Dwarven Inquisitor Advice for PFS

[Slacker2010]

So I have a personality for a Dwarven frontliner.

How it came to be:

I had drawn up a rough draft of a dwarven slayer that would mostly be shield bashing for my new level 1. Upon talking with my brother he told me wanted to start up again in PFS and wanted to play a Zen Archer. The idea of brothers questing was cool so we ran with it. Then I got to thinking that a Slayer and Archer both combat focused didnt leave us a lot of utility out of combat to help the group so I think I might try and build him as an Inquisitor

I would like some help making him effective but still staying in line with the personality I have for him. Currently I am thinking his build would look like:

Stats:15, 12, 14+2, 13, 14+2, 8-2.
Feats: Heavy Armor Proficiency (1st), Power Attack (3rd), Improved Monster Lore (5th), Steel Soul (7th)

Conversion Inquisition
Fighting with Dwarven Axe and Shield

any tips?

[bigrig107]

If you still want to keep the "slayer" flavor, the Sanctified Slayer for Inquisitor gives you studied target, some sneak attack, and a few slayer talents.

As for general advice, why the heavy armor? Later on, Stalwart won't work for you as it only functions in light or medium armor. Yeah, this is at 11th level, but presumably you'll play up to there eventually.

How about this for an alternate stat spread (after racials)?
Str: 15
Dex: 14
Con: 15
Int: 12
Wis: 16
Cha: 6

This lets you pick up a breastplate (and eventually an agile breastplate), and still keep a 20 AC with your shield.
Don't forget to make your shield Sanctified, because that lets you still cast without problems with your shield on your hand.
(All of this assumes you're starting with more than the 150 gp, or else you wouldn't have taken heavy armor).

The saved feat can be used to take Steel Soul earlier, or pick up Toughness to cover the loss of Con until you bump it up at 4th.

For traits, go Fate's Favored and something else.
Divine Favor is one of your 1st level spells, right?

[Slacker2010]

I did look at Sanctified Slayer, and it is on the table. I think I will stick with Inquisitor for two reasons: Monster lore/Improved monster lore/knowledge skills and Favorite class bonus for Judgements.

I took Heavy Armor at level one because I'm taking Power attack at 3rd did not want to wait till 5th to get it. I won't be able to benefit from it until I make enough to buy the armor though. Maybe it is better to swap my 1st and 5th feat. I don't really know if Stalwart will come into play due to PFS ending at 12.

being that I am feat starved, it is really tempting to take a level of fighter at level 1 for the bonus 1 hp, Heavy armor, and a feat.

[Imbicatus]

Stalwart comes online at 11, and you have two seeker arcs and modules you can play after 12. Heavy Armor can really impact you if you go that far.

[Mr_Outsidevoice]

what spells are you looking at?
What Teamwork feats?

If Heavy Armor is your goal, The level of Fighter is a good way to tweak it. Power Attack and another feat at 1st. I think you should look at Shield Focus since AC is a priority.

[Slacker2010]

@Imbicatus - This will be my #-7, so I'm not worried about him getting that far.

@ Mr_Outsidevoice - I was thinking Divine Favor as my spell. Not sure on the teamwork feats, I figured I would swap them out as I play to see what I like. Im trying to decide if Heavy Armor is worth it. I was taking it due to how i pictured him in my head. I want him to be a extremely tough frontliner so the Heavy armor and shield made sense. I will not be taking Shield Focus because 1 ac for a feat is not worth it. Heavy Armor is 3 ac bump.

[lareman]

My highest-level PFS character is a Dwarf Inquisitor of Droskar 9. I can tell you it's some mighty fun, especially with judgment and bane on in the higher levels. Originally I made the character because I wanted a dwarf who's good at socializing, and the Conversion inquisition does that perfectly. Nothing funnier than rolling +19 diplo checks with 5 CHA. The inquisitor is good at combat, has some very nice spells and amazing skills for out-of-combat situations.

Ability scores at 1st level, which I think were quite optimal:
STR 17
DEX 12
CON 14
INT 12
WIS 16
CHA 5

[nate lange]

i'm a big fan of dipping slayer for a dwarven inquisitor... two levels gets you proficiency with all martial weapons (which includes half a dozen good racial weapons), TWF without needing Dex (which is good for shield builds and/or using the dorn dergar called 'dwarven chain flail' on pfsrd IIRC), and the ability to take the extra slayer talent feat.

it does slow your spell progression some (and delay bane and judgement increases), but you don't lose any skill points and the slayer talents can increase your utility some (like picking up trapfinding/trap spotter).

[BadBird]

For a straight power-dip, one level of Armored Hulk Barbarian plus Extra Rage grabs heavy armor, martial weapons, and Rage with a Furious weapon. Raging Vitality for +6CON.