Cold Iron Warden channeling

[Scripps]

Greetings boards,

I'm working on an Tiefling Inquisitor for Wrath of the Righteous and was looking at the Cold Iron Inquisitor from the Demon Hunter's Handbook.

The archetype probably isn't optimal, but it seems really flavorful and appropriate from an RP perspective. It grants alignment channel and some limited channeling, but only to harm evil outsiders. My question pertains to a clause stating that the Inquisitor can take feats to improve the channeling, like extra channel or whatnot, but not to ALTER it, such as command undead.

Since, like many a two-handed melee Inquisitor, I've dumped charisma, I was looking for a way to improve said channeling and thought about channel smite. It won't give me more channels, or improve my DC but at least I can whack something while I do it. Is this kosher? Does this count as "altering?" Personally I see it as "improving" but I could see a point to both sides. However, unlike the example of command undead, it's still being used to harm evil outsiders. What say you all?

Figured I'd get a consensus before I brought it to my DM.

[Scripps]

Does an Inquisitor with the Cold Iron Warden archetype qualify for Holy Vindicator? He does Channel Energy and gains Alignment Channel as a bonus feat, but as above I could see it both ways.

Please note, I realize Channel Smite isn't great mechanically, I just wonder if this works.

[Scripps]

Invisible post is invisible.

[Bondoid]

Talk to your GM, only he can give you the answer you seek.

[John Compton]

Hey Scripps,

I wrote* the cold iron warden archetype, and I believe your plans to use Channel Smite and the holy vindicator prestige class would work.

I recall reading a clarification about how weapon training and not-quite-weapon-training class features interact that would help to support my interpretation, but my quick search has not turned up anything. I'll let you know if I find anything more concrete.

*:

I received some very valuable feedback from some peers. I can't leave them out.

[Scripps]

Thanks for the input! I'll talk to my GM, I'm not sure that's even how I want to build the character, but I like to understand the options available to me. I put a lot of theorycraft into building chracters, even when they're knowingly less-than-optimal. If I do, I don't really think he'll balk since, as I said, channel smite is mechanically less optimal than a lot of other things I've run at his table!

Thanks again!

P.S. That's an awesome archetype, FYI. Nicely done, Sir!