I finally had a look at the investigator in the ACG and I actually quite like it. Except for the alchemy. I've never much liked the alchemist, and having their odd magic system used for the Investigator is a negative for me.
So I was quite happy to find an archetype that gets rid of it. But it doesn't seem like it's getting much in return - a small pool of points that can add an extra boost to a couple of skills, evasion, a small initiative boost, a small speed boost, and a weak reroll ability.
Am I missing something, or is there just not much being gained in exchange for six levels of casting?
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The problem with exchanging out alchemy in that class is that whatever you get back for it really has to be amazing, because it's basically spellcasting, commonly otherwise known as the best mechanic in the game.
I don't completely understand what you get for it with the luck pool, but I don't know if those 5 deeds are worth it. In short, they're:
1st level:
- +1 to very maybe +18 on str/dex skills
- evasion
- +2 to initiative (and the ability to quick draw as part of initiative if you have Quick Draw, which few will have)
4th level (and these replace another investigator class feature):
- use certain unknown investigator talents on the fly
- +20ft speed for 1 minute & +4 AC
- inspiration/daring reroll, keep if lower
A few of those are pretty impressive, but they're also very situational, even taken together. It's a good secondary set of skills, but is it good enough to replace spells? Maybe only if it really, really fits your flavour.