Pirates have both the option of a high level overall, as well as a common top+bottom combo as a source of str, dex, or both. Top+bottoms are generally pretty rare and often expensive, but the reality is that they are much more potent in terms of total stats than an overall. A top+bottom combo allows for much lower base str, as neither equipment require a high amount of str like the high level pirate overalls. If you can find both pairs, a top+bottom combo is recommended over an overall. A lot of people also ask about bullets, like how to find them, how expensive they might be, etc. I'll address those issues here.

First off, bullets come in sets and are rechargeable, just like stars. And just like Claw Mastery, Gun Mastery increases the amount of bullets you can carry in a set. Unlike stars, bullets have level requirements and carry much more in a set by default [1200+ per set for lvl 30 bullets, and 3000+ for lvl 110 bullets]. They're available in 20-level increments starting at 10, as in there are lvl 10 bullets, then lvl 30, lvl 50, all the way up to lvl 110. Lvl 10 bullets are sold in all potion shops, and each advancing bullet drops from at least one monster that is commonly trained on [i.e. wild boars, v/hoodoos, duals]. Gunslingers are a low-populated class in other versions, so bullet prices should fall fairly low in GMS over time. Also note that Blaze/Glaze capsules are bullets that are only usable with Fire Burner and Cooling Effect respectively, and that even then the capsules are optional [the elemental skills can be used w/o capsules, but they lose half their attack power]. The following links show descriptions and images of Gunslinger equipment:

• Picture of all Knuckles/Guns/Bullets
  
• Complete List of Bullets
  
• Complete List of Stats, Descriptions, and Availability: Guns
  
• Complete List of Stats, Descriptions, and Availability: Overalls
  
• Complete List of Stats, Descriptions, and Availability: Hats
  
• Complete List of Stats, Descriptions, and Availability: Gloves
  
• Complete List of Stats, Descriptions, and Availability: Shoes
  

Gunslinger Damage Formulas
Max = [(DEX * 3.6 + STR) / 100] * Weapon Attack
Min = (DEX * 0.9 * 3.6 * Skill Mastery + STR) / 100 * Weapon Attack

Formula for Battleship Endurance [HP]
[(Skill Level * 4000)] + [(Character Level - 120) * 2000]

This formula is currently being used, but will be replaced with a new formula in the skill update patch. What this formula is, we do not know yet.

Tested Attack Speeds
Double Fire = 144 shots/minute
Invisible Shot = 87 shots/minute
Triple Fire = 87 shots/minute
Rapid Fire = 500 shots/minute (approx. 8 bullets/second)
Battleship Cannon = 95 shots/minute
Battleship Torpedo = 77 shots/minute

Miscellaneous Numbers
Standard Octopus Summoning Limit [Lvl 1-10] = 1 at a time
Standard Octopus Summoning Limit [Lvl 11-20]= 2 at a time
Standard Octopus Summoning Limit [Lvl 21-30] = 2 at a time
Support Octopus Summoning Limit [Lvl 1+] = 3 at a time

DPS Comparisons
[Format: (Damage % * # of hits) / Time it takes to cast in seconds = total Damage Per Second]

Single-target
Triple 20 = (210% * 3) / .69 = 913.043%/sec
Rapid 1 = 102% / .12 = 850%/sec
Rapid 05 = 110% / .12 = 916.667%/sec
Rapid 30 = 160% / .12 = 1333.333%/sec

3-mobbing
Invis 30 = (170% * 3) / .66 = 772.727%/sec
Cooling 26 = (122% * 3) / 1.05 = 348.571%/sec
Cooling 30 = (130% * 3) / 1.05 = 371.428%/sec
Burner 30 = (160% * 3) / 1.05 = 457.143%/sec
Burner 30 + element = (160% * 1.5 * 3) / 1.05 = 685.714%/sec
Burner 30 + Triple 20 = ((160% * 3) + (170% * 3)) / (.6 + .66) = 860.465%/sec
Burner 30 + Triple 20 + element = ((160% * 1.5 * 3) + (170% * 3)) / (.6 + .66) = 1046.512%/sec
Burner 30 + Cooling 26 = ((160% * 3) + (122% * 3)) / (.6 + .6) = 705%/sec
Burner 30 + Cooling 26 w/o glaze capsule = ((160% * 3) + (122% * 0.5 * 3)) / (.6 + .6) = 552.5%/sec
Burner 30 + Cooling 26 + fire element = ((160% * 1.5 * 3) + (122% * 3)) / (.6 + .6) = 905%/sec
Burner 30 + Cooling 26 + fire element + ice resist = ((160% * 1.5 * 3) + (122% * 0.5 * 3)) / (.6 + .6) = 752.5%/sec

