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At the time of this post I don't feel it's entirely complete. I think a few things need to be refined adn that will require more time I think. Also I think it could look better. We'll see. In any case if there are any problems with it you see let me know.
Does this make a Investigator//Slayer Prof. James Moriarty?
Sure, why not.
Pretty good. I disagree with your ranking on several class features and talents, but guides are opinions after all and I see where your coming from. Overall its useful. I'd like to see an equipment section at some time.
It's not difficult to figure out, but you should detail the meaning of your ranking color scheme in the intro for user friendliness.
Pretty good. I disagree with your ranking on several class features and talents, but guides are opinions after all and I see where your coming from. Overall its useful. I'd like to see an equipment section at some time.
Feel free to hare your disagreements so long as you can back them up.
An equipment section may be in order. But honestly I hate doing equipment. So much of it seems obvious.
Dotting for later. :)
Paragon surge I avoid explicitly because it's cheese and limited to half elves. It's too good to the point I don't allow it in my games. I'm fairly sure it's banned in PFS as well. So yes, it's good.
Channel Vigor is superior to haste but I believe is limited to Irori worshipers only. Something that the site in question leaves out specifically since becoming a store.
-Is there any reason not to take the Steel Hound?
Your GM is playing without firearms. That's at least one good reason.
Paragon surge is allowed for PFS, however, observe the FAQ that toned the spell down a bit: Paragon Surge FAQ
Since most PFS scenarios happen over the course of a single day, this is significant for PFS.
Nice! I had an investigator in the workings, and this will help a lot. :D
I'll go over all of the guide tomorrow, but I already skimmed it: in the archetype section, I'd advise to make the name of the archetypes bigger, to better distinguish them from the abilities they grant.
More to come tomorrow . :)
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A lot of your builds have Weapon Focus as a suggested feat for first level. Technically doable with retraining, but probably not the best suggestion.
To comment on your dislike of archer investigators, the biggest advantage is that people want a ranged rogue, and those are probably the worst. For people that have been looking for a ranged rogue character, investigator is a decent option.
A lot of your builds have Weapon Focus as a suggested feat for first level. Technically doable with retraining, but probably not the best suggestion.
Ugh, of course I'd miss the +1 bab requirement. That will need to be fixed.
Ugh, of course I'd miss the +1 bab requirement. That will need to be fixed.A lot of your builds have Weapon Focus as a suggested feat for first level. Technically doable with retraining, but probably not the best suggestion.
Well it can work for humans taking adoptive parents.
Some section about possible multiclassing options could help... for example, a 1-level dip in Inspired blade would be nice for a dex-based Investigator and help the build at starting levels, like adding some Gunslinger (maybe Pistolero or Musket Master) to a Steelhound (you waste the duplicate Gunsmithing, but you add a lot of skill-mastery and buffing without sacrificing too much).
Looks interesting.
Nits:
First page your links are to ".../edit?...", and should probably be ".../view?...".
You write in a two column format. Great if you print it, not so good if you view it. I recommend change the in column pictures to ones that wrap text on the side, and make the document single column. That way you don't need to go back up to continue reading, and you don't have to sometimes guess if you are at the bottom of a page.
For equipment, I recommend the Circlet of Persuasion. +3 on all Cha skills for 4500 gp is a great item.
/cevah
I really quite liked the guide, and i probably just found the class for my next backup if both my current and backup guys die (im thinking a Brains investigator)
I personally rate Expanded Inspiration as a green simply for perception (although sense motive with empathy is nice too, along with diplomacy and, if you bother to put a point into it heal). Consider the half elf empiricist with an Int of 18 at 3rd level: Perception +15 +1d6+1 (+6 skill, +2 keen senses, +3 skill focus, +4 int, +1d6+1 inspiration from favored class bonus) averaging +19 on every perception roll, probably the most important skill of the game.
With the Ranged Study feat, the steel hound becomes better since you'll most likely choose a pistol as your gun so you'll usually be within 30ft anyway.
An equipment section may be in order. But honestly I hate doing equipment. So much of it seems obvious.
Listing the obvious is useful for readers who may not be familiar with the myriad magical options that are out there. Especially for readers like me who have never really looked at Investigators or Alchemists before.
