Advice on an Inquisitor / Gunslinger multiclass

[ParagonDireRaccoon]

I'm working on an Inquisitor/Gunslinger around level for an NPC bad guy. The Inquisitor's bane ability combined with a Gunslinger should make a fairly dangerous combo. Any suggestions on how to make it effective?

[Gilarius]

Which level?

You need level 5 in gunslinger (pistolero is best), to get Dex to damage (or go to level 11 for signature deed in Up Close and Deadly on a pistolero).

Then take levels of inquisitor.

You can get:
1d8 + Dex + 2d6 bane + 2d6 up close and deadly +2 judgement + weapon bonus + 1 precise shot + any other stuff like flaming per shot.

[ParagonDireRaccoon]

Thanks Gilarius! The NPC needs 5 levels of inquisitor to get the bane ability, which is 1 rd/level of inquisitor but that's plenty for one encounter. With cunning initiative to add both wis and dex to initiative and dex to damage a small creature could be a formidable opponent. Would you recommend pistolero 7/ inquisitor 5 for a level 12 bad guy?

[Jadeite]

A straight pistoleer 12 will be deadlier. With Up Close and Deadly and Signature Deed, all of his attacks will deal an extra 3d6 points of damage.
Make him level 13 and he can abuse double-barelled pistols without misfire.
The best race for Gunslingers is probably Kasatha.

[LoneKnave]

You could replace gunslinger with the Trench fighter so he gets DEX to damage earlier, and has more inquisitor levels.

[Renegadeshepherd]

My honest advice would be to not do it. Now having said that there is a deityCixyron I think, that gives prof in musket. Depending on if the NPC is supposed to be a one man wrecking crew, a group supporter because he's the boss, a charming pirate, or what not its possible to go straight inquisitor. Will never be a great damage dealer compared to straight gunslinger ger but there are options here.

[Gilarius]

Kasatha is indeed the best race, but can lead to accusations of being too cheesy. 4 arms allows them to wield 2 pistols and be able to reload both while also using eg a shield.

If you wouldn't let a player play one, I wouldn't use it.

Goblin gunslingers are excellent, or tieflings with a prehensile tail.

How do you intend to use this npc? As a hit and run sniper? As a leader of minions? If it's a lone enemy, it won't last long unless it has a way to keep melee types away from it.

Range of pistols becomes an issue if the gunslinger needs to survive more than one round. Even with a gun with the Distance enhancement, it might need to use a musket, which means no Up Close and Deadly.

[ParagonDireRaccoon]

Thanks! The NPC will be part of a group of bad guy NPCs. I'm working on an adventure that is half reverse dungeon. The players will be fighting their way to the dragon's lair to defeat the dragon and recover an artifact, while a group of bad guys is taking a different route to fight the dragon and get the artifact. The players will control the monsters fighting the bad guy NPCs for half the encounters. I'm thinking goblin or tiefling inquisitor/gunslinger, a half orc THF urban ranger as a tank/trap guy, a CN duel-talented human cleric who channels both negative and positive energy, and a gnome sorcerer built around dazing spells. Straight gunslinger or straight inquisitor might be better than multiclassing. If the NPCs are level 12 or 13 the I/G could have 5 or 5 levels of inquisitor with 5 or six rounds of bane weapon, so the players could try to force the I/G to use up those rounds fighting the monstes they control.

[Renegadeshepherd]

It's late and going to sleep but here's a late night thought..... Pure inquisitor gets greater bane.

[Gilarius]

Pure inquisitor will be more versatile since he could do melee better and you have a Sorceror for ranged support.

On the other hand, a gunslinger can kill dragons really well if the dragon is in a confined area and unable to do flyby breath weapon attacks.