How to build a good sleepless detective

[Xavier319]

It's a new PrC from the Paths of Prestige. It's essentially a super detective with some sneak attack. It's pretty rad. gets 4d6 sneak attack and rogue BAB. only one combat ability. so what would be good feats or builds to lead up to it do you think? Earliest you can go into it is level six. I'm looking for feats, base class ideas/combos that would lead some combat ability but also support the investigative nature of the class. Throw any ideas you got at me, I'm curious for input and would love to explore this.

[Harrison]

Without seeing the Prestige in full, I don't think anyone can make any suggestions as to how best to build one, and since the book was delayed, most of the people here probably won't be able to help until the 23rd when it is released.

[blackbloodtroll]

If you are willing to display all the details, then someone may be able to help you.

Otherwise, you are asking for advice to be good at something, that no one knows anything about.

[Xavier319]

Ah well, I'm happy to put up the details, I wasnt sure if it was allowed. I did not want to get in trouble. I figured someone could offer something detective-like. I'll post a new thread with all the details if that's allowed. Is there somewhere that i can see the policies on posting paizo stuff? I definitely dont want to step on any toes. If anything goes, great!

[Quatar]

Since we don't know what the requirements are to get into it, we can't really give you baseclass advice there.

We don't know what stuff they get exaclty, so we have no real clue what synergises and what not.
Do they have spells like bards?

However I guess Bard or Rogue make good entry classes? High Perception, Sense Motive and Diplomacy. Bluff too. Intimidate maybe.
Thats all I can really say without knowing more.

I get why you don't wanna post it, I probably wouldn't either, but so its really hard to help.

[Xavier319]

oh i get ya. I can post some general tips. they are rogue bab, 4d6 SA over ten levels. they get some tracking SLAs, and another that lets them see someone's history by touching their blood. they can detect lies, add int to some social skills, choose a single enemy and up their AC vs them, and hit them when they miss. they get ref and will as good saves and 4+ for skills. they require some perception, diplomacy and sense motive as well as alertness for requirements.

my description there was purposefully vague as I dont wanna get in trouble, but that gives you the basic gist. no casting, rogue-like stats, good will, almost full sneak attack, 4+ for skills, and a bunch of stuff that supports solving mysteries and figuring stuff out. Sadly, they have nothing that makes it so they dont have to sleep, which would have been appropriate. i figured SOMEONE had seen it and would have thought about it.

Suppose I'll narrow my question a bit. How about any advice on abilities, feats and other such things that would support a detective type approach? preferably without a spell-casting basis, as there is no casting advancement within the PrC. As for combat, They would most likely function just like any rogue, since they get nearly full SA and rogue BAB. sadly, i find the standard rogue TWF boring.

[Benly]

One thing I like with detective types is to pick up scent one way or another - half-orcs have a feat for it, and I think some of the weirder races in the ARG have ways to grab scent too. It gives you a nice extra angle on investigations, and it can make tracking easier in urban areas where you'll be dealing with hard floors and cobble streets.

[blackbloodtroll]

Well, an Inquisitor with the Conversion Domain makes a great detective.

Excellent Perception, Sense Motive, Diplomacy, Bluff, Intimidate.
Bonuses to Knowledge, Tracking capabilities, Truth inducing spells, Tons of Detect spells.
You could even nab the Memory subdomain for a more bookworm Detective.

[Xavier319]

hmmmmmm that is a wonderful idea. that is exactly the type of stuff i was looking for BBT, thank you. it wouldnt advance the actual.. spell casting or any of the class abilities, but if you wanted to focus on the detective stuff that'd be really good. now how to make that type of character effective in combat..

[Severed Ronin]

I used the Detective Bard Archetype to build mine. While combat effectiveness isn't high up there, it's still present and his out-of-combat efficiency is phenomenal!

[Hayden Rasch]

I have a wayang rogue: 5 that's about to take levels in sleepless detective. This PrC is great for a rogue with a high int. score due to its ability to add int. to perception. My rogue also took traits that made spell craft a class skill and allow him to use int. for UMD, makes the sleepless detective's ability to detect magic at will means you will be able to identify and use almost any magical item which is handy for a party when you're lacking a caster. I'm just taking 4 levels and then going back to rogue so my sneak attack dice will be the same as someone who just went pure rogue, thee class abilities after 4 aren't that usefull in my opinion. Feat wise with a high INT. I'd reccomend something that boosts your skills, specifically knowledge checks, but other than that take whatever feats you like. In combat just keep using your detective like a pure rogue and you'll become a great asset to a party.