I've finally decided to play this game, with a Sword Saint. However, I can't decide on which weapon to select.
I doubt between Dueling Sword, Scimitar, Rapier or Estoc.

I've seen screenshots proving that Weapon Finesse applies to Scimitar with Slashing Grace and I just want to have this confirmed once again that this isn't a bug, please.

So, which of these weapons gives my character the most bang for her buck?

Oh, and if anyone could be so kind to post a screenshot of how the four weapons look in game? I know this is asking a lot, but I would be very happy if you did. :)

Kind regards and thanks in advance!

*self bump*

I assume you are going with Dex build.

Afaik you can't get both attack bonus and damage from dex to skimitars. Damage can be obtained by "slashing frace", but attack still depends on strength. Only scimitart with "agile" bonus use dex to attack instead of strength. This severely limits your choices. So I'd skip these.

Rapiers and estocs both work of dexterity (after you get piercing grace feat) and are almost the same, but estoc has higher base damage than rapiers (2d4 vs 1d6, 5 vs 3.5 on average). Rapiers seem to be more wide spread though, and you can get a nice rapier right before the end of chapter one. So both are ok, choose based on your preferences. One note about rapiers and estocs is that you need 2 feats to get dex to damage on them. So if you are not starting as human you'll be able to do start use them at full potential only at lvl 3.

Duelling swords are similar to estocs and rapier and there are a lot of them in the game. But they have worse critical range. OKish choice, but I wouldn't go with them because of a smaller crit range. You might be tempted to go with a duelling sword - specific feat for 2 AC, but don't. This bonus doesn't stack well and it's easy to gain it without spending a feat.


Animation-wise:

Scimitar and duelling sword look like curved swords of medium length. Animation is slashing, lake a sabre, both look good. Visuals reminds of scimitars from Baldurs Gate.

Rapiers look exactly like you would expects that - medium length, very thin. Estocs look like a thin sword, quite long, almost like a bastard sword long. Animation for both is piercing. Looks very natural on a rapier and sort of OKish on an estoc.

Is you start a new game as a sword saint you'll automatically get a weapon of your choice at the start, so you can take a look at visuals and animations yourself.

While you wont find one with runeblade properties, a falcata is also worth considering due to the insane crits a sword saint can do with one.

Why dont just go str build?
Scimitar is the best, if you want to cast while attacking, as it can be used 2-handed while you dont cast (significant damage boost) and has 18-20 crit range (MUST-havefor Sword Saint).
But considering Transformation spell prevents you from casting anyways, i'd rather go 2-handed weapon - Fauchard (best for party due to 6-feet range) or Elven Curven Blade.

P.S. Critical range is extremely important due to "Outflank and "Seize the moment" feats.

Not true.
Weapon finesse + slashing grace = dex to both AB and damage for scimiars (and even bastard swords iirc) in this game. It's a standard setup for dex Sword Saints who want to use the Runic blade for early game.

Or simply going STR is also very viable, especially since mid/late game throws a glut of overpowered items that can boost SS's AC to untouchable numbers even with average Dex.

Strength builds do benefit from Enlarge Person, though, and this spell is available from the start. And this spell is beneficial for attack, damage and reach.