Actually, I think swashbucklers are great. I'm attempting to solo with a swashbuckler, which is actually difficult, but they're very cool. Decent fighting skills and good thief abilities. Only thing you miss out on is backstab, but you get traps and it's tough to backstab with a party in a heated battle anyway
I'm an evil swashbuckler also. Don't know how I'm going to get the silver dragon's blood solo though
a plain fighter in an evil party is difficult as there r no thiefs. but prolly start as thief and dual pretty early (once u have 100 in find traps/pick locks) to mage or fighter or anything. dont swashbucklers just get + in any weapon? would b pretty gây for fighting.