Gun Chemist - Eldritch Archer - Feasible?

[Minigiant]

Evening

I am embarking on DMing an Iron Gods campaign in four or so months' time once my group finish Wrath of the Righteous.

I have a player who has expressed interest in playing a multiclass Gun Chemist (Alchemist) - Eldritch Archer (Magus) in an 8-12 Split (We play expanded levelling)

I can't really see the synergy of the two or how it won't handicap the character.

Can you more learned folks share any wisdom on this matter

[Azothath]

possible, just poor mix due to class definitions and thus interactions (or lack thereof). This is a design issue with Alchemist that flowed into Investigator.
Is it worth fixing? No. Best to move onto another class.

Iron Gods AP is where Technologist feat may be required to escape the magical luddite 'year of the adamantium sword' outlook where PCs just want to destroy tech using existing magical means & classes.
IMO you need a lower Spell Level Recharge spell, so put that on your list along with reviewing Technology Guide and figuring out how this will fit in or be pointedly ignored.

[Derklord]

As always in such situations, I'd ask the player what they actually want.

I assume Ranged Spell Combat and/or Ranged Spellstrike is the main appeal here, in that case what is it they want to take levels in Gun Chemist for? There's a good chance a 1 (maybe 2) level dip and Spell Cartridges does what they're after.

There's also the chance they're after adding a bunch of d6 to a firearm attack and think this is a great way, in which case you should just explain to them that picking either class works better towards that goal.

Depending on the power level of the other characters, the multiclass here might also not be all that bad. Sure the spells are low level, but it should still work well enough as a martial character. Consider using Unchained's Fractional Base Bonuses.

[Mysterious Stranger]

The only thing that this combination has going for it is that both classes have the same casting stat. He might gain some advantages from the arcana and discoveries but that is overshadowed by the lower casting level on both classes.

From what I can understand he plans to go 8 levels of alchemist and 4 of magus. Having only 2nd level spells at a caster level of 4 is going to make his magus spells under powered. In addition to the damage being lower the spells will have a hard time dealing with spell resistance because of lack of caster levels. Also, due to using lower-level spells the DC of the saving throw will be lower. On the alchemist side not only is the alchemical ordnance doing less damage you are behind in your extracts. You are a full level behind in the level of the extract and the duration and power are 4 levels lower.

Both classes have a lot of level dependent class feature that are being delayed and weakened.

[Gronk de'Morcaine]

Derklord wrote:

As always in such situations, I'd ask the player what they actually want...

This.

Unless everyone in the party is doing unique sub-optimal builds, I would think he will be behind the rest of the group all the time.