I know that ultimately the answer is: play what you want to play but Ive really been wracking the brain about deciding between these two. Ive done comparisons at lv 6 and 12. The inquisitor is a ranged PC with composite longbow and the sorcerer is a specialist in using ranged touch attack dmg.
Inquisitor lv 6
BAB +4
Can add +1 to hit with judgment and +2 with divine favor (-2 with rapid shot)
5/2/5 saves
2 attacks with composite longbow (using
bane 6 r +2 hit/+2d6 dmg) and rapid shot
Good init
teamwork feat
Good skill points
3 level 1 spells
Max dmg (assuming at least a +1d6 shocking or flame bow)
1d6 + 1d6 + 1d6 (electricity) +1 (composite) x 2 = 6d6+2 (Non hasted)
20pt average damage
Sorcerer lv 6
BAB +3
2/2/5 saves
Has magical lineage scorching ray so -1 spell level hit on metamagics
1 attack with scorching ray
Spells for flexibility
5/3 spells without cha mod
Max damage 8d6 with ranged touch attack
24 average damage
Inquisitor lv 12
BAB 9/4
8/4/8 saves
2 judgments
Evasion vs fort and will spells
Greater bane +4d6 12 rounds
3 teamwork feats
5/4/3 spells
5 attacks (with ManyShot, Rapid shot, and haste)
5d6 + 20d6 (bane)+ 5d6 (shocking)+ 20 (judgment)+ 5 (+1 bow enchant) + 5 )composite dmg) =
120 damage (if all hit)
Sorcerer lv 12
BAB 6/1
4/4/8 Saves
1 attack with scorching (unless has quickened rod)
Spells for flexibility
6/6/6/5/3 w/o cha mod
Max damage 16d6 x 1.50 (empowered and intensified (DM allows at +1 ray)
72 damage (without quickened rod), 144 with quicken
Ok enough stats. What do you think? We are doing Jade Regent path.
Orc Sorc = 8 or 16 more dmg (1 per HD)
Wildblooded Draconic Orc = 16 or 32 more dmg (2 per HD)
And "if all hit"?
Take AC 21 at lvl 6 and 25 at lvl 12 and watch the real average dmg.
True that.
It comes down to the various benefits and features the inquisitor gives to the party vs the versatility of the sorcerer spells. There is a wizard in the group but he is non dps and mostly utility.
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Can add +1 to hit with judgment and +2 with divine favor (-2 with rapid shot)
This is far from all the bonuses an Inquisitor can stack on. And itshould be +2 from Judgment at this level.
Your level 12 build also leaves out a Strength enhancer, which I think is a mistake, Deadly Aim (a must-have Feat you can easily get), and your math is wrong to boot. 30d6 averages to 105 (3.5 per die, average), which makes the average damage 135 if they all hit.
In both cases you've also left out the +2 Enhancement bonus to damage from Bane, which is several more points in the first and another 10 in this one for 145. And then adding in divine Favor would be another 15 for 160. Now, that's only if all of them hit...but still. And there are numerous other buff spells to increase this (and buff spells are really the Inquisitor's specialty). Also, the Bow should almost certainly be doing 1d8, not 1d6, further increasing damage in both cases. And why does a 12th level character only have a +1 Bow?
In short, you're really undrselling the Inquisitor's damage. Quite a lot actually.
Ok enough stats. What do you think? We are doing Jade Regent path.
For damage? Go Inquisitor. For out-of-combat stuff? Go Inquisitor, maybe with the Conversion Inquisition for Jade Regent's social elements. Only go Sorcerer if you plan on doing something with your spells other than damage, or the flavor is a must have.
I gave the +1 bow because I also added +1 enchant cost from shocking. But yes at lv 12 technically should be more +3 enchant so you could add another 1d6 per arrow if you added flaming or whatever.
The strength enhancer is only beneficial in the case of the composite longbow supporting the additional strength.
But also I left out the sorcerer feats so yes there is damage left on the table for both characters.
Deadly aim is a great feat but I question with the Inquisitors already weak BAB and the -2 from rapid fire, will he be hitting much? At least with the Sorcerer, his main attack is ranged touch attacks and that doesnt take much to land (pending spell resistance). And hes electrical damage (elemental bloodline) oriented so less chance of creatures innate resistance.
Arguements both ways. Sorcerer opens up more than dps with the spells. Inquisitor adds teamwork feats and more skills.
Thus my quandry
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I gave the +1 bow because I also added +1 enchant cost from shocking. But yes at lv 12 technically should be more +3 enchant so you could add another 1d6 per arrow if you added flaming or whatever.
Just noting it. :)
The strength enhancer is only beneficial in the case of the composite longbow supporting the additional strength.
Sure, but 100 GP is a drop in the bucket, and I'm talking a Belt of Strength and Dex here. Something permanent, not Bull's strength or something.
But also I left out the sorcerer feats so yes there is damage left on the table for both characters.
There's a difference between leaving out stuff that they might or might not have and ignoring existing capabilities (like the +2 damage each shot from Bane).
Deadly aim is a great feat but I question with the Inquisitors already weak BAB and the -2 from rapid fire, will he be hitting much? At least with the Sorcerer, his main attack is ranged touch attacks and that doesnt take much to land (pending spell resistance).
Spell resistance is a big deal, though. Especially at high levels.
And by 12th level with Dex 20 (24 with a belt), Divine Favor for a +3, Judgment for a +3, Bane for a +2 and and a bow for a +2, and Haste for another +1 we're talking +22 (Manyshot)/+22/+22/+17 including the Deadly Aim penalty.
At precisely equal CR foes with average AC (27), that may not be worth it (though it still hits on a 5...someone needs to run the comparison through a DPR calculator) but it's definitely worth having for lower AC enemies.
And hes electrical damage (elemental bloodline) oriented so less chance of creatures innate resistance.
And Inquisitors go through DR like butter (by 10th his weapon is Adamantine and Good for purposes of DR with the Smiting Judgment, and silvered and cod iron arrows are readily available).
Arguements both ways. Sorcerer opens up more than dps with the spells. Inquisitor adds teamwork feats and more skills.
Thus my quandry
True, true. I guess the real question is, do you want to be a utility caster or a skill monkey? I'd be inclined to go with the second, but that's really just a personal preference thing.
And I appreciate this greatly Deadman. Youve done a great deal with your discussion. Just what I was after...thank you!
i personally like the preacher archtype for inquistors.. take away having to always mess with the teamwork feats and grants some very nice use/day abilites.. Should take a look at it and i agree the inquis is way cooler than a sorc and can outpace there damage output pretty easily as well.. gl with your toon w/e u pick