I'm trying to build a 2 handed weapon bruiser of an inquisitor but I'm hung up on feats. Most of the combat feats I want require +1 bab, so it seems like I'm wasting my bonus human feat on something irrelevant.
I want Power attack and Dazzling display as soon as I can get them, and I'd like cleave and something to help with positioning like step up or lunge. After factoring in prereqs like weapon focus and martial/exotic wp ( mandatory god gives a poor weapon choice) I'm looking at a looong wait to get the character to where I envision him!
Would a 1st lvl fighter dip be worth it? Is gaining heavy armour, martial weapons and the ability to select three combat feats out of the gate worth the delay to all the inquisitor powers?
Personally, I don't believe the dip into fighter is required. If you're looking at getting Dazzling Display, might I suggest Intimidating Prowess as one of your 1st level feats.
As for your other feat, I would suggest Martial Weapon Proficiency (Fill in whatever big weapon you want). I might suggest the Earthbreaker. Less chance of a Critical.... but honestly the likelihood of a 19 over a 20 isn't that much of a difference. Besides, unless you're going to focus on the Critical tree feat, I wouldn't even bother. The X3 crit modifier is pretty awesome when you do.
The first few levels are pain to get through with an Inquisitor, but the wait is worth it. When you get into mid-high levels you'll be doing loads of damage with Bane, buff spells, and all the abilities. Snag PA at level 3 and then start your build from there.
One good inquisitor feat is improved monster lore. At first level it does not do much, but as you level up it starts to pay off big time. Keep in mind that if you cannot identify the monster you cannot use bane.
I would recommend Cornugun Smash over dazzling display. The problem with dazzling display it is a full round action which means you are not actually hitting anyone. Cornugun Smash on the other hand is a free action for anyone you are attacking using power attack.
If you want to affect a group use the spell Blistering Invective which not only allows you to demoralize everyone within 30’ they take 1-10 points of damage and must save or catch on fire. It is only a second level spell so you can pick it up at 4th level.
The inquisitor is a great class, but does not come into its own until about 5th level.
My Inquisitor got heavy armor proficiency at level 1. In the end it's +3 AC for one feat which is pretty good. I mostly took it because noone else in the group can wear heavy armor. I lose stalwart unless I get some (very expensive) mithral armor but I can live without it because most fort or will saves are all-or-nothing anyway.
Another good feat would be Toughness. It's by far best if taken at level 1 since it allows you to actually reach the levels when you become great.
Additional traits is also very nice, especially if your GM doesn't give you traits for free. I got
- Birthmark on my hand, covered with a glove, so I can cast spells without showing that I'm an agent of my diety. The +2 Will against Charm and Compulsion is also great.
- World Traveler, via the adopted trait (I'm half-orc), giving me the only monster identification skill the inquisitor lacks as a class skill.
An unusual choice would be racial heritage so you can qualify for other racial feats later. Keen Scent is an awesome (never be surprised again!) though redundant if you get the bloodhound spell.
If you have the Int 13 for it, fast learner is also good but it's basically like taking toughness and investing your favored class bonus into skill points. It does stack with Toughness, though.
Defiant Luck can also help staying up.
personally, i think the fighter dip may be worthwhile... proficiency with all martial weapons is really handy, especially if you don't like your deity's favored weapon. and proficiency with all armor and shields is great for a divine caster. plus, as you said, it allows you to take 3 of the feats you want at 1st level instead of spreading them out at 3, 5, and 7! it does push back spell access and bane, and slightly hurt your skills, but if your focus is on being a 2hand bruiser its not a bad option. as always, YMMV.
Thanks all, some good ideas there. If I scratch dazzling display off my list and use my intimidate for things like burning invective and cornugon smash it that means I can concentrate on the power attack feats.
I'm kinda locked in to the deity choice and the weapon is a mace, so yeah... dipping for all martial weapons looks attractive.
thanks again for the help!
Avoid dipping especially for an inquisitor. The inquisitor has a lot of abilities and most of them scale with level so dipping just delays those. If you want a better two handed weapon go with a race that gives proficiency with a weapon. Half Orcs get proficiency with Great Axes, and Falchions. They also have the best favored class bonus for a intimidate based inquisitor. Max out intimidate with and you will have a +17 intimidate at 6th level even with a 10 CHA. Heavy armor is not that important and it causes you to lose Stalwart.