6-mobbing
Cooling 26 = (122% * 6) / 1.05 = 697.143%/sec
Cooling 30 = (130% * 6) / 1.05 = 742.857%/sec
Burner 30 = (160% * 6) / 1.05 = 914.286%/sec
Burner 30 + element = (160% * 1.5 * 6) / 1.05 = 1371.429%/sec
Burner 30 + Triple 20 = ((160% * 6) + (210% * 3)) / (.6 + .69) = 1232.558%/sec
Burner 30 + Triple 20 + element = ((160% * 1.5 * 6) + (210% * 3)) / (.6 + .69) = 1604.651%/sec
Burner 30 + Cooling 26 = ((160% * 6) + (122% * 6)) / (.6 + .6) = 1410%/sec
Burner 30 + Cooling 26 w/o glaze capsule = ((160% * 6) + (122% * 0.5 * 6)) / (.6 + .6) = 1105%/sec
Burner 30 + Cooling 26 + fire element = ((160% * 1.5 * 6) + (122% * 6)) / (.6 + .6) = 1810%/sec
Burner 30 + Cooling 26 + fire element + ice resist = ((160% * 1.5 * 6) + (122% * 0.5 * 6)) / (.6 + .6) = 1505%/sec

Conclusions

• Rapid Fire is equally as fast as Hurricane.
  
• Rapid 05 is the min. level where Rapid Fire's DPS outperforms Triple Fire's DPS. In the recent balance patch, rapid fire's table is tweaked so rapid fire out damages burst fire at level 1.
  
• Triple 20 always outperforms Invis 30. Pretty straightforward, since they both hit 3 times max and 210% > 170%.
  
• Burner 30 is only worth using over Triple on mobs of 4 or more, and then only in combination with another skill.
  
• When 3-mobbing, max Invis always yields higher DPS than max Burner alone, even with elemental advantage.
  
• When 3-mobbing, max Burner has higher DPS than max Invis only if it is alternated with another skill [Triple 20, Cooling 26, or Fake 30].
  
• When 6-mobbing, or using attack-like-a-bandit method in general, the best combo to use is Burner 30 + Cooling 26.
  
• If you don't have high level Cooling, or don't want to carry glaze capsules, then the next best is Burner 30 + Triple 20.
  

[huge thanks to sapphire8 for the DPS calculations ]

It's pretty straightforward in first job: max your only attack first and then work on the skill that gives you speed. Remember that Dash can be activated by double-tapping the left or right arrow key, and that it's deactivated if you change directions or stand still for too long. Quick Motion is maxed third. Somersault kick is added last, and left at 11. Since a Gunner's main stat is DEX, the acc and avoid boosts from Quick Motion are minimal and unnecessary in comparison. As the balance patch has made it so guns NEVER whack, somersault kick is useless in pretty much every situation.

The SSK-first build aims to optimize leveling speed via mobbing. It can be left at 11 or maxed, but if you plan to give up toting a gun in favor of acrobatic mobbing, it's recommended to go the distance and max out SSK completely. Those who follows this build are advised to equip high-weapon attack items, i.e. a warrior weapon like a spear as your weapon of choice. Russt coined the term "Spearslinger" for players who favor SSK first. If you go this build, you can set Double Fire aside to be maxed later on, or even last.

Even after the balance patch, maxing SSK is important, as it will speed up your 2nd job training especially once you hit subway PQ as you don't have any other mob skill. It's very easy to get 60% per PQ if you have a mobbing move.

