Thoughts on spellslinger for Iron gods game.

[rorek55]

Gonna be playing in an Iron gods AP, and I wanted to try out the spellslinger wizard archetype. I have a build plan up to about level 11 and a general idea past that to 16. Any advice/thoughts are welcome.

Notes- we have power attack/combat expertise, weapon finesse, and deadly aim all for free. Also technologist will be a freebie feat.

Race Android
Stats-
Str: 11
Dex: 17 (+1 at 4)
Con: 14
Int: 19 (all other ASI)
Wis: 12
Cha: 06

Class- wizard (spellslinger) 5/Fighter 1/Eldritch Knight X

Traits: Magical Knack, Reactionary, ???

Feats-
1- PBS, Deadly Aim, Precise Shot (fighter)
2- EWP firearms(spellslinger)
3- Spell focus Evocation
5- Quickdraw?
6- Intensify Spell(?) or Quick Study? (wizard feat)
7- Weapon focus, Weapon specialization (EK feat)
9- Empower Spell
11- Selective Spell, Point blank Master (EK feat)
13- Quicken Spell
15- Spell Perfection, ???? (EK feat)

Opposition schools: Divination, Necromancy, Enchantment, Transmutation

at 16, I have, with 0 magic items-
HP: 132

BaB of 13

CL 16
7th level spells

level 17 (final) will be a level in wizard.

I will be using a mixture of illusion/abjuration spells for defense (quickened mirror image/long duration buffs etc) and evocation for offense with a fair helping of just full attacking with gun.

Its my first real attempt at a spellslinger gish, and I wanted to try something other than "magus".

[Name Violation]

honestly, the spellslinger archetype is bad.

you could replace the fighter 1 with gunslinger (techslinger)

[zza ni]

maybe get arcane strike for extra damage (and setting up for Spell Cartridges for when using spells isn't necessary)

[rorek55]

the archetype is bad if you are playing a wizard, which I'm really not all things considered. Having a potentially free +5 DC to most of my spells seems pretty nice. Though, gunslinger instead of fighter may be better indeed thanks to quick clear...

I could, if I wanted to be cheesy, take a level of sorcerer as well. (for +static spell damage) at the cost of 8th level spells, unless I can think of some way to get martial weapon proficiency

[zza ni]

well..since the gun doesn't say you can use the hand to cast spells you'd need a free hand. if all you want it 'martial weapons proficiency' i would suggest you take a level in the eldritch archer magus and have your gun as the bounded weapon. it should stack with your own gun.

with only 1 level you'd get:
- proficient with all simple and martial weapons
- Perception as a class skill
- Ranged Spell Combat : can cast a spell from magus spell list and shoot in the same round. and using the spellslinger you can shoot the magus spell via the gun (cantrips count too) so you can shoot twice as long as reloading is free action (with Spell Cartridges from above, or using two guns or other things that let you reload fast). the spell actually doesn't need to reload so only the normal shot would.
- arcane pool to enhance your weapon more if needed.
- you get cantrips that the spellslinger give up on.
- Ranged Weapon Bond: Holding her bonded item does not prevent the eldritch archer from providing somatic components for her spells.

so you can say, cast acid splash (from magus cantrips) with your gun (from the spellslinger), and then shoot your gun in the same round.
taking 2 levels would let you have ranged spellstrike to also deal gun damage with the acid splash spell.

[rorek55]

I plan to use a pistol+buckler, so having a hand free is a non issue.

Spell Cartridges is ridiculously OP and I doubt I'll be allowed to use it. If I was going to use this feat, I'd want to be a bloodrager.

and while you are not wrong, I did specifically want to stay away from the Magus class (because its honestly been my go to for a lot of builds recently)

[Faolán Maiali the Azure Abjurer]

In my Iron Gods game, I actually have a spellslinger/technomancer PC. They just entered Book 4 of the game. In fact, I remade/found maps for basically every part of the campaign up until that point using Other World Mapper. If your GM is interested in maps or some of the ideas/experiences I've had in my game, they can message me.

