Cavern Sniper 2 / Bolt Ace 11

[Diminuendo]

I'm currently trying to get my girlfriend into Pathfinder, and after looking through the books she decided to be a Half-Elf for her first character, specifically a Half-Drow who wields Crossbows.

A Bolt Ace was the obvious choice for this, but something was missing - a Drow would never fight in a straightforward way.

After seeing the Drow Nobility feats, I saw a lot of power for a Half-Drow.

A lot of people might say that 3 feats arn't worth a handfull of level 0-3 spells, but when you arn't slowing your progression in a full BAB class, and getting to use those spells unlimited times a day, I think it could be a very strong combination. Especially when combined with the Cavern Sniper Architype.

The Light-Blindness could be an issue at early levels before her character gets access to Lenses of Darkness; as the GM I think I can have it come up enough for it to challenge her without being frustrating.

here is my suggested build for her

Nephys
Lawful Neutral Female Half-Drow

Drow Blooded and Drow Magic Racial Traits
Black Powder Bravado Trait

Level 1: Cavern Sniper - Half-Drow Paragon
Level 2: Cavern Sniper - Rapid Reload: Light Crossbow
Level 3: Bolt Ace - Drow Nobility

Level 5: Bolt Ace - Improved Drow Mobility
Level 6: Bolt Ace - Point Blank Shot
Level 7: Bolt Ace - Greater Drow Nobility

Level 9: Bolt Ace - Rapid Shot
Level 10: Bolt Ace - Precise Shot
Level 11: Bolt Ace - Clustered Shots

Level 13: Bolt Ace - need an idea

I need suggestions for two traits, (she will be taking a drawback) any feats alterations, and anything else anyone can think of.

I'm concidering encouraging her character to collect poisoning items over the course of her adventure.

..I just typed that all on a Wii U gamepad because my computer is broken - took forever...

[Jadeite]

Spamming deeper darkness will be extremely annoying for everyone. For the 11th bolt ace level, Signature Deed is the feat to take.

[Diminuendo]

I forgot compleatly about signature deed. Thanks.

Faerie Fire should mitigate the deeper darkness problem right?

[Jadeite]

Faerie Fire won't work. It's 1st level while Deeper Darkness is 3rd.

[N. Jolly]

Oh man, typing on a gamepad is rough.

First of all, getting to 5th level of Bolt Ace is paragon, don't take cave sniper before it. Like seriously, any other order you want to take things is fine, just don't skimp on getting dex to damage, it's pretty important.

[Diminuendo]

that works because Greater Drow nobility doesnt come online till level 7 anyway, thanks.

[SillyGuy]

Let's see: Cavern Sniper can be stacked with Mutation Warrior; the main benefit of Cavern Sniper is available at lvl 1 - Imbued Shots.

Deific Obedience - Asmodeus grants See in Darkness as (Su) ability at level 16.

Nephys
Lawful Neutral Female Half-Drow

Alternate Racial traits: Drow Blooded and Drow Magic

Traits: Indomitable Faith(+1 will), Reactionary(+2 initiative)

1/2-elf (Bolt Ace) Gunslinger 11 / (Cavern Sniper, Mutation Warrior) Fighter 5/ Gunslinger +4

15 PB:

10 STR 17 DEX 12 CON 8 INT 14 WIS 13 CHA

Traits: Reactionary(+2 initiative), Indomitable Faith(+1 will save)

1st: Deeds(Sharp Shoot, Vigilant loading, Gunslinger's dodge), Grit(2/2), Gunsmith; Gunsmithing, Half-Drow Paragon
2nd: Nimble +1
3rd: Deeds(Gunslinger Initiative, Pistol-Whip, Shooter's Resolve); Deadly Aim
4th: Rapid Reload(Light Crossbow), +1 DEX
5th: Crossbow Training(Light Crossbow); Point-Blank Shot
6th: Nimble +2
7th: Deeds(Dead Shot, Targeting, Distracting Shot); Precise Shot
8th: Rapid Shot, +1 DEX
9th: Crossbow Training(Heavy Crossbow); Improved Drow Nobility
10th: Nimble +3
11th: Deeds(Bleeding Wound, Vigilant Shooter, Inexplicable Reload); Signature Deed(Sharp Shoot)
12th: Imbued Shot, Mutagen, +1 DEX
13th: Silent Shooter +2; Greater Drow Nobility, Improved Critical(Light Crossbow)
14th:
15th: Quick and Deadly; Deific Obedience(Asmodeus)
16th: Sniper Training +2, +1 DEX
17th: WF(Light Crossbow), Snap Shot
18th: Crossbow Training(??? Crossbow)
19th: Nimble +4; Improved Snap Shot
20th: Deeds(Evasive, Slinger's luck, Pinning Shot), +1 DEX

[Diminuendo]

I like the way you think, but for her first roleplay I think Asmodius' obedience is a little hardcore.

Also worth mentioning about my games is anyone who meets the prerequisites gets Power Attack, Deadly Aim and Combat Expertise for free.

[SillyGuy]

Well, since you are the GM, that changes a few things;

RAW, a Bolt Ace Gunslinger still gets the "Gunsmithing" feat at 1st level and a battered gun despite mainly using crossbows;

I'd exchange

*the proficiency with firearms for proficiency with all crossbows(including repeating heavy/light crossbows, hand crossbow, and the (Minotaur) Double Crossbow);

*The Gunsmith class feature(battered Gun & Gunsmithing bonus feat)
with Crossbow Training at 1st lvl; this works as Gunslingers in a Guns Everywhere setting, adapted to crossbows.

It also allows her to deal okay damage with a crossbow at lvl 1

[insaneogeddon]

Your a genius ....

*The Gunsmith class feature(battered Gun & Gunsmithing bonus feat)
with Crossbow Training at 1st lvl; this works as Gunslingers in a Guns Everywhere setting, adapted to crossbows.

[insaneogeddon]

As guns in equipment section:

Guns Everywhere: Guns are commonplace. Early firearms are seen as antiques, and advanced firearms are widespread. Firearms are simple weapons, and early firearms, advanced guns, and their ammunition are bought or crafted for 10% of the cost listed in this chapter. The gunslinger loses the gunsmith class feature and instead gains the gun training class feature at 1st level.