The Pathfinder 2e Investigator is a detective-like class, excelling at solving mysteries, gathering clues, and uncovering hidden truths through skill mastery and strategic problem-solving.
Overview of the Investigator’s Role in the Party
The Investigator excels as a support and skill specialist, leveraging expertise in perception, diplomacy, and problem-solving to uncover secrets and aid allies. They are adept at gathering clues, deciphering mysteries, and neutralizing threats, making them indispensable in both combat and non-combat scenarios. Their ability to analyze situations and provide strategic insights ensures they play a pivotal role in advancing the party’s objectives effectively.
Key Features and Abilities of the Investigator Class
The Investigator is a versatile class, excelling in investigation, diplomacy, and strategic combat. They possess expertise in perception, insight, and problem-solving, making them skilled at uncovering clues and deciphering mysteries. Their key abilities include Debilitating Strike, skill versatility, and access to alchemical tools. Investigators can also specialize through archetypes like Empiricism or Esoteric Order, tailoring their playstyle to suit their investigative or combat-focused preferences effectively.
Investigator Class Features
Investigators are skilled detectives, mastering perception, insight, and problem-solving. They excel at uncovering clues and deciphering mysteries, with abilities like Debilitating Strike and skill versatility.
Proficiency and Class DC
Investigators begin with untrained proficiency in Perception and several skills, advancing to expert, master, and legendary levels as they gain experience. Their Class DC is crucial for abilities like Debilitating Strike, calculated as 10 + proficiency bonus + Intelligence modifier. This ensures their skills and investigative techniques remain effective, making them versatile problem-solvers in both combat and exploration scenarios.
Investigator’s Eye and Skill Versatility
The Investigator’s Eye allows them to use their Intelligence modifier for skill checks, emphasizing their analytical prowess. Skill Versatility enables Investigators to apply their proficiency bonus to untrained skills, making them adaptable problem-solvers. These features ensure Investigators excel at gathering information, solving mysteries, and handling unexpected challenges, solidifying their role as versatile detectives in any campaign.
Debilitating Strike and Its Applications
Debilitating Strike is a cornerstone ability for Investigators, combining precision with tactical advantage. It allows them to make a precise strike, dealing damage while imposing a debilitating effect, such as hampering enemy attacks or movement. This ability shines in combat, enabling Investigators to weaken foes and create openings for allies. Its versatility makes it a key tool for both offense and strategic teamwork.
Archetypes for the Investigator
Archetypes like Empiricism and Esoteric Order redefine the Investigator’s approach, blending scientific inquiry with mystical insights. These options offer unique abilities, such as enhanced investigation techniques or supernatural problem-solving methods, allowing players to craft distinct characters tailored to their preferred playstyle and narrative focus.
Empiricism and Its Focus on Scientific Method
Empiricism archetype focuses on scientific inquiry, emphasizing observable evidence and logical deduction. Investigators with this archetype gain proficiency in tools like alchemist’s tools, leveraging scientific methods to analyze clues. Abilities like Test a Theory allow them to experiment and adapt, enhancing their problem-solving skills in both exploration and combat scenarios, making them versatile and methodical problem solvers.
Esoteric Order and Mystical Investigations
The Esoteric Order archetype revolves around mystical and occult investigations, blending intuition with analytical skills. Investigators in this archetype often rely on divine or arcane insights to uncover hidden truths. They excel at deciphering supernatural phenomena and solving mysteries tied to the occult, making them invaluable in cases involving magic, curses, or otherworldly elements, while maintaining a balance between logic and the unknown.
Other Archetype Options and Their Playstyles
Beyond the Empiricism and Esoteric Order, the Investigator class offers diverse archetypes like the Gunslinger, blending precision combat with investigative skills. Other options include the Empiric Investigator, focusing on alchemical prowess, or the polymath, excelling in a wide range of skills. Each archetype provides unique playstyles, from combat-oriented builds to versatile, skill-focused characters, allowing players to tailor their Investigators to suit their preferred approach in both mysteries and battles;
Skills and Equipment
The Investigator excels with skills like Diplomacy and Recall Knowledge, utilizing equipment such as magnifying glasses or alchemical tools. Consumables like potions enhance their versatility in both investigations and combat, ensuring they’re always prepared for any scenario.
Starting Proficiencies and Skill Feats
The Investigator begins with expert proficiency in Perception and Survival, alongside trained proficiency in Fortitude and Reflex saves. They gain the Versatile Heretic skill feat, allowing mastery of two skills and expertise in two others. This versatility ensures Investigators excel in gathering information, solving puzzles, and adapting to challenges. Their starting equipment often includes items like a magnifying glass or alchemist’s tools, enhancing their investigative capabilities.
Recommended Equipment for Investigators
Investigators benefit from tools that enhance their investigative and combat prowess. A magnifying glass, alchemist’s tools, and crowbar are essentials. A portable ladder, grappling hook, and rope aid in exploration. Consider a torch or lantern for light. For combat, a rapier or shortbow is ideal. Alchemical items like glue or smoke bombs can provide tactical advantages, making them versatile in both investigation and combat scenarios.
