Overview of the Pathfinder 2e Investigator Class
The Pathfinder 2e Investigator excels in solving mysteries using skills, alchemy, and keen insight, offering versatility in both exploration and combat scenarios as a detective-like problem-solver.
The Investigator is a unique class in Pathfinder 2e, blending scholarly expertise with a keen eye for detail. Inspired by detective archetypes like Sherlock Holmes, Investigators excel at uncovering hidden truths and solving mysteries. They rely on their skills, alchemy, and sharp perception to navigate complex scenarios. Unlike traditional martial classes, Investigators focus on investigation and problem-solving, making them versatile in both exploration and combat. Their ability to craft alchemical tools and utilize skills creatively sets them apart, offering a distinct playstyle that rewards clever thinking and strategic planning. This class is perfect for players who enjoy puzzles, lore, and detective work.
Core Concepts and Playstyle
The Investigator class in Pathfinder 2e revolves around solving mysteries, uncovering secrets, and applying analytical thinking. They are skilled detectives, leveraging expertise in Perception, Investigation, and alchemy to outwit foes and decipher clues. Unlike martial classes, Investigators rely on intellect and creativity rather than brute strength. Their playstyle emphasizes problem-solving, exploration, and strategic use of skills. Investigators excel in roles that require keen observation, puzzle-solving, and adaptability, making them invaluable in scenarios where knowledge and wit triumph over combat prowess. This class is ideal for players who enjoy a cerebral, detective-like approach to gameplay.
Key Class Features of the Investigator
The Investigator class relies on intellect, alchemy, and skill expertise to solve mysteries and adapt to challenges. They combine analytical abilities with versatile spellcasting to uncover truths.
Hit Points and Base Attack Bonus
The Investigator has a d8 hit point progression, making them less durable in direct combat compared to martial classes. Their Base Attack Bonus (BAB) is 2/3, aligning with classes like the Rogue, reflecting their balanced approach to combat and investigation. While they may not excel in prolonged melee engagements, their abilities and skills compensate by emphasizing problem-solving and adaptability. This trade-off allows Investigators to thrive in scenarios requiring intellect, alchemy, and strategic thinking rather than brute strength. Their design encourages a mix of exploration, detective work, and tactical combat situations.
Skills and Expertise
The Investigator excels in skills, with access to a wide range of proficiencies that emphasize investigation, perception, and social interactions. They gain expertise in two skills at 1st level and can expand this expertise further as they progress. This allows them to add their proficiency bonus to skill checks, making them highly effective at gathering information, solving puzzles, and uncovering hidden clues. Their skill versatility is complemented by skill feats, enabling them to specialize in specific areas like stealth, persuasion, or deception. This expertise ensures Investigators are adept at both uncovering secrets and navigating complex social scenarios with ease and precision.
Building an Effective Investigator
To craft a formidable Investigator, focus on enhancing their investigative skills, selecting complementary ancestries, and choosing backgrounds that align with their detective persona and playstyle.
Choosing Ancestries and Backgrounds
Selecting the right ancestry and background is crucial for crafting a compelling Investigator. Ancestries like Human or Half-Elf offer versatility and skill bonuses, aligning well with the Investigator’s detective role. Backgrounds such as Scholar or Guild Agent provide thematic depth, enhancing skills like Perception or Deception. Consider traits that complement investigative abilities, such as Keen Eyes or Alchemical Focus. These choices not only enhance gameplay but also enrich the character’s lore and problem-solving prowess, making them a master detective in both flavor and mechanics.
Optimal Feat Selection
Choosing the right feats for your Investigator is essential to maximize their detective prowess and versatility. Key feats like Skill Versatility and Alchemical Focus enhance their core abilities, allowing them to excel in investigation and crafting. Feats such as Versatile Heritages or Universal Versatility add adaptability, enabling the Investigator to thrive in diverse scenarios. Combat-focused feats like Weapon Versatility or Critical Versatility can make them surprisingly effective in battle, complementing their problem-solving skills. Selecting feats that synergize with their class features ensures a well-rounded and efficient detective character.
Equipment and Item Choices
The Investigator relies on tools like magnifying glasses, forensic kits, and alchemical tools to uncover clues and craft potent elixirs, ensuring versatility in both investigation and defense.
Gearing Up for Investigation
An Investigator’s effectiveness hinges on the right tools. Essential items include magnifying glasses for examining details, forensic kits for analyzing evidence, and disguise kits for undercover work. Versatile weapons like daggers or short swords are ideal for self-defense, while light armor ensures mobility without hindering agility. Alchemical tools are also crucial, allowing the creation of potions, bombs, or elixirs to adapt to situations. By equipping themselves with these items, Investigators can uncover hidden clues, solve mysteries, and remain prepared for unexpected threats, blending detective work with adventurer readiness seamlessly.
Utilizing Alchemical Tools
Alchemical tools are a cornerstone of an Investigator’s arsenal, providing versatility in and out of combat. With access to a wide array of formulas, Investigators can craft potions, bombs, and elixirs to adapt to any situation. Whether it’s brewing a healing potion to aid allies, concocting an explosive bomb to clear obstacles, or creating elixirs to enhance abilities, these tools enhance the Investigator’s detective work. The ability to craft on the go, with just a 1-minute preparation time, ensures Investigators are always ready. This alchemical prowess makes them resourceful problem-solvers, capable of overcoming challenges with creativity and precision.
