Seeking advise re: Investigator for CotCT

[Lemmings]

First forum post! I started playing pathfinder a few months ago by joining a campaign midway through. I didn't know how to build characters so the GM gave me a pre-made ranger that was adapted from a preexisting NPC. That campaign just wrapped up and we're starting a crimson throne soon.

I'd like my new character to be the black sheep/bastard child of a noble family (he was the result of a dalliance btw a noblewoman and an elf diplomat). I thought the urban ranger class would fit in very well. The GM assured me we'll be in Korvosa almost full time and that I would get a lot of millage from favored enemy (human). However, I want to branch out from ranger and so started to look at other options.

The investigator seems pretty cool--I particularly like skills and alchemy options. But I'm a bit concerned it's not nearly as effective in combat as a full BAB ranger with favored enemy (human). So I'm soliciting advice re (1) general thoughts on urban ranger vs. investigator for this AP (no spoilers please); and (2) whether my investigator build below would be effective in combat (I don't doubt it'll be more helpful than the ranger out of combat).

Build: I plan on starting as an inspired blade to have some early combat power, but will go all in on investigator (empiricist) after level 1.

Half-Elf Inspired Blade 1 Empiricist X
Str11 Dex16+2 Con14 Int17 Wis10 Cha7 [25 pt build]. I plan on increasing Int every 4 levels.

Due to the split-class, I should get a feat on odd levels and a talent on even levels. The progression looks something like:

Bonus Feats: Skill Focus (Perception), Weapon Finesse, Weapon Focus (rapier)

Lv 1: Fencing Grace (rapier)
Lv 3: Combat Reflexes
Lv 4: Mutagen
Lv 5: Extra Talent: Expanded Inspiration
Lv 6: Quick Study
Lv 7: Extra Talent: Infusion (useless b/c other casters in party are better at healing/buffing? If so, Sapping Offensive instead?)
Lv 8: Sickening Offensive
Lv 9: Arcane Strike (does alchemy count as an arcane casting?)
Lv 10: Combat Inspiration
Lv 11: Piranha Strike (hoping I'll have effortless lace by then)
Lv 12: Amazing Inspiration
Lv 13: Weapon Versatility
Lv 14: Tenacious Inspiration

Anything I'm missing? I've not given it much thought after level 14 b/c I figure the campaign will probably end by then or shortly thereafter.

Thanks in advance!

[Seems]

Lemmings, you might want to take this to the Advice forum, as it gets a lot more views. I wish I could help you myself but have no experience with the investigator.

[Many Owls]

Greetings, and welcome to the forums! As Seems said, not a lot of folks wander into the Crimson Throne part of the forum, if you're looking for lots of general build advice/build comparisons.

However, as a DM i think an Investigator is a wonderful addition into any Crimson Throne campaign party! It's a really cool class that can do stuff in so many situations, especially in an urban campaign! As for your comparison of investigator vs urban ranger, well... I've got a ranger (no archetype) with favored enemy (human) waving around two swords, and yeah, if it's human and in front of her, it's gonna die really darn fast. But crimson throne is a mostly urban campaign, so it's expected that favored enemy (human) gives you a lot of combat power. But an investigator can do much more than just raw damage (in and out of combat).

Also, I'm not really one of those folks that knows their way around good builds and how to optimize stuff, but your build looks very solid. You've got expanded inspiration, fencing grace and quick study in there, so you'll be fine, or so i've been told.

So yeah, in conclusion, I'm gonna guess the ranger will do more damage in combat, but the investigator has so much more stuff up their sleeves. If given the option to play either of them, personally I'd play the investigator, but both classes are great picks for this campaign.