Starting Kingmaker - class advice

[The Poshment]

We will be starting Kingmaker within the month, and I am stuck between 2 classes, and wanted advice from the people who play them.

We currently have a rogue and a samurai.

I want to play either an Alchemist Bomber (Grenadier archetype) or an Inquisitor (Conversion domain and Infiltrator archetype).

Will the bomber get stale after awhile?
Will the Inquisitor be a good character? There seems to be a lot of de-buffing spells for the Inquisitor. Will their DCs be high enough to get them off?

Thanks

[Kybryn]

The entire first module is in the woods, and maybe some plains. You'll be facing humanoids galore, with lots of ranged attack opportunities (you'll see what i mean). I would absolutely ensure that there's a ranger in the party.

[blackbloodtroll]

Inquisitor for sure. You will be a low charisma face, with a great sense motive. Inquisitor has a number of pumps. Have you decided on race?

[Forbiddenlightbulb]

Of the two, I think inquisitor fits the campaign best (for reasons already mentioned). However, I do really like the idea of somebody going out into the woods armed almost entirely with bombs; it doesn't sound like there'd be much wood left once you've gone through. :)

[blackbloodtroll]

I would choose a god with the longbow or crossbow as a favored weapon.

[The Poshment]

I was thinking of either a gnome alchemist, eventually taking heavy armor and flight.
Or a half elf Inquisitor of Abadar or Calistrae.

Do both classes stay strong at high levels?

Are the higher level powers fun or do they taper off?

[blackbloodtroll]

Yes, and yes.
Why half elf?

[Jess Door]

I have been DMing Kingmaker for over 18 months. We're in the final epic battle.

I've never played an alchemist, and am not really up on the rules. But much of the campaign is out in the open. How far can you throw bombs? If range is an issue, you way want to reconsider the alchemist - he seems to be much more of a close quarters kind of guy - though the openness allows you to place your bombs where they're less likely to harm your buddies - probably a good thing.

The inquisitor is incredibly versatile. I personally have fallen in love with the class. Monster identification, the ability to fight ranged, and the ability to go nova with your bane ability will all be useful in this campaign in a general sense.

[blackbloodtroll]

What races are allowed?

[The Poshment]

Any race is allowed.

Would you suggest ranged inquisitor or switch hitting?

[blackbloodtroll]

You seem to have a melee focused character. Go ranged. I suggest Asura-Spawn tiefling, or Duergar as race.

[Maestr0]

For any range problems as an Alchemist I HIGHLY recommend:
Explosive Missile
Prerequisite: Alchemist 4
Benefit: As a standard action, the alchemist can infuse a single arrow, crossbow bolt, or one-handed firearm bullet with the power of his bomb, load the ammunition, and shoot the ranged weapon. He must be proficient with the weapon in order to accomplish this. When the infused ammunition hits its target, it deals damage normally and detonates as if the alchemist had thrown the bomb at the target. If the explosive missile misses, it does not detonate.

Also:
Focused Shot (Combat)
Your anatomical insight adds deadliness to your shots.
Prerequisites: Int 13, Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot.
Benefit: As a standard action, you may make an attack with a bow or crossbow and add your Intelligence modifier on the damage roll. You must be within 30 feet of your target to deal this extra damage. Creatures immune to critical hits and sneak attacks are immune to this extra damage.
Special: Starting at 2nd level, a ranger with the archery combat style may select Focused Shot as a combat style feat.

[Maestr0]

Also you will have plenty of time in game to be making potions and other knickknacks that an Alchemist should be crafting.

[redcelt32]

Of the two that you mentioned inquisitor is probably the best fit. You might consider a witch though as well, they are very versatile and fit in well in Kingmaker...esp in your group, hedge witch might be good.

[Erik Freund]

Definately go ranged. I wouldn't even bother switch-hitting.

As far as the Inquisitor's diety, of the two you mentioned, Abadar is heavily practiced in Brevoy (and the idea of a inquisiting for the god of civilization&law works very well conceptually in a "tame the wilderness" module, as your enemies are literally enemies of civilization). Calistrae has a lot less setting-support, but does she make a small appearance at one point.

[PJ]

Maestr0 wrote:

For any range problems as an Alchemist I HIGHLY recommend:

Explosive Missile
Prerequisite: Alchemist 4
Benefit: As a standard action, the alchemist can infuse a single arrow, crossbow bolt, or one-handed firearm bullet with the power of his bomb, load the ammunition, and shoot the ranged weapon. He must be proficient with the weapon in order to accomplish this. When the infused ammunition hits its target, it deals damage normally and detonates as if the alchemist had thrown the bomb at the target. If the explosive missile misses, it does not detonate.

Also:
Focused Shot (Combat)
Your anatomical insight adds deadliness to your shots.
Prerequisites: Int 13, Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot.
Benefit: As a standard action, you may make an attack with a bow or crossbow and add your Intelligence modifier on the damage roll. You must be within 30 feet of your target to deal this extra damage. Creatures immune to critical hits and sneak attacks are immune to this extra damage.
Special: Starting at 2nd level, a ranger with the archery combat style may select Focused Shot as a combat style feat.

Ranged is definitely the way to go.

[Mr. Quick]

Maestr0 wrote:

Also you will have plenty of time in game to be making potions and other knickknacks that an Alchemist should be crafting.

the necromancer in my group spent most of her down time on kingdom turns scribing scrolls. LOTS of scrolls. at current time, she's got her entire spell book duplicated so many times in scroll form that we've all lost track of just how many scrolls she's made.

Kingmaker is one of the few campaigns where item creation feats are a must. It doesn't even matter what it is you're creating...alchemy, enchanting arms/armor, brew potions...spend a year of kingdom turns brewing potions, scribing scrolls, and crafting/enchanting magic items and you'll be set for several levels.