Gunslinger / Ranger / Weapon Master

[Byronix85]

Hi guys,

I've been playing around with a Half-Elf musket-wielding ranger build, who can mix it up at close range, get lots of ranged opportunity attacks, and deal massive damage to single opponents. A few questions:

1. Any feats you would swap out, or take earlier/later?

2. Not really interested in spell casting with this character, but is Skirmisher archetype good do you think?

3. Is it worthwhile to switch out at level 15 to the weapon master for the extra feats and reliable strike, or better to keep moving up as a ranger?

Thanks a lot!

Character Level Class Class Features Feats
1 Gunslinger (Musket Master) - 1 Deeds (Deadeye, Steady Aim, Quick Clear), Grit, Weapon Proficiency (Simple, Martial, Two-Handed Firearms), Armor Proficiency (Light), Rapid Reload (Muskets), Weapon Focus (Muskets)

2 Gunslinger (Musket Master) - 2 Nimble

3 Gunslinger (Musket Master) - 3 Deeds (Gunslinger Initiative, Pistol Whip, Fast Musket) Point-Blank Shot

4 Gunslinger (Musket Master) - 4 Deadly Aim

5 Gunslinger (Musket Master) - 5 Precise Shot

6 Ranger (Skirmisher) - 1 Favored Enemy (Magical Beasts), Track, Wild Empathy, Armor Proficiency (Medium, Shields)

7 Ranger (Skirmisher) - 2 Combat Style (Archery)
Rapid Shot, Snap Shot

8 Ranger (Skirmisher) - 3 Endurance, Favored Terrain (Forests)

9 Ranger (Skirmisher) - 4 Hunter's Bond (Wolf) Combat Reflexes

10 Ranger (Skirmisher) - 5 Favored Enemy (Evil Outsiders), Hunter's Trick (Defensive Bow Stance)

11 Ranger (Skirmisher) - 6 Combat Style Feat Point Blank Master, Improved Snap Shot

12 Ranger (Skirmisher) - 7 Woodland Stride, Hunter's Trick (Trick Shot))

13 Ranger (Skirmisher) - Hammer the Gap

14 Ranger (Skirmisher) - 9 Evasion, Hunter's Trick (Vengeance Strike)

15 Ranger (Skirmisher) - 10 Favored Enemy (Undead), Combat Style Feat Shot on the Run, Improved Critical

16 Fighter (Weapon Master) - 1 Bonus Feat, Armor Proficiency (heavy, tower shield) Improved Precise Shot

17 Fighter (Weapon Master) - 2 Bonus Feat, Weapon Guard Pinpoint Targeting, Greater Snap Shot

18 Fighter (Weapon Master) - 3 Weapon Training Handle

19 Fighter (Weapon Master) - 4 Weapon Specialization (Muskets), Vital Strike

20 Fighter (Weapon Master) - 5 Reliable Strike

[Claxon]

Personally I've always thought the Skirmisher wasn't very good. Most importantly you lose the ability to use Instant Enemy, which is what actually makes Favored Enemy any good.

Personally I would take levels in Mutation Warrior Fighter to give you some options that can't be replicated with feats and use Advanced Weapon Training options too. Weapon Master isn't bad either, but I like to keep Bravery so I can pick up Armed Bravery which gives you a very good Will Save when you combined with the Sash of the War Champion. Don't forget your Gloves of Dueling either way.

[Neils Bohr]

I can't speak much toward the ranger side, but you have five levels of musket master, so you'll do just fine with whatever you choose after that.

I'd move point blank and precise up sooner, because removing the shooting into melee penalty is a bigger boost, but you will be targeting touch AC so it may not be a big deal.

Fighter and advanced weapon training does give some good stuff. Slayer and vivisectionist alchemist can pair well too.