If life is a game, swindlers play to win. When skill and luck aren’t enough, cheating is often the best option.
The swindler is an archetype of the gambler class.
Archetype Main Ability Scores:
The swindler mainly focuses on DEX for combat and CHA for their class features.
Archetype Feature Replacements:
1st – Beginner’s Luck. 2nd – Evasion. 3rd – Fortune’s Favor. 5th – Professional Gambler. 12th – Improved Evasion.
Let Fate Decide (Ex)
At 1st level, the swindler can declare two different actions that rely on different types of rolls or checks, such as attacking a creature (an attack roll) or sneaking past the same creature (a Stealth check). As a standard action, the swindler then uses a random method to choose one of the declared activities, such as flipping a coin or rolling a die. The specific method doesn’t matter as long as there is an equal chance of either activity being chosen.
If the swindler then performs the chosen activity within the next round, she gains a luck bonus on the roll type required for that activity—attack rolls with a specific weapon, a specific skill check, a specific ability check, or a specific saving throw—equal to half her gambler level (minimum +1) for 1 minute. If the swindler performs any other action (whether declared or not) in the round after using this ability, she becomes shaken for 1 minute instead. The swindler can use this ability a number of times per day equal to 3 + her Charisma modifier.
This ability replaces beginner’s luck.
Quicker Than the Eye (Ex)
At 2nd level, when the swindler uses Sleight of Hand, creatures take a penalty on their Perception checks equal to half the swindler’s gambler level to notice the attempt. The swindler also reduces the normal –20 penalty by an amount equal to her gambler level when attempting a Sleight of Hand check as a move action instead of as a standard action. Lastly, the swindler can draw hidden weapons or objects from her person as a move action instead of the usual standard action.
This ability replaces evasion.
Poker Face (Ex)
At 3rd level, the swindler gains a +1 bonus on Bluff, Profession (gambler), and Sense Motive checks. This bonus increases by 1 for every four gambler levels beyond 3rd. The swindler can also attempt to feint against non-humanoid targets without penalty, though she still takes a –8 penalty on feint attempts against creatures with animal intelligence and she cannot feint against mindless creatures.
This ability replaces fortune’s favor.
No Fool (Ex)
At 5th level, the swindler gains a +1 bonus on Will saving throws. This bonus increases by 1 for every three gambler levels beyond 8th (to a maximum of +6 at 20th level).
This ability replaces professional gambler.
Cheat Fate (Ex)
At 12th level, once per day, the swindler can reroll any one d20 roll she has just made before the GM has revealed the result. She must take the result of the second roll, even if it is worse. The swindler can use this ability twice per day at 15th level, and three times per day at 18th.
This ability replaces improved evasion.
