The dread investigator observes human behavior after the fact, honing their intuition by delving into the mysteries of death. They breach sealed tombs to recover research material rather than riches. Many join--or found--cults, while others are simply researchers who must become accustomed to undeath to pursue their work. Delayed Inspiration: A dread investigator gains inspiration at 4th level instead of 1st and gains studied combat and studied strike at 7th level instead of 4th. A dread investigator's studied strike deals 1d6 fewer points of damage than normal. This alters inspiration, studied combat, and studied strike.
Replaces
Poison LorePoison Resistance
Archetype Features
Embalming Fluids
Level 1
A dread investigator adds the following spells to his class list of extracts: 1st--hide from undead, sanctify corpse; 2nd--gentle repose, lesser animate dead; 3rd--animate dead, speak with dead; 4th--rest eternal. A dread investigator can use these extracts to affect dead bodies as if using the infusion discovery to affect another creature.
This ability replaces poison lore.
Negative Energy Resistance
Level 2
At 2nd level, a dread investigator gains a +2 bonus on saving throws against death effects, energy drain, and negative energy. This bonus increases to +4 at 5th level and +6 at 8th level. At 11th level, effects created by undead that inflict ability drain, ability damage, or energy drain have only half their normal effect on a dread investigator (minimum 1 point of ability damage or ability drain, or 1 negative level).
This ability replaces poison resistance and immunity.
Investigator Talent: When a dread investigator selects the alchemical discovery talent, he can select from the following additional discoveries: alchemical zombie, mummification, or preserve organs.
Reanimation Fluid
Level 7
At 7th level, a dread investigator adds undead anatomy I to his formula book, and he can share this extract with an unconscious creature as if he had the infusion discovery. If the creature is dying when it receives the infusion, it stabilizes and gains temporary hit points equal to twice the dread investigator's level. Rather than having the extract take effect immediately, the dread investigator may choose for the extract to remain latent for up to 10 minutes per level. He can trigger the extract's effect at any point by touching the creature as a standard action, and it automatically triggers if the creature using it is reduced to 0 or fewer hit points. The dread investigator can also amplify the effect of the extract, allowing it to function as undead anatomy II, but this reduces the extract's duration to 1 round per level and at the end of its duration the creature using the extract is reduced to -1 hit points.
At 13th level, a dread investigator adds undead anatomy II to his formula book, and at 19th level undead anatomy III, which he can use in the same way, including amplifying the effect of the extract to the next-higher-level undead anatomy spell.
This ability replaces the investigator talents gained at 7th, 13th, and 19th level.
Grants
Negative Energy Resistance+2 at level 2, +4 at level 5, +6 at level 8 (against death effects, energy drain, and negative energy)
Investigator talent slots replaced (Dread Investigator)
Chosen as you gain archetype choices — 26 options.
Blinding Strike
When the investigator deals damage with studied strike, the opponent must succeed at a Fortitude saving throw (DC [see source formula]) or be permanently bli...
Confusing Strike
When the investigator deals damage with studied strike, the opponent must succeed at a DC [see source formula] Fortitude saving throw or become confused for ...
Deafening Strike
When an investigator deals damage with studied strike, the opponent must succeed at a DC [see source formula] Fortitude saving throw or be permanently deafened.
Device Talent
The investigator can use the Use Magic Device skill even if not trained in that skill.
Effortless Aid
The investigator can use an aid another action as a move action instead of as a standard action.
Eidetic Recollection
An investigator can always choose to take 10 on any of his Knowledge checks, even if he's in immediate danger or distracted.
Empathy
When attempting a Sense Motive check, the investigator makes two d20 rolls and takes the higher result.
Expanded Inspiration
An investigator can use his inspiration ability when attempting Diplomacy, Heal, Perception, Profession, and Sense Motive checks without expending uses of in...
Hidden Agendas
An investigator learns to obscure his thoughts and endeavors from prying eyes and even intrusive magic.
Inspirational Expertise
When an investigator succeeds at a Knowledge check to identify a monster's special powers or vulnerabilities, he can expend one use of inspiration as a swift...
Inspired Alertness
Whenever the investigator becomes flat-footed, he can expend one use of inspiration to ignore that condition.
Inspired Intelligence
An investigator can add his inspiration die to all Knowledge, Linguistics, or Spellcraft checks without expending a use of inspiration, even those he's not t...
Inspired Intimidator
When the investigator succeeds at an Intimidate check to demoralize an opponent, he can expend one use of inspiration to automatically increase the result of...
Item Lore
An investigator can use Spellcraft to identify the properties and command words of magic items without the use of detect magic or similar spells.
Perceptive Tracking
The investigator can use Perception instead of Survival to both find and follow tracks, using the same DCs listed under the Survival skill (Core Rulebook 107).
Quick Study
An investigator can use his studied combat ability as swift action instead of a move action.
Repositioning Strike
When the investigator deals damage with studied strike, he can perform a reposition combat maneuver as a free action against the creature damaged by studied ...
Rogue Talent
You can select one of the following rogue talents in place of an investigator talent: assault leader, black market connections, camouflage, canny observer, c...
Sapping Offensive
When the investigator damages a studied target, that creature cannot make attacks of opportunity for 1 round.
Sickening Offensive
When the investigator damages a studied target, that creature is also sickened for 1 round.
Stealing Strike
When the investigator deals damage with studied strike, he can perform a steal combat maneuver as a free action against the creature damaged by studied strike.
Tenacious Inspiration
When an investigator rolls his inspiration die, he can roll an additional inspiration die and take the higher result.
Toppling Strike
When the investigator deals damage with studied strike, he can perform a trip combat maneuver as a free action against the creature damaged by studied strike.
Underworld Inspiration
An investigator can use his inspiration on Bluff, Disable Device, Disguise, Intimidate, or Sleight of Hand checks without expending uses of inspiration, prov...