Help with character concept: Arcane Musketeer

[0n3Z3r0]

So I had a character concept that has now become a thought experiment to me. Arcane Musketeer in gestalt. What is sticking in my head is going Magus/Spellslinger (Wizard). I love the whole spell through sword and pistol thing. The only issue I'm thinking of is that I couldn't use the pistol and sword in the same round. Spellslinger allows you to cast cone, line, etc. spells through the gun, and Magus allows you to strike with the sword then cast a spell. However your hand MUST be free even if the spell doesn't have a semantic component. Is there a way around this that I'm not seeing? Would Still Spell work, since it's allowing you to technically cast with out the semantic rather than the spell not having it? Also any suggestions or thoughts on the concept would also be appreciated

[BzAli]

You could have both weapons fastened with a weapon cord.
When you want to spellstrike through the sword, drop the gun (a free action), and then use a swift action to pick it back up.
Likewise, when spellslinging, drop the sword, and use a swift action to pick it up afterwards.

[Justin Brown]

Good idea. But I thought Still Spell would allow me to Spell Strike and Spellsling with both weapons in hand? I just couldn't Spell Combat. From Magus you can attack with the sword, Spell Strike (provided the spell is readied), and then Spell Combat. Of am I mistaken? The weapon chords thing is a very good idea though. I hadn't thought of that.
Another question is, can I cast the spell with Spell Combat, then quick draw to cast through the gun, that hand is free when the spell is cast, just not when it goes off?

[blackbloodtroll]

What about a Pistol Dagger, or Sword Cane Pistol?

Either one could be a Blackblade as well.

[0n3Z3r0]

That might work. Though my group has a massive problem with gunswords. They hated Final Fantasy VIII lol. And thnk you both for the ideas so far

[blackbloodtroll]

More martial, or more caster?

What is the focus?

[Dekalinder]

get a look here

[Dragonchess Player]

Weapon cords will work OK. Alternately, a tiefling with the Prehensile Tail alternate racial trait (and possibly the Grasping Tail feat) would let you hold (but not wield) a weapon with your tail, allowing you to use your other weapon and have a free hand for Spell Combat or casting spells normally. Switching weapons between hands (and tail) is a free action, which is an improvement over weapon cords. Tieflings also get +1/4 point to their arcane pool per level as an alternate magus favored class benefit.

A kobold or vanara could also pull off the tail trick.

One other possibility is to gestalt magus (myrmidarch)//wizard (spellslinger). Myrmidarch gives you the Ranged Spellstrike ability (cast a ranged touch spell through a ranged weapon attack) in addition to normal Spellstrike; you give up a few magus spell slots, but that's pretty minor when gestalting with wizard. With the Broad Study and Close Range arcana, as well as the Reach Spell metamagic feat, you'll be able to cast tons of spells through either sword or gun.

[0n3Z3r0]

All very good ideas so far thank you. I'd like the focus to be on spells, but in a martial means I guess, so kind of balance.