So, I love the idea of the Inquisitive rogue subclass ... I picture Phillip Marlowe or Sherlock Holmes (the RDJ version) or the guy from the Mentalist. When my latest rogue reached level 3, I took the Inquisitive subclass... and I was almost instantly disappointed. Many of their subclass features are only useful in very specific situations, and overall, I feel the subclass is very weak compared to other 2024 Rogue subclasses. So... I developed my own. It's about 70% the original with some changes that broaden its appeal and utility. I'd really like to know what everyone thinks, especially if you have constructive feedback to offer.
I play exclusively in the Eberron fantasy setting, so the flavor (as well as the subclass name) is drawn from that setting.
Sharn Inquisitive
Sharn Inquisitives are detectives and private investigators, who specialize in finding missing persons or those who don't want to be found, though inquisitives are not restricted to this line of work and will solve any mystery for the right price. The best inquisitives are believed to be members of House Tharashk's Finder's Guild who bear the Mark of Finding, though there are also inquisitives that make up for their lack of magic through sheer skill and grit. Inquisitives are found all over Khorvaire but are prominently located in Sharn.
With a sharp eye for detail, an uncanny gift of deduction, and a supernatural gift for rooting out lies and clues, inquisitives excel at gathering information and unveiling what lies hidden. They are dedicated detectives and investigators, trained to solve crimes, find that which is missing, and ferreting out the most-well kept secrets.
Inquisitives are reliable allies for those who side with truth and uphold the law, but they are also deadly foes to contend with, especially for those they are hunting. Only those who have been scrutinized under an inquisitive's discerning eye can truly attest to the unnerving accuracy of their uncanny powers of observation.
Intuitive Deduction
Starting at 3rd level, you can use a Bonus Action to make a Perception check to spot a hidden creature or object or to make an Investigation check to uncover or decipher clues. Also, you gain proficiency in the Insight skill and the Investigation skill if you aren't already proficient. Your proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability check you make that uses either of those two skills.
Insightful Fighting
At 3rd level, you gain the ability to decipher an opponent’s tactics and movements. As a bonus action, you can make an Insight skill check against a conscious creature, contested by the target’s Deception check. If you succeed, you can use your Sneak Attack against that target even if you don’t have Advantage on the attack roll, but not if you have Disadvantage on it. Additionally, if the target of your Insightful Fighting has the Invisible condition, you treat them as if they weren't invisible.
You may add either your Intelligence modifier or your Wisdom modifier (using whichever modifier is higher) to either your damage rolls or your Armor Class against that opponent, selecting either damage or AC when you initiate Insightful Fighting.
This benefit lasts for 1 minute or until you use this feature against a different target. Once you have used Insightful Fighting on a target, whether you succeed or fail, you may not use this feature on them again for 24 hours.
Iron Will
Starting at 9th level, you become increasingly resilient to magical harm or influence. Whenever a creature under the effects of your Insightful Fighting feature forces you to make a saving throw against a magical or supernatural spell or effect, you have Advantage on that saving throw.
Uncanny Perception
Beginning at 13th level, your senses are almost impossible to foil. You gain Advantage on any skill checks related to detecting or interacting with illusions or disguises. Additionally, as an Action, you can sense the presence of illusions, shapechangers not in their original form, and other magic designed to deceive the senses within 30 feet of you, provided you aren’t Blinded or Deafened. You sense that an effect is attempting to trick you, but you gain no additional insight into what is hidden or into its true nature.
You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Proficiency bonus, and you regain all expended uses of it when you finish a long rest.
Tactical Observation
At 17th level, you learn to exploit a creature’s weaknesses by carefully studying its tactics and movement. While your Insightful Fighting feature applies to a creature, your Sneak Attack damage dice against that creature increases by 3d6.
Additionally, your combat bonus from the Insightful Fighting bonus now applies to your attack rolls, damage rolls, and Armor Class.
