I need help deciding what feats and spells to go with on this character from here out. I’ve read over the guide and there are a lot of good choices for a 2h Inquisitor… so much that I’m having trouble planning what feats I’m going to take. I’ve read the Inquisitor guides and they’ve been helpful in giving some options of what to take, but I’m still not sure what to go with given the classes in our group.
My group is very heavy melee, we’ve got me, a sword and board Paladin, a Fighter (Curved Elven Blade Weapon Master archetype), and a Monk. I suppose I have enough levels left to try to switch to ranged, but I’m not sure if it would be worth it… Sort of a switch hitter Inquisitor maybe. I also want to make sure we’re prepared for the higher levels where we might face spellcasters or magic abilities that could knock a melee group out quick.
Here is my character so far:
(Not a stat buy… we rolled stats, GM is increasing the difficulty of encounters as needed)
STR: 21
DEX: 15
CON: 14
INT: 13
WIS: 17
CHA: 12
Critical Related Feats:
Either stay with Greatsword or switch to Falchion… I’m not convinced Falchion is worth it, calculating avg damages it with a Falchion and Improved Crit isn’t much higher than a Greatsword with Improved Crit.
• Weapon Focus (Falchion) – I wish I could afford a feat for Fauchard for higher damage and reach
• Shatter Defenses
• Improved Critical (Falchion) - required if I want to pick up Seize the Moment teamwork feat
• Critical Focus
• Bleeding Critical
Other:
• Extra Rage – Not sure yet if I’ll be allowed to take this or not.
Teamwork Feats:
I’m at a loss of what to take here for my 3rd and 4th teamwork feats. Because the group is heavy on melee I can see lots of opportunities for Flanking. The Curved Elven Blade using Fighter (Weapon Master) will likely be getting lots of crits, which could make Seize the Moment useful.
Spells:
Given my role in the party as one of the few spellcasters, I want to make sure I’m taking any spells that normally an Inquisitor would leave up to the Cleric or Wizard/Sorcerer to handle. I also want to make sure I can make up for the groups lack of ranged ability if necessary.
I’m thinking of picking up Terrible Remorse and Dispel Magic at level 7. Beyond that I’m really not sure, and as the one in the group with the highest caster level I want to make sure I’m ready for whatever we might face. Any suggestions on level 3, 4, 5, and 6 spells would be really helpful.
Rage Powers:
At 8th level I’m going to be able to Rage due to selecting the Rage Domain. Any tips on what to pick for my Rage powers at level 12 and 16?
Equipment:
Any tips on what equipment to go for? I’m planning on getting Mithril Full plate so I can still use Stalwart. Other than that I’m just planning to focus on the “big six”
Wands:
This is probably too broad a question, but what wands do you think are essentials for any group, or for this melee focused group in particular.
Switch out Hvy wp prof for EWP: fauchard. You will find that a reach weapon will be more versatile in alot more situations than heavy armor... Then you can always pick it back up later if you desire.
I'd forget the Vital Strike feats. Grab various crit feats and a falchion. The falchion isn't for dpr, it's for threat range. Keen that sucker asap.
good 3rd level spells: prayer, magic circle against evil, magic vestment, greater magic weapon. Invisibility purge or arcane sight might also be useful to you. Might also consider remove curse and remove paralysis, or at least get scrolls of them.
Switch out Hvy wp prof for EWP: fauchard. You will find that a reach weapon will be more versatile in alot more situations than heavy armor... Then you can always pick it back up later if you desire.
You mean swap Heavy Armor? I don't think my GM will let me, I've been using some Full Plate +1 since I picked up the feat at level 3. We just hit level 7. So swapping out that feat is probably not going to happen... I wouldn't allow it if I were the GM.
I'd forget the Vital Strike feats. Grab various crit feats and a falchion. The falchion isn't for dpr, it's for threat range. Keen that sucker asap.
good 3rd level spells: prayer, magic circle against evil, magic vestment, greater magic weapon. Invisibility purge or arcane sight might also be useful to you. Might also consider remove curse and remove paralysis, or at least get scrolls of them.
Thanks for the tips on spells.
Regarding the Falchion maybe you can help me out. Even including critting twice as often, the avg damage is lower than the Greatsword.
So the only reason to go with Falchion is for the bonuses gained through the on-crit effects from the Critcal Feats, like Bleeding Critical. Is it worth the investment of two feats (or three if I pick up Improved Critical) just to get that extra damage from Bleeding Critical?
(I'm just using Bleeding Crit as an example because I know it's considered one of the better ones).
As far as the heavy prof is concerned, see if he will let you retrain at lvl 8. That is if you are interested. As far as the falchion is concerned- yes the average damage is lower, but it is multiplied more often.
Bleeding critical is imo one of the worst crit feats. What you want are crit feats that debilitate your opponents, not add on a little extra damage.
2d6 (average 7, which is a pittance at that level) vs say something like... Staggering critical. first of all, there's an effect even on a save, second, it takes them from a full attack to a single standard. for many high level opponents, this is huge. Dragons come to mind, the claw claw bite tail slap wing wing attack routine turns into 'bite'.
unless the 7 damage you managed to do through bleeding actually killed the sucker, staggering critical wins every time. Because if the dragon attacks you once with his bite, he can no longer move away, letting you take another full attack at him, and with 3 attacks, on a 15-20 crit range, you have a damn good job of staggering the dragon again, if you didnt kill him.
Bleeding critical is imo one of the worst crit feats. What you want are crit feats that debilitate your opponents, not add on a little extra damage.
2d6 (average 7, which is a pittance at that level) vs say something like... Staggering critical.
I completely agree with everything you said. But for an inquisitor the earliest I could get Staggering Crit is 19. I'm all for planning up to level20, but investing heavily in crit feats just to have to wait till 19 to see it shine seems like I'm possibly missing out on feats that will help me out earlier and be more useful in the lvl 7 - 15 age of the character, rather than something picked up just before retirement.
I really do appreciate the feedback though, these are the kinds of things I'm hoping to get advice on.
One level of fighter will do you much better than either heavy armor prof or exotic weap. You don't lose out on too much, and you get heavy armor prof and an extra feat. Just my opinion. If you're not doing that, I'd stay away from either of the feats. Just grab power attack, furious focus, and make sure your god has a large weapon as it's favored weapon (A great sword or the like).
yea, quite frankly, critical feats are fairly lackluster for a non full BAB character. though I'd still recommend say, sickening critical over bleeding. -2 to everything, including saves. help your party casters out. including 10% less chance to hit your pansy ass :)
