Build Advice

[ThomasHunter]

I've been struggling with how to build an Inquisitive. I like that RA's work with it and also like a couple of bonus feats from Artificer. One thing I found strange was the overall lack of active attacks in the Inquisitive Tree. While I don't like too many, a few seem nice which is why I am thinking of pairing it with DWS. Taking enough levels nets Evasion as well. Finally, to fill in, a few Fighter levels for extra action boosts and such. Overall, will spend 41+ points in Inquisitive, probably enough in Harper for Int as damage modifier and hoping to spend the balance in DWS for a few active attacks. Finally, was thinking Aasimar for a bit of free healing as needed. Any help/suggestions/criticisms would be greatly appreciated. Note that I am trying to find a solid build (maybe this one is completely off the mark) where I could also gather a couple of Ranger PL's for extra damage on each bolt (seems darn good with this build).

Thanks!
Taleisin

New Build
9/8/3 Ranger/Artificer/Fighter
Neutral Good Aasimar


Level Order

1. Artificer . . . 6. Ranger. . . . .11. Ranger. . . . .16. Fighter
2. Artificer . . . 7. Ranger. . . . .12. Artificer. . . 17. Fighter
3. Ranger . . . . .8. Ranger . . . . 13. Artificer . . .18. Artificer
4. Ranger . . . . .9. Ranger . . . . 14. Artificer . . .19. Artificer
5. Ranger . . . . 10. Ranger . . . . 15. Fighter . . . .20. Artificer


Stats
. . . . . . . .36pt . . Tome . . Level Up
. . . . . . . .---- . . ----. . .--------
Strength. . . . .8. . . .+2. . . .4: INT
Dexterity . . . 16. . . .+4. . . .8: INT
Constitution. . 16. . . .+3. . . 12: DEX
Intelligence. . 16. . . .+3. . . 16: INT
Wisdom. . . . . 12. . . .+2. . . 20: INT
Charisma. . . . 12. . . .+2. . . 24: INT
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28: INT

Skills
. . . . . A .A. R. R. R. R. R. R. R. R. R. A .A. A .F. F .F. A .A. A
. . . . . 1 .2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
Heal. . . . . . 5. 2. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1 .1. 1 .1. 1 .1. 1 .1. 1 .23
Disable . 4 .1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1 .1. 1 .1. 1 .1. 1 .1. 1 .23
Open Lo . 4 .1. . .½ .½ .½ .½ .½ .½ .½ .½ .2. 2 .2. . . . . .2. 2 .2. 21
Search. . 4 .1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1 .1. 1 . . . . . 1 .1. 1 .20
Spot. . . 4 .1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1 .1. 1 . . . . . 1 .1. 1 .20
Jump. . . . . . . .3 .3 .3 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 . . . . . 3 .2. 1 . . . . . 20
Concent . 2 .1. . . . 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1 .1. 1 . . ½ .½. 1 .1. 1 .17
Diplo . . 2 .½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½ .½. ½ . . ½ .½. ½ .½. ½ .11
UMD . . . . .1. . . . . . . 1. 1. 1. 1. ½. . . . . . . . .½. 1 .1. 1 . 9
Spellcr . 4 .1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Swim. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Tumble. . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
. . . . .28 .8 10 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 .9. 9 .9. 7 .8. 8 10 10 10


Feats

.1. . . . : Point Blank Shot
.3. . . . : Dodge
.6. . . . : Empower Healing Spell
.9. . . . : Mobility
12. . . . : Spring Attack
13 Arti . : Improved Critical: Ranged
15. . . . : Improved Precise Shot
15 Fighter: Weapon Focus: Ranged
16 Fighter: Shot on the Run
18. . . . : Precision
20 Arti . : Quicken Spell
21 Epic . : Combat Archery
24 Epic . : Overwhelming Critical
26 Destiny: Holy Strike
27 Epic . : Blinding Speed
28 Destiny: Doubleshot
29 Destiny: Embodiment of Law
30 Epic . : Epic Reflexes
30 Legend : Scion of: Arborea

.1 Aasimar: Bond of the Protector

.3 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Undead
.7 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Construct

[Hjarki]

I've been struggling with how to build an Inquisitive. I like that RA's work with it and also like a couple of bonus feats from Artificer. One thing I found strange was the overall lack of active attacks in the Inquisitive Tree. While I don't like too many, a few seem nice which is why I am thinking of pairing it with DWS. Taking enough levels nets Evasion as well. Finally, to fill in, a few Fighter levels for extra action boosts and such. Overall, will spend 41+ points in Inquisitive, probably enough in Harper for Int as damage modifier and hoping to spend the balance in DWS for a few active attacks. Finally, was thinking Aasimar for a bit of free healing as needed. Any help/suggestions/criticisms would be greatly appreciated. Note that I am trying to find a solid build (maybe this one is completely off the mark) where I could also gather a couple of Ranger PL's for extra damage on each bolt (seems darn good with this build).

We've been examining how the various features of DXB work - and they're not quite as obvious as it would seem from the tooltips. One of the big surprises is that while EF/NHB are absolutely critical for a classic GXB Endless Fusilade build, they're a bit more optional for a DXB build. It's still better than not having it - but it's not enough better that there aren't other options.

