PFS Gun Magus Help

[isdestroyer]

Hey everyone,

I would like some help with building a PFS legal gun-wielding magus. I know it's not an optimal combination, but I am married to the idea of using spellstrike with a gun, as I think it would be fun to play. I have read the Myrmidarch guide, but it has not been updated with the latest options. Because the Myrmidarch is a switch hitter, I will have a scimitar, but I want the focus to be on using the gun.

Here's what I'm thinking:

Human Gunslinger (Pistolero) 1/ Magus (Myrmidarch) 11
Traits - Reactionary, Magical Lineage (Snowball)
Str - 10
Dex - 16
Con - 12
Int - 18
Wis - 12
Cha - 07
Attribute Increases: 4th - Int; 8th - Int; 12th - ?
1: Gunslinger 1 - Deeds: Gunslinger's Dodge, Quick Clear, Up Close & Deadly; Grit; Gunsmith; Feats: Point Blank Shot, Rapid Reload (Pistols).
2: Magus 1 - Arcane Pool +1; Spell Combat; 1st Level Spells
3: Magus 2 - Feat: Precise Shot
4: Magus 3 - Arcana: Reach Magic (Arcane Accuracy, Close Range, Familiar, Spell Blending ?)
5: Magus 4 - Feat: Weapon Focus (Pistol); 2nd Level Spells
6: Magus 5 - Magus Bonus Feat: Improved Initiative
7: Magus 6 - Weapon Training (Firearms); Feat: Intensified Spell (for Snowball)
8: Magus 7 - 3rd Level Spells
9: Magus 8 - Feat: Weapon Specialization (Pistol)
10: Magus 9 - Arcana: Reach Spellstrike (Retrain Reach Magic?)
11: Magus 10 - Improved Ranged Spellstrike; Feat: Improved Critical (Pistol) (Point Blank Master?); 4th Level Spells
12: Magus 11 - Magus Bonus Feat: Point Blank Master (Pistol) (Greater Weapon Focus?)
Skills: Acrobatics, Craft (Alchemy), Knowledge (Arcana, Dundgeoneering, Engineering, Local, Planes), Perception, Sleight of Hand, Spellcraft, Survival. Some will not be max rank, but high enough.

These are my major questions:

Should I stay with human, or go with elf or half-elf for the 1/6th magus arcana FCB, gaining one arcana and losing one feat?

What spells would be best, and at which level (i.e. should I get snowball at magus 1, or wait until magus 2, scorching ray first, or mirror image)?

Is my feat/trait selection good, or have I missed better options?

I know that my overall damage will be lower than regular magus', but can this build be effective (as in, contributing to the scenario)?

Should I get a double pistol later on?

Thanks for any help you can give!

[Rhedyn]

Did the Myrmidarch ever get fixed so that it works as written?

[The Sideromancer]

I would look at Improved Critical. the multiplier on your gun does little fro your spells and, on average, 19-20/*4 is one of the most damaging options. I'd replace Weapon Specialization with it.

[isdestroyer]

@ Rhedyn, I wasn't aware of the archetype not working, can you elaborate?

@ The Sideromancer, I took Imp. Critical at level 11, due to BAB requirements.

[The Sideromancer]

And this is why I should read the entire thing...

[Kurald Galain]

Here, have a Magus handbook :)

Rhedyn wrote:

Did the Myrmidarch ever get fixed so that it works as written?

Nope. It still doesn't let you use spell combat with ranged weapons, and its ranged spellstrike ability only works with spells that are already ranged.

[Matt2VK]

Don't know anything about Gunslingers but will the Rapid Reload work with Spell Combat?

If possible, I'd go over your character mechanics with your PFS GM to make sure you're both on the same page.

Spells -
You're a range character, while having a decent defense is good, no real reason to buff it with "in Combat" spells. Save those spell slots for pure offensive spells. (You shouldn't need mirror image)

[isdestroyer]

I see what you guys are saying, the spell combat is still only for melee. Well, I guess I can just gimp my action economy, or forget the whole thing. This what really disappoints me about Paizo, their willingness to make and keep inferior rules and erratas. Why is the Eldritch archer banned in PFS, and not something like the Zen Archer?

[Matt2VK]

Doesn't Myrmidarch allow Spell Combat to work with Ranged Weapon Attacks?

I'm just not sure Rapid Reload will work with Spell Combat as Spell Combat is a full round action and requires one hand to be free for that full round.

I'd be interested in your build if you can get it to work.

[plaidwandering]

only spellstrike, not spell combat

[Kurald Galain]

Matt2VK wrote:

Doesn't Myrmidarch allow Spell Combat to work with Ranged Weapon Attacks?

Nope. Try either the Card Caster or the Eldritch Archer.