Role of Consumables and Items in Investigations
Consumables and items play a crucial role in investigations, providing tools for gathering clues and solving mysteries. Alchemical items like glue, smoke bombs, and caltrops can create diversions or barriers. Forensic kits and magnifying glasses aid in analyzing evidence. Potions and elixirs enhance perception or agility, while utility items like ladders and ropes facilitate exploration. These tools enhance versatility in both investigative and combat scenarios.
Feats for the Investigator
Feats like Investigator’s Eye and Expand Focus enhance skill versatility and efficiency. Combat feats boost damage and tactics, while archetype-specific feats customize playstyles, optimizing investigators for diverse roles.
Key Feats Like Investigator’s Eye and Expand Focus
Investigator’s Eye enhances skill versatility, allowing mastery of additional skills, while Expand Focus boosts the efficiency of focus spells. These feats synergize with class features, enabling investigators to excel in solving mysteries and dealing with enemies effectively.
Feats for Combat and Skill Enhancement
Investigators can enhance their combat and skill capabilities through specific feats. Debilitating Strike allows them to hinder enemies, creating tactical advantages. Other feats improve proficiency in skills like Diplomacy or Intimidation, ensuring versatility in social encounters. These enhancements make investigators formidable in both physical and intellectual challenges, balancing their detective and combat roles effectively.
Archetype-Specific Feats and Their Impact
Archetype-specific feats tailor the Investigator’s abilities to their chosen path. For instance, the Empiricism archetype grants feats like Alchemical Mastery, enhancing potion crafting and usage, while the Esoteric Order archetype unlocks mystical feats like Mystic Strike, infusing attacks with occult energy. These feats deepen the Investigator’s specialization, offering unique playstyles and strategic advantages in both combat and investigation scenarios.
Investigation Techniques
Investigators excel at systematically gathering clues, analyzing evidence, and solving mysteries. Their expertise in skills like Diplomacy and Perception allows them to piece together complex puzzles and uncover hidden truths, making them invaluable detectives in any campaign setting.
Gathering Information and Following Leads
Investigators excel at gathering information through meticulous observation and clever interrogation. Using skills like Diplomacy and Perception, they uncover clues and piece together seemingly unrelated details. Techniques like Recall Knowledge and skill actions allow them to analyze evidence and track down leads, making them master detectives capable of solving even the most intricate mysteries.
Using Recall Knowledge and Skill Actions
Investigators leverage Recall Knowledge to analyze evidence and connect clues, uncovering hidden information. Skill actions like Diplomacy and Perception enhance their detective work, allowing them to extract details from witnesses or environments. These tools make Investigators master detectives, capable of piecing together mysteries with precision and uncovering truths others might miss.
Advanced Investigation Strategies
Advanced investigation strategies involve combining Recall Knowledge with Perception to uncover deeper insights. Investigators can use consumables like alchemical tools or set up allies with Aid or Bon Mot. Maintaining a methodical approach ensures no critical detail is missed, allowing Investigators to piece together complex mysteries and uncover truths others might overlook.
Sample Investigator Builds
Sample builds include the Empiric Investigator, focusing on scientific analysis, and the Gunslinger, blending ranged combat with detective skills, offering versatile playstyles for mystery and combat scenarios.
The Empiric Investigator Build
The Empiric Investigator build emphasizes a scientific approach, leveraging skills like Recall Knowledge and Diplomacy to analyze clues and interact with NPCs. This build excels at problem-solving and adaptability, using items and consumables strategically. It suits players who enjoy a blend of mystery-solving and combat effectiveness, offering a well-rounded character capable of handling diverse challenges in both investigative and martial scenarios.
The Gunslinger Investigator Build
The Gunslinger Investigator build combines precision combat with investigative prowess, focusing on ranged attacks and strategic use of consumables. This archetype blends the Investigator’s skill versatility with the Gunslinger’s deadly accuracy, creating a versatile character who excels at both solving mysteries and dealing damage from a distance. It’s ideal for players who enjoy a mix of combat and detective work, offering a unique playstyle that shines in both roles.
Balancing Combat and Skill Focus
Investigators excel at blending combat prowess with investigative skills, making them versatile party members. While they can deal damage effectively, their true strength lies in supporting allies and gathering critical information. Balancing these aspects ensures they remain adaptable, whether unraveling mysteries or engaging in combat. This duality allows Investigators to shine in various scenarios, making them invaluable to any adventuring group.
Party Role and Synergy
Investigators are versatile supporters, using their skills to enhance party effectiveness, aid allies in combat, and provide critical insights, making them invaluable team players.
Supporting Allies and Aiding in Combat
Investigators excel at aiding allies through skill actions like Demoralize, Bon Mot, and Recall Knowledge, softening enemies or bolstering companions. Their consumables and items provide tactical advantages, while their investigative mindset helps set up allies for success. By using their third action first, they can prepare the battlefield or debilitate foes, making them a versatile and valuable asset in both combat and exploration scenarios.
