Gunslingers - worth front loading as a fighter?

[Helaman]

Seems that as a gunslinger its a long road feats wise.

Is it worth taking a level of fighter and getting point blank shot, rapid shot and precise shot and then going to level 2 (or even 3) as the gunslinger?

[Cibulan]

I've been looking a lot at Gunslingers because I like the concept but the execution is quite poor. In my opinion, they are best as a 5 level dip class. Level 5 gives you dex mod to damage but after that the other deeds are either weak or expensive. Some of the deeds aren't too bad, but they do not hold up well when compared to other class abilities.

I'd say Gunslinger 5/Fighter 15 or Ranger 15 is probably better than Gunslinger 20.

[Helaman]

Cibulan wrote:

I've been looking a lot at Gunslingers because I like the concept but the execution is quite poor. In my opinion, they are best as a 5 level dip class. Level 5 gives you dex mod to damage but after that the other deeds are either weak or expensive. Some of the deeds aren't too bad, but they do not hold up well when compared to other class abilities.

I'd say Gunslinger 5/Fighter 15 or Ranger 15 is probably better than Gunslinger 20.

I think now I'll go GS for 5 levels, fighter (weaponmaster) for 3 and see what happens from there...

Thanks

[Cibulan]

Glad to help.

[Asterclement Swarthington]

I have a player that's in a similar dilemma with gunslinger (mysterious stranger/pistolero). After much examination it was determined that 5 was the perfect time to bail out and try something new.

There's some very curious lack of mention of 'melee' on the overhand chop, backswing, and devastating blow abilities of the two-handed fighter archetype that makes me wonder if two-handed fighter might be surprisingly good for gunslinger. I'm sure that's not intended though...

[Christina Morris]

Helaman wrote:

Seems that as a gunslinger its a long road feats wise.

Is it worth taking a level of fighter and getting point blank shot, rapid shot and precise shot and then going to level 2 (or even 3) as the gunslinger?

I'm playing a gunslinger (pistolero) in my weekly Saturday game right now. We're currently level 11 (with Up Close and Deadly being my Signature Deed), and at 13th I'll no longer worry about misfires. If it weren't for the archetype, though, I'd have probably gotten out of the class around 5th level as well.

As it stands, I'm actually looking at taking levels of Duelist after 13th, as one-handed firearms count as one-handed piercing weapons, which means they work alongside Precise Strike. It's either that or Fighter levels--I'm not convinced I need the extra feats, though.

[Tiny Coffee Golem]

Asterclement Swarthington wrote:

I have a player that's in a similar dilemma with gunslinger (mysterious stranger/pistolero). After much examination it was determined that 5 was the perfect time to bail out and try something new.

There's some very curious lack of mention of 'melee' on the overhand chop, backswing, and devastating blow abilities of the two-handed fighter archetype that makes me wonder if two-handed fighter might be surprisingly good for gunslinger. I'm sure that's not intended though...

I never play fighters, but that could be fun.

[voska66]

Asterclement Swarthington wrote:

I have a player that's in a similar dilemma with gunslinger (mysterious stranger/pistolero). After much examination it was determined that 5 was the perfect time to bail out and try something new.

There's some very curious lack of mention of 'melee' on the overhand chop, backswing, and devastating blow abilities of the two-handed fighter archetype that makes me wonder if two-handed fighter might be surprisingly good for gunslinger. I'm sure that's not intended though...

I don't see how Overhand Chop or Backswing would help a level 5 gun slinger. Maybe if you are clubbing someone with you two handed musket, then that 2 times strength damage bonus would come into play.

[posternutbag]

Just wanted to point out that the PFSRD says that Duelists must wield MELEE piercing weapons.

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/prestige-classes/core-rulebook/duelist

See note under Precise Strike Class Ability.

I also thought that a Pistolero/Duelist would be cool idea. After all, lots of duels were fought with pistols. I really don't see the problem with a houserule that negates the text-box, but I think it would be considered a houserule.

[Asterclement Swarthington]

voska66 wrote:

I don't see how Overhand Chop or Backswing would help a level 5 gun slinger. Maybe if you are clubbing someone with you two handed musket, then that 2 times strength damage bonus would come into play.

There is nothing in either ability that says it applies only to melee attacks or that it only applies to weapons that benefit normally from a strength bonus. As written, it... just adds... double strength to 2-handed firearm attacks. A 5th level gunslinger 7th level 2H fighter would add their dex mod + 2x str mod to damage. Where as other abilities in this archetype specifically note that they require a melee attack like piledriver and devastating blow (for which i incorrectly said it did not above).

[posternutbag]

I must concur. Overhand Chop and Backswing say nothing about wielding a two-handed MELEE weapon. Its obviously an oversight and goes against RAI, and I can't begin to imagine allowing it in my games (and I REALLY like firearms), but that would be a houserule on my part. RAW, I am fairly certain it works.

Although, I must say that I think that RAW, the Pistolero adds Dex to damage twice, which is the route I would take, if I were trying to optimize a Gunslinger.