| Rycaut |
So my half-elf Zen Archer Monk 4 / Menhir Savant Druid (Eagle Domain) 4 PFS character just leveled up to CL 9.
for my 9th level feat I'm probably going to take Shaping Focus (so my Wild Shape ability leaps up to at least that of an 8th level Druid - meaning more uses/day, longer duration and far more useful shapes)
I have to choose between:
5th level of Monk (aiming for a 6th level of monk to get Improved Precise Strike and Weapon Specialization) - doesn't grant much however - just Ki Arrows (to no real effect currently), one more use of Perfect Strike, +1 to BAB when flurrying, High Jump (or a quinggong ki power). NO BAB or Saves bumps.
5th level of Druid - 3rd level Druid spells (with his 25 WIS that's 3 spells per day + Fly from Eagle domain). But no other changes other than aiming towards level 6 for Aerial Evasion as an Eagle Domain cleric
or something else - what I'm considering is
dipping inquisitor (of Irori) possibly the Witch Hunter variety.
This would add:
1/day Judgement (lots of nice effects depending on combat need)
4 0 level spells known (Sift being the most useful for my +24 - +29 perception character but a few others aren't on the Druid list)
2 1st level Inquisitor spells known (probably Litany of Sloth & Divine Favor or True Strike) (3 casts per day)
either Monster Lore (+WIS - currently +7 to knowledge checks to identify monsters - though for this character that will require ranks in more Knowledges) or if Witch Hunter then +7 to Spellcraft to identify spells and magic items which could be really helpful.
Stern Gaze for a +1 to Intimidate and Sense Motive
+2 to Fort & Will Saves (which being a monk/druid are already really really good)
And if I went with the Conversion Inquisition for my domain would be +7 to Bluff, Diplomacy and Intimidate checks.
(I should note however that this character rarely does any social or int based skill checks currently)
If for level 10 I also took a level of Inquisitor he would get a few more spells known, 1 more spell per day, detect alignment & Track (or Knowledgeable Defense if Witch Hunter) and Cunning Initiative (which for him would boost his Initiative to a +15 since he already has a +8 from Dex, Improved Initiative, Reactionary and a cracked ioun stone)
Giving up 3rd level Druid spells is perhaps a big deal - but it sure seems like he would be getting a great deal from a couple of Inquisitor levels.
I'm open to other suggestions - not sure if there is any Prestige Classes I would qualify for (or could qualify for - perhaps some of Pathfinder society focused ones) but I think they won't give me as much as either a Druid level or dipping Inquisitor.
The character is heavily Wisdom focused - so the appeal of the Inquisitor dip is adding a bunch of more WIS based abilities and skills (perhaps including Initiative if I dip for 2 levels). Adding some useful orisons and great action economy spells like Litany of Sloth are also appealing.
The Shaping Focus feat was to give the character a high level alternative when archery won't cut it in a given encounter (probably primarily via useful Elemental Forms though I will look into whether there are useful Animal or Plant forms to use. With his monk levels and other items his AC while in Animal forms will be exceptional. Though few if any wild share forms will allow him to also continue to use his bow (arguably a medium elemental could if he dropped his bow & quiver before wild shaping)