Don't know if it will help your build at all, but her build at level 10 is thus, functioning mainly as the party's tech expert in addition to support fire and support spells like haste:
Race: Ratfolk
Ability Scores
Str 11
Dex 22 (+2 enhancement from Wirejack Tendons)
Con 14
Int 24 (+4 from headband, +1 inherent)
Wis 16
Cha 11

Class Makeup: Techslinger (Gunslinger) 1/Spellslinger 5/Technomancer 4
Mythic: Archmage 3 (thought it would be fun to use mythic stuff in this campaign because reasons the GM will understand, albeit I watered it down so the party isn't completely broken)

Techslinger was taken at 1st-level for the Covet Charge deed.

Feats
1st: Technologist (wasn't free)
3rd: Point-Blank Shot
5th: Skill Focus (Knowledge: engineering); a requisite for the prestige class
Wizard 5: Craft Wondrous Item
7th: Precise Shot (given the touch nature of spells and tech firearms, this feat was able to be delayed a bit)
9th: Craft Technological Item
Mythic Feat: Favored Prestige Class (technomancer)
Extra Crafting Feats from nerfed version of Crafting Mastery mythic ability: Craft Magic Arms and Armor, Craft Wand

Traits: Black Powder Fortune, Highlander, Criminal (Disable Device)
Drawback: Vain

Main Skill Investment: Acrobatics, Craft (alchemy), Craft (mechanical), Disable Device, Knowledge (arcana, engineering), Linguistics, Perception, Spellcraft, Stealth
Skill Dips: Appraise, Knowledge (local)

Opposition Schools: Divination, Enchantment, Illusion, Necromancy (Illusion and Necromancy no longer opposition due to mythic ability Harmonious Casting)

[Zwordsman]

As another said.
I'm a big fan of ardcane strike, spell cart and improved spell cart.

That'll let you fire touch spells at a distance and range. AS well as allowing you to save ammo.

Do note i'd talk to your GM if technology guns are still firearms or not. If they stil count fully then spell carts will help preseve ammo while letting you use as needed. And use the increment and such of the weapon too. So there are some handy combos.

I'm actually pretty big on the shot on the run/spring jack stuff. Cover and mobility I found was quite nice. although dipping Samurai or Powdervaulter for cheap spring attack is a lot for a caster, so probably not worth it when you're also gonna be a caster.

[Azothath]

I'll chime in that I'm not a fan of the Wizard(Spellslinger) archetype either. It looks like you are taking it for specific reasons. Gunsmith, Mage Bullets(Su){dur:(SplLvl)min}, School of the Gun, then only 5 levels (I'd get out of it too) but I still don't think it's worth it.
Android is not a very good race. There are better choices. It DOES fit the theme of the AP.
Eldritch Knight prestige class to stitch things together. I think this is the real thrust of the character. The fighter dip is taken to meet the entry Requirement of proficiency with all martial weapons and the wizard archetype to cast 3rd level spells. Wizard casting down two levels at this point and down 4 schools.

Guide to Eldritch Knight partial in 2014.

I'd go a different route but I enjoy playing Wizards. There you're looking at Aasimar, Samsaran, Human, HalfElf, Elf, Kitsune, Wayang, Dhampir, Tiefling.

Classes that meet the Proficiency Requirement: Barbarian(CRB & Unc), Bloodrager, Cavalier, Gunslinger, Fighter, Hunter, Magus, Occultist, Oracle(Rvltn: Battle, Metal), Paladin, Ranger, Samurai, Skald, Slayer, Swashbuckler, Vigilante, Warpriest, Aristocrat-NPC, Warrior-NPC.
Prestige Classes that meet the Proficiency Requirement (some have restriction on race or BAB might be an issue): Esoteric Knight{Kinetic Blast}, Low Templar, Asavir, Holy Vindicator{Channel Energy}, Skyseeker(Dwarf/Adopted), Arcane Archer, Chernasardo Warden, Duelist, Golden Legionnaire, Pain Taster, Red Mantis Assassin, Noble Scion, Pit Fighter(Orc Ferocity/Rage/Adopted), Sentinel, Stalwart Defender.

Best Technomancer Race thread.
Best Classes for Android thread with some ideas.

Spellcasters and their problems thread with Eldritch Knight.
Eldritch Knight help thread.
Eldritch Knight build thread.