What do you think about a house rule replacing Solo Tactics and Teamwork Feat with the following?
Conviction (Ex): At 3rd level, an inquisitor gains a +2 bonus on saving throws against enchantment spells and effects. In addition, as a swift action he can call upon his conviction to re-roll a failed ability check or skill check. An inquisitor can use this ability once per day at 3rd level, plus an additional time per day for every 3 inquisitor levels beyond 3rd (to a maximum of 5 times per day at 15th level). At 18th level, he can roll twice when using this ability (taking the better result).
This is an attempt to provide an alternative to Preacher (the only real option for a non-teamwork inquisitor). While it does trade out Solo Tactics and Teamwork Feat, the Preacher is, in my opinion, a bit too powerful. Also, Determination doesn't really seem a good fit, thematically, for a preacher (it's far too combat-oriented).
Thank you. I hope it is balanced; I wouldn't want the inquisitor to put the rogue to shame (in terms of being a "skill monkey").
I've always hated teamwork feats and the whole "solo tactics" idea is ridiculous when you still need allies to benefit from it.
In my group, we let you swap teamwork feats and solo tactics for a combat style (as a Ranger). So any time you would get a teamwork feat (except for 12th level), you get a combat style feat instead, for your chosen style.
The only problem is that rangers don't need to meet preqs for their combat style feats and they expand their feat options at 6th and 10th level, so if you allow inquisitors to skip those preqs, and expand their feat options at 6th and 9th level, they could potentially get something before a ranger (at 9th level, where they would otherwise receive their third teamwork feat). So long as the GM is keeping his eye on things and the player isn't trying to min-max, this isn't that big a deal.
Swapping teamwork feats for combat style obviously makes inquisitors more combat happy, but from what I've seen most teamwork feats are meant for combat applications anyway, and the ones that are not tend to benefit skills that the inquisitor already has. This would allow him to help out in a fight without following the fighter around like an attention starved puppy.
I thought about doing the same, but Combat Style Feats are gained at 2nd, 6th, 10th, 14th, and 18th level - whereas Solo Tactics / Teamwork Feats are gained at 3rd, 6th, 9th, 12th, 15th, and 18th. Since it doesn't line quite right I chose to abandon the idea. I'd be more open to a "Bonus Feat" class feature which must be chosen from a set list (as per the Crusader archetype for the Cleric), but it seems like a lot of work to compile an appropriate list.
I like the combat style of a Ranger.
Or the weapon bonus from a Fighter group.
I thought about doing the same, but Combat Style Feats are gained at 2nd, 6th, 10th, 14th, and 18th level - whereas Solo Tactics / Teamwork Feats are gained at 3rd, 6th, 9th, 12th, 15th, and 18th.Since it doesn't line quite right I chose to abandon the idea. I'd be more open to a "Bonus Feat" class feature which must be chosen from a set list (as per the Crusader archetype for the Cleric), but it seems like a lot of work to compile an appropriate list.
Yeah, lining them up is a bit of a problem, but I don't think it would necessarily break the game. (I was also suggesting for the inquisitor to skip the bonus feat at 12th level, when he gets greater bane anyway.) Allowing Pinpoint Targeting to a 3/4 BAB class at 9th level is a no-no though.
I like the idea of some kind of bonus feat list like you suggested though; the monk is probably good place to start looking as well.
I suppose you could offer bonus combat feats instead of teamwork feats, and simply keep the preqs; you'd still be behind the fighter and the ranger but it would take some of the pressure off of your feat chains. Inquisitors shouldn't be powerhouse combatants anyway.
Or the weapon bonus from a Fighter group.
What do you mean? Weapon training? Feat chains?
I think he is suggesting the Inquisitor receive Weapon Training.
Good idea regarding the monk as a starting place for putting together a list of feats. As you have said, the inquisitor isn't (or rather shouldn't) be a combat powerhouse. Perhaps throwing more skill-oriented feats at them (Alertness, Deceitful, etc.) would be a good alternative to the combat-focused monk list.
I created archetpes to replace them with hexes and rogue talents...
Rogue talents is one way to go. I can't really see hexes, though. Can you provide more information?
I think he is suggesting the Inquisitor receive Weapon Training.
Good idea regarding the monk as a starting place for putting together a list of feats. As you have said, the inquisitor isn't (or rather shouldn't) be a combat powerhouse. Perhaps throwing more skill-oriented feats at them (Alertness, Deceitful, etc.) would be a good alternative to the combat-focused monk list.
I think weapon training should be a fighter only ability. Skill oriented feats make sense to me though, and maybe a couple of spell booster feats, like Combat Casting or Spell Penetration.
I created archetpes to replace them with hexes and rogue talents...
Rogue talents sound good to me, they could even spend one to pick up a combat feat (through combat trick). Hexes might be somewhat powerful and don't really fit the theme, IMO.
What if they got a second domain starting at third level? Would that be worth six teamwork feats over eighteen levels? I don't know if that is really necessary but I'm curious what other options might be fair.
See my article in Wayfinder #6.