Using Skills to Enhance Party Effectiveness
Investigators leverage their exceptional skill proficiency to enhance party effectiveness. Skills like Diplomacy, Deception, and Recall Knowledge allow them to gather crucial information, demoralize enemies, or negotiate resolutions, reducing combat risks. Their expertise in Perception and Investigation ensures no detail is missed, while skill feats like Assurance guarantee reliable outcomes. This mastery makes them invaluable for solving problems and optimizing team success in various scenarios.
Investigators in Different Party Compositions
Investigators excel in diverse party setups, offering unique problem-solving skills. In martial-heavy groups, their expertise in skills like Perception and Diplomacy complements physical prowess. In spellcaster-focused teams, their investigative abilities provide a distinct, non-magical approach to challenges. Their adaptability ensures they enhance both combat and exploration dynamics, making them a valuable addition to any party composition.
Combat Strategies
Investigators employ strategic combat tactics, utilizing Debilitating Strike to weaken foes and setting allies up for success. They excel at overcoming high AC enemies with precise, calculated maneuvers.
Using Debilitating Strike Effectively
The Investigator’s Debilitating Strike is a potent tool, imposing penalties on enemies and weakening their effectiveness in combat. Use it strategically to hinder foes, creating openings for allies to exploit. Combine it with precision items like alchemist bombs or elixirs to amplify damage output. Proper positioning and timing are crucial to maximize its impact and set up allies for decisive strikes or critical hits.
Setting Up Allies for Success
Investigators excel at supporting allies by using skills like Aid to boost attack rolls or AC, ensuring teammates can perform effectively. Utilize consumables and items strategically to enhance their capabilities. Position yourself to create advantageous flanking opportunities or distractions, allowing allies to capitalize on openings. Effective setup often leads to decisive victories, making the Investigator a invaluable team player in combat scenarios.
Handling High AC Enemies and Tactics
Investigators excel at bypassing high AC through precision attacks, which ignore armor bonuses. Use consumables like alchemist bombs or items to deal consistent damage. Apply skill actions like Demoralize to reduce enemy effectiveness. Flank and position allies strategically to capitalize on openings. These tactics ensure Investigators remain effective, even against foes with high defenses, by combining skill mastery with strategic battlefield control.
Advanced Tips and Tricks
Mastery of skill actions and feats like Expand Focus enhances versatility. Use consumables strategically and optimize your Investigator for specific scenarios, ensuring peak performance in diverse challenges.
Mastering Skill Actions and Feats
Mastering skill actions like Recall Knowledge and Diplomacy is crucial for investigators. Feats such as Investigator’s Eye and Expand Focus enhance versatility, allowing for adaptability in investigations. Prioritize feats that complement your playstyle, whether focusing on combat, skill mastery, or archetype-specific abilities. Optimize your feats and skill actions to tackle diverse challenges, ensuring your Investigator excels in both problem-solving and combat scenarios.
Using Consumables and Items Wisely
Investigators often rely on consumables and items like alchemical tools, potions, and investigative gear to enhance their effectiveness. Use these resources strategically to aid in skill checks, combat, or puzzle-solving. Alchemical items can grant bonuses to Perception or Intelligence, while potions provide temporary boosts. Always plan ahead, reserving items for critical moments to maximize their impact without relying too heavily on them.
Optimizing Your Investigator for Specific Scenarios
Adapt your Investigator to suit the adventure’s demands by selecting skills, feats, and items that align with the scenario. For mysteries, focus on Recall Knowledge and Diplomacy, while combat-heavy scenarios may require precision attacks and debilitating strikes. Tailor your archetype and gear to the task at hand, ensuring maximum effectiveness in both exploration and combat situations.
Community Resources
Explore dedicated forums like RPGnet and Pathfinder 2e subreddits for guides, discussions, and builds. Watch video content from creators like The Local Disaster Tour Guide for insights and strategies.
Recommended Guides and Forums
For in-depth strategies and builds, visit RPGnet and the Pathfinder 2e subreddit, where experts share insights and optimizations. Streamers like Sellena and The Local Disaster Tour Guide offer video guides, while dedicated forums provide a wealth of knowledge. Engage with the community to refine your Investigator and stay updated on the latest class developments and playstyles.
Video Content and Streams Featuring Investigators
Explore video guides and streams on platforms like YouTube and Twitch, where creators like Sellena and The Local Disaster Tour Guide share in-depth Investigator builds, strategies, and gameplay insights. These resources offer practical examples of class mechanics, skill optimization, and combat tactics, helping you refine your playstyle and explore diverse Investigator archetypes effectively.
Engaging with the Pathfinder 2e Community
Join the vibrant Pathfinder 2e community on forums like RPGnet and Reddit, where players and experts share insights, builds, and strategies. Participate in discussions, ask questions, and learn from experienced investigators. Streamers like Sellena and content creators offer live gameplay, tips, and deep dives into the class. Engaging with the community enhances your understanding and helps you refine your Investigator’s unique playstyle and effectiveness in any campaign.