It's a feat. You can take it at 1. level.
Probably. This doesn't stop you from buying a bow and using it in the mean time. Sure it's against normal AC, but you probably will have a good dex and Gunslingers have Full BAB.
^My advice anyways.
To put it simply, it requires a STANDARD action to reload a one-handed firearm and Rapid Reload reduces that to a move action. Also, to take advantage of your full BAB, you are going to need Rapid Reload anyway. A 1,700 gp weapon is generally appropriate for a 3rd level character of any class. Your also going to be 20 feet or less to get the touch AC.
So suck it up, shoot then enter melee or buy a bow.
To put it simply, it requires a STANDARD action to reload a one-handed firearm and Rapid Reload reduces that to a move action.
Dude. if you're going to correct people, make sure you have your s!%% in order. Now, for partial credit, can you at least tell me how you're wrong? Hint: It has something to do with assumptions.
Ult Combat p. 115
Rapid Reload (Combat)
Choose a type of crossbow (hand, light, heavy) or a single type of one-handed or two-handed firearm that you are proficient with. You can reload such a weapon quickly.
Prerequisites: Weapon Proficiency (crossbow type chosen) or Exotic Weapon Proficiency (firearm).
Benefit: The time required for you to reload your chosen type of weapon is reduced to a free action (for a hand or light crossbow), a move action (for heavy crossbow or one-handed firearm), or a standard action (two-handed firearm). Reloading a crossbow or firearm still provokes attacks of opportunity.
If you have selected this feat for a hand crossbow or light crossbow, you may fire that weapon as many times in a full-attack action as you could attack if you were using a bow.
Normal: A character without this feat needs a move action to reload a hand or light crossbow, a standard action to reload a one-handed firearm, or a full-round action to load a heavy crossbow or a two-handed firearm.
Beneficial Bandoleer is 1,000 gold. Not something you can get at level 1, but possible to grab before you get hold of your double-pistol, depending.
Or you could use alchemical cartridges.
Apologies. I meant no harsh attitude with my response and I don't always realize that tone or inflection does not portray well in text. With Rapid Reload and the risked use of Alchemical Cartridges (increasing the Misfire by 1), You should be able to reduce your reload to a free action. Once you get a Double-Barreled Pistol, you're only going to have 2 rounds before you require a reload.
|
Apologies. I meant no harsh attitude with my response
Umm, I think Coinshot was probably talking about
So suck it up
On top of you using caps for standard action. On top of incorrectly correcting someone.
As to the original question, I'm not sure you NEED the rapid reload to be useful. I started a musket-wielding gunslinger for PFS, without having played one before, with Rapid Reload (which meant, with a musket, I was the same speed as a pistoleer without RR)...I was still able to shoot reasonably often, using alchemical cartridges, and in several cases, was able to use non-cartridges to reload in a round when I couldn't get a clear shot while moving.
Of course, now I know just how badly off I'll be later on when I have iterative attacks. If I'd realised, I'd have gone Musket Master.
|
I have a Gunslinger in PFS that started with Rapid-reload (pistol) but once I hit 2nd I realized I wanted to go with a b double-barrel pistol so I used the free retraining rules to change it to Rapid-reload (double-barrel pistol). I had to use Alchemical Cartidges to get off a shot every round after the first and I carried a bow for backup until I had the fame to get a double-barrel pistol which wasn't until I was almost 4th level. While I wasn't as effective as an archer build at levels 2 & 3 I wouldn't say I was in effective either. I will be hitting 9th this weekend and where most gunslingers would be picking up Improved Critical I will instead be picking up Rapid-reload (dragon pistols). I do more than enough damage I don't need to double my crit chance and the ability to effect swarms, ignore concealment, and deal non-lethal damage is far too useful in PFS and the damage from only getting one shot off from my dragon pistol is showing heavily at this level.
RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
|
@Coinshot Colton
To go back ot the first reply, you can take it at first level. It might be worth it if you're playing a human. Sure it's akin to taking weapon finesse at first level when you're not proficient in the aldori dueling sword you're toating around, or having magical knack at first level when it won't kick in until at least second, but it can be done.
|
3rd level. By then you will have enough gold and prestige for it. At first take Point Blank Shot and Precise Shot. Although many guides state not to take Precise Shot at 1st level, I prefer it in PFS because of so many melee characters. If the GM is ruling correctly (which many don't) your allies often (based on line of sight) provide the enemy a +4 AC cover bonus in addition to the -4 penalty for not having precise shot. An effective -8 on your 6gp attack roll is pretty darn steep...