The Pathfinder 2e Investigator is a class designed for players who enjoy mystery, deduction, and strategic problem-solving․ This versatile class excels at uncovering hidden truths and analyzing clues, making it perfect for those who love methodical gameplay․ With a focus on intelligence, perception, and strategic thinking, the Investigator blends intellectual prowess with practical skills, offering a unique playstyle that balances exploration and combat․ Whether you’re crafting alchemical tools or solving intricate puzzles, the Investigator is a compelling choice for players seeking depth and complexity in their characters․
Overview of the Investigator Class
The Investigator is a versatile class in Pathfinder 2e, blending intellectual prowess with practical skills․ Specializing in deduction, alchemy, and strategic thinking, Investigators excel at uncovering mysteries and solving complex problems․ They rely on intelligence and perception to analyze clues and outwit foes․ With access to alchemical tools and unique methodologies, Investigators can adapt to various playstyles, making them a dynamic choice for both exploration and combat scenarios․
Key Features of the Investigator
The Investigator class in Pathfinder 2e is distinguished by its reliance on intelligence and perception, enabling expertise in skills like Perception, Athletics, and Arcana․ They possess access to alchemical tools, granting them versatility in crafting and utilizing compounds․ Additionally, Investigators can choose from diverse methodologies, such as the Empiricist or the Chemist, which shape their abilities and playstyle․ Their Studied Strike and Strategem features enhance accuracy and adaptability in both combat and exploration, making them a well-rounded class․
Investigator Methodologies Explained
Investigator methodologies are specialized approaches that define an Investigator’s expertise and mindset․ Each methodology offers unique abilities and philosophies, such as the Empiricist’s focus on logic and insight or the Chemist’s mastery of alchemical tools․ These methods shape the Investigator’s identity, enabling them to excel in distinct ways, whether through analytical thinking or experimental practices․
Building an Investigator in PF2e
Building an Investigator in PF2e requires prioritizing Intelligence and Dexterity for skill proficiencies and initiative․ Focus on abilities that enhance investigation, stealth, and alchemical crafting․
Ability Scores and Prioritization
Intelligence is the Investigator’s primary ability, crucial for skills like Perception and alchemy․ Dexterity enhances AC and initiative, while Wisdom supports saving throws and situational awareness․ Constitution improves survivability, and Charisma can aid in social interactions․ Prioritize Intelligence above all, followed by Dexterity and Wisdom․ Allocate ability boosts strategically to ensure a well-rounded character capable of handling both combat and investigative challenges effectively․
Skills and Their Importance
Skills are vital for Investigators, emphasizing Perception, Trickery, and Athletics․ Perception aids in uncovering clues, while Trickery enhances stealth and deception․ Athletics improves mobility and combat versatility․ Proficiency in these skills allows Investigators to excel in exploration, combat, and social scenarios, making them versatile problem-solvers․ Prioritizing these skills ensures your Investigator is adept at uncovering secrets and handling diverse challenges effectively in any situation․
Feats and Class Features
Investigators gain unique feats and class features that enhance their investigative prowess․ Key abilities include Studied Combat, granting accuracy boosts, and Studied Strike, allowing precision attacks․ Feats like Shared Stratagem and Solid Strategy provide tactical advantages․ These features make Investigators formidable in both combat and exploration, enabling them to adapt to various playstyles while maintaining their intellectual edge․ Feats also allow for customization, tailoring your Investigator to suit your preferred approach․
Sample Investigator Builds
Explore popular builds like the Chemist, Empiricist, and Generic Detective․ Each offers unique playstyles, from alchemy-focused problem-solving to masterful investigation and versatile detective work․
Chemist Build Guide
The Chemist build excels at blending alchemy with investigative skills, creating potent elixirs and mutagens to enhance abilities․ Prioritize Intelligence for alchemical mastery and Dexterity for agility․ Utilize mutagens to boost mental acuity or physical prowess, complementing your investigative expertise․ This build shines in problem-solving scenarios, combining alchemical tools with class features like Studied Combat and Strategic Strikes for versatile gameplay․
Empiricist Build Guide
The Empiricist build emphasizes scientific precision and deductive reasoning․ Focus on Intelligence and Wisdom to enhance analytical skills and perception․ This build leverages Expertise and Skill Versatility, excelling in investigation and knowledge checks․ Use Evidence and strategic thinking to solve mysteries, while maintaining combat effectiveness with versatile tools․ The Empiricist is ideal for players who enjoy a logical, methodical approach to problem-solving and uncovering hidden truths․
Generic Detective Build
The Generic Detective build focuses on versatility and methodical investigation․ Prioritize Intelligence for analytical tasks and Wisdom for perception․ Key skills include Perception, Deception, and Diplomacy․ Feats like Lie Detector enhance your ability to uncover truths․ This build excels at gathering clues, interrogating suspects, and solving mysteries, making it ideal for players who enjoy a classic detective archetype with a balance of exploration and social interaction․
