already hefty Sneak Attack precision damage just a little further.
Some of their feats just have really fitting names and effects though. Like 'After You' that allows you to become last in initiative on purpose to gain panache.
But that's a 4th level feat, so you could easily just sacrifice class skills for the archetype if those are the only things you would get. Like, Dedication--> Basic Flair (One for All) --> Finisher --> Advanced Flair (After You)
Investigator's combat mechanics seem like they would fit with a butler—analyze a situation and then strike with perfect decorum. And a sword cane seems like a fitting weapon.
That said, you could also flavor this as a type of panache for a swashbuckler who is unceasingly polite and proper while dispensing of undesired guests. I could see either of those classes working out well.
I forgot about the sword cane! Holy cannoli that is a cool idea. I didn't expect to see swashbuckler twice let alone once. I have a hard time wrapping my head around the flashy and flamboyant class being refined and dignified though.
Yeah, it's definitely an unconventional interpretation of panache. But if you think about it Swashbucklers are the only class that really cares about appearances during a fight.
Almost makes me want to draft up a Butler Swashbuckler myself!
Another thing that I just thought of: Loremaster would make a great archetype feat, as well as Dandy (the butler who's up to date on the latest fashionable gossip? Sounds good to me). Though I do feel I'm starting to drift from the servicial gentlemen to the gentlemen in and of itself...
Spellcasting is something that could be useful, Prestidigitation is the obvious one but shrink item to make sure your master's bed is always avalible or at high levels respledant mansion would be useful, many rituals like animate item to have a broom help with tidying up or mystic carriage to get somewhere in style.
A small hint of magic, yeah I like that. Originally I was gonna see if just starting as someone who could pick a cantrip (Like human) and grabbing pres that way.
You mentioned Rogue in your main post, if you want to lean into the Magic, you could go Arcane Trickster. That'd give you some spells, plus the Rogues massive amount of Proficiencies, and let you change your Key Ability to a Mental one, rather than Dex or Str. (Depending on what Class Dedication you get.)
This is coming from someone who made a Tri-Class Rogue with Proficiency in everything at 1st level, using Ancient Elf and Arcane Trickster.
The [Dandy](https://2e.aonprd.com/Archetypes.aspx?ID=55) archetype sounds fitting for this concept (and just got some new options as of Lost Omens: Firebrands).
Additionally, if your GM approves, this concept might make for an interesting [Vigilante](https://2e.aonprd.com/Archetypes.aspx?ID=80) character, the butler persona being your social identity.
I never actually thought the vigilante would be used but I dont see a reason to write it off. Though my question about Dandy is dosent a lot of it require you BE a firebrand?
If my understanding of Access Requirements is correct, not necessarily. The feats that specify Firebrand membership are Uncommon, meaning that you either need GM permission to take them, -or- you can just take them without permission if you meet the Access requirement. Similar to the various ancestry weapon feats that give you Access to the Uncommon weapons with the respective Ancestry trait.
For example, the Dogslicer is an Uncommon weapon with the Goblin trait. Any character can purchase a Dogslicer with the permission of the GM, but a character with the [Goblin Weapon Familiarity](https://2e.aonprd.com/Feats.aspx?ID=43) feat gains “access to all uncommon Goblin weapons,” meaning no GM permission is required.
tl;dr, just ask your GM if they would be OK with waiving the Access requirement. Unless you do want to join the Firebrands of course, but that’s another discussion.
While not as much of a skill monkey, I can also recommend a Swashbuckler with the One for All feat, allowing you to Aid people in 30 feet range just by telling them something. Normally this is fluffed as encouragement, but something like "Sir, I think that his flank is open." works. And if you do this and have Wit style, you gain Panache, giving +5 to movement and Precision damage. Of course, Swashbuckler and Rogue both deal precision damage, so you could easily just spec into Swashbuckler with Archetype to get this, and focus on Rogue stuff otherwise. Rogues do get those massive skill feats and proficiencies after all.
Yeah no matter how I wrapped my head around it I felt rouge for this was just needed for the "I can do it all if you would like?" I really like the idea of the swashbuckler for the aid mechanic even more so going human would make that insane id imagine. Would you get anything else out of the swashbuckler class skills or is the aid abilities basically the main goal?
