
TheWheelWeaves |
I'm going to unveil this guy in PFS soon (so build can stop at 12) and I want to optimize him to the best of his ability. I have a loose concept of getting the most out of the aid another action as well as the Crane Wing style chain. Specifically, I'm looking for feat progression or any goodies I may have overlooked.
The rough sketch is as follows:
Inspired Blade Swashbuckler (1)/ Unarmed Fighter (2)/ Empiricist Investigator (9)
Human
1 Inspired Blade - Finesse (Rapier)
1 Inspired Blade - Focus (Rapier)
1 Level - Fencing Grace
1 Race - Dodge
2 Unarmed Fighter (1) - Improved Unarmed Strike
2 Unarmed Fighter (1) - Crane Style
3 Level - Combat Reflexes
5 Level - ? (extra talent: infusion [alchemist])
5 Investigator Talent (3) - effortless aid
7 Level - Crane Wing
7 Investigator Talent (5) - Quick Study
9 Level - ? (extra talent: mutagen [alchemist])
9 Investigator Talent (7) - Amazing Inspiration
10 Unarmed Fighter (2) - Crane Riposte
11 Level - ? (improved critical)
12 Investigator Talent (9) - Combat Inspiration
Following me? With this I get -1AT/+4(8)AC when fighting defensively, and throw around some aiding and AOO if I'm ever attacked. I still have something to contribute to combat-wise with a high-threat weapon with my standard actions. I feel like I'm not getting the most out of combat reflexes outside of crane riposte and a bit of panache (which is kinda doubling up on the crane).
I tinkered around with going Lore Warden to find myself with bodyguard, or brawler to get martial flexibility, but I couldn't quite get the pieces to fit right.
Is all this going to be effective, or am I diluting the investigator too much?

My Self |
Your investigator abilities will come online fairly late. Not that it can't work, or won't work, but you're pushing your biggest damage boost back several levels. If you didn't do that, you could end up with a +2 to hit and damage and a higher-level extract (such as Haste, Heroism, or Fly) available. That's not actually too much of a problem, since you get amazing defenses, but just throwing that out there. You could also consider subbing one of the Unarmed Fighter levels for 1 in UMonk, if you shift Combat Expertise to 1st level, pick up Dodge as your 2nd level UMonk feat, and get Crane Style at 3rd level. You get a sightly better Reflex and Fortitude save and a slightly bigger unarmed damage die, as well as a use or two of Stunning Fist.
If there's anything that doesn't fit, it's the Aid Another ability. It's nice to have, but the bonus doesn't get so big that it justifies not having a full attack. Consider the Ranged Study feat if you want to sub out the Aid Another stuff.