Shattered Kingdoms

While I agree that it certainly comes off as self serving.. I honestly don't think it's that bad of an idea. Unless of course taunt was meant to only have a true affect on caster classes. If that's the case, it makes sense that it actually has the opposite affect on a warrior. (opposite meaning positive over negative)

Perhaps he is waiting for the swash buff before he decides to stop playing the easy-mode resistant ether/dispel/locate-corpse loot sorxrerer

His current character is only easy mode because his enemies spend more time whining about etherealform than actually trying to kill him. Taunt lowering peak intelligence would "fix" swashbucklers, in my opinion.

What's the justification for taunt giving enemy melee characters buffs? I don't think swashbucklers are so powerful that in order to use their best ability their opponents get to enjoy a buff in the process? It doesn't make any IC or OOC sense that it should work that way. An accuracy penalty assessed to victims of the taunting makes far more sense, and blends well with the rest of the swashbuckler skill set. It also in no way risks making swashbucklers overpowered. On the contrary, it's a very balanced solution. It makes the taunt skill more robust and sensible, and not so narrowly focused at hampering spell caster concentration.

I was under the impression that massive weapons had played a significant role in making swashbucklers even cruddier. I may be wrong.

I think lowering peak intelligence makes sense.

I don't think buffing taunt on top of that makes sense, especially as that wouldn't really fix the underlying issue of swashbucklers having nothing to do in-combat other than type taunt.

Thought they could trip and dirt kick too...

Swashbucklers suck because not only can they not parry massive weapons, taunt makes the other person hit them easier and harder. The only real difference at this point between the swashbuckler in the front row and any of the adventuring classes is really the hp and the extra attack. Otherwise, they get mowed over.

This is just wrong. Don't post misinformation, please. Massive weapons can be parried.

Sorry... Yes, they can be parried at a massive negative. Which the bazillion ACC buffs, they don't get parried enough to really mean anything.