A Religious Ranger or an Inquisitor

[Sandbox]

Ok so I'd really like to build a character that is a hunter of people, heretics, opposition leaders...for an intrigue/investigational/slightly horror type campaign...

I'm having trouble deciding between roleplaying a religious ranger or an inquisitor, as i'd like this character to be fiercely zealous and have a "hidden master" in the church pulling the strings through messages, similar to working like the albino in the divinci code. I think it would give a DM an interesting way to manipulate plot and create story and direction for my character.

I'd like an archery focus, but i know that i will end up switch hitting or just being a beatstick...archery is soo feat intensive

I'm also very interested in certain spells...Speak with Dead,BloodBiography,BloodHound,CreateTreasureMap,DispelMagic and other divination crime solvers...which leads me to lean alot closer to Inquisitor.

I absolutely love the blend of Skills and Utility spells.
The Beefy Saves of both classes are great.
I've even thought about going SpellBreaker(Void)Inquisitor1/ranger 19 with a dual minded HalfElf with Indominable Faith Trait...just to buff will saves on a ranger. (void is hard to flavor though)

I'm into the Track feature and using it to hunt people.

But the road block i keep coming to is that i'm not sure if I can stand not being Full BAB...is 3/4 BAB viable for archery. I know there are judgements and things on the inquisitor to help. and I think that I'm convincing myself to be an inquisitor as I type.

what do you think community? and what advice do you say about the myriad of Domains,subDomains, and inquisitions that are out there to customize and flavor the idea i have. the number of features and options on the inquisitor are rediculous...please Help!

PS...I'm really looking at Human for the extra spells known...for the toolboxy nature of them, but I'd like lowlight or darkvision too:-(

[NeoSeraphi]

3/4 BAB is certainly viable for archery, especially if you use a crossbow, because then you don't need to worry about the Manyshot feat (it's for bows only).

Here's the breakdown for an archer-focused crossbow inquisitor:

1st- Point Blank Shot, Skill Focus (Sense Motive/Intimidate) for a half-elf, Precise Shot for a human
3rd- Precise Shot (Half-elf), Rapid Shot (human)
5th- Rapid Shot (Half-elf), Deadly Aim (human)
7th- hopefully around this point you can get a +1 endless ammunition heavy repeating crossbow (endless ammunition is a +2 enchantment from Ultimate Equipment that lets the clip in your repeating crossbow automatically refill)

[Sandbox]

I'm a fan of the ancestors domain for the speak with dead ability ... It offers no save!
No one really seems too enthusiastic about this power but I see it as making the dm answer any question I want as long as the victim would know the answer.

[blackbloodtroll]

Eagle Domain is choice for an Inquisitor Archer.

Nabbing the Aquatic, Arctic, or Swamp Domain will allow you to take the Guided Hand feat, and use wisdom for attack rolls with your God's favored weapon.

Simply choose a God with a favored weapon that is ranged.

[Seranov]

NeoSeraphi wrote:

3/4 BAB is certainly viable for archery, especially if you use a crossbow, because then you don't need to worry about the Manyshot feat (it's for bows only).

Here's the breakdown for an archer-focused crossbow inquisitor:

1st- Point Blank Shot, Skill Focus (Sense Motive/Intimidate) for a half-elf, Precise Shot for a human
3rd- Precise Shot (Half-elf), Rapid Shot (human)
5th- Rapid Shot (Half-elf), Deadly Aim (human)
7th- hopefully around this point you can get a +1 endless ammunition heavy repeating crossbow (endless ammunition is a +2 enchantment from Ultimate Equipment that lets the clip in your repeating crossbow automatically refill)

NeoSeraphi wrote:

crossbow inquisitor

YOU HAVE MY ATTENTION.

Spoiler:

No, seriously, I've been dying to figure out a way to make a Crossbow guy, and Inquisitors are awesome, and this sounds like two great things that would be great together.

[blackbloodtroll]

A Guided Hand Crossbow build would be decent.

Abadar, LN, Light Crossbow.

Nocticula, CE, Hand Crossbow.

Malthus, LE, Light Crossbow.

Sabnach, LE, Heavy Crossbow.

Xhasnaphar, LE, Hand Crossbow.

Scarmiglione, LE, Hand Crossbow.

Laivatiniel, NE, Light Crossbow.

Uaransaph, NE, Repeating Crossbow.