Advanced Methodologies and Techniques
Investigators master investigative skills and combine alchemy with strategic spellcasting, creating a versatile toolkit for problem-solving. Their expertise ensures adaptability in any scenario, making them invaluable.
Mastering Investigative Skills
The Investigator’s true strength lies in their mastery of investigative skills, combining perception, deduction, and expertise to unravel mysteries and solve complex problems. By focusing on skills like Perception, Diplomacy, and Evidence Analysis, Investigators become adept at gathering clues and piecing together seemingly unrelated information. Their proficiency in these areas improves as they level up, granting them unparalleled accuracy in discerning hidden truths. This skill mastery, paired with their alchemical prowess and strategic spellcasting, allows Investigators to approach challenges from multiple angles, ensuring they are always prepared to uncover the truth, no matter how obscure.
Strategic Use of Spells and Abilities
Investigators leverage their spells and abilities to enhance their detective work and adapt to various situations. Their spellcasting focuses on utility spells like Disguise and Illusory effects, aiding in deception and information gathering. Abilities such as Alchemical Crafting allow them to create tools on the fly, providing versatility in both exploration and combat. By strategically using these resources, Investigators can manipulate environments, misdirect foes, and uncover hidden clues, making them invaluable assets to any party. Their magical and alchemical prowess ensures they are always ready to address challenges creatively and effectively.
Roleplaying an Investigator
Investigator characters thrive on curiosity and analytical thinking, often portraying sharp, observant personalities. They excel at solving mysteries and uncovering hidden truths, embodying detective-like traits in adventures.
Developing a Detective Personality
The Investigator’s detective personality revolves around curiosity, analytical thinking, and a keen eye for detail. They often possess traits like sharp wit, a methodical mindset, and an insatiable desire to uncover the truth. Roleplaying an Investigator involves embodying a character driven by intellectual pursuits and problem-solving. Their backstory might include a mysterious past or a personal loss that fuels their investigative nature. Players should emphasize traits like observant behavior, strategic planning, and a knack for piecing together seemingly unrelated clues. This personality type thrives in scenarios where wit and insight are as crucial as physical prowess, making them captivating and unique in any adventure.
Integrating Lore and Problem-Solving
Integrating lore and problem-solving is a cornerstone of the Investigator class, as they excel at uncovering hidden truths and connecting seemingly unrelated pieces of information. By leveraging their vast knowledge and analytical skills, Investigators can decipher ancient texts, interpret cryptic clues, and solve complex puzzles. This integration allows them to piece together mysteries that others might overlook, making them invaluable in both narrative-driven quests and strategic challenges. Their ability to blend lore with practical problem-solving creates a dynamic and engaging playstyle, where every discovery feels like a triumph of intellect and creativity.
Optimization and Advanced Techniques
Optimizing the Investigator involves mastering alchemical crafting, leveraging skill expertise, and strategically using spells to enhance versatility in both combat and investigation scenarios.
Maximizing Expertise and Skill Feats
To maximize expertise, focus on core skills like Perception, Stealth, and Diplomacy, ensuring your Investigator excels in uncovering clues and interacting with NPCs. Select skill feats that enhance versatility, such as Quick Recognition or Convincing Lie, to streamline investigations and deceive foes. Advanced skill feats like Legendary Tracker or Expert Forger further refine your character’s detective-like precision. Pair these with alchemical tools to create a well-rounded problem-solver. By optimizing expertise and skill feats, your Investigator becomes a master of deduction and deception, capable of solving even the most complex mysteries with ease.
Advanced Alchemical Crafting
Advanced alchemical crafting allows Investigators to create potent tools and remedies, enhancing their versatility in both exploration and combat. By mastering higher-level alchemical recipes, you can craft items like Smoke Bombs for escapes, Antiplague for survival, or Dragon’s Breath for offensive purposes. Specialize in specific alchemical traditions to gain access to unique formulas, ensuring your Investigator is always prepared. Experimenting with rare ingredients and innovative techniques can further customize your creations, making your alchemical arsenal indispensable in solving mysteries and overcoming challenges. This skill transforms your Investigator into a master chemist and problem-solver.
Mastering the Investigator class requires blending keen problem-solving skills with alchemical prowess and strategic thinking. This versatile class shines in uncovering mysteries and adapting to challenges.
Final Tips for Playing an Investigator
To excel as an Investigator, focus on blending detective work with alchemical ingenuity. Emphasize skill mastery, especially in Perception and Diplomacy, to uncover hidden truths. Leverage your methodologies, like Empiricism or Inspiration, to tailor your approach to different scenarios. Optimize your feats and equipment to enhance problem-solving and combat versatility. Roleplay your character with a keen mind and curious nature, integrating lore seamlessly into your investigations. Experiment with alchemy and spells to adapt to challenges. Remember, versatility is your strength—use it to outwit foes and solve mysteries creatively.
Resources for Further Learning
For deeper insights into the Investigator class, explore the Advanced Player’s Guide and class guides on RPGBOT. Websites like d20pfsrd offer detailed breakdowns of feats, skills, and equipment. Pop Culture Pathfinder provides creative build ideas inspired by iconic detectives. Online forums and YouTube channels dedicated to Pathfinder 2e share strategies and tips from experienced players. Use these resources to refine your Investigator’s skills, optimize alchemical crafting, and master investigative techniques. Stay updated with community discussions to enhance your gameplay and explore new possibilities for your character.
