I'm playing in a custom, alternate recent history campaign where the GM's changed a lot of small things in order to fit a swashbuckling theme (located in the french and dutch colonial islands). The concept is great, but the rules are a mess. Two of the main changes are related to the availability of guns (they're simple weapons, and are all over the place), and certain restrictions on magic use (magic was only recently introduced into our world, and the reasons why are the main focus of the adventure).
Frankly, I don't want to play a min-maxed build, but I just got scolded for not building an optimized bard. I figure that making smart choices about some things will free me up to make stupid choices about other things. And really, I like having builds that look funny, but which survive anyway.
If guns were a simple weapon, then how would I take advantage of that?
My current approach would be to shore up the switch hitters. For example, to take a two-weapon fighting ranger, and give him quick draw so he can cycle between guns before getting into melee. Essentially, use a bow or crossbow at long range; guns at shorter ranges, and then melee once enemies have gotten up close and personal.
I think a full BAB class can get the most out of this, because the get more attacks sooner. Or can I get the same out of a pistol wielding bard?
I'm then looking at the skirmisher archetype for rangers, and I think that a lot of those tricks are more valuable when coupled with guns which are more likely to hit. But is that worth giving up some limited spell casting?
Trench Fighters get it, too.
When using disposable guns, is there any point in getting archery feats, like Rapid shot or Many shot? It seems that Many Shot only works with bows, and I can duplicate the effects of many shot by taking Quick Draw and Two Weapon Fighting (holding two guns in either hand). And will the latter option also let me make two throwing attacks instead of gunshots?
I.e. as a full-round action, could I make two -2 touch attacks, one with a net and the other with a gun? [edit, nevermind, net's a two handed thrown weapon, which normally requires a full round action to throw]
I'm playing a bard, and I'm considering half-orc with alternate racial traits to get net proficiency.[edit: and it seems this was incorrect too... why did I think...? Oh beast Master]