Optimizing Your Investigator
Maximize Intelligence to enhance skill proficiency and ability DCs․ Choose feats like Shared Stratagem to boost allies and leverage strategic item usage, such as alchemist tools and magic gear, to optimize effectiveness in exploration and combat scenarios․
Advanced Strategies for Investigators
Advanced Investigators employ high-level tactics like using Studied Combat to enhance accuracy and leverage Stratagem for critical hits․ They master alchemical tools to create powerful elixirs and bombs, while also utilizing non-attacking actions to control combat flow․ Pairing with archetypes like Medic or Eldritch Archer boosts versatility, allowing them to excel in both melee and ranged encounters, making them formidable opponents in any scenario․
Archetypes for Investigators
Archetypes like the Eldritch Archer and Medic offer unique twists for Investigators, blending alchemy with magic or medicine․ These archetypes enhance the Investigator’s versatility, allowing for powerful combinations that expand their role in both combat and exploration․ By integrating archetypes, Investigators can specialize in specific playstyles, such as ranged combat or healing, without sacrificing their core investigative abilities․
Multiclassing with the Investigator
Multiclassing with the Investigator offers versatility, allowing combinations with classes like Wizard or Cleric․ This enhances their abilities, blending investigative skills with new class features seamlessly․
Best Classes for Multiclassing
The Investigator pairs well with classes like Wizard, Cleric, or Rogue, enhancing their investigative prowess․ Wizard adds arcane versatility, while Cleric boosts healing and support capabilities․ Rogue complements with sneak attacks, and Alchemist offers chemical synergy․ Multiclassing with these classes creates well-rounded characters, blending intellectual and combat strengths without compromising the Investigator’s core detective abilities․
How to Combine Investigator with Other Classes
Combining the Investigator with classes like Wizard or Rogue creates versatile characters․ For a magical twist, pair with Wizard to leverage spells alongside investigative skills․ Pairing with Rogue adds sneak attack damage, enhancing combat utility․ Multiclassing with Cleric provides healing support and divine spells․ Ensure ability scores align with both classes, focusing on Intelligence for Investigators and Dexterity or Wisdom for complementary roles, maintaining balance and effectiveness․
Equipment and Gear for Investigators
Investigators rely on alchemical tools, mutagens, and elixirs to enhance their abilities․ Magic items like wands or scrolls boost Intelligence and Perception, while versatile weapons ensure combat readiness․
Alchemical Items and Tools
Alchemical items are central to an Investigator’s toolkit․ Mutagens enhance abilities, while elixirs provide temporary boosts to Intelligence or Perception․ Potions of Clarity help in critical moments, granting mental precision․ Smoke Bombs offer escape routes or combat advantages․ Alchemist’s Kits allow crafting tools like Acid or Alchemist’s Fire for versatile utility․ These items enhance exploration, combat, and problem-solving, making Investigators highly adaptable and resourceful in diverse scenarios․
Magic Items for Investigators
Magic items enhance an Investigator’s effectiveness, offering tools for both exploration and combat․ Potions of Clarity grant mental precision, while Wands of Detect Magic uncover hidden clues․ Amulets of Misty Conjuration provide escape options, and Rings of Spell Storing allow casting key spells; Boots of Elvenkind improve stealth, and Cloaks of Resistance boost survival․ These items complement the Investigator’s alchemical arsenal, making them versatile problem-solvers in any scenario․
Skills and Exploration
Investigators excel at uncovering clues and navigating complex environments․ Skills like Perception, Nature, and Medicine are crucial for detecting hidden details and analyzing evidence․ Advanced techniques enable them to track, decipher, and solve mysteries effectively, making them indispensable in both urban and wilderness settings․ Their expertise ensures no detail goes unnoticed, aiding the party in overcoming challenges seamlessly․
Mastering Investigative Skills
Mastering investigative skills is crucial for an Investigator, focusing on Perception, Nature, and Medicine to uncover hidden clues․ Advanced techniques like tracking, analyzing evidence, and deciphering texts enhance their detective work․ The class’s expertise in these areas ensures they excel at solving mysteries, identifying threats, and navigating complex environments․ By refining these skills, Investigators become indispensable in uncovering the truth and guiding their party through challenging scenarios effectively․
Advanced Exploration Techniques
Advanced exploration techniques for Investigators involve specialized methods to uncover hidden clues and navigate challenging environments․ Utilizing skills like Survival and Nature, they excel at tracking and identifying phenomena․ Alchemical tools and mutagens can enhance their senses, revealing subtle details․ Strategic use of abilities like Investigative Logic ensures thorough examination of scenes․ These techniques allow Investigators to uncover secrets others might miss, making them invaluable in both wilderness and urban settings for comprehensive exploration and problem-solving․
Combat Strategies for Investigators
