Investigator Archetype: Martial Artist or Assassin

[Wolfinton]

Hello all,

Anticipating my group eventually moving to 2e and myself getting to play a character as opposed to DM, I am doing some theory-crafting on a potential character. One of those is an investigator, and I am struggling to decide which archetype I would want to pick.

I'm am thinking of going ratfolk and, as much as I really (really) want to go interrogator and be semi-face, likely going the alchemical investigator

I currently have it between Assassin and Martial Artist.

Quote:

Martial Artist:

Being a martial artist would allow me to pick up Stumbling Style, and use my actions in combat to feint and (due to the necessity of having high charisma for a feint build), bon mot
This should allow me to really fish for crits, hitting enemies with a feint and knowing when to strike with my strategem -- especially if they attack me, giving me a guaranteed, no-roll flat-footed
Level 6 damage: 2d8+2d6-1+1, an average damage of 16, and crit for 32
Assuming 8 strength and hand wraps for striking
Level 8 damage: 2d8+2d6-1+1+4d6(grevious blow), an average damage of 30, and crit for 60

Quote:

Assassin

Being an assassin will necessitate switching to a rapier and utilize the backstab, sneak attack, and bonus deadly dice damage for crits
I would be ignoring poisons for this, as, even if I take the alchemical investigator, I can't reliably craft useful poisons
Similarly, I would be fishing for crits using bon mot and feint to get a reliable flat-footed condition
However, the action economy would be affected here, as I would need to use 3 actions to make a new target for death
Level 6 damage: 2d6+2d6(strategic strike)-1(strength)+2(backstabber)+1d6(sneak attack)+1d10(deadly)
Average damage of 24, critical for 48
Level 8 damage: 2d6+2d6-1+2+1d6+1d10
Average damage again of 24, critical for 48

As far as I can tell, assassin seems to be better early, utilizing the deadly and backstabbing bonuses of the assassin to really pump up the critical damage

However, it then seems to be drastically outperformed by martial artist as soon as grievous blow comes online and martial artist seems to have more consistent damage, as it doesn't rely on the mark for death to be effective

​

Am I missing anything important here? What are everyone's thoughts on the merits of either archetype in building an investigator? Do you have any other suggestions for archetypes?

This question is focused on damage, as I know investigators are quite weak on the front, but it isn't the sole focus of my build. I'm just trying to improve upon it.

[Kyrone]

Martial Artist would be more reliable on the average campaign.

Assassin shines more when you can either scry the target or in a campaign where you can manage to see the target before a fight.

[Wolfinton]

Kyrone wrote:

Martial Artist would be more reliable on the average campaign.

Assassin shines more when you can either scry the target or in a campaign where you can manage to see the target before a fight.

You've got a massive point there. I had thought about the action economy being a hassle, but not quite as much until you mentioned it.

3 actions to change in combat is a nightmare, especially if it's also my opening action.

Martial Artist seems to be the way to go.

[Castilliano]

Wolfinton wrote:

Kyrone wrote:

Martial Artist would be more reliable on the average campaign.

Assassin shines more when you can either scry the target or in a campaign where you can manage to see the target before a fight.

You've got a massive point there. I had thought about the action economy being a hassle, but not quite as much until you mentioned it.

3 actions to change in combat is a nightmare, especially if it's also my opening action.

Martial Artist seems to be the way to go.

Just remember: Melee hurts!

You will get hit, even by minions, so think in terms of skirmishing so that you're not next to an opponent at the end of your turn (and even then they'll come to you and get that 1st Strike that does most of the damage).

The increased quantity of damage you can expect to endure is a major difference from PF1. Having your best AC is a minimum and won't suffice, though party composition and tactics can cover much of the need.

[Queaux]

Getting Charisma high has a real cost in terms of saves. My general feeling is that upping Int, dex, wisdom, and constitution is going to make the most effective combat character. That means the assassin gets my vote for effectiveness based off what you presented. That seems to be what you're asking.

I also think the idea of an Investigator Assassin is a lot of fun. Planning out an assassination run is exactly the kind of thing an Investigator would be excellent at. Also, just hiding with a range weapon waiting until you roll a 20 on your Investigator before committing to the run is flavorful and effective. You could bake a cake by using something like a vine arrow that immobilizes on crit and poison that arrow to start an assassination run off right.