Helpfullnes of Knowledge in combat

[Grom Kranock]

Hello all, i am making a knowledge monkey with high Int and am wondering if anyone can advise me on ways to utilize this in combat.

The only benefits of knowledge skills in combat that i am aware of is the ability to identify monsters. I also will have Kirin Style and Strike to take advantage of the high int.

If there are any other obscure spells or feats etc related to knowledge in combat please let me know.

[Mikhail]

Fighter's "Lore Warden" archetype, look at "Know Thy Enemy" ability.

[Westphalian_Musketeer]

Investigator Talent:

"Inspirational Expertise (Ex): When an investigator succeeds at a Knowledge check to identify a monster's special powers or vulnerabilities, he can expend one use of inspiration as a swift action to grant allies within 30 feet that can hear him a +4 insight bonus on attack rolls against that monster or type of monster for 1 round. An investigator must be at least 7th level to take this talent."

With creating knowledge monkeys, I think it's best if done with a base class that is good to start with, rather than trying to find combat synergies with knowledge checks. Wizards, Bards, Investigators and Lore Oracles all pull their weight in textbook duties without a problem, and they can all pull their weight in combat as well.

[Dafydd]

I suggest A level in Inquisitor for Monster Lore, add Wis (and Int) to checks to ID monsters.

Outside of knowing that the best weapon vs that thing over there is something blunt, or that the thing is gonna scoff at your fireball spell, there are not many bonuses for actually figuring out that the slime ball is a gelatinous cube.

[Serisan]

My default question if I only get 1: "What are their reproductive habits?"

You'd be amazed how often this matters.

[Grom Kranock]

I was thinking more along the lines of the Kirin style/strike/path feat chain. Things that tie in with knowledge skill and give bonuses for successfully identifying creatures or for high knowledge scores.

There is a feat that uses Knowledge Engineering? and lets you add metamagic to spells for free with some random dice roll/mathematics component?

Things like that.

[Devilkiller]

It might not be what you're looking for, but the Archivist archetype Bard can give the party some pretty nice bonuses against monsters which have been identified with a Knowledge check. This might not look much better than a regular Bard's Inspire Courage. The bonuses on attack rolls stack though, so in the right party it could be really great.

If you're interested I'd imagine that a level or two of Monk could really help your style aspirations along.

[Helcack]

Well there is always the applied engineering investigator talent, it takes a full round action and then whatever action a strength check uses but boy howdy can you hurt enemies with it. Breaking down a pillar to land on enemies requires a lot of damage with a focus on sundering, or a strength score of 50+ while bringing your knowledge(Engineering) to +20 by 4th level with an investigator isn't that hard.

[Thanael]

There's also the Student of War prestige class. Know Your Enemy enables several stances after studying a foe, Mind over Metal gives Int to AC.