Investigators excel in combat by leveraging Intelligence for precise strikes and alchemical tools for battlefield control․ They use mutagens to enhance abilities, manipulating enemy positions strategically․ While not frontline fighters, their tactical acumen and ranged capabilities make them formidable opponents, ensuring they contribute effectively without direct engagement․
Melee and Ranged Combat Tactics
Investigators can adapt to both melee and ranged combat, using Studied Combat to enhance accuracy and mutagens to bolster physical prowess․ In melee, precise strikes and alchemical tools like bombs create tactical opportunities․ Ranged combat benefits from high Intelligence, enabling accurate attacks and strategic positioning․ Investigators excel at controlling the battlefield, using their wits to outmaneuver foes rather than relying on brute strength alone․
Using Investigator Abilities in Combat
Investigators leverage their abilities to outsmart enemies in combat․ Studied Combat grants bonuses to attacks, while Shared Stratagem aids allies․ Alchemical tools like mutagens and bombs offer versatility, enhancing damage or crowd control․ Their expertise in perception and deduction allows them to anticipate foes’ actions, making them formidable tacticians․ These abilities make Investigators valuable assets in both offense and defense, blending brains with brawn effectively․
Roleplaying and Storytelling
Investigators are natural storytellers, driving narratives through their analytical minds and problem-solving skills․ Their dedication to uncovering truths creates rich character dynamics and engaging plot hooks, making them a compelling addition to any party’s story․
Creating an Investigator Persona
Developing a unique Investigator persona involves crafting a backstory that fuels their curiosity and analytical nature․ Consider their motivations: are they driven by justice, personal loss, or intellectual curiosity? Decide on their personality traits—perhaps they’re eccentric, overly logical, or obsessively detail-oriented․ Their voice and interactions should reflect their methodology, whether they’re a charming interrogator or a quiet observer․ A well-rounded persona enhances immersion and storytelling potential․
Integrating Your Investigator into the Party
Your Investigator’s analytical mind and skill expertise make them a valuable asset to any party․ They excel at uncovering hidden clues, deciphering ancient texts, and solving complex puzzles, complementing classes like Rogues and Rangers in exploration․ Their alchemical creations can aid allies or hinder foes, providing strategic versatility․ In combat, their abilities enhance accuracy and control, supporting martial classes while maintaining a unique playstyle․ Roleplaying-wise, their analytical nature fosters engaging interactions, making them a dynamic problem-solver and storyteller within the group․
Community Resources and Further Reading
Explore RPGBOT’s Investigator Handbook, forums like RPGnet, and Pathfinder 2e subreddits for optimization guides, strategies, and community discussions․ Video content and dedicated build guides offer deeper insights․
Recommended Guides and Forums
For in-depth strategies, check out RPGBOT’s Investigator Handbook and dedicated Pathfinder 2e forums like RPGnet․ Subreddits such as r/Pathfinder2e and build guides from Pop Culture Pathfinder offer expert advice․ YouTube channels and community-driven resources provide video tutorials, character builds, and optimization tips․ These platforms foster discussion and sharing of experiences, helping you refine your Investigator playstyle and stay updated on the latest class developments․
Video Content and Tutorials
YouTube channels like “Pathfinder 2e Builds” and “Optibuilds” offer detailed video guides for Investigators․ These tutorials cover class features, feat selections, and build strategies․ They also showcase gameplay examples and advanced techniques, helping players optimize their characters․ Many creators focus on specific playstyles, such as the Chemist or Empiricist, providing step-by-step advice for mastering the Investigator’s unique abilities and integrating them into party dynamics effectively․
Final Tips and Best Practices
Prioritize Intelligence and Dexterity for a well-rounded Investigator․ Master key skills like Perception and Diplomacy to excel in both exploration and social scenarios․ Choose feats wisely to complement your playstyle, focusing on utility over raw power․ Always leverage your class abilities strategically, especially in combat, to avoid unnecessary risks and maximize your impact․
Do’s and Don’ts for Playing an Investigator
- DO prioritize Intelligence and Dexterity for a balanced Investigator․
- DO master key skills like Perception, Diplomacy, and Athletics for versatility․
- DO leverage your class abilities strategically in combat to avoid risks․
- DO experiment with alchemical tools and mutagens for unique playstyles․
- DO integrate your Investigator into the party’s dynamic for teamwork․
- DON’T neglect exploration skills like Survival and Nature․
- DON’T rely solely on Intelligence—Wisdom and Charisma are crucial too․
- DON’T overlook equipment like magnifying glasses and forensic kits․
- DON’T forget to refresh your Strategem uses daily for optimal utility․
Continuous Improvement and Learning
To truly excel as an Investigator, embrace lifelong learning and adaptability․ Stay curious, refine your investigative techniques, and explore new methodologies․ Experiment with different builds and strategies to discover what works best for your playstyle․ Seek feedback from your party and incorporate their insights to enhance teamwork․ Stay updated with community guides and forums to uncover fresh ideas and optimize your character․ Continuous growth ensures your Investigator remains dynamic and effective in any scenario․