So we started a Pathfinder campaign and I decided to have a go at the Half-Orc Inquisitor.
Trouble is our party consists of a Ninja, a Cleric, me (Inquisitor), and an NPC run by the DM that changes based on his mood. (Currently a Wizard, also has been a Gunslinger, Bard, etc).
So the roll of tank has fallen on my shoulders. My stats aren't bad for this task but I'm having some issues with the feats. Here's my stats and plan so far. Any advice will be appreciated.
Keep in mind I was originally going to make a Two-handed Striker Inquisitor but our party needs a tank and well, I'm the only one who can really fill it. (Unless the DM makes one but I've yet to even see a fighter for hire in the campaign) Hence the more Melee oriented stats.
Level 2 Half Orc Inquisitor (Currently)
STR - 18
DEX - 13
CON - 16
INT - 12
WIS - 16
CHA - 10
As for weapons I use a Scimitar due to Mielikki as my God. (DM love forgotten realms so we are "technically" in that universe. He just changes the names of the towns and what-not to make it make sense) I use Chainmail currently (Only level 2) but plan on getting up to plate eventually. And a Heavy Steel Shield.
My Domain is the Feather Domain (Thus the level 5 Feat) as I will have an animal companion.
Here are my feats:
Lvl 1 - Armor Proficiency (Heavy)
Then the Plan for the next few levels are hazy at best.
Lvl 3 - Weapon Focus (Scimitar), or a tanky one? (Toughness, Dodge, Ironhide, etc)
Lvl 3 Teamwork Feat - Precise Strike
Lvl 5 - Boon Companion
Lvl 6 Teamwork Feat - Outflank
Lvl 7 - If weapon focus, Dazzling Display, or another tanky one?
Lvl 9 - ?
9 Teamwork Feat - ?
Basically that's where I've gone. I'm wondering if Dazzling display will be worth it having to wait all the way till 7 instead of 5, or If I should just go for more tanky feats instead.
Here's one of the main factors for the dazzling display. Our DM has a house rule on Languages and Linguistics. Instead of 1 point getting you one language, your base language starts at a skill level of 3 and sub languages 2. (For me Common 3, Orc 2)
Basically, when you put 1 in linguistics you can get a language at level 1. Then you have to pump it. The modifier is this. (1) -10 to Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate. (2) -5 to same skills. (3) +0 to skills, (4) +0 to skills, (5) +5 to skills.
So Currently at level 2 I've put 2 in linguistics to gain +5 Intimidate. (With the Half-Orc racial) I'm currently at +15 intimidate at level 2.
So you see my dilemma. Dazzling display will in essence increase my armor by 2 by giving all enemies -2 to hit, (Almost 100% success chance).
What do you think?
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You need a hand free to cast spells and are thus restricted to a Light Shield. Still, that's not a huge deal.
I'd go Heavy armor Proficiency at 3 for all the reasons sgtrocknroll states, but as for level 1..it really depends.
Dazzling Display is pretty cool, but Intimidate builds can also get a lot of mileage out of Enforcer and a Merciful Weapon, just to point out an option. Other possibilities might include Power Attack or something else offensive to help you actualy be a threat (always an important part of being a frontliner).
Yes, it all depends on your GMs style but as far as I know getting into the opponents face is more important for a tank than Dazzling Display, that is something for supporters (aka bard).
So in the first round of combat the Ninja will try to get into position and you will display so unless someone is shelling out heavy battlefield control you are handing the tempo to the opponents as they might charge/focus fire/position themselves or whatnot.
So we started a Pathfinder campaign and I decided to have a go at the Half-Orc Inquisitor.
Trouble is our party consists of a Ninja, a Cleric, me (Inquisitor), and an NPC run by the DM that changes based on his mood. (Currently a Wizard, also has been a Gunslinger, Bard, etc).
Does the NPC change on his own mood or on the GMs mood? The former would be an awesome character.
Anyway, when it comes to tanky builds I tend to advise players to use feats that keep enemies from moving away from you one way or another (either by somehow temporarily immobilizing/slowing them down or by punishing them for moving away). Trip, attacks of opportunity. You want the opponent to focus on you, there is little use for excellent armor class and plenty of hit points, if enemies just keep punching the wizard.
Saving Shield (APG) is a great 1st level tanking feat.
Stand Still is another great tanking feat, but you first need Combat Reflexes (which is also a great tanking feat; use AoOs to trip/disarm).
Step Up, Following Step, Step Up and Strike another good line.
Another great tanky line: Shield Focus, Missile Shield, Ray Shield.
Another route: Combat Reflexes, Bodyguard, In Harm's Way
Toughness, Dodge, and Mobility (for positioning) are also great choices. I would go Dodge over Ironhide due to the fact that more feats branch off of Dodge, and dodge bonuses apply to touch AC.
And as Deadmanwalking pointed out, you will need a light shield to cast spells unless your GM rules otherwise.
You won't have a great deal of specialization or powers based on your weapon. So, I'd have several.
When combat needs to go slower, the shield and scimitar are good. If you need to accelerate things, it's useful to have a two handed weapon as well. You can switch weapons as needed.
Or course, you'll need to think about a ranged weapon, and weapon types, and special materials. I recommend a silver morningstar, it covers several categories by itself.
Sometimes you'll need to throw alchemist's fire. Got any?
You'll need to learn to adjust your tactics based on what you are fighting. One big villain, or lots of little guards? Do the enemies do more damage than you do, toe to toe?
Inquisitor is the thinking man's fighter, and you can do VERY well with it, but you've got to pay attention. There's no always useful tactic.
Our CoT campaign has an inquisitor tank. he has taken 3 levels of fighter so far to get armor training which (combined with the magic sash) allows him to move unhindered in heavy armor. I have to say between the armor, his bane, and his other abilities he's actually quite good.
Thanks for all the tips! Good advice!
What do you guys think of this feat progression?
Level 1: Armor Prof: Heavy (already chosen so can't change it)
Level 3: Power Attack
Level 5: Boon Companion
Level 7: Cornugon Smash (thus giving me a debuff to help me tank AND dealing extra damage via power attack.
Think Cornugon Smash is worth it?
Otherwise it would likely be:
Level 1: Armor Prof: Heavy (already chosen so can't change it)
Level 3: Toughness
Level 5: Boon Companion
Level 7: Step Up
One is more a hybrid, dealing more damage but also lowering enemy to hit, the other purely tanking.