First point goes into Invis Shot to take advantage of its 3 monster hits, which will almost entirely replace Double Fire as your main attack while training. Then max Mastery to receive a much-needed boost to your low minimum damage and increase your bullet capacity (very important). Next it's max Invis Shot, which powers up your ability to mob-attack 3 monsters with terrific vertical range. Next, raise Booster to 6. Booster at 60 seconds will significantly increase your Invis Shot firing speed, more so than with Double Fire, and it allows you to train faster overall. Keep in mind that damage is more important than speed, which is why 6 Booster comes after max Mastery and max Invis. After that comes a boost of mobility from 5 Wings and max Recoil Shot, which acts like a nerfed version of Hermits' Flash Jump. Unlike FJ, Recoil is an attack (deals 260% damage), it can't be spammed (1ish second cooldown), and it shoots you backward instead of forward (hence the name). Wings is then finished off for added mobility, since the Recoil Shot/Wings combo is a great way to travel quickly and it's pretty fun to use. Blank Shot is maxed afterward in order to provide you with a stun skill, which can be used alone or as a combo with Invis against 3 monsters. Booster comes after. Once you max Booster, Grenade is the only skill left, but since it's obsolete and useless compared to other mobbing options, your next 9 points will go to maxing Bullet Time for that 9 extra avoid. A permanent stat boost will help you more than a skill that has no uses. Grenade is the lowest priority 2nd job skill, since it needs good aiming ability to work decently, has no range unless the key is held down (preventing Bomb from being spammable), and isn't affected by mastery or the attack from your bullets. It's more efficient to stun with Blank Shot and spam Invis Shot.

All builds start with maxing Burst Fire, which should always be first because it's much stronger than max Double Fire, even at level 1. Its damage is consistently high and serves as your main attack until 4th Job.

Next, 1 point is slapped on Gaviota because it's half as strong as it is at level 30, so it's really worth that 1 point. Many Outlaws have told us about the usefulness of lvl 1 Gaviota, which we highly underestimated, even though anything over level 16 is a huge waste of points. Gaviota is one of few skills that have no cast time whatsoever. You can cast it in the middle of a burst fire, so your damage only goes up by casting it. However this becomes futile later on, as gaviota won't change your HKO at all. Splitter is maxed afterward because it's a great mob-control move and it freezes. This is amazing at the windraider maps. Flamethrower is placed after Splitter so you can use the Splitter/Flamethrower mobbing combo. 1 Homing Beacon is added at 105 simply for its advantage in fighting bosses. Gaviota and Homing Beacon are the lowest skills on the importance scale, which is why they're maxed last. Gaviota only offers minimal assistance while bossing, but the extra damage still makes Gaviota worth using at jr. newties among other places.

Some may question why FT is left at 26 instead of maxed, while IS is maxed. The 4 points both add very little amounts of damage to each skill, with flamethrower getting more out of the 4 points. Why IS is maxed is because while the extra damage may not do anything towards HKO, you'll use it your entire career anyway. FT isn't used as much.

Core Skills
Elemental Boost
Wrath of the Octopi
Rapid Fire
Bullseye

Battleship
Talk to Kyrin. Then select the second option to fight her. Survive for 2 minutes and you will be given the skill.

Cannon/Torpedo
Defeat 150 Spirit Vikings and Gigantic Spirit Vikings, respectively, and collect 50 of their special etc. drops. Cannon requires the drops from Spirit Vikings and Torpedo requires the drops from Gigantic Spirit Vikings.

Hypnotize
Talk to the girl in the Training Room inside the Nautilus. Then pick the second option to be transported to a special area. There are 3 mini-jump quests here. The jumping isn't difficult, but there are the pink and blue Mu Lung snakes in the way. If you touch one, you have to restart from the very beginning of the jump quest. When you get to the end, click the NPC and you will be transported to another special map where you must protect the NPC from sage cats, book ghosts, and peach monkeys. Afterwards, you are given the skill.

