Gulch Gunner(Pistolero) + Musket Master

[TheOddGoblin]

Do Gulch Gunner and Musket Master stack? Or for that matter Pistolero and Musket Master?

I have a concept in mind of a switch-hitter type of character who uses a Musket Axe as his primary long-range weapon and the charges to close in on enemies, and two weapon fights with the musket axe as a battle axe and a double barrel pistol in his off hand. Is this functionally a viable character?

[kestral287]

No. Not even close.

There are four class features that both alter.

[TheOddGoblin]

Darn...

Is there any way to make this kind of concept useable aside from mixing archetypes? Maybe Musket Master + Savage Technologist?

Would the Dex to damage only apply to the musket or would it also apply to the pistol(s) he uses up close?

[kestral287]

Your best option seems to be... a regular Gunslinger. That can use whatever guns you want.

TWF is a bad strategy for Gunslingers since you need to be able to reload. Can't do that with both hands full.

Since the Musket Master explicitly calls out two-handed firearms, no, you don't get Dex-to-damage with a pistol.

[TheOddGoblin]

Savage Technologist would counteract that by allowing it to apply to any weapon while in a rage. I'll have to tinker around with the character a little bit and see if I can come up with something I like for him.

[kestral287]

That raises the question of why you're bothering with Musket Master at all.

If all you want is Dex-to-damage with firearms, just take Technologist to 20. There's close-to-zero value in wasting levels taking both.

[TheOddGoblin]

I suppose that's true, I guess I just wanted the added benefits from the Gulch Gunner, or the Musket Master's quicker reloading. Technologist might end up being better without having to worry about the class dipping. I'll give it a think.

[kestral287]

Musket Master's reloading is negligible. Alchemical ammunition + Rapid Reload = free action reload, available to anybody.

Pistolero's damage output is going to be massively better if you take it straight. 11th level Pistolero gets +3D6 damage per shot at all times (which, at that level, is up to +30D6 total between a full attack sequence, Haste, Rapid Shot, and double-barreled guns), which is going to be massively better than Technologist 5/Pistolero 6, boosted Dex or no.

You can make a case for going Gunslinger 20, with or without an archetype, and you can make a case for going Technologist 20. Or even Techonologist 5/Trench Fighter 15 or some such. But mixing Technologist and Gunslinger doesn't work well.