PFS empiricist investigator build thoughts


Advice


not a full build, just getting some thoughts together

half-orc
str 14+2
dex 12
con 14
int 16
wis 12
cha 7

traits: student of philosophy, and ?

race is for the combo of weapon profs and darkvision

no need for cha, with empiricist and trait, diplo is fully int based

where I get unsure is feats, level three is probably a lock on power attack

is it worth using the level 1 and 5 to get to heavy armor? heavy armor + shield extract + mutagen/barksin + ring could add up nicely

only for sure talent is at lvl 5, for study as swift

once you meet level requirements for higher talents, some feats for extra investigator talent may be worth it

Liberty's Edge

I'd probably focus a bit more on Str over Con and Wis, but that's probably personal bias and what you've got looks solid.

If going Half Orc, grab Fate's Favored as your second Trait and the Sacred Tattoo Racial Trait, for a net of +2 to all Saves. You can get Endurance for free by taking Shaman's Apprentice too, if you like.

And I'd say Medium Armor is definitely worth it at level 1. Heavy Armor? Maybe, you can always wait until level 5 to see. If you go with Shaman's Apprentice as suggested above, you can grab Diehard instead (or in addition)if you like.

Investigator Talents really depend on how combat-focused you want the character to be, but the party will like you a lot more if you grab Infusion.


wis is really just leftover points from dumping cha(since you can diplo with int)

con, well, this is doing its combat in melee range, you would want less than 14 con?

Liberty's Edge

plaidwandering wrote:

wis is really just leftover points from dumping cha(since you can diplo with int)

con, well, this is doing its combat in melee range, you would want less than 14 con?

I'd be willing to go with a 12 for the sake of Str 18. FC bonus in HP of course, and the aforementioned save booster

Still, Str 17 and Con 14 (which you can get by dropping Wis to 10) is probably better, if willing to raise Str with your 4th level level-up point.


Yeah, I like that 17/14 and level ups in str, the 16 base into plus headband is enough for into dependant class features


Also, investigator can get Int to Diplomacy

Liberty's Edge

Oridian wrote:
Also, investigator can get Int to Diplomacy

Uh...he's done that already.


ended up doing 17/14/12/16/10/7

1st feat: combat reflexes at 1, combines nicely with enlarge or long arms with a long spear

3rd feat: power attack at , talent: mutagen

5th feat: extra talent(sapping offensive*), talent: quick study

7th feat: ??, talent: sickening offensive*

*only on per individual attack

2nd trait I went with armor expert for sporting a mithril breastplate

Liberty's Edge

That works, though Fate's Favored is really awesome combined with Sacred Tattoo.

For a 7th level Feat, I'd be tempted by Extra Talent for Amazing Inspiration. Or maybe Expanded Inspiration.


last chance to heal/invis/something with ferocity seems pretty good also

Scarab Sages

I have to say it worked out pretty well in play. With your longspear and falchion, you were pretty effective in today's game.


well, we were in a s0 and in 1-2, not the most rigorous testing environment ;p


Consider putting power attack back to 5th level and getting quick study at 3rd instead.
I for one would rather never have to spend a move action to activate Studied Combat.


Unfortunately that is not possible, you do not get studied combat until 4th level


There is no limitation build into the Quick Study Talent. Sure, you cannot use it at 3rd level, but there you can take it and have it once Studied Combat comes online.

Quote:


Quick Study (Ex): An investigator can use his studied combat ability as swift action instead of a standard action.

Grand Lodge

Empiricist doesn't get Int to Diplomacy, it gets Int to Gather Information using Diplomacy, but not for normal Diplomacy checks. (I'm playing one in Reign of Winter right now)


Andrew Betts wrote:
Empiricist doesn't get Int to Diplomacy, it gets Int to Gather Information using Diplomacy, but not for normal Diplomacy checks. (I'm playing one in Reign of Winter right now)

And the Student of Philosophy trait gives Int to Diplo checks to influence somebody. Between the two, you have Int for all the social uses of social skills. (If you want to Feint or Demoralize, you still need Cha or a different trait.)

Liberty's Edge

Andrew Betts wrote:
Empiricist doesn't get Int to Diplomacy, it gets Int to Gather Information using Diplomacy, but not for normal Diplomacy checks. (I'm playing one in Reign of Winter right now)

Ah, but Student of Philosophy gives you Int to the non-gathering info uses (as well as to Bluff for lying), so combined with Empiricist you can use it on all Diplomacy rolls, and most Bluff ones that don't involve feinting in combat.

EDIT: Ninja'd! Ah, well.

Grand Lodge

Ah missed that, thanks for the info

Liberty's Edge

2 people marked this as a favorite.
Andrew Betts wrote:
Ah missed that, thanks for the info

I expect a lot of Empiricists to have started out as philosophy students. Which actually makes a fair amount of logical sense. :)


I'd also expect to see a nonzero number with Brutal Intellects.

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