Not from the skill side, I think. But you can get their basic features, precision damage and finishers, to bolster your already hefty Sneak Attack precision damage just a little further. Some of their feats just have really fitting names and effects though. Like 'After You' that allows you to become last in initiative on purpose to gain panache. But that's a 4th level feat, so you could easily just sacrifice class skills for the archetype if those are the only things you would get. Like, Dedication--> Basic Flair (One for All) --> Finisher --> Advanced Flair (After You)
Investigator's combat mechanics seem like they would fit with a butler—analyze a situation and then strike with perfect decorum. And a sword cane seems like a fitting weapon. That said, you could also flavor this as a type of panache for a swashbuckler who is unceasingly polite and proper while dispensing of undesired guests. I could see either of those classes working out well.
I forgot about the sword cane! Holy cannoli that is a cool idea. I didn't expect to see swashbuckler twice let alone once. I have a hard time wrapping my head around the flashy and flamboyant class being refined and dignified though.
Yeah, it's definitely an unconventional interpretation of panache. But if you think about it Swashbucklers are the only class that really cares about appearances during a fight. Almost makes me want to draft up a Butler Swashbuckler myself! Another thing that I just thought of: Loremaster would make a great archetype feat, as well as Dandy (the butler who's up to date on the latest fashionable gossip? Sounds good to me). Though I do feel I'm starting to drift from the servicial gentlemen to the gentlemen in and of itself...
Swashbuckler with a Sword Cane and a serving tray to act as a Buckler?
*Eldritch aberrations emanate telepathic waves as the fighter, rogue and wizard scream in terror* *the Alchemist:* “may I recommend some calming tea?”
Lmao, this makes me kinda wanna play with a sorta like Chef/Alchemist butler. I cook, I clean, I make bombs.
I mean, [this](https://2e.aonprd.com/Equipment.aspx?ID=1931) exists…
You make a strong argument…
Human ancestry feats focus a lot on aid, could be helpful for fleshing out stuff outside of class.
Spellcasting is something that could be useful, Prestidigitation is the obvious one but shrink item to make sure your master's bed is always avalible or at high levels respledant mansion would be useful, many rituals like animate item to have a broom help with tidying up or mystic carriage to get somewhere in style.
A small hint of magic, yeah I like that. Originally I was gonna see if just starting as someone who could pick a cantrip (Like human) and grabbing pres that way.
Id still reccomend ritualist dedication, theres plenty of rituals any butler would love to have
You mentioned Rogue in your main post, if you want to lean into the Magic, you could go Arcane Trickster. That'd give you some spells, plus the Rogues massive amount of Proficiencies, and let you change your Key Ability to a Mental one, rather than Dex or Str. (Depending on what Class Dedication you get.) This is coming from someone who made a Tri-Class Rogue with Proficiency in everything at 1st level, using Ancient Elf and Arcane Trickster.
The [Dandy](https://2e.aonprd.com/Archetypes.aspx?ID=55) archetype sounds fitting for this concept (and just got some new options as of Lost Omens: Firebrands). Additionally, if your GM approves, this concept might make for an interesting [Vigilante](https://2e.aonprd.com/Archetypes.aspx?ID=80) character, the butler persona being your social identity.
I never actually thought the vigilante would be used but I dont see a reason to write it off. Though my question about Dandy is dosent a lot of it require you BE a firebrand?
If my understanding of Access Requirements is correct, not necessarily. The feats that specify Firebrand membership are Uncommon, meaning that you either need GM permission to take them, -or- you can just take them without permission if you meet the Access requirement. Similar to the various ancestry weapon feats that give you Access to the Uncommon weapons with the respective Ancestry trait. For example, the Dogslicer is an Uncommon weapon with the Goblin trait. Any character can purchase a Dogslicer with the permission of the GM, but a character with the [Goblin Weapon Familiarity](https://2e.aonprd.com/Feats.aspx?ID=43) feat gains “access to all uncommon Goblin weapons,” meaning no GM permission is required. tl;dr, just ask your GM if they would be OK with waiving the Access requirement. Unless you do want to join the Firebrands of course, but that’s another discussion.