In the world of steel and sorcery, most fighters charge headlong into battle, trusting muscle, training, and steel to carry the day. But not all warriors are forged solely on the battlefield. Some sharpen their minds as keenly as their blades. These are the Investigators—fighters who wield intellect like a weapon, who unravel mysteries with precision, and who never strike without purpose.

The Investigator archetype is for those who believe knowledge is power, and observation is the first strike in any conflict. These fighters are thinkers, tacticians, sleuths, and hunters. They approach the battlefield like a crime scene, parsing patterns in combat like clues, and breaking their enemies down with calculated intent.

Whether tracking a fugitive across a continent, uncovering the dark truths behind a noble’s assassination, or predicting the outcome of a skirmish before a single blade is drawn, the Investigator excels where others guess. Their sharp eye can pierce through deception, their keen mind can dismantle layered conspiracies, and when steel is finally drawn, their blows land with ruthless efficiency—because they already know where to strike.

This archetype is ideal for players who want to blend gritty detective noir, clever deduction, and intelligent combat into a unique character. An Investigator could be a former city watch officer disillusioned by corruption, a monster hunter with a mind like a trap, or a master strategist trained by a secretive military order. Their stories are rich with secrets, slow-burning mysteries, and the kind of drama that thrives in the shadows of more obvious heroics.

Unlike the brutish warrior or the glory-seeking knight, the Investigator plays the long game. They win not just through might, but by knowing more, planning better, and outmaneuvering even the most cunning foes. In every conversation, they listen for lies. In every skirmish, they map the battlefield in seconds. And in every case—whether it involves a stolen artifact, a vanishing noble, or a vampire feeding beneath a city—they always find the truth.

Because for the Investigator, the truth is just another enemy to be hunted down and defeated.

Level 3: Tactical Insight

You’ve trained your mind to analyze threats with deadly efficiency.

• You gain proficiency in Investigation and Insight. If you're already proficient in either, you gain expertise in that skill (double your proficiency bonus).

• Once per turn, when you take the Attack action, you can forgo one of your attacks to analyze a creature you can see within 30 feet. Make an Investigation check (DC = 10 + the target's Dexterity modifier). On a success, you gain advantage on your next weapon attack against that creature before the end of your next turn.

You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Intelligence modifier (minimum once), and you regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.

Level 7: Combat Deduction

You anticipate threats and find flaws in your foes' defenses.

• When a creature you can see within 30 feet makes an attack roll or ability check, you can use your reaction to impose disadvantage on the roll.

• You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Intelligence modifier per long rest.

Additionally, when you make an Investigation or Insight check, you can add half your proficiency bonus to the roll if you aren’t already proficient.

Level 10: Weak Point Analysis

You can exploit even subtle vulnerabilities in an opponent’s defense.

• Once per turn, when you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can deal extra damage equal to your Intelligence modifier (minimum +1).

• If you've used Tactical Insight on the target, your critical hits against them occur on a 19 or 20.

Level 15: Strategic Counter

You respond to threats with rapid, calculated movement.

• When a creature targets you with an attack or a spell and you can see it, you can use your reaction to move up to half your speed without provoking opportunity attacks.

• If this movement takes you out of the creature’s range or line of sight, the attack or spell automatically misses.

You can use this feature twice per long rest.

Level 18: Master Investigator

You've honed your mind into a razor-sharp tool for combat and deduction.

• You gain Truesight out to 30 feet.

• When you use Tactical Insight, you can choose to gain advantage on all Intelligence and Wisdom checks against the target for 1 minute (no additional check required).

• Once per turn when you score a critical hit, you can force the creature to make a Constitution saving throw (DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Intelligence modifier). On a failure, the creature is stunned until the end of your next turn. You can use this feature once per turn, but only against a creature you've analyzed with Tactical Insight.