Air Strike
There are 3 parts to this quest. You first start it by talking to Bart then Lord Jonathan.
Part 1
A quiz. The questions change every time. Just guess if you don't know and wait until you get one that you do know.
Part 2
You will be sent into a room with 9 Bart NPCs. Nexon did not fix the translation so when you whack one of the NPCs, you'll get ? text. Just whack them until you get the right one.
Part 3
This works just like Guild Party Quest Stage 1, except there are only 6 statues. You do 4 statues, 5 statues, and 6 statues.
Afterwards, you are given the skill.

Maple Warrior: Skillbook - QUEST | 20 - Horntail
Elemental Boost: 20 - Rexton, Pianus | 30 - ? (unlisted)
Wrath of the Octopi: 20 - Risell Squid, Pianus
Air Strike: Skillbook - QUEST | 20 - Zakum | 30 - Horntail
Rapid Fire: 20 - Dark Cornian, Manon | 30 - Shark, Leviathan
Battleship: Skillbook - QUEST
Battleship Cannon: Skillbook - QUEST | 20 - Dark Wyvern, Griffey | 30 - Red Wyvern
Battleship Torpedo: Skillbook - QUEST | 20 - Skelesaurus, Papulatus | 30 - Pianus, Red Dragon Turtle
Hypnotize: Skillbook - QUEST | 20 - Papulatus
Bullseye: 20 - Pianus, Transformed Nest Golem

Note: This section may change if currently unreleased areas are released in GMS later on. Also, all reasonable suggestions are welcomed. For a more detailed perspective, check out the Pirate training guide stickied in this forum.

Lvl. 10-15
Victoria Road: Henesys Hunting Ground I -- Snail, Blue Snail, Shroom, Slime, Orange Mushroom [snail or slime platform as it's generally less packed and you can kill these easier]
Victoria Road: Rain-Forest East of Henesys -- Pig, Ribbon Pig [this map and the next map are great training too, both in the top 3 we'd recommend]
Hidden Street: The Pig Beach -- Blue Snail, Red Snail, Pig, Ribbon Pig, Iron Hog
Victoria Road: Kerning City Construction Site -- Blue Snail, Stump, Orange Mushroom, Green Mushroom, Octopus
Victoria Road: West Street Corner of Perion -- Blue Snail, Green Mushroom, Stump, Dark Stump, Axe Stump, Dark Axe Stump
Victoria Road: Field South of Ellinia -- Stump, Slime, Green Mushroom, Axe Stump
Victoria Road: Right Around Lith Harbor -- Blue Snail, Slime
Victoria Road: The Tree That Grew I -- Snail, Slime
Henesys Party Quest
Orbis Exchange Quest

Lvl. 15-21
Victoria Road: Kerning City Construction Site -- Blue Snail, Stump, Orange Mushroom, Green Mushroom, Octopus
Victoria Road: Rain-Forest East of Henesys -- Pig, Ribbon Pig
Hidden Street: The Pig Beach -- Blue Snail, Red Snail, Pig, Ribbon Pig, Iron Hog
Perion Excavation Site III -- Rocky Mask, Wooden Mask
Henesys Party Quest
Orbis Exchange Quest

Lvl. 21-30
Subway Line 1 Area 1 -- Bubbling [highly recommended: huge map = easier time finding a spot, less chance of being KSed, plus tons of snipe spots]
Hidden Street: Jr. Cactus Desert -- Jr. Cactus
Perion Excavation Site III -- Rocky Mask, Wooden Mask
Dungeon: Ant Tunnel I -- Horny Mushroom, Zombie Mushroom
Hidden Street: Caution! Falling Down -- Octopus, Blue Mushroom
Kerning City Party Quest
Ariant Coliseum Party Quest

