small question for the more mechanical minds here

[rorek55]

Very simple, I am making a inquisitor using a home brewn black powder domain.

It is as follows-

1- gain EWP firearm in one type of firearm, gain either gun smithing, precise shot, or point blank shot as a bonus feat

8- gain dex to damage with firearm of choice.

Now my question to you is simple

Should I go for a pistol or musket? Thematically doesn't matter. I'm talking pure mechanics here.

And which bonus feat is the best choice.

[JamesCooke]

What kind of tech are you looking at with firearms? Will you be stuck with Early Firearms for the entire game?

Well, not factoring criticals because the crit rate for both weapons is the same:
A Pistol's average damage roll is 4.5; Reloading takes a Standard Action; first range increment (to target touch) is 20 ft.; has a misfire of 1
A Musket's average damage roll is 6.5; Reloading takes a Full-Round Action; first range increment (to target touch) is 40 ft.; has a misfire of 1-2

It honestly depends on what you value more: reload speed/reliability(pistol) or extra range/damage
As for feats, could you be a bit more specific with what you're wanting to accomplish and how you want to play your character? There's no "objectively best feat" in 9/10 cases.

[boring7]

Musket can't do Free-action reloading (and thus iterative attacks) unless you get the special class feature that Musket Master has. Pistol can stack rapid reload with paper cartridges. Long-term, you want that free-action reload.

Range is an issue, but 40 ain't much better than 20.

[Fruian Thistlefoot]

Basically your hand waving a proficiency and getting agile on your chosen firearm.

You must have a very lenient DM.

Might as well add a feat that lets you attack touch ac. Deadeye feat.

[rorek55]

Ah, crossbow mastery is being used as "firearm mastery" later on (around 9) so either will reload well, and I meant which. Free bonus feat would be better to take from the homebrew domain?

Gunsmithing point blank shot, or precise shot?

The big issue with the musket is I'd be firing every other round until then. (Unless I make the misfire 1-3, and more expensive to shoot)

With the pistol I can hold off on rapid reload if need be.

Also flintlock so early firearms. At least until way latter.

[rorek55]

Fruian Thistlefoot wrote:

Basically your hand waving a proficiency and getting agile on your chosen firearm.

You must have a very lenient DM.

Might as well add a feat that lets you attack touch ac. Deadeye feat.

Idk, compared to other domains it still wouldn't be exceptionaly powerful, compared to the liberation domain/travel/

Besides the black powder Inquisition is already exsitant he just added the extra bits to make it a domain. (Because no one ever takes it, a dip into gunslinger is much better)

[rorek55]

I'll probably take the pistol in the end though, eventually distance enchant will extend it out to 40ft not as ideal as 80ft but it can also be hidden like a light weapon. The few times it matters.

[kestral287]

What starting level? What are your assets in terms of available feats, etc.?

[rorek55]

Its for CC, 1st level, the build itself is a little suboptimal but I'm fairly OK with this as the GM worked with me a bit. That I think it will come together nicely later levels.

Any non-3pp feats are open. But the main thing I was asking is which of the listed feats should I take? I get a choice of one of those 3 at 1 and that's that.

[kestral287]

rorek55 wrote:

Any non-3pp feats are open. But the main thing I was asking is which of the listed feats should I take? I get a choice of one of those 3 at 1 and that's that.

Right-- but long run you can take all of them. So it's a question of priorities, opportunity costs, and available assets.

This is the reason I ask:

Baseline, in your first nine levels you have five feats.

One will go to Rapid Reload. One will probably go to Firearms Mastery. One will go to Rapid Shot. One will probably go to Deadly Aim. That's four. So you can pick two of those three, because you have one open feat. Unless you're Human, then you can pick all three. Or you're dedicated to putting feats elsewhere, then it's less. Or you might get other bonus feats, etc.

That's the kind of stuff we need to know.

Default, I would tell you to take Point-Blank Shot and Gunsmithing at level one. However, Gunsmithing may become less important if you have an efficient gold source and access to an arcane caster who can pick up Mending for your weapon. Precise Shot may become more important if you're emphasizing Wisdom over Dexterity.

[rorek55]

if I could eventually craft (alchemy) my own ammo for 50% cost gunsmithing really loses its pull. (though 10% of normal cost off the bat is nice)

for the build as I have atm-
Dhamphir Inquisitor (specific flavor, non-negotiable except perhaps with half orc)
traits- fates favored, subject of study, ????? (either indomitable faith,reckless, reactionary ?)
drawback: oppressive expectations

stats-
Str: 08
Dex: 16 +2 (18)
Con: 14 -2 (12)
Int: 12
Wis: 15
Cha: 08+2 (10)

feats as planned-
1- point blank shot, ( precise shot)
3- deadly aim
5- Rapid reload
7- rapid shot
9- firearm mastery
11- clustered shots
13- many shot?
15- ???