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Made some adjustments to the guide particularly the builds section.
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Why do you suggest that extracts are limited compared to the alchemists? Do they not get the exact same number?
And if I was going to make a brains investigator, I'd ditch TWF and go with a rapier and Kirin Style/Kirin Strike.
Move to study, swift action Kirin Style to identify (which you should nail because duh- Investigator), standard action to quaff whatever buff you most desire, then next round you move up to hit for Studied Combat plus Studied Strike plus Agile Weapon plus 2 times your INT modifier, which should be multiplied on a crit even if your precision damage does not.
Probably the absolute go to for breaking a lot of rules on how we get feats: Master of Many Styles Monk levels.
I'm thinking of a Inspired Blade for a one level dip and pick up Fencing Grace. Got your dex to damage and hit for only 1 multiclass level and a feat.
EDIT: Also you get panache with Cha AND Int added. Not bad for a single level.
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Kirin style does need Imp. Unarmed Strike, but say you are a human and take IUS and Weapon Finesse at level 1, then at level 7 you take Kirin Style and Level 9 Kirin Strike. That still leaves levels 3 and 5 for whatever other feats you might need. I'd advise against Arcane Strike since Kirin Style and Studied Combat are going to be eating up your swift actions.
Pretty cool ideaI'm thinking of a Inspired Blade for a one level dip and pick up Fencing Grace. Got your dex to damage and hit for only 1 multiclass level and a feat.
EDIT: Also you get panache with Cha AND Int added. Not bad for a single level.
Yep with your Derring-Do deed, you can use your Int (+ at least 1) panache to skill monkey Acrobatics, Climb, Escape Artist, Fly, Ride, or Swim with +1d6 after the roll but before the result. You also pick up swim as a class skill, leaving only fly off your list.
It buffs your skills, combat and it's damn cool to boot. :)
Alternately, just save your Panache for Opportune Parry/Riposte, and it means you don't need anywhere near as much AC in many cases, and can focus your resources elsewhere.
Parry/riposte eats 2 panache from a fairly small pool that doesn't normally increase. It also suffers from you being 3/4 BAB and the -2/size difference. It might be useful sometimes but I'm expecting to use it mostly for skills and I wouldn't neglect AC on the hopes it blocks two attacks before I empty the pool.
Now if you get lucky and are getting crits to refill that pool, have at it.
AH your right. I read parry incorrectly. I'm still wary of using the parry unless the roll was just a hit from a same sized foe.
Dodge still provokes from other from other creatures so only good on single creatures.
Getting to the level that you have studied combat/mutagen are what I was looking at. 1-4th you're a slightly better rogue for attacks. Once you get all the goodies, parry seems more viable. I'd still favor skill use though.
So an Investigator with the Effortless Aid Investigator Talent use his standard action, his move action and his swift action to aid the same check.
Now, it might not seem like much, but if an investigator is in a party with a sorcerer with the accursed bloodline or a witch with the coven hex, they can use aid another to modify caster level.
If you take the traits to to attempt to optimize aid another:
Such as aid allies +1 to aid another,the helpful trait +1 to aid another,the helpful(halfling) that is +2 to aid another, and the fools for friends campaign trait for another +1 to aid another.
That's a +7 aid another bonus, there are others that boost certain uses of aid another further.
Now I know its is involving a specific party combination to pull this off but if you have an investigator 3/witch 1,sorcerer,1 or hexcrafter magus,you could potentially add up to +21 to another spellcasters caster level if they have the coven hex at level 4.
Even with out this very specific combo, effortless aid should probably be rated higher, It is just too damn usefull when you cannot do anything else.
At the very least, something like this should be mentioned in the builds section of the guide.
Why do you suggest that extracts are limited compared to the alchemists? Do they not get the exact same number?
Because many of the extracts are built with the alchemist in mind. That means bombs which investigators don't get. Among other things.
How about dipping into Sleepless Detective as an Empiricist?
You should probably look into some of the magic items made for Investigators as well. along with useful alchemical items.
If you don't have it yet by subscription, get the Advanced Class Origins Player Companion on the 22nd. I heard some of the options in there are pretty good. it even has a magic hat for Investigators. :)