One of the builds I mentioned over on that thread might work well for what you're trying to do - pure Ranger with 41 DWS/31 Falconry and enough Inquisitive to get the DXB fighting style:


New Build
Ranger 20
True Neutral Aasimar Scourge


Stats
. . . . . . . .36pt . . Tome . . Level Up
. . . . . . . .---- . . ----. . .--------
Strength. . . . .8. . . .+8. . . .4: WIS
Dexterity . . . 15. . . .+8. . . .8: WIS
Constitution. . 14. . . .+8. . . 12: WIS
Intelligence. . 14. . . .+8. . . 16: WIS
Wisdom. . . . . 20. . . .+8. . . 20: WIS
Charisma. . . . .8. . . .+8. . . 24: WIS
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28: WIS

Skills
. . . . . 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
Heal. . . 4. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Search. . 4. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Spot. . . 4. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Listen. . 4. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Jump. . . 4. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Hide. . . 4. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Move Si . 4. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 23
Diplo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1. 1. 1. 1. 1½ 1½ 1½ 1½ ½. ½. 11
UMD . . . 2. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. ½. . .11
Swim. . . . .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1. 10
Tumble. . . . . . . . . . . ½. ½. ½. ½. . . . . . . . . . . . . 1. 1. .4
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
. . . . .32. 9. 9. 9. 9. 9 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 11 11 11 11 11 11


Feats

.1. . . . : Point Blank Shot
.3. . . . : Rapid Reload
.6. . . . : Quick Draw
.9. . . . : Improved Critical: Ranged
12. . . . : Precision
15. . . . : Dodge
18. . . . : Mobility
21 Epic . : Combat Archery
24 Epic . : Overwhelming Critical
26 Destiny: Pierce Damage Reduction: Silver
27 Epic . : Blinding Speed
28 Destiny: Doubleshot
29 Destiny: Mass Frog
30 Epic . : Shot on the Run
30 Legend : Scion of: Ethereal Plane

.1 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Human
.5 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Evil Outsider
10 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Plant
15 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Aberration
20 Ranger : Favored Enemy: Monstrous Humanoid


Spells

Ram's Might (4), Resist Energy (6), Entangle (14), Charm Animal (18)
Mass Camouflage (8), Spike Growth (10), Hold Animal (16), Cure Light Wounds (19)
Wild Instincts (11), Cure Moderate Wounds (12), Neutralize Poison (19), Remove Disease (19)
Freedom of Movement (14), Mass Longstrider (15), Cure Serious Wounds (19), Animal Growth (20)

Enhancements (76+3 of 80+3 AP)

Deepwood Stalker (41 AP) Far Shot, Sneak Attack, Sniper Shot, Advanced Sneak Attack, Mark of the Hunted, Horizon Shot Favored Defense I, Stealthy III
Survivalist, Melee/Range Power Boost III
Survivalist, Thrill of the Hunt III, Aimed Shot, Wisdom
Survivalist, Killer III, Merciful Shot, Wisdom
Extra Favored Enemy: Elf, Strikes Like Lightning, Head Shot, Improved Archer's Focus
Falconry (31 AP) Falcon, Wisdom, Well Rounded, Wisdom, Well Rounded II Hunter's Knowledge, Out in Nature III
Killer Instinct I, Watch the Center III, Diving Shot I, Meticulous Fletching I
Killer Instinct II, Strike for the Eyes: Shot I, Conditioning
Deadly Instinct III, No Mercy III, Coordinated Shot, Expose Weakness
Aasimar Scourge (7 AP) Stronger Bonds, Wisdom, Stronger Bonds II, Wisdom, Stronger Bonds III
Inquisitive (4 AP) Inquisitive Dual Shooter, Conjure Bolts I

Destiny (24 AP)

Shadowdancer Stealthy III, Acrobatic I, Dexterity
Lithe III
Shrouding Shot I, Meld into Darkness III, Grim Precision III
Improved Invisibility I, Pierce the Gloom
Untouchable, Sealed Soul
Shadow Form
Twists of Fate (31 fate points) Sense Weakness (Tier 4 Fury)
Pin (Tier 2 Shiradi)
Favored Enemy: Aberration (Tier 2 Primal)
Extra Action Boost (Tier 1 Dreadnought)
Unearthly Reactions (Tier 1 Magister)

That being said, I think Deep Gnome might be a better choice because small races have a better angle for ranged combat. Note that Favored Enemies are YMMV. You've got 5 from Ranger, Undead from Scourge, (something) from DWS, Animals from Falconry and (something) from Epic Twist (9 total). Legendary Dreadnought is probably a better choice of Destiny from the standpoint of pure numbers, but the piles of utility from Shadowdancer to support this sort of heavy Sneak Attack approach coupled with better defenses prejudice me away from LD.

Going this route gives you helpless damage, the ability to render opponents helpless, great Fortification Bypass and the ability to Sneak Attack/Point Blank Shot without regard for range. And, of course, you'd be the king of Hold Animal. :)