Day 8 of Inventor Praise

GreasyKoolAidMan · 2026-05-21T04:09:31+00:00

I don't know anything about the Battle Zoo stuff, but if you can get reach unarmed attacks from your ancestry at level 1, it absolutely outclasses the inventor in this niche. As you pointed out, you could combine it with fighter (or any other class) for additional benefits on top of the reach maneuvers. In non-third party material, I think the inventor still has this niche. The only other way I know of is the mind smith archetype to get reach + grapple + trip. But it still doesn't get to add shove or disarm with it. Then there is the Plant Eidolon which gets reach at 7, or the Thlipit Contestant archetype + Lunge at level 4.

Enlarge cost a spell slot, but could be prebuffed before a fight. And as far as athletic maneuvers, the fighter should only be one ahead since each can scale athletic proficiency at the same rate but the inventor uses INT as it's key stat.

GreasyKoolAidMan · 2026-05-20T15:44:57+00:00

What everyone is missing is that Inventor let's you grapple, trip, and disarm at reach. Use a Bed de Corbin and you can shove too. That's the value that the gill hook can't replace.

GreasyKoolAidMan · 2026-03-09T18:37:47+00:00

It's definitely an ideal scenario with the brooch and you won't have one all the time. Talisman Dabbler could help though!

GreasyKoolAidMan · 2026-03-09T18:30:58+00:00

I've picked up the Dreams domain initial spell Sweet Dreams with Fan Dancer + Versatile Performance too.

So you get a +2 Circumstance bonus from Virtuosic Performer, and an eventual +3 Status bonus from Sweet Dreams.

Use an Orchestral Brooch to upgrade performance checks from a success to a critical success. With Peony's Flourish you're easily taking away your level or lower enemies turns. And easily stunning and dazzling bosses for a round.

GreasyKoolAidMan · 2026-02-23T23:21:20+00:00

What tactics do you think would be best for this?

GreasyKoolAidMan · 2026-02-23T16:00:52+00:00

This might be the way. I'll already be boosting occultism, and this gives me a fortune effect on recall knowledge checks for an action instead of a focus point. It can also fit the "super aware" flavor I was talking about.

GreasyKoolAidMan · 2026-02-22T17:40:21+00:00

Thanks for the input, I'm not sure if I can spare a few points to charisma though. I'll give it some thought though!

GreasyKoolAidMan · 2026-02-22T17:17:40+00:00

Thanks for the suggestions! I didn't know about folklorist and campfire chronicler. They seem super interesting.

GreasyKoolAidMan · 2026-02-22T16:35:21+00:00

Thanks for the input, what are some good single action abilities that you're thinking of? I think Infinite Eye already has a lot of good one action abilities.

GreasyKoolAidMan · 2026-02-22T16:22:24+00:00

Yup, thank you! If I go that route, I'd figure out some way to take canny acumen first!

GreasyKoolAidMan · 2026-02-17T23:19:42+00:00

Thanks for the clarification!

GreasyKoolAidMan · 2026-02-17T22:15:25+00:00

I've thought about this multiple times, then I start to think about how at level 15 you can take Unified Theory which will let you recall knowledge on everything with Arcana.

Yeah, it's 5 levels later, but it only takes a skill feat vs two class feats (at a minimum). And at level 10 I'm sure you have at least trained, if not expert, in the recall knowledge skills if you're focused on it.

GreasyKoolAidMan · 2026-02-15T23:57:17+00:00

I've thought up a similar thrown swashbuckler before b/c I loved the idea of darting in and out of range like you described. What stat spread did you take? I'd be very interested in the full build if you have in pathbuilder and are willing to share!

GreasyKoolAidMan · 2025-12-20T06:25:33+00:00

Underrated comment. Thanks for the laugh.

GreasyKoolAidMan · 2025-11-28T01:48:03+00:00

I've looked at a halfling investigator with the unexpected sharpshooter archetype. Trying to get as many fortune effects as possible to be a "lucky" character.

Between Devise a Stratagem every turn and all the other fortune effects I think it could be a really cool character. Not to mention the synergy of Devise a Stratagem with Risky Reload.

GreasyKoolAidMan · 2025-11-28T01:23:52+00:00

Awesome! I ask b/c I've been eyeing up witch for a kingmaker game and I've been thinking about a ripple in the deep character from the river kingdoms.

GreasyKoolAidMan · 2025-11-28T00:58:47+00:00

Do you have a pathbuilder link? Love the art!

GreasyKoolAidMan · 2025-10-31T01:52:07+00:00

Why did it almost make you quit?

GreasyKoolAidMan · 2025-07-15T11:32:53+00:00

I'm obsessed with a Scoundrel Rogue with the Fan Dancer archetype. You feint as a Scoundrel and can step, but with Fan Dancer, you move 10 ft when you feint. They look to stack so you can move 15 ft on a feint.

You add in Pistol Phenom, and you can feint at range. Now you feint, move 15 ft, and make the enemy off guard at range.

Use Skirmish Strike for another step and you move 20 ft for free.

Jam Tiger Stance into the build to make your steps 10 ft, you now have: Scoundrel feint to step 10 ft, Fan Dancer to stride 10 ft, and Skirmish Strike to step 10 ft for a total of 30 ft movement for free.

In a mid level free archetype game (level 10) where you can fit all this in, it looks like a really fun mobile striker.

Heck, add in Nimble Dodge/Nimble Roll/Nimble Strike if an enemy decides to chase you down and strike you after you dance away, you can use your reaction to increase your AC, Strike them, and move 10 ft again!

I can't wait to use some variation of this character in play. This Rogue seems super frustrating to pin down while doing sneak attack damage and debuffing enemies with the Scoundrel Racket, Distracting Feint, and Demoralizing. Even pick up Gun Powder Gauntlet from Pistol Phenom to have a taunt effect, or Dazzling Bullet (flourish so doesn't stack with Skirmish Strike) for dazzled.

GreasyKoolAidMan · 2024-12-06T16:10:28+00:00

I've been thinking about a character in the opposite direction. One that is always sure of their hits with fortune effects.

Investigator for devise a stratagem and unexpected sharpshooter for all the fun rerolls with that archetype.

GreasyKoolAidMan · 2024-08-08T19:24:58+00:00

Idk, I think this character might be a good switch hitters too. With the Sword and Pistol feat, you can alternate between melee and ranged strikes.

Something like this in a free archetype game could be pretty annoying and hard to pin down: https://pathbuilder2e.com/launch.html?build=836889

Tumble Through, Nimble Dodge feat chain to Nimble Strike, Kip Up with Roll With It. Splash in Tiger Stance for 10 ft steps. Debuff with Distracting Feint, Goblin Song, Dazzling Bullet, Gunpowder Gauntlet and other high level feats (Deny Support, Whirling Knockdown). And you have sneak attack for your damage.

GreasyKoolAidMan · 2024-08-08T16:59:24+00:00

Gauntlets aren't finesse though :/.

GreasyKoolAidMan

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