Totally-not-Mega-Man

[Sodapop]

I'm trying to create a ranged character that makes custom bows (i.e. arm-mounted arrow-launchers) and fires a single powerful arrow from them each round in combat. He would be either an Android (from inner sea bestiary) or a Human.

I think my only options to accomplish this are:

1. Fighter /w Vital Strike chain (as far as I can tell this is extremely sub-par compared to a Manyshot build), possibly with a level of Wizard or Sorcerer into Arcane Archer.
1d8*Number of Attacks + Deadly Aim, Weapon Training, Weapon Spec, etc.

2. Myrmidarch Magus using Ranged Spellstrike using Snowball/Reach Shocking Grasp, limited by spells per day (acquired at level 4).
1d8 + between 4d6 and 15d6 (empowered / intensified)

3. Grenadier Alchemist using Explosive Missile and ideally Targeted Bomb Admixture (acquired at level 4). Limited by Bombs per day, but can use alchemical splash weapons in a pinch for backup or against weaker enemies.
1d8 + between 2d6 and 10d6 + INT with a bomb
1d8 + between 2d6 and 10d6 + 2*INT with Targeted Bomb Admixture
1d8 + 1d6 + INT with Alchemical Fire

Any of these could benefit from Kirin Strike (+2*INT damage to an attack as a swift action if you have identified the target using Kirin Style) but that isn't until level 9 and takes 3 feats, or it takes a 2 level MoMS monk dip, holding back spell progression for magus or holding back bomb progression for the alchemist.

I think the fighter Crossbowman archetype might be useful here, but I'm not sure what the intent is when every feature says "when a crossbowman attacks with a crossbow as a readied action" ?? Can I ready an action to attack a certain enemy as soon as my turn ends? x.X

Which of these do you think is most viable? Or, does anyone have any recommendations for how to do this besides what I have found so far?

Note: I'm not wanting a stealthy character, so I'd prefer to not have the solution involve sneak attack (not that ranged sneak attacks are particularly viable).

[Taku Ooka Nin]

"I ready my action to fire it as soon as I see an enemy!"
You immediately see an enemy!
FIRE!
Pew! Pew-pew-pew-PEW!

[cmastah]

I would DEFINITELY say either the magus or the alchemist and simply because while the fighter can fire a powerful shot with vital strike (actually, does vital strike work for ranged attacks?), you'll be able to get a lot of variety and exciting choices from the magus or the alchemist whenever you want it.

[Taku Ooka Nin]

Also, don't forget to somehow get your character to be able to hadouken sigma at the end--I mean, the BBEG--.

[lemeres]

You could also probably describe the readied action as "I ready my action to fire as soon as I see that bugger do anything other than breath"

Of course, I suppose you need to describe it a bit better sometimes, what with breath weapons and all. Still provides an opportunity for the enemy to decide that it would rather not have its lungs perforated, assuming you have a GM that roleplays well enough to not have enemies just zerge rush all the time.

But I'd imagine that usually it would just end up the same as a standard action, but with the possible benefit of messing up something like spellcasting. Also, see if you could get your GM to let you bundle an additional free action after doing it so you can shoot off a one liner. "Anyone else got any bright ideas?"

[Rathendar]

Since you are not asking for PFS, i suggest the super genius games archer archtypes PDF. They have one that basically is a ranged vital strike build. Single attack each round, high damage.

[EsperMagic]

a gauntlet with permanent weaponwand? shoot the wand blasts out of your now awesome arm cannon. as a bonus you can cwitch wands like megaman switches powers

[proftobe]

There's a 3rd party variant gunslinger that uses crossbows AND has the stats for an NPC with wrist mounted(hand) crossbows. I just don't remember who. Ask Cheapy he knows

[Cheapy]

Didn't even need to say my name three times!

This one has that proftobe is referring to.