Lvl. 30-40
Sunset Road: Sahel 1 -- Scorpion
Alcadno Research Institute: Lab - Area B-3 -- Iron Mutae
Zenumist Research Institute: Lab - Unit 101 -- Cube Slime, Rumo
Zenumist Research Institute: Lab - Unit 102 -- Cube Slime, Rumo, Triple Rumo
Zenumist Research Institute: Lab - Unit 103 -- Rumo, Triple Rumo
Warning Street: The Burnt Land II -- Fire Boar, Dark Axe Stump
Ludibrium: Terrace Hall -- Brown Teddy, Pink Teddy
Ludibrium: Cloud Terrace -- Pink Teddy, Roloduck
Perion Excavation Site III -- Rocky Mask, Wooden Mask
Dungeon: Ant Tunnel I -- Zombie Mushroom, Horny Mushroom
Haunted House: Toy Room [3] -- Psycho Jack Box, Psycho Jack
Hidden Street: Purple Plains 1 -- Sakura Cellion
The Burning Sands: North Desert Road 1 -- Meercat
Ludibrium Party Quest
Monster Carnival Party Quest

Lvl. 40-50
Alcadno Research Institute: Lab - Area B-3 -- Iron Mutae
Ludibrium: Terrace Hall -- Brown Teddy, Pink Teddy
Ludibrium: Cloud Terrace -- Pink Teddy, Roloduck
Ludibrium: The Path of Time -- Chronos
Ludibrium: Whirlpool of Time
Haunted House: Study [3] -- Nightmare
Zipangu: A Night in the Forest -- Paper Lantern Ghost, Dark Cloud Fox
Singapore: Suburban Area 2 -- Trucker
Ludibrium Party Quest
Monster Carnival Party Quest

Lvl. 50-60
Mu Lung: Practice Field: Beginner -- Straw Target Dummy
Alcadno Research Institute: Lab - Area C-1 -- Roid
Alcadno Research Institute: Lab - Area C-2 -- Roid, Neo Huroid
Alcadno Research Institute: Lab - Area C-3 -- Neo Huroid, D. Roy
Hidden Street: Monkey Forest II -- Lupin, Zombie Lupin
El Nath: Forest of Dead Trees II / IV -- Coolie Zombie
Singapore: Suburban Area 2 -- Trucker
Singapore: Mysterious Path 2 -- Octobunny, Pac Pinky
Singapore: Ghost Ship 1 -- Pac Pinky
Phantom Forest: Crossroads -- Windraider
Mu Lung: Wild Bear Area 1 -- Grizzly, Panda
Orbis Party Quest
Ludibrium Maze Party Quest

Lvl. 60-70
Alcadno Research Institute: Lab - Area C-2 -- Roid, Neo Huroid
Alcadno Research Institute: Lab - Area C-3 -- Neo Huroid, D. Roy
Mu Lung: Practice Field: Beginner -- Straw Target Dummy
Haunted House: Vanity Room [3] -- Hoodoo, Voodoo
El Nath: Forest of Dead Trees II / IV -- Coolie Zombie
Hidden Street: The Forest of Golem -- Dark Stone Golem, Mixed Golem
Victoria Road: The Entrance of Golem's Temple -- Stone Golem, Blue Mushroom, Lupin, Fierry
Crimsonwood Mountain: Lower Ascent -- Windraider, Crimson Tree, Stormbreaker
Crimsonwood Mountain: Cavern of Pain -- Windraider, Stormbreaker
Singapore: Mysterious Path 2 -- Octobunny, Pac Pinky
Singapore: Mysterious Path 3 -- Selkie Jr., Slimy
Singapore: Ghost Ship 1 -- Pac Pinky
Singapore: Ghost Ship 2 -- Slimy
Mu Lung: Wild Bear Area 1 -- Grizzly, Panda
Orbis Party Quest
Ludibrium Maze Party Quest

Lvl. 70-80
El Nath: Forest of Dead Trees II / IV -- Coolie Zombie
Hidden Street: The Forest of Golem -- Dark Stone Golem, Mixed Golem
Haunted House: Vanity Room [3] -- Hoodoo, Voodoo
Zipangu: Vanished Village -- Samiho, Water Goblin
Crimsonwood Mountain: Lower Ascent -- Windraider, Crimson Tree, Stormbreaker
Crimsonwood Mountain: Cavern of Pain -- Windraider, Stormbreaker
Singapore: Mysterious Path 3 -- Selkie Jr., Slimy
Singapore: Ghost Ship 2 -- Slimy
Singapore: Ghost Ship 6 -- Mr. Anchor

