Deciding on an archetype for PFS Investigator

[TiwazBlackhand]

I've been building and rebuilding and changing my mind repeatedly on a build for an investigator for PFS.

I've pretty much settled on a Forensic Medicine investigator, and i very much want to take some sort of Archetype at 2nd level.

Putting aside multiclass archetypes and medic, your personal opinions: would an archetype that improves combat viability, or an archetype that plays into being the skill monkey be more useful?

I.E. Archer vs Lore Master or Linguist

[Ferious Thune]

Do you know what Investigator feats you want? The advantage of Loremaster and Linguist is that you can finish the archetypes quickly due to them having skill feats. I think you could be done with either by 4th level. The table variation on Loremaster Lore knocks that one down a little bit. I have it on my witch and already in the first session ran into a GM not allowing a recall knowledge against a creature with it, which I didn’t expect. But even if that doesn’t happen, there’s the question of whether you get an easier DC like you would using a lore rather than the normal skill. It’s basically ask at every table so you know how the GM will rule it.

Archer does have some good things for Investigators. Namely Point-blank shot for a much needed static damage bonus. I hate that the dedication feat itself doesn’t do much, since you already have martial proficiencies. But it’s a way to get crit spec on a class that doesn’t otherwise have it, so that’s something.

I’m likely going Marshal with my shortbow using investigator for flavor reasons and Dread Marshal Stance, To Battle!, and Target of Opportunity.

[Watery Soup]

I have a similar character; I considered Marshal, Loremaster, as well as Scroll Trickster. Ultimately kept going with investigator feats (Shared Strategem and Scalpel's Point), but will re-evaluate at 6th. I'm additionally considering Archaeologist for flavor (he's run a disproportionate number of the Season 2 metaplot scenarios, so it seems appropriate), but it's not a great mechanical fit for the class.

[TiwazBlackhand]

Ok, Observant Halfling, Forensic Investigator.
Str 8
Dex 14
Con 12
Int 18
Wis 16
Cha 10

Crossbow build

Lvl 1 - Know Weakness
Lvl 2 - Archer Dedication OR Ranger Dedication
Lvl 4 - (a) Scalpel's Point OR (r) Crossbow Ace
Lvl 6 - (a) Crossbow Terror OR (r) Scalpel's Point
Lvl 8 - (a) Point Blank Shot OR (r) Far Shot
Lvl 10 - Suspect of Opportunity

Thoughts?

[Watery Soup]

Make sure you don't end up with non-stacking circumstance bonuses to damage.

PFS scenarios don't have giant maps, I wouldn't expect to be out of a crossbow's first range increment more than once or twice, ever - and that includes underwater combats where increments are halved.

[Ferious Thune]

If you’re going crossbow, I’d fit Running Reload in there somewhere. It will give you some extra flexibility with the action economy.

[TiwazBlackhand]

Ok, so probably Running Reload at 8th either way then. I forgot to check bonus types.

[Ascalaphus]

There's also the Medic archetype which combines really well with the Forensic methodology.

[TheMonkeyFish]

Guild Agent (Pathfinder Society Agent) with the Through Reports into Scrollmaster is pretty good if you're playing the knowledge skill monkey. Presuming you're playing the Medic Method, you'll have a decent enough Wisdom and more than enough Skills to gain ranks in all 4 of the knowledge skills. Loremaster is really brought down by the fact you'll only ever get Expert Rank - and that's only after you gain Legendary Rank - in the recall knowledge skills.

Especially if you're going Known Weakness at level 1, having a Recall Knowledge build can be quite helpful.