Help! Choosing between two reach builds

[LibraryRPGamer]

Hi Everyone,

I'm going to be starting a game soon with two other players: A caster Druid w/ a Tiger AC and a Filcher Rogue. I have taken on the responsibility of being a melee combatant and party crafter.

I'm know I want to play some type of reach build with levels in Inquisitor that focuses on pure damage rather than the standard trip and/or intimidate feats. I also know that I need at least 3 caster levels (we aren’t worrying about craft DCs for this game - so spellcraft need not be maxed) to qualify for the Craft Wondrous Items feat.

Below are two builds I like. The first is a half-elf Inquisitor 5 that uses a Fauchard for a high-crit reach build. The second is a Dwarf Fighter 4/Inquisitor 1 with the cleave feat chain. Both builds do lots of damage (and both use the Anger Inquisition for Rage) but I’m torn between which one to play.

20pt buy. All pathfinder products are allowed. Assume +1 armor, a +1 melee weapon, a +2 Belt of Giant Strength, a +1 Cloak of Resistance, and a +1 Ring of Protection for both builds

CN Half-Elf Inquisitor of Gorum 5:

Ancestral Arms (Fauchard)
Archetype: Preacher
Favored Class: Extra HP x5
Domain: Anger Inquisition
Caster Level: 5
Deity: Gorum

HP: 34, AC: 21
Saves: +6/+4/+6
Immunities: Sleep, +2 vs. Enchantments
Initiative +5, BAB +3, Speed 20ft

Weapons:
Chthonic Steel Fauchard +1 (PA): +9 1d10+14, 18-20x2
- w/ reach, +2 crit confirmations, 3 AoOs per round, Parried Opportunist, Bane, Judgement, PA -1/+3
MW Composite Longbow [STR +6]: +6 1d8+6, x3
- w/ 110ft range, Bane, Judgement

Abilities: STR 22 (17+1+2+2), DEX 14, CON 13, INT 10, WIS 13, CHA 7

Traits: Warrior of Old (Elf - +2 initiative), Defender of the Society (Combat - +1 AC)

Feats:
1 - Combat Reflexes, EWP: Fauchard (HF)
3 - Power Attack
5 - Craft Wondrous Items

Skills - 30 ranks:
Climb 0 (+6), Diplomacy 5 (+8), Know Religion 3 (+9), Intimidate 4 (+6), Perception 5 (+13), Sense Motive 4 (+10), Survival 3 (+9), Spellcraft 5 (+9), Swim 1 (+6)

NG Dwarf Fighter 4/Inquisitor 1:

Fighter Archetype: Polearm Master (APG)
Inquisitor Archetype: Spellbreaker (UC)
Domain: Anger Inquisition
Favored Class (Fighter 4): Extra HP
Caster Level: 3
Deity: Torag

HP: 48, AC: 22 (26 vs. Giants)
Fort: +9, Ref: +2, Will: +5
Bonus to Saves: +3 vs. Magic, +3 vs. Poison, re-roll will saves vs. mind effects (take hightest)
Initiative: +3, BAB: +4
CMB: +9, CMD: 20 (24 vs. Bull Rush and Trip)

Weapons:
Dwarven Longhammer +1 (PA/Cleave, 2 AoOs, reach): +8, 2d6+14 x3, AC 20
MW Composite Longbow [STR +5]: +5, 1d8+5 x3, 110ft

Abilities:
STR 20 (17+1+2), DEX 14, CON 16 (14), INT 7, WIS 14 (12), CHA 5 (7)

Traits:
Magical Knack (Inquisitor), Glory of Old

Feats:
1 - Power Attack, Cleave (F)
2 - Level of Inquisitor
3 - Goblin Cleaver, Orc Hewer (F)
5 - Craft Wondrous Items, Combat Reflexes (F)

Skills - 9 ranks:
Climb 1 (+3), Diplomacy 1 (+6), Know Religion 1 (+2), Sense Motive 2 (+8), Spellcraft 3 (+8), Swim 1 (+3)

Please help me choose!

[Black Lotus]

I would go pure fighter for what u wnat todo. I know u wnat to take craft wondrous items, but really tog et a caster lvl and be able to use it, you only need half a feat (trait to get spell like abbilite) To get it.
pure fighter i think would be better in this case bro :)

[Kaito Darkborn]

At first, I wanted to recommend a Reach Cleric build because it is the greatest build ever, however after reading your post I would enjoy the Dwarf Fighter 4/Inq. 1. Unless, you go full Inquisitor then move into Grey Gardener at level 6. It is one of the coolest PrCs in my opinion.

[LibraryRPGamer]

Black Lotus wrote:

I would go pure fighter for what u wnat todo. I know u wnat to take craft wondrous items, but really tog et a caster lvl and be able to use it, you only need half a feat (trait to get spell like abbilite) To get it.

pure fighter i think would be better in this case bro :)

Well, the GM and I have a special agreement when it comes to CWI. First, I just need the feat - the GM says he doesn't care about caster level checks nor Spellcraft DCs to make the actual item.

This will be an episodic campaign and all of my crafting will be done "off screen". As per our deal, each player will get one wondrous item at half price to start. In addition, I can make one wondrous item between sessions.

Normally, I agree that CWI would not be worth it for a melee build, but, in this case, it is. And, besides, the other players are relying on me for discounted stuff.

[LibraryRPGamer]

Kaito Darkborn wrote:

At first, I wanted to recommend a Reach Cleric build because it is the greatest build ever, however after reading your post I would enjoy the Dwarf Fighter 4/Inq. 1. Unless, you go full Inquisitor then move into Grey Gardener at level 6. It is one of the coolest PrCs in my opinion.

Did you mean Grey Warden?

[Sir Thugsalot]

I love reach-clerics, especially with one level of fighter at 1st.

[Magda Luckbender]

Sir Thugsalot wrote:

I love reach-clerics, especially with one level of fighter at 1st.

Me too, Thugs. It is the 'greatest build ever'. Sometimes the Fighter level is worth it, sometimes it is not. Thugs, we've had that discussion before.