I've been asked by one of my players to run an undersea adventure for her birthday, and so far things were going swimmingly.
Today however, I started getting notification of the classes people want to play. Birthday girl wants a Rogue (okay, that's fine), they've asked me to run a Cleric (yup, I can do that), roommate says she'll probably do a Magus (sounds like a good, balanced party so far).
...And then the birthday girl's boyfriend says he wants a Gunslinger. Now, I have no problem with Gunslingers, but this is 90% underwater, so it seems like a bad idea.
I've told him I'll look into whether it's going to be remotely possible for him to pull off, but that I really don't recommend it. So that's basically what I'm doing here; looking into it.
What resources might a Gunslinger bring to the table in a 5th level party (with perhaps some cleric and magus spellcasting to help) that will give them any hope of functioning underwater?
Dry Load
Price +1,500 gp; Aura faint abjuration; CL 3rd; Weight —
This weapon special ability can only be applied to alchemical or metal firearm cartridges. Dry load cartridges can be used to load guns underwater or in other airless environments, such as a vacuum. This special ability protects the cartridge's contents as it is being loaded into a firearm and creates a residual bubble of air that surrounds that firearm, further protecting the ammunition and allowing the firearm with this ammunition loaded in it to be fired in an airless environment. After the cartridge is loaded, the bubble of air lasts for 3 minutes or until the firearm is fired, whichever occurs first.
A firearm loaded with this ammunition still takes the –2 penalty on attack rolls when fired underwater for every 5 feet of water the bullet passes through, in addition to the normal penalties to range. When firing a dry load cartridge underwater or in an airless environment, a misfire that results in a firearm explosion occurs normally.
The listed price is for 50 dry load cartridges.
Construction Requirements
Cost +750 gp
Craft Magic Arms and Armor, air bubble (Ultimate Combat)
or
Air Bubble
School conjuration; Level cleric 1, druid 1, ranger 1, sorcerer/wizard 1, witch 1
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components S, M/DF (a small bladder filled with air)
Range touch
Target one creature or one object no larger than a Large two-handed weapon
Duration 1 minute/level
Saving Throw Will negates (harmless); Spell Resistance yes (harmless)
Air bubble creates a small pocket of breathable air that surrounds the touched creature's head or the touched object. The air bubble allows the creature touched to breathe underwater or in similar airless environments, or protects the object touched from water damage.
A firearm within an air bubble can be loaded—assuming the black powder comes from a powder horn, a cartridge, or some other airtight protective device—and fired. When shooting such a firearm underwater, the shot still takes the standard –2 penalty on attack rolls for every 5 feet of water the bullet passes through, in addition to normal penalties due to range. If a firearm within the air bubble explodes, the explosion occurs normally.
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Also, Cerulean Seas: Indigo Ice covers gunslingers underwater in a very thorough and balanced way, while keeping it thematically appropriate.
This was what I came in to recommend.