Advice for 1st PFS PC: Inquisitor

[Bristor]

Going to take the PFS plunge and looking for some advice/comments. In particular, on starting feats, feat progression plan, skills, and spell choice. The current thread on value of toughness has led me no closer to an answer on toughness vs. dodge.

Bristor
Neutral Good Half-Orc Inquisitor of Cayden Cailean
Exploration Subdomain (+10 base speed; Door Sight; dimension door @ 8th level)
Str: 18 [16+2], Con: 12, Dex: 14, Wis: 14, Int: 12, Charisma: 7
Base Speed = 40 ft (w/ +10 from Travel Domain); with Medium Armor = 30 ft.
HP = 10 (8 + favored class + 1 con bonus)

PFS Campaign Trait: Grand Lodge, Loyalty = +1 saving throw vs. enchantment spells and spell-like abilities
Combat Trait: Reactionary (+2 to initiative)

Skills: Intimidate, Perception, Sense Motive, Stealth, Knowledge (arcane), Knowledge (nature), Knowledge (planes)
[Future: knowledge (religion, dungeoneering), survival]

Feat Progression:
1st: Improved Initiative or Dodge or Toughness
3rd: Power Attack
5: Intimidating Prowess or Dodge
7: Cornugon Smash or Mobility
9: Combat Reflexes
11: Improved Crit
Other options: Step Up, Dazzling Display

Teamwork Feats:
3: Precise Strike
6: Outflank
9: Paired Opportunist? Escape Route?
12: Seize the moment
Other options: Shake it Off; Coordinated Charge

Spells Known:
Orisons: Create Water, Detect Magic, Guidance, Read Magic
1st Level: Cure Light Wounds, Protection from Evil

[Mage Evolving]

-I like Cornugon Smash but if you are going to be using intimidate you might also have Shatter defenses. It will make enemies that much easier to hit.

-I might also take combat reflexes a bit sooner especially if you are taking outflank. Not being able to take your attack of opportunity stinks. esp when you are going nova.

I would probably do something like
1. power attack
3. Cornugon smash
5. shatter defenses
7. combat reflexes
9. dazzling display
11. improved crit

You can work around the low ac and the hit points using your judgements and spells.
But that is just my take on it.

[Axebeard]

Mage, Power Attack requires a BAB of +1, so Inquisitors are not eligible to select it at level 1.

[Axebeard]

As for actually helping, if you're looking for pure optimization, I would recommend taking Adopted to gain Glory of Old from the dwarf trait list instead of Loyalty. Glory of Old gives +1 to all saving throws vs. spells, spell-like abilities, and poisons, rather than just to enchantment spells and SLAs.

If you're not going to wield a reach weapon, I might suggest dropping your dexterity to 12, taking heavy armor proficiency at level 1 and pushing everything else back and dropping combat reflexes. That way you get full plate without wasting any stats.

I would also wait on committing to Intimidating Prowess at 5. With the inquisitor's scaling bonus and your half-orc bonus, you might be blowing intimidate checks out of the water anyways.

**Edit**

Also, I wouldn't take Cure Light Wounds as a level 1 spell. Buy a wand for 2PA after your first adventure. Divine Favor would probably make a better choice. Protection from Evil is a really solid choice, though.

[kaisc006]

First off, you have a great start for an optimized melee Inquisitor.

Abilities: Drop Dex to 12 and put Con at 14. At 1st level take Heavy Armor Proficiency and play it safe until you're rocking full-plate

Domain: Travel was a good pick. For optimization, I prefer the Animal (feather) domain. You'll gain +1/2 Perception per level and by level 5 (with the boon animal companion feat) have a powerful flanking partner.

Traits:If you don't want to mix in adopted trait you could get Strong in the Faith for +1 to all will saves.

Skills: You have it right here. Focus on your Intimidate, Perception, Sense Motive, and Knowledge. Unfortunately Sense Motive won't be quite so handy but if you have a good DM they will understand how to work the mod if you see through lies. At a convention my Inquis unravelled a murder mystery scenario in about 30 min. and the GM let us beat the scenario then start a new one. Pretty satisfying lol ;)

Feats: at 1st level I'd suggest Heavy Armor Prof. Then you can dump Dex to 12 and set your Con to 14.

Forget Combat Reflexes, Improved Crit., and Step-Up. Only choose Combat Reflexes if you're using a reach weapon. Improved Crit. is wasted unless there's no way you can put on the keen enhantment.

Weapon: I would suggest using an 18-20/x2 crit weapon. My Inquis was a half-orc with falchion. Reach weapons are extremely effective in a group of disciplined players but many PFS players prefer to charge straight into battle.

For spells follow Axebeard's advice and grab a wand of CLW for 2PA. YOu want to focus on buffing spells that enhance your DPR. As Inquis, all your spells should affect only you leave the party buffs for the cleric

[Bristor]

Thanks to Mage, Axebear and Kasic for the feedback.

- I chose CLW just because I was worried about surviving the first adventure w/o any means of healing, but I guess that is rather short-sighted, especially given the limited # of spells known.

-Had been waffling about the 12/14 dex vs. con decision. I guess it does make more sense if I am going to be a melee fighter to go with con and just up the armor.

- I was thinking Imp. Crit and Combat Reflexes because they are pre-reqs for Seize the Moment teamwork feat, but probably not crucial to have that.

- Going Greataxe to start since it’s cheaper (and that let’s me buy scale mail), but will switch to falchion once I get some gold!

- Trait suggestions are great. Going to go with Indomitable Faith since Adopted doesn’t work for backstory.