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I decided to just go with a Swashbuckler (Inspired Blade) // Bladebound Kensai (Magus), instead. Magus would typically take away ASF (though Kensai re-adds it), but now I'll get to add my intelligence modifier to AC, which is nice. Then I'll add in the Wizard's Mail later on, too.

The Eldritch Scion actually looks really, really cool - I hadn't seen that one before. I do have two problems with it, though, which is that I need to use a Swift Action (which Swashbucklers use quite a bit of) to enter into mystical focus - something that will hinder me until level 8 when I get the archetype's delayed combat casting.

I'll definitely think on that, though.

The Inspired Blade Swashbuckler//Blade Adept Arcanist sounds really fun. How about an Inspired Blade Swashbuckler//Bladebound Magus?

From my understanding if I want to be a Swashbuckler first and a spellcaster second, Swashbuckler//Magus would be a better option. If I want to be a spellcaster first and a Swashbuckler second, Swashbuckler//Arcanist would be a better option.

I really view my character as more melee than a spellcaster (though my group does need a dedicated spellcaster - and we already have a paladin//magus). Combat Casting and no arcane spell failure for armor is really good, though, and solves a lot of problems of what I want to do.

Thoughts?

I guess I'd have to ask my GM about that one - but that's a good idea! It seems a little strange to me that a one level magus dip is required for Wand Wielder to work... I'd almost think Blade Adept should allow you to act as though you have Combat Casting for the purposes of using wands if you have wand wielder. I'd rather not level dip in anything unfortunately since that would, in the end, deny me of two level 20 abilities (assuming we even get that far).

I wasn't aware of the Wizard's Mail, so that's a good option to keep in mind. Mage Armor will definitely be a good option a little bit down the road when I have more spells (and its duration is longer) - though as it stands now I can only cast two spells a day and if both of those are going towards Mage Armor, it doesn't do me much good anyway. So for now I think I'll do Studded Leather Armor, then switch to Mage Armor around level 3-4, then eventually switch to Wizard's Mail.

Thanks!

Thanks! I wasn't aware that Touch attacks were a two part process, so that's where most of the confusion was. So for number one, I guess my best bet would be to infuse my weapon with my touch spell, move in, and then use the free touch attack action to hit the opponent.

Hm. That arcane spell failure is going to be a pain. At least it's only 15%. I wonder if taking Still Spell and preparing all of my spells with it would be worth it? Though that means I won't really be able to use level 1 spells until level 4...

Or alternatively since I can hold the charge on touch spells I can just charge up the weapon outside of combat and if I fail then oh well I can just try again.

So I'm going to be a gestalt Swashbuckler (Inspired Blade) // Arcanist (Blade Adept), and have a question regarding Spell Strike. It reads:

I have two questions:
1) Does channeling a touch spell through my weapon provoke an attack of opportunity like a normal touch spell?

2) Does my arcane spell failure from wearing armor effect channeling a touch spell through my weapon?

Sorry, I've never played before so I apologize if these are dumb questions.

You won't be able to do both at the same time. It seems like a good combo at face value but there is very little synergy. Basically you'll be switching back and forth between party roles, which is still fun but not really what you seem to be wanting.

Bloodrager can do what you want with one class though. For the other class, try Warpriest. Fervor and Sacred Weapon stack well with a Bloodrager's abilities.

Yeah you pretty much have me pegged. That's a great way to describe it - I'd really like to have synergy as opposed to filling two different roles. Also for my very first game I'd prefer something easier (I'm okay with complex but I don't want to go overboard). I'm not looking to be OP but I also don't want to be weak.

Any Gestalt suggestions to fit those needs?

Thanks, I didn't know about that one!

Another question: if barbarians are melee and I'm primarily up close, won't my spellcasting provoke AoO's? Or is the idea to cast spells and THEN rush in?

So for my first ever Pathfinder campaign I'm going to be making a Gestalt character. I know how to play 3.5 so it isn't a huuuuge jump but I don't know the classes well at all, let alone picking two.

Doing preliminary research a Scarred Witch Doctor Barbarian sounds interesting. But... I can't cast spells while raging, right? And hexing (usually) would use up my action. So is it really a viable combo?

It seems like it would be better to pick an active and a passive class. Maybe like a barbarian/fighter?