Hey, everyone! I had an idea that came from several other ideas lately. Looking at Pistoleros, I read a thread where everyone was emphasizing free actions and free hands needed to full attack.
So, I had the idea to instead just take Quick Draw and drop a bunch of discharged pistols. After all, you can buy 6 masterwork pistols instead if 1 pistol+2, right? Then you don't have to worry about rapid reload or alchemical cartridges, except for maybe 1 good enchanted pistol for when the burners run out.
From there I remembered "The Matrix" and how that's basically what Neo and Trinity do at the end, and realized that this would be an awesome character theme. Burn through your pistols, then get in there and go fisticuffs!
EDIT: So, I am thinking this would be a Gunslinger(Pistolero)/Monk dual class build.
Anyway, are there any suggestions for pulling this off? Good ideas for what kind if feats I could take (TWF and ranged feats would leave this pretty starved, I know), or any suggestions about anything else?
Thanks in advance!
Funny thing is, this procedure is what actually was done with the pistols of the day. Pirates back in they heyday used to carry a significant brace of pistols, and would keep pulling a new one for new targets. Eventually they would switch over to a sword.
Though an interesting idea would be throw anything, though I'm not sure how much damage you might get from a pistol used as a thrown weapon.
Funny thing is, this procedure is what actually was done with the pistols of the day. Pirates back in they heyday used to carry a significant brace of pistols, and would keep pulling a new one for new targets. Eventually they would switch over to a sword.
Though an interesting idea would be throw anything, though I'm not sure how much damage you might get from a pistol used as a thrown weapon.
While not what I was originally going for, that is an awesome idea!
Another thought, are there any items that could help with retrieval? In a pinch, I would rather not leave 5,000gp of pistols behind. Are there any Mage Hand effect items?
You'll also be MAD as well as feat starved if you're wanting to mix it up in melee, unless you go dervish dance which comes with more feat taxes. Might be your best bet. Put off precise shot for a bit. Since you're hitting touch AC you can afford to. Pistolero gives you dex to damage for pistols so you really want that as high as possible.
Human pistolero
Dex 26: 20 to start, +2 from levels and +4 belt
1: TWF, Quick Draw
3: Weapon Finesse
4: Dervish Dance
5: PBS
7: Precise Shot
8: Deadly Aim
9: Clustered Shots
11: Imp TWF
Eventually you want to get revolvers if you can. That way you can use your iteratives. At 11th level you've got a possible 5 attacks per round. 6 with haste. You don't want to enchant 6 separate pistols. If you enchant two revolvers you can spend the first round shooting 4 with one hand and two with the other, then alternate for round two.
One cool thing with this build is you can twf with a pistol and scimitar. Shoot, 5' step, attack with sword.
Ok, here's another silly notion, but it has some downside (the slot taken). If you grab a blinkback belt, you can throw the pistol when done and it will be automatically teleported back to your belt as a thrown weapon. Hence no cleanup needed or loss of weapon.
Drbuzzard, your build is pretty awesome, and equally ridiculous as my Kung fu Pistolero.
TLO3, that is some solid advice, but not quite what I was hoping for. While that does lend itself to a numerically sound build, min-maxing isn't really my goal. And yes, revolvers would simplify things. I assume the GMs I usually play with wouldn't allow advanced firearms.
Here are the kinds of questions I would like answered.
Were one to attempt this TWF, Quick Draw Pistolero/Monk, how many levels of each class would be ideal to take, do you think?
Would there be any crossover between the two classes' abilities? Uses of Ki that would help the shooting? Uses of grit that would help the fist-fighting?
Also, any relevant items. In my current game I keep slapping my forehead because I just don't know about all the good items out there.
You'll also be MAD as well as feat starved if you're wanting to mix it up in melee, unless you go dervish dance which comes with more feat taxes. Might be your best bet. Put off precise shot for a bit. Since you're hitting touch AC you can afford to. Pistolero gives you dex to damage for pistols so you really want that as high as possible
If we're talking The Matrix, introduce mythic rules and use Mythic Weapon Finesse. You'll be just fine in melee.
I'd need to know what is allowed to come up with a specific build (point buy, allowed sources, level, etc.)
I honestly don't know why you are looking at monk since I don't see the crossover. Zen archer is great, but the abilities are tied to bows so they won't help you much.
OK, after thinking about it, I noticed the thread title (duh) and realize the martial arts angle. I might actually consider brawler over monk for the extra levels for the full BAB and the ability to pick up feats as needed (which seems rather Matrix).
Gunslinger 5 / Weapon Master Fighter 3 / Sohei 12 seems nice. Take Weapon Training in firearms from weapon master for the ability to Flurry with your pistols.
I agree, that sounds solid. Unfortunately, if he takes his pistolero levels first he won't be flurrying with pistols until level 14.
If he's allowed retraining, he could take TWF early on and get rid of it for the superior flurry of blows once he has access.
Hmm... Good ideas, everyone! Sohei's Ki Weapon and Brawler's feats and Close Combatant each sound like good alternatives to standard Monk.
As of now, were to actually play this, I may just go with Brawler. Close combatant gives a reasonable boost to unarmed combat, and taking the TWF feats seem less complicated than waiting to depend on a Flurry with my guns. Of course, I would still have to take Deflect Arrows at some point.
Neo: What are you trying to tell me? That I can dodge bullets?
Morpheus: No, Neo. I'm trying to tell you that when you're ready, you won't have to.
Why do I find this stupid idea so inviting?
because the first (and only ) movie was so damned cool
Pistolero 5/ Sensei 2/ Horizon Walker 10/ Sensei 2/ Pistolero 1 is another way to go if you want to dump strength. Focus on Dexterity and Wisdom and get an Agile AoMF if you are worried about unarmed damage. Has the benefit of qualifying for Dimensional Dervish at 13th. Get a wand of Unseen Servant and use it prior to battle to have the servant(s) pick up all the guns you drop. You might need a couple of them as they are not too strong, but at 750gp for 50 hour long castings it is a steal.
Also fits thematically with Equilibrium style martial arts with guns.