Only problem is that if you have only rank2 open. Sw2 can be good for extra painbarrier + patk + conc.
then again pelt1 is easy extra 25% hp and taunt + evasion/pdef.
then again if you go corsair3. You cant use swashbuckling well since its not allowed to use with pistol. Thats the main problem. You would have to manual swap all the time which is hassle.
HL1 is pretty much useless there. So only viable option to take is sw2 if you dont take pelt1. now that they made sw buffs scale with str/dex theyre decent.
barb3 actually works quite wonders with corsair. Now with new patch coming up. DWA is stamina free so you can get 10-11 stacks pretty much instantly with dwa on. giving 15-16.5% patk bonus. Also frenzy gives +250 attack speed. Saving you a lot dex points you could throw in into str or con.
This also leaves your build open for any new class on rank9. be it shinobi or any new hidden class or any new class really.
both barb3 and cors3 work quite well as standalone and they combo well.
still i pretty much prefer that pelt1 over sw2. since for farming taunt is really good even if you had to manual swap (we can also hope they add swashbucklin to pistols since you can already use it with dagger)
edit… also yeah… barb is pretty much one of those classes you take circle1 or 3. circle2 just isnt good. Circle3 is quite op for party too. Warcy extend debuffs work for party members debuffs too… giving typical 2-4sec debuff 12-14sec timer.