Combat options for a skill monkey


Advice


I'm building a skill monkey for PFS, and am currently disturbed by my lack of combat options. I'm looking for suggestions to improve the build in general, and how to add combat viability.

Race: wayang

Traits: undecided, but adopted + helpful halflings is appealing, also clever wordplay (disguise), but I sadly cannot take both.

Str: 8
Dex: 14
Con: 14
Int: 20
Wis: 10
Cha: 7

Vigilante 1: skill focus linguistics, social trait: orator, specialization: stalker
Vigilante 2: vigilante talent: canny observer
Emp. Investigator1: feat: Can't remember the name, a feat that makes it dc25 linguistics to communicate with anyone
Emp. Investogator 2: nothing
Emp. Investogator 3: trap spotter, extra talent: expanded inspiration or effortless aid (depending on traits)
Vigilante 3: social talent: subjective truth (I'm grasping at straws here)
Vigilante 4: vigilante talent: sure footed, great fortitude
vigilante 5: social grace adds disable device, social talent: many guises
Emp Investogator 4: Extra investigator talent: infusion

Beyond this I have no plans. I made many selections that I would be willing to part with (including stat buy, my first 20). As mentioned in the build, I am considering the aid another route, perhaps with a reach weapon. I'm also on the fence regarding the cabalist archetype, but the reduced skill points and lack of vigilante specialization (no canny observer) make me cautious.

Thanks for any advice.

Silver Crusade

I have many a skill monkey for PFSP. This build spends way to much effort on skill. To the point you have given up all combat options. Unless your making a Int base caster. Their is no reason to have a 20 Int. Linguistics skill comes up in like 1 out of 30 scenarios. That is a very generous number. With just max ranks most of my character have no problems. By the time you can communicate with any one you spent 2 feats on something a wizard can do with a low level spell.

Aid another action is kind of a waste. If you can aid you should be able to hit. Unless their are other things going on. Like your playing up and the AC of the boss is so high your having problems hitting. That dose not come up very often.

I recommend you go with something like.
Wayang
Investigator, or Pick any class that gets 6 or more skill ranks per level.
Str 10
Dex 18
Con 14
Int 16
Wis 10
Cha 8
1: Weapon Finess
3: Weapon Focus
5: Slashing Grace, or Fencing Grace


Honestly It sounds like you may want to Look into the Swashigator.

It is the Skill focused Empiricist Investigator Build with a single dip into Inspired Blade Swashbuckler for Combat abilities (Weapon Focus, Easy access to Fencing Grace, Dodging Panache, Parry and Riposte, Darring Do). Admit-tingly still not as good as a STR Builds in the damage department but still good enough for PFS and APs.

You seem to want to be more Dex based than Str based which helps in the skills department. It is why I suggest it. But since PFS is not hella optimized a STR build pure Investigator will still be effective at most skills.

I also would not be so Dumpy in the stats department. A 20 INT is nice but I tend to start with a 18 or 19 (After racial) so I do not need to destroy multiple attributes.

Str: 10, Dex: 15, Con: 14, Int: 16, Wis: 12, Cha: 7
This is usually what I go by. I tend to favor Elves, Human, or Half breeds. Putting points into INT up to a 18. But it is truly up to you. I like the abilities to carry my stuff and not having negatives on STR based skills. The 12 Wisdom is to help once you get Mutagens. Dex Mutagens give -2 Wisdom.

You can take a trait to turn some CHA based face skills into INT based. Also Empiricist Archetype turns some skills into INT based skills. (Disable Device, Perception, Sense Motive, and Use Magic Device checks. He can also use his Intelligence modifier instead of Charisma on any Diplomacy checks made to gather information.)

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