Hello everyone, my group is about to start its first proper pathfinder game after more than 15 years of D&D gaming (damn, I feel old), so we are obviously trying fresh options to do things that were not so easy or cool in 3rd and 3.5 editions.
The setting is kinda between renaissance and industrial revolution, but still somewhat "late medieval" in rural areas, so steamworks and firearms are quite common, although not yet without the misfire problems (so, early guns it is).
I do have clear concept in mind, a rich dwarf veteran musketeer or otherwise gunpowder-based warrior mounted on a trusty battle-ram with fancy barding and golden horse-shoes on its hooves. I am, however, pretty confused and in doubt by the many options to build it (cavalier, gunslinger, warrior, archetypes, dip or not dip, best feats), and I even considered doing a plain warrior and do it just with feats, but I am not sure it is feasible, or a good plan.
We are going to start at 4th level, and don't really have to worry about ability stats because we have a long standing agreement (more than 10 years, did I mention I feel old?) on having quite high stats (start with 13 in all abilities with free 1/1 switching, max 18 and min 8 before racial modifiers) and also pretty good items on character creation, but then our GM is entitled to have fun giving us hell. And he does.
So, I would really like any advice on the best way to build that, thanks in advance.
Spellscar drifter or Musketeer cavalier get guns and a mount. Dwarf FCB works well for a cavalier, getting 1/2 level to damage on a challenge.
Thanks for the input, it really seems that mounting and firearms kinda antagonize each other, being in terms of feat cost or class restrictions. The first thing that caught my eye was precisely the Cavalier Musketeer archetype, but guess what, you have to give up your mount class ability to take it, so no luck :(
The luring Cavalier, however seem to be a good choice for a firearm based character. I am concerned that firearms damage wont be on par with other characters unless you are a gunslinger to add Dex to damage by 5th level. I will look into spellscar drifter.
This Spellscar Drifter (or Dune Drifter, seem to be a variant name) seem like the exact hybrid between Gunslinger and Cavalier, looks good! beast Rider is also cool, except that it only gives a different mount by 4th or 7th level (so if I get it means no dip in any other class for now).
A Dire Ram is a CR 4 monster, and a Dire Goat is CR 3 but it is medium, and both of them are not nearly as OP as some options you get with beast master by 4 level, or with the monstrous companion feat (T-rex, ankylossaurus, even griffon). Animal and beast companions seem to have quite inconsistent combat power in the same level.
The Trench Fighter adds Dex to damage by level 3, that is also an interesting option.
It's been pointed out that you don't actually need a class feature in order to ride - buying a mount is viable. Straight musket master gunslinger is the shootiest of them all.
I was about to comment on another Mounted & Firearms build, Ranger with Trophy Hunter Archetype, choosing the Boon Companion Feat to bring the Animal Companion up to your level, but then I noticed one of its features also replace the animal companion option :(
it seemed a very good build because it would lead to an utility character, not just a combat focused one, with more skills and favored terrain (mountains and hills in my case). It would fit the concept nicely.
Its advantage over Dune Drifter is the fact that, by gaining the Amateur Gunslinger feat within the Firearms Style class feature, the Trophy Hunter can use ANY 1st level gunslinger deed, and you progress every 4 levels in gaining more deeds or grit feats (faster progression), while in contrast the the "Have a Gun" class feature of the Dune Drifter Gunslinger also gives the Amateur Gunslinger, but allows you to choose a single 1st level deed, and you progress gaining grit feats every 6 levels, and gain more deeds only after 9th level (much slower overall).
That said, I don't care a lot for the other features of the whole Trophy hunter archetype, but the Firearms Style is sweet for sure. Considering the setting is somehow technologically advanced, and the GM said firearms are quite common, do you guys think it would be much os stretch to ask to take just the Firearms Style and retain all regular ranger class features?
You could ask about taking the Firearm style (I'd allow it), but your missing out on dex to damage. I would try to get at least 5 levels of gunslinger and go the rest luring cavalier. Since you are starting at 4th level I'd go:
1. Cav
2. Cav
3. Gunslinger [ boon companion feat]
4. Gunslinger
Continue with gunslinger until you have 5 levels and go back to cavalier.
Luring Cavalier with Order of the Land. Dip 1 level of gunslinger for all the basic gun necessities or 5 levels to get dex to damage with guns (it's a big investment).
