Rules question: Aegis ranged attack during a full round attack. Advice?

[PHINIX]

I've got a player thats running an Aegis with the Astral Suit customization of "ranged attack" that reads:
Ranged Attack: The aegis gains the ability to propel a non-psionic crystal, formed from the astral suit, at a target as a ranged attack that deals 1d8 points of piercing damage and has a range increment of 30 ft. This attack can be used as part of a full attack, including using this attack for each attack in the full attack.

The two schools of thought being:
1: He can do his normal 3 attacks and add an additional ranged astral suit attack at the end of it, but he has the option to do up to 4 of the ranged attacks from his suit if he chooses. This is based on the "can be used as part of a full attack, INCLUDING using this attack for each attack in the full attack." meaning that the ability gives him that attack, but can also replace normal attacks.
2: He is able to do the ranged attack as an option for any part of his normal 3 attacks, but it doesn't grant an additional 4th attack which would have to be the suit attack if he chooses to use the suit attack during the full round attack.

Does anyone know if there has been a ruling (I've checked this site, the publishers site, and a few guides and come up empty handed. Also, if you could point me in a direction that would support either argument, we would very much appreciate it.

Thanks in advance for your time and any help you can provide in this matter.

PHINIX

[Falkyron]

This attack can be used as part of a full attack, including using this attack for each attack in the full attack.

You can use it in place of any attack roll.
Think of it like throwing a knife. It still provokes.

[PHINIX]

We aren't concerned about the provoking part so much as if in the current state he gets a 4th attack or not.
Your emphases is saying that he has the option to use it as part of his 3 attacks or all 3 of his attacks, not that he gains a 4th, correct?

[Sundakan]

It gives no extra attacks, because it does not say it gives extra attacks.

You can use it as part of a full attack (+6/+1 giving melee/ranged) or as your whole full attack (+6/+1 giving ranged/ranged).

[PHINIX]

Gotcha, part of his argument was that hes spending the customizations to get the ability so it would be on top of.

[Sundakan]

That's a bad argument. 1 point Customizations are not meant to be very strong.

Abilities in Pathfinder are always written with the intent that they do no more and no less than what they say. Any arguments from "But I think I should get more because..." are already outside the realm of the rules. It can be houseruled otherwise (I would not suggest it), but is not written with either the wording or intent to give an extra attack.

It's good to nip that kind of train of thought in the bud now, because letting the player get away with arguments like that to get more power will go nowhere good.

[PHINIX]

Well I appreciate the swift response everyone. I think this one is put to bed rather well.

PHINIX

[KahnyaGnorc]

As it is a ranged attack, he COULD get an extra attack by taking Rapid Shot, though.

[Sundakan]

That's true.

[Philo Pharynx]

Though if he does want an extra attack, the Crystal Warrior archetype lets him do this. They get a psicrystal that becomes part of the armor, and ranged and energy attack. At 7th level, the psicrystal becomes a gunner, using it's actions to shoot.