Odd Build?:SwordSage/OA Shaman

[silverwolfer]

So I have seen some builds that suggest Bard/Warblade, Cleric/Crusader, and the like.

Looked at druid and didn't see much synanargy, besides a bear doing tai chi moves.

How do folks think of the OA shaman, combo with unarmed swordsage?

[Zombulian]

Naruto.
That is all.
Good day.

[Feralventas]

Well, as it has spellcasting of its own while still granting unarmed strike, it seems like it work more effectively as a gish with an older martial class rather than the Swordsage. Shaman5/Paladin2 for Charisma to saves twice. Shaman5/Battledancer1 for Charisma to Saves and AC.

Swordsage, being more wisdom-based, benefits from a Cleric or Druid aspect more than this, which is probably why you saw them. While the Core druid with swordsage abilities does mainly work well in combination with the Tiger Claw options (multi-weapon attacks and rending effects that work well with Wild SHape) there is also an Unearthed Arcana version of the druid that gains a mix of Monk and Ranger abilities including Tracking, Unarmored AC, and Unarmed Strike that works very well with a Setting Sun or Diamond Mind swordsage.

However, if you went Shaman/Crusader, there is a class feature that states that it won't stack with divine grace, but says nothing of Spirit's Favor, meaning that it could syergize quite nicely. In addition, Shaman gets Turn Undead, so it could more easily qualify for Ruby Knight Vindicator this way.

[eggs]

It could work, but without a crossover prestige class, either Swordsage is going to be pretty minor or the build's power is going to take a pretty hard hit.

Since Ruby Knight Vindicator works well with Crusader, gets Shadow Hand access and can advance maneuvers and spells at the same time, I think the ideal approach to divine caster/ToB is still going to involve Crusader and RKV - even if you want to play up the stealth/ninja angle. If the Wis-to-AC part of Swordsage is appealing, Monk's Belts still aren't that expensive.

[Hiro Protagonest]

The two builds you mentioned are considered good because they have extra things that combine the two classes, not because the combination is good on its own. Song of the White Raven for bardblade/bardsader, Ruby Knight Vindicator for cleric/crusader. Swordsage/shaman has no such feat or PrC.

The best multiclassing you can get on a swordsage is swordsage/wizard, for Jade Phoenix Mage.