Want to make arcane pistol user

[EkkoFoxtrot]

Ricochet Shot (spell)

You imbue a projectile weapon with the ability to ricochet any projectiles that hit one target so that they also hit another. When the wielder ricochets a projectile, she selects a primary target to attack. If she hits the primary target, the projectile ricochets instead of being destroyed. The wielder can then select a secondary target that is within 20 feet of the primary target. She makes an attack roll against the secondary target at the same base attack bonus, but does not gain the benefit from any enhancement bonuses or magic qualities on the projectile. If the shot comes from a firearm, the ricochet targets normal AC rather than touch AC. While the spell lasts, the target weapon’s wielder can ricochet one projectile per three caster levels you possess, to a maximum of six at caster level 18th. Once the target weapon’s wielder ricochets that many shots, the spell is discharged. If the weapon’s wielder fails to use all the ricochets before the spell end, those ricochets are wasted.

I'm having a very hard time understanding how this spell could ever work. I really, really want to make a sorceress who uses a pistol for a steampunk-ish game I am about to join, and this spell seemed as close as I could get to being useful and interesting in combat with a firearm. Trouble is, as I understand it, the cap of 1 ricochet allowed per shot and only 1 successful hit per 3 caster levels make the spell almost completely useless. Worse, the ricochet attempts are against full AC, not touch, meaning they are more likely to fail and just be wasted...

Is there some way I can take advantage of it I'm not seeing?

[Master of the Dark Triad]

A wizard/gunslinger/eldritch knight just occurred to me as I read your post.

A build like that could utilize that spell.

[EkkoFoxtrot]

A bit more info:

this character is intended to be a party face that utilizes a great deal of CHA, hence the choice of sorceress over Wizard. Thusfar, the build I have is (starting at level 3) 2 Sorc 1 Gunslinger (pistolero, mysterious stranger).

The idea is that the sorceress gets the benefit of the 1-level dip in Stranger to add her CHA bonus to her damage rolls along with dexterity (guns everywhere rule, slingers get gun training at level 1). so, despite a lower BAB, the appeal was casting ricochet shot and having the bullet him every target for 1d8+CHA+DEX+other stuff very round. Cool, right? But the spell just doesnt seem to accommodate the concept the more I look at it...it's just not enough hits to be worth losing the round casting, and she'd just be better off using nova cannon spells instead. A shame, since the existence of Ricochet shot made me hope there was a way to replace the typical blasty blasty of Sorc with gunplay in some solid fashion.

[Master of the Dark Triad]

With the higher BAB from EK, it could be worth it.

You have your fun damage. Take non blasty spells.

[Errant Mercenary]

Hello there!

Spellslingers, by RAW, can use spells of ANY class. Scarred witch doctor (CON)? can do. Sorcerer CHA? Can do!

So pick Spellslinger Wizard and then sorcerer and go from there.

[Master of the Dark Triad]

Errant Mercenary wrote:

Hello there!

Spellslingers, by RAW, can use spells of ANY class. Scarred witch doctor (CON)? can do. Sorcerer CHA? Can do!

So pick Spellslinger Wizard and then sorcerer and go from there.

they get two attacks, neither of which are likely to hit.

This archetype has so much flavor but so little use.

[Dustyboy]

this sounds great for magus/gunslinger

using that attack as a swift action (One extra attack per round) would be great

[Reverendfresh]

No time left on my working break. Did somebody just tell you that mysterious stranger and pistolero are not available at the same build?

[EkkoFoxtrot]

I found that out an hour ago on my own. Technically the rules dont exclude them as written, but it's considered an error.

[Khrysaor]

wizard(spellslinger)1/Gunslinger1/Magus(Myrmidarch) all the way.

spellslinger lets you cast certain spells (ranged touch attacks, cones, lines, rays) through your gun and add the enhancement bonus on the gun to the DC.

Gunslinger dip gives you the quick clear deed in case you have a bad run of natural 1s.

Myrmidarch gives you an arcane pool you can use to enhance your gun that stacks with other enhancements already in place. At level 4 you get to use a single spell with a range of touch and deliver it with your gun. At level 6 you get weapon training (firearms) and can now use gloves of dueling. At level 7 you count your level -3 as a fighter for qualifying for feats like point blank master and never provoke again with your gun.

Vampiric touch bullets? Yes, please.

Unfortunately this build is slightly gimped on the amount of spells per day and pearls of power will be a requirement. But that's every caster if you ask me...

You can also use your magus arcana at high enough level to get spells off the wizard list like enervate or any other crazy idea you can think up.

EDIT: The wording on spellslinger is also a little vague and allows for the class to operate with divine casters as well. It's a nifty way to allow any caster to use a gun.