So, I love the idea of the Inquisitive rogue subclass ... I picture Phillip Marlowe or Sherlock Holmes (the RDJ version) or the guy from the Mentalist. When my latest rogue reached level 3, I took the Inquisitive subclass... and I was almost instantly disappointed. Many of their subclass features are only useful in very specific situations, and overall, I feel the subclass is very weak compared to other 2024 Rogue subclasses. So... I developed my own. It's about 70% the original with some changes that broaden its appeal and utility. I'd really like to know what everyone thinks, especially if you have constructive feedback to offer.
I play exclusively in the Eberron fantasy setting, so the flavor (as well as the subclass name) is drawn from that setting.
Sharn Inquisitive
Sharn Inquisitives are detectives and private investigators, who specialize in finding missing persons or those who don't want to be found, though inquisitives are not restricted to this line of work and will solve any mystery for the right price. The best inquisitives are believed to be members of House Tharashk's Finder's Guild who bear the Mark of Finding, though there are also inquisitives that make up for their lack of magic through sheer skill and grit. Inquisitives are found all over Khorvaire but are prominently located in Sharn.
With a sharp eye for detail, an uncanny gift of deduction, and a supernatural gift for rooting out lies and clues, inquisitives excel at gathering information and unveiling what lies hidden. They are dedicated detectives and investigators, trained to solve crimes, find that which is missing, and ferreting out the most-well kept secrets.
Inquisitives are reliable allies for those who side with truth and uphold the law, but they are also deadly foes to contend with, especially for those they are hunting. Only those who have been scrutinized under an inquisitive's discerning eye can truly attest to the unnerving accuracy of their uncanny powers of observation.
Intuitive Deduction
Starting at 3rd level, you can use a Bonus Action to make a Perception check to spot a hidden creature or object or to make an Investigation check to uncover or decipher clues. Also, you gain proficiency in the Insight skill and the Investigation skill if you aren't already proficient. Your proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability check you make that uses either of those two skills.
Insightful Fighting
At 3rd level, you gain the ability to decipher an opponent’s tactics and movements. As a bonus action, you can make an Insight skill check against a conscious creature, contested by the target’s Deception check. If you succeed, you can use your Sneak Attack against that target even if you don’t have Advantage on the attack roll, but not if you have Disadvantage on it. Additionally, if the target of your Insightful Fighting has the Invisible condition, you treat them as if they weren't invisible.
You may add either your Intelligence modifier or your Wisdom modifier (using whichever modifier is higher) to either your damage rolls or your Armor Class against that opponent, selecting either damage or AC when you initiate Insightful Fighting.
This benefit lasts for 1 minute or until you use this feature against a different target. Once you have used Insightful Fighting on a target, whether you succeed or fail, you may not use this feature on them again for 24 hours.
Iron Will
Starting at 9th level, you become increasingly resilient to magical harm or influence. Whenever a creature under the effects of your Insightful Fighting feature forces you to make a saving throw against a magical or supernatural spell or effect, you have Advantage on that saving throw.
Uncanny Perception
Beginning at 13th level, your senses are almost impossible to foil. You gain Advantage on any skill checks related to detecting or interacting with illusions or disguises. Additionally, as an Action, you can sense the presence of illusions, shapechangers not in their original form, and other magic designed to deceive the senses within 30 feet of you, provided you aren’t Blinded or Deafened. You sense that an effect is attempting to trick you, but you gain no additional insight into what is hidden or into its true nature.
You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Proficiency bonus, and you regain all expended uses of it when you finish a long rest.
Tactical Observation
At 17th level, you learn to exploit a creature’s weaknesses by carefully studying its tactics and movement. While your Insightful Fighting feature applies to a creature, your Sneak Attack damage dice against that creature increases by 3d6.
Additionally, your combat bonus from the Insightful Fighting bonus now applies to your attack rolls, damage rolls, and Armor Class.