Swashbuckler/Crossbow

Crossbow expert let’s you use ranged attacks in melee range without disadvantage. Swashbucklers can use their sneak attack in melee range without advantage. Heavy Crossbows have 1d10 damage dice, which is the best for ranged weapons and equal to two handing a versatile weapon.

I started swashbuckler to immediately get the dirty tricks and crossbow expert. Then I took one level of fighter to get heavy crossbow proficiency and archery fighting style. At this point the build is already established. You can walk up to someone, pocket sand or disarm them, then crossbow shot to the face. It’s very satisfying.

Next is 6 bard levels. Select swords bard for flourishes. The final level can be fighter or bard, your choice. This does make a pretty decent mystic scoundrel character so 7 levels in bard for confusion is good, but I went with fighter for action surge.

Most people would say go the bard levels first to get extra attack, but with swashbuckler dirty tricks you already get basically a second attack at level 4. This allows for a really steady power curve where you unlock the playstyle of the build really early but then get to add onto it really organically.

Gauntlets of dexterity are a must. I used Harold most of the game.