Request: gunblade specialist

[Solidchaos]

So I've been running the idea of a FF8 campaign in my head for a while and I realize the fighter class just doesn't capture the feel of Squall as a gunblade user, but I also suck at creating new classes. I was wondering if anyone has tried to create a special gunblade specced class either as base or prestige

[Nihilarian]

I'm not sure it's what you're looking for (the gunblade aspect didn't seem important to me) but I did in fact create a class based on FF8 (all the characters), that unfortunately had balance issues.

The Freelancer class began as an attempt to fix those issues before I decided that the concept of creating temporary materia deserved it's own class. I think it's still the closest; you equip the materia and it gives you spells, special abilities, summoned monsters and all those passive benefits. It just needs the right flavor (say "Junction" instead of "Equip" for example). Maybe I should write a section on adding in the FF8 flavor.

As far as the gunblade goes, most of the characters play pretty much the same when you get down to it, besides the limit breaks. Squall was probably the most different; He never missed, and I think he was unable to critical (instead having that trigger feature). It's been a while.

[Solidchaos]

While I do agree that your freelancer covers most aspects of FF8 (and 7 for that matter lol), what I was hoping for was a more unique class ability progression revolving around the gunblade specifically (stuff like firing a round to give the blade extra momentum to block with, expending a round after missing a melee attack to get a single ranged attack, that kinda thing)

I do appreciate your response even though it wasn't quite what I was looking for

[Creagán]

i happen to have a book that has gunblade specialist in it as a class. i can send it at request

[Solidchaos]

If you happen to be referring to the modern final fantasy, I also have it, in fact that's why I'd like to see it in viladen's system

[Nihilarian]

what book is this?

[Creagán]

im currently working on making a complete campaign setting using all my resources including stuff from this site. Nihilarian, would you like a copy? it is the d20 modern final fantasy gamma version. this is not the book i wrote. mine is going to be entitled: final fantasy 15. i think square enix is on 14 though im not sure. anyway its a working title. i could use a bit of help naming it.

[Nihilarian]

Certainly.

[Creagán]

Certainly.

private message me and ill get it to you. i dont want to just post it in the thread

[Nihilarian]

why not?

[Nihilarian]

Question: What would everyone like from a gunblade specialist? I'm considering making an archetype for it (either Fighter or Gunner, or both) and I'd like some specifics. It wouldn't come out until Vil updated the Gunner, though.

[Solidchaos]

Hmm, primarily some abilities that would grant extra attacks by firing the Gunblade in between swings (think flurry of blows), a way to increase either crit range or multiplier by firing the Gunblade. That's all I can think of ATM.

[Marc_Wilkinson]

How about having the gunblade specialist be an advanced class with prerequisites deriving from both gunner and fighter? (assuming advanced classes are allowed in Vil's system, if not then a prestige class with character level 3 as a prerequisite).

[Nihilarian]

I'd rather make it an archetype.

[ZeronosVega]

Given the recent transition to a Pathfinder base, a class archetype seems more fitting than a class dedicated to using a particular weapon. I mean, what would really be something that an advanced class would do that is so different from a fighter (or gunner, even)?

[Marc_Wilkinson]

That's fair enough. I have little experience with archetypes so I'll have to brush up and get back to you all on this.

[ZeronosVega]

In a nutshell, Class Archetypes are specializations within a specific class, usually by means of replacing class features. So, you can have a rogue which may specialize in poisons while another might want to emphasize stealth.

The thing to remember with making advanced/prestige classes is that you try and make sure that the abilities of this class are truly an advancement of the base class, but generally driven in a newer direction. Again, what would make a Gunblade Specialist class so different from a Fighter (or Gunner) that could require a whole new class?

[Marc_Wilkinson]

In a nutshell, Class Archetypes are specializations within a specific class, usually by means of replacing class features. So, you can have a rogue which may specialize in poisons while another might want to emphasize stealth.

The thing to remember with making advanced/prestige classes is that you try and make sure that the abilities of this class are truly an advancement of the base class, but generally driven in a newer direction. Again, what would make a Gunblade Specialist class so different from a Fighter (or Gunner) that could require a whole new class?

Good point. I think a good starting point to look at when creating the archetype would be to look at talents, feats, and class features from other systems that allow the player to maximise both melee and ranged attacks in a single round of combat. One that sticks out for me would be the Attack Combo (slash and burn) feat (I think that's what its called, I'll check) from the Star Wars Saga Edition system.

[Nihilarian]

Indeed.

I'm not saying that a PrC can't happen, but if it does it probably won't be so specific as to require both fighter and gunner. It might not require either.

---

Squall uses it as a melee weapon, so I think fighter has more to give than the gunner here.

For the flurry of blows part, the fighter talents Rain of Blows and Storm of Blows, and the feat Gunblade Expertise all provide ways of doing just that. I have a few ideas for criticals though.

Do Storm of Blows and Gunblade Expertise stack? Gunblade Expertise is a bit different from most bonus attacks.