Help me out! Newb Gungslinger build help!

[Gunner-Recall]

Hey everyone,

Making one of my first characters, and I definitely want to try out Gunslinger, although I have a few questions. I have also never made a ranger before!

First, I would assume that human is the best race for gunslinger because of the extra feat?

Second, which feats are best for this class? How can you use rapid shot from a gun if the capacity is only one bullet? Would I theoretically be able to fire two shots per turn with each pistol at a -2 to each, or is it just with one pistol? Because otherwise isnt it smarter just to shoot both pistols in one turn?

Is weapon specialization a valid feat for the Gunslinger?

I would assume at level one I would take something like:

1: PBS
1: Rapid Reload
4: Weapon Focus
5: Weapon Specialization
7: Lightning Reload
8: Signature Deed: Lightning Reload

And assuming I have 25 ability score points, how would you best allocate the points? I would assume id spend 5 on both dex and wisdom to start with 16s in both?

Thank you everyone in advance for your help!!

[Maxximilius]

Woops, beware, I'll correct you in some ways :

Quote:

Making one of my first characters, and I definitely want to try out Gunslinger, although I have a few questions. I have also never made a ranger before!

Welcome to the gunslingers club ! Though, don't forget that the gunslinger is an alpha test class variant, and acknowledged to be full of issues right now. This means if you intend to play a long time with your character, you should check the updates, and keep in mind that your character might (and will) be broken at some levels, and not particularly the "good" kind of broken for you.

Quote:

First, I would assume that human is the best race for gunslinger because of the extra feat?

I'll go the easy way and say that the best race for a character is the one you want to play. ;) But yes, human is -usually- the best race for a lot of fighting classes because of the bonus feat.

Quote:

How can you use rapid shot from a gun if the capacity is only one bullet? Would I theoretically be able to fire two shots per turn with each pistol at a -2 to each, or is it just with one pistol? Because otherwise isnt it smarter just to shoot both pistols in one turn?

Well, just now you just pointed an issue, or even two. You can't use rapid shot without being able to reload in a swift or free action between each shot - and if I'm not mistaken, this still needs a free hand. So, if you shoot with two weapons, you'll have to use the two-weapon fighting mechanism and feats, and you will not be able to reload since your two hands are full.

For the feats, weapon specialization needs to be a lvl4 fighter as a prerequisite, and the gunslinger is a fighter variant, so it would not be wise to ignore it, even more if you are supposed to deal damage like the gunslinger should. But I guess you could also decide to not take Weapon Focus and Specialization so as to focus on deeds, like by taking Extra Grit two times. Still, some useful deeds are taken by a feat, like Ricochet Shot, and so, it's one feat less to spend.
Deadly Aim doesn't apply (for now ?) to the gun attacks, though it's a fact being discussed as the guns add a mechanic that wasn't included when Deadly Aim was designed.
Without going too much further into the class optimization, what you did looks good for the actual playtest's alpha Gunslinger :

H. Point-Blank shot
1. Rapid Reload
3. Weapon Focus (Extra Grit, Two weapon fighting if using pistols ?)
4. Weapon Specialization (Extra Grit ?)
5. Precise Shot ?
7. Lightning Reload deed
8. Signature Deed: Lightning Reload

And for the 25 point build, here is what I can suggest.

12
18
14
8
16
10

Hope this helps !

[Jaçinto]

With two pistols I actually took quick draw early on. mainly because the point of two pistols is not for two weapon firing. My dwarf has an axe in one hand and a pistol in the other but will only do one attack per round. The two pistols is so he can fire, drop it, then quickly draw the other pistol so he does not have to spend a round reloading. You don't actually want to blaze both barrels right away. Keep both loaded and only use one when you need it. You're going to want a melee weapon to keep you safe so you don't spend too much time reloading and getting hit. Maybe take something like brass knuckles, and I forget which book they are in. That way you have a free hand for reloading, but it also counts as armed in case someone gets close. I know this is for your builds, but strategy can help you decide your builds. Say you are fighting a wizard. The pistol has a range of 40, so you fire and use lightning reload to reload your gun, but you are out of attacks for the round. Move up adjacent to him to try to keep the wizard cornered so you can get an attack of opportunity with your brass knuckles. Wont do much damage but you will force him to have to back off more, and thus herd the caster or other ranged enemy into a position you are more comfortable with him being in, or you get an AoO and disrupt the casting. Don't rely too much on your guns right now. Get a good small back up weapon that wont restrict your ability to reload. Maybe a spiked gauntlet or, like I said, brass knuckles. Or if you feel like burning a feat, improved unarmed strike. I don't recommend that one though because the gunslinger is desperate for feats right now. Also I would swap that 8 and 10 around. Gunslingers are more rugged and gritty, so not being charismatic kinda fits. Plus with so few skill points per level, do you really want a penalty to them? Your call for that though.

[Callarek]

H. Point-Blank shot
1. Rapid Reload
3. Weapon Focus (Extra Grit, Two weapon fighting if using pistols ?)
4. Weapon Specialization (Extra Grit ?)
5. Precise Shot ?
7. Lightning Reload deed
8. Signature Deed: Lightning Reload <- Not legal, Signature Deed requires 11th level, at this point.

To be honest, the Gunslinger is seriously feat-starved, in a feat-hungry combat style.

How I am building my Gunslinger:
Dex: 18 (including +2 for Human)
Wis: 16
Musket, 50 shots
Trait: Heirloom Weapon for the musket, so masterwork
Trait: Reactionary (+2 initiative)
H: Rapid Reload
1: Lightning Reload Deed
3: Weapon Focus (musket)
4: Weapon Spec. (musket)
5: Point-Blank Master (musket), Gun Training (musket)
7: Point Blank Shot
8: Precise Shot
9: Far Shot
11: Signature Deed (Lightning Reload Deed)
12: Rapid Shot

The following are all IMO.

Feat trees needed:
Point Blank Shot -> Precise Shot -> Improved Precise Shot
Rapid Reload -> Lightning Reload Deed -> Signature Deed (Lightning Reload Deed)
Weapon Focus -> Weapon Specialization -> Point-Blank Master
Dodge -> Deft Shootist Deed
Dodge -> Mobility -> Shot on the Run
Point Blank Shot -> Rapid Shot
Point Blank Shot -> Far Shot

Feat Trees wanted:
Extra Grit (multiple times)
Secret Stash Deed (requires Sleight of Hand being trained)
Improved Critical
Weapon Finesse