Right, I'm back...again.
This time, I'm joining up with a 3-person group for another round of PF. I wanted to try using a Gunslinger, but I wanted to use the Bolt Ace in particular. I've asked my DM if he'll allow me to remove the Gunsmithing ability in exchange for either an early level version of Rapid Reload (or Rapid Reload as a bonus feat), or proficiency with all crossbows, since it seems like the class should have that anyway.
The idea I wanted to try was a Bolt Ace using one (or two!) heavy crossbows, though the idea of using a double crossbow past level 10 or so isn't something I'd mind trying. It just doesn't seem like it's really doable until level 11 or so, due to BAB and the number of attacks you can get.
So far, I know that Rapid Reload and Crossbow Mastery are musts, since it takes too long to reload the heavy crossbow without those. If I make a human, I can take Rapid Reload as a bonus feat, Point-Blank Shot as a level 1 feat, Rapid Shot for a level 3 feat, and Crossbow Mastery at level 5. That way, it'd be a free action to reload (regardless of the type used, according to the feat.) The issue with using two of the things is that I'd be taking a rather hefty penalty to hit...
Might I get some input/assistance with this? I sort of pictured the character as being a mute woman found in a bar before she joins the party, and one with a good potential for damage/ CC (namely, pinning some poor bastard to a wall. =P )
(Also, I know that longbows are more or less better in every way, so please don't tell me that.)
How you plan to reload?
The idea I wanted to try was a Bolt Ace using one (or two!) heavy crossbows, though the idea of using a double crossbow past level 10 or so isn't something I'd mind trying. It just doesn't seem like it's really doable until level 11 or so, due to BAB and the number of attacks you can get.
...Good point, actually. I forgot that it takes two hands to reload. XP Well, I'd still like to use at least one heavy crossbow. I just have the image in my head of this one big-ass crossbow. If I could get away with it, I'd use a large-sized one. =P
Well, if you can load as a free action,
-A two-level dip into alchemist will give you an extra arm or a tentacle that can explicitly load crossbows.
-Alternatively, once you're high enough level, a pair of gloves of storage lets you do it.
-Or you can maybe try to let your gm allow gun twirling to work with crossbows. It costs three feats though, one of which is gun twirling, one weapon focus, and another dazling display(which is pretty bad for you) so then again, might not be worth it.
-Lightning Switch from path of war is third party, but does what you need. Quickdraw is a prereq, but you might have that anyway.
I don't think any of the above are really good, mind you, but some of them are cool. If you must do a two-crossbow fighter, they're the way to go.
Well, I talked with the DM. He's letting me get proficiency with all crossbows in exchange for losing gun proficiency, and it's likely he'll let me lose gunsmithing in exchange for getting Rapid Reload as a bonus feat. I'll be using a large-sized heavy crossbow. It's not optimal, but it's GREAT for flavor. Also, he doesn't allow third-party stuff, so Lightning Switch is a no-go.
If you have any chance of backporting 3.5e material, the Great Crossbow from Races of Stone is a wonderful weapon. It's exotic, Deals 2d6 damage, and has an 18-20 crit range. It reloads like a heavy crossbow, and has a range of 120ft.
I can't seem to find a minotaur double crossbow on the SRD, Avoron? It's also unlikely that he'll allow porting. The group as a whole is very guarded about that kind of thing and third party material.
Remember that when you'll hit level 11 you'll get inexplicable reload, and since you'll have crossbow mastery you can reload without using an action (not even free). Since the default rule says that you need a *** action with two hands, you'll find yourself with reloaded crossbows at any time, without explanation, since you are bypassing the action.
Well, he actually approved the Minotaur Double Crossbow, so...woot! Also, I just realized how stupid it could get past level 11 if you dual-wielded Minotaur Doubles with Bolt Ace's "target touch AC" bit, assuming you got Signature Deed for it. You'd have to take GWF and Improved GWF, but...If I'm doing my math correctly, by that point, you'd get 3 attacks with the main weapon, and 2 attacks with the off-hand, albeit at a penalty. Due to targeting touch AC, it'd be a good deal easier to hit most enemies, as well...
I'm particularly tempted to use a Large-sized Minotaur Double. =P I'm just wondering if I can take the hit penalties for doing so and still hit reliably...We start at level 5, with 10,500 starting gold, on a 25-point buy.
So that's a BAB of +5, a Dexterity mod of...probably at least +4 or +5. I'll more than likely go human or tiefling/aasimar, and I get a bonus feat at level 4, so I'm sure I can take Precise Shot or Weapon Focus.
Hm...Maybe I should start with a medium one, and just see if I can up the size later on, since the DM gave me the equivalent of Gunsmithing, but with crossbows. I need to actually make the sheet first, so I can check my numbers...I wasn't planning on using Deadly Aim, though. If I do, it wouldn't be for a while.
Edit: I was also gonna take Signature Deed for the Touch AC thing Bolt Ace gets once I hit level 11. That way, I can always use it without expending grit.
Well, I'd want to use a Large-sized minotaur double crossbow if possible, but that'd be a lot of penalties.
-2 penalty for using it, and a -2 penalty for it being Large-sized on a medium-sized character. I can masterwork it easily, so that's a +1 bonus, but I'm not sure how accurate I'll be...
+5 BAB, +4 or 5 Dex mod, +1 Weapon Focus, and +1 for being Masterworked for a total of either +11 or +12 attack bonus, -4 for penalties...That'll leave me with a +8 to hit, and a damage of 2d6 + Dex mod per bolt, two bolts per attack. I was also thinking of putting one of the elemental enchantments on it, like Frost, so it's looking like a total damage per bolt of 2d6 + 4 or 5, +1d6 frost damage, with a +8 attack roll (+9 if I'm within 30 ft of the target, due to Point-Blank Shot).
If the attack is successful, the target takes the listed damage twice, although critical hits and precision-based damage are only applied to one of the bolts.