Gun Mage (3.5e Prestige Class)

Gun Mage

An evoker/gun mage. Art by Stanley Lau.
Rating:	17.75 out of 20
Power:	5 out of 5 by 2 users
Wording:	4.25 out of 5 by 2 users
Formatting:	4 out of 5 by 2 users
Flavor:	4.5 out of 5 by 2 users
	(Rate this class)
Status:	In Construction
Editing:	Constructive edits welcome

[edit] Gun Mage

Gun mages are magic-users. They have the capability of infusing their special Magic Guns with arcana, allowing them to perform awesome feats.

[edit] Becoming a Gun Mage

Those who choose to follow the path of the Gun Mage are usually those who have knowledge and access to black powder and other fire arms or accessories, often amongst the arcane the mystery of the powder can draw them in. Part alchemist and part archer the thrill of honing the power of ones arcane talent into a single pin point shot can be more than some can avoid. The greatest challenge is the crafting of the gun, those who become Gun Mages pour themselves into the crafting making it more then just an arcane firearm but also a work of art. In all the worlds and all the lands no two magic guns will ever be alike and usually price very high in almost any market for the craftsmanship alone. While the challenge of crafting the gun is what initially draws the arcane spell caster to this class it is the thrill of using it and mastering the techniques to use it properly that makes the mage pursue the warrior classes, mostly Gun Mages will pursue the fighter class as it has the abilities and feats required to master the art of the firearm in combat. It has been known for other to pursue the ranger or even the paladin class but this is more due to the alignment of the individual rather then the pursuit of firearm mastery. For a Gun Mage certain feats and abiliites can play a large role in their mastery of the firearm, often adaptations of archery feats are required as well as some that are tuned especially for firearm use.

[edit] Class Features

All of the following are class features of the Gun Mage:

Spellcasting: At each level, you gain new spells per day and an increase in caster level (and spells known, if applicable) as if you had also gained a level in a spellcasting class to which you belonged before adding the prestige class level. You do not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained. If you had more than one arcane spellcasting class before becoming a Gun Mage, you must decide to which class to add each level for the purpose of determining spells per day, caster level, and spells known.

Magic Gun: When he takes his first level in the prestige class, the Gun Mage crafts a supernatural weapon called a Magic Gun. The Magic Gun total enhancement score is equal to his Gun Mage class level and may be spent as he sees fit up to +5. He may also upgrade his Magic Gun himself whenever he gains a new level in Gun Mage. Both enhancement bonuses stack. So creating a +10 Magic Gun costs only as much as a +5 Magic Gun, but it's only a +10 Magic Gun (or lower if the Gun Mage was lower level) in a Gun Mage's hand. A Gun Mage does not need to pay any gp or XP for his magic gun. If the Magic Gun is ever broken, the Gun Mage loses 500 XP and may take a week to craft another one. The Gun Mage is considered to have proficiency with his Magic Gun. (see also: Magic Rifle, Magic Pistol).

Imbue Bullets (Sp): A Gun Mage can use a standard action to cast any known touch spell and deliver the spell through their Magic Gun with a ranged attack. Casting a spell in this manner does not provoke attacks of opportunity. The spell must have a casting time of 1 standard action or less. If the ranged attack is successful, the attack deals damage normally; then the effect of the spell is resolved. The bullets must be fired in the round the spell is cast, or the spell is wasted. The bullet must be fired with the Gun Mage's Magic Gun.

Channel Spell Power (Su): Instead of using a bullet, a Gun Mage of 2nd level or higher may use his own magic power. As a standard action, by expending a spell slot, he may create a bullet made of pure magical energy. The bullet deals +2d6 Damage per level of the spell slot expended. The bullet may not, however, score critical hit.

Evasion (Ex): At 3rd level and higher, a Gun Mage can avoid even magical and unusual attacks with great agility. If he makes a successful Reflex saving throw against an attack that normally deals half damage on a successful save, he instead takes no damage. Evasion can be used only if the Gun Mage is wearing light or no armor. A helpless Gun Mage does not gain the benefit of evasion. If he already has Evasion from another source, the Gun Mage gains Improved Evasion instead.

Mana Potential (Su): At 4th level, the Gun Mage is more potent at concentrating his magical power. Now he may benefit from extra spell slots equal to 1/4 his Gun Mage level (rounded down, minimum of 1) for each spell level he is able to cast. These Spell slots can only be used on Imbue Bullets or Channel Magic Power. Once his spell slot reserve is depleted, he must use actual spell slots. The spell slot reserves regenerate each day. For example, a 8th level Gun Mage would gain 2 extra virtual spells slots for each level of spells he can cast.

Bonus Feat: At 6th level, the Gun Mage receives a Fighter Bonus feat and is considered to be a 6th level Fighter for the purposes of determining feat prerequisites.

Spell Critical (Su): At 8th level, the Gun Mage gains the ability to score critical hits when using Channel Spell Power. In addition, the Gun Mage, when using Channel Spell Power, may expend an additional spell slot to increase the Magic Gun's critical multiplier by +1. The maximum critical multiplier the Magic Gun can posses, in addition to this ability, is equal to 1/2 the Gun Mage's level.

Mana Beam (Su): At 10th level, the Gun Mage gains the ability to channel the full extent of their power into a single devastating blast. As a standard action, the Gun Mage may expend a single spell slot and unleash a powerful beam. The Gun Mage must succeed on a ranged touch attack or waste the ability and the slot he expended. If the beam hits, the Gun Mage deals 12 force damage per level of the spell slot expended.

[edit] Campaign Information

[edit] Playing a Gun Mage

Combat: The Gun Mage fulfills the role of both spell caster and ranged fighter, by combining these two elements the Gun Mage can become a fearsome opponent in any party. But the Gun Mage is no front line warrior and is only capable from a distance, by using the guns range to deliver area of effect spells can effectively support the party and use their own unique abilities to rain down on any opponent.

Advancement: Most Gun Mages combine the wizard or sorcerer class with any warrior class to maximize their spell casting and combat abilities, Typically they combine the wizard and fighter classes to allow a greater selection of feats to suit the ranged combat appeal of this prestige class.

Resources: While the Gun Mage prestige class is somewhat rare on any world when two meet they often have much to speak of, many of them act as if children with big toys sharing their unique perspectives and stories of combat. The largest interaction of course is the comparison of weapons as each shows off the unique designs of their craft, if possible may times they will share in weapon supplies and what ever else is to spare and even the swapping of spells is common.

[edit] Gun Mages in the World

Gun mages are mages using special guns, they tend to be treated the same way other mages or gun-wielder does.

NPC Reactions: Mages' haters and guns' haters hate them. Otherwise folk remain neutral to them, generally.

[edit] Gun Mage Lore

Characters with ranks in Knowledge (Arcana) can research gun mages to learn more about them. When a character makes a skill check, read or paraphrase the following, including information from lower DCs.

[edit] Gun Mage in the Game

Gun Mages are mages using gun to deliver their spells, some are more audacious than other mages. But they are still spellcasters and know their place... the top.

Adaptation: Campaign without guns make this class rather pointless.

Sample Encounter: COMING SOON

EL whatever: COMING SOON

Back to Main Page → 3.5e Homebrew → Classes → Prestige Classes