Lvl. 80-90
Zipangu: Vanished Village -- Samiho, Water Goblin
Leafre: The Area of Blue Kentaurus -- Blue Kentaurus
Leafre: The Area of Black Kentaurus -- Black Kentaurus
Ludibrium: Forgotten Path of Time -- Death Teddy
Aqua Road: Dangerous Sea Gorge I -- Squid, Risell Squid
Leafre: Cross Road -- Birk, Dual Birk
Crimsonwood Mountain: Lower Ascent -- Windraider, Crimson Tree, Stormbreaker
Crimsonwood Mountain: Cavern of Pain -- Windraider, Stormbreaker
Singapore: Ghost Ship 6 -- Mr. Anchor

Lvl. 90-100
Leafre: The Area of Blue Kentaurus -- Blue Kentaurus
Leafre: The Area of Black Kentaurus -- Black Kentaurus
Ludibrium: Forgotten Path of Time -- Death Teddy
Meso Gears: Wolf Spider Cavern -- Wolf Spiders
Aqua Road: Dangerous Sea Gorge I -- Squid, Risell Squid
Leafre: Destroyed Dragon's Nest -- Jr. Newtie [middle platform]
Leafre: Cross Road -- Birk, Dual Birk

Lvl. 100-110
Leafre: The Area of Blue Kentaurus -- Blue Kentaurus
Leafre: The Area of Black Kentaurus -- Black Kentaurus
Aqua Road: Dangerous Sea Gorge I -- Squid, Risell Squid
Leafre: Destroyed Dragon's Nest -- Jr. Newtie [middle platform]
Aqua Road: Deep Sea Gorge II -- Goby, Bombing Fish House, Bone Fish
Leafre: Canyon : East / West Road -- Dark Wyvern [drop Battleship Cannon 20]
Hidden Street: Red Wyvern's Nest -- Red Wyvern [drop Battleship Cannon 30]

Lvl. 110-120
Zipangu: Encounter with the Buddha -- Hime, Black Crow
Leafre: Destroyed Dragon's Nest -- Jr. Newtie [middle platform]
Aqua Road: Deep Sea Gorge II -- Goby, Bombing Fish House, Bone Fish
Leafre: Canyon : East / West Road -- Dark Wyvern
Hidden Street: Red Wyvern's Nest -- Red Wyvern

Lvl. 120+
Leafre: Canyon : East / West Road -- Dark Wyvern
Hidden Street: Red Wyvern's Nest -- Red Wyvern
Zipangu: Encounter with the Buddha -- Hime, Black Crow
Leafre: Destroyed Dragon's Nest -- Jr. Newtie, Nest Golem
Leafre: Peak of Dragon's Nest -- Skelegons, Skelosaurus, Nest Golem
Leafre: The Dragon Nest Left Behind -- Skelegon, Skelosaurus
Crimsonwood Mountain: Crimsonwood Keep -- Crimson Guardian
The Road to Oblivion 3 -- Oblivion Guardian
The Road to Oblivion 4 -- Oblivion Guardian, Chief Oblivion Guardian

Dramaticz Lvl 120 [KMS]
Lvl 121 @ Skeles [JMS]
Lvl 124 using Mind Control [JMS]
Nautilous Lvl 128 [GMS]
iWillpopyou Lvl 128 [GMS]
Lvl 130 @ Newties [JMS]
Sursim Lvl 134 @ Sharks [GMS]
Nautilous Lvl 136 [GMS]
Lvl 14x @ Temple of Time [KMS]
Lvl 14x @ Sharks [KMS]
Lvl 15x @ Peak [KMS]
Lvl 151 @ Papulatus [JMS]
Lvl 154 @ Skeles [JMS]
Lvl 157 @ Anego [JMS]
Lvl 160 @ Papulatus [JMS]
Lvl 163 @ Papulatus [JMS]
Lvl 175 @ Multiple Bosses [JMS]
Lvl 175 @ Pap/Pianus [JMS]
Lvl 175 @ Pianus [JMS]
Mostly Corsair Z-run [KMS]