Pathfinder 1e Archetype Investigator

Spiritualist

While most investigators look to the physical world to gain their knowledge, there are those who seek out knowledge beyond the pale.

Class
Investigator
Kind
Archetype
Granted Spells
Replaces
5 features

While most investigators look to the physical world to gain their knowledge, there are those who seek out knowledge beyond the pale. Those who think that the dead tell no tales are quickly proven wrong by the spiritualist. Instead of toying with chemicals and reagents to find clues, he talks directly to the spirit world to uncover the ways and means of skullduggery and the desperate acts committed in the heat of dark passions.

Replaces

AlchemyPoison LorePoison ResistanceSwift AlchemyTrap Sense

Archetype Features

Commune with Spirits Level 1

Instead of relying on alchemical research to find clues, a spiritualist relies on communion with the world beyond death. At 1st level, a spiritualist gains the ability to use comprehend languages, detect secret doors, and identify, but each has a casting time of 1 minute, as the spiritualist needs to consult with the spirits of the dead that dwell in his area or that are somehow attached to him in some way. The spiritualist can use this ability a number of times per day equal to his investigator level + his Wisdom modifier. As he goes up in level, the spiritualist gains the ability to use other spells with the casting time as above. At 5th level, he can use augury. At 7th level, he can use speak with dead and locate object. At 9th level, he can use legend lore. Each of these requires one use of this ability. This ability replaces alchemy. A spiritualist cannot take the alchemist discovery talent or any investigator talent that affects alchemy.

Spirit Sense Level 2

At 2nd level, when a spiritualist attempts a saving throw against an ability or an effect delivered by an incorporeal creature, he can expend one use of his inspiration instead of two to augment that saving throw. If the spiritualist has the combat inspiration investigator talent, he need not spend any inspiration to augment such saving throws. This ability replaces poison lore.

Strong Life Level 5

His dealings with the other side and knowledge of what lies beyond strengthens the spiritualist's will. He gains a +2 bonus on saving throws against death effects and negative energy damage. This bonus increases to +4 at 5th level, and to +6 at 8th level. This ability replaces poison resistance.

Sixth Sense Level 3

At 3rd level, a spiritualist can spend one of his uses of the commune with spirits ability to reroll a single saving throw that he has failed. He must take the results of the reroll, even if it is lower. This ability replaces trap sense.

Whispering Spirits Level 4

At 4th level, the spiritualist can open a conduit with the spirit world that can aid him in combat for a short time. He can expend one use of his commune with spirits ability in order to gain an insight bonus to both AC and saving throws equal to his Wisdom modifier (minimum 1) for 1 minute. This ability replaces swift alchemy.

Touched by the Beyond Level 11

At 11th level, the spiritualist's ability to touch the beyond grants him further protection against the dangers of death and negative energy. The spiritualist becomes immune to death effects, and he takes half damage from negative energy. This ability replaces poison immunity.

Grants

Strong Life+2 at level 5, +4 at level 8 (against death effects and negative energy)
Immunitydeath effects, negative energy from level 11
Attribution

Rules content from Paizo Inc., reproduced by TheCrazyGM under the Open Game License v1.0a. Licensing for reproduced SRD content is covered by the site's Section 15 register.

eco_the_exploiter · OGL-1.0a

Added to the library by eco_the_exploiter on Sept. 18, 2026.

Open Game Content reproduced from Advanced Class Guide by TheCrazyGM under the OGL-1.0a. Copyright in the reproduced material is held by its original publisher, named in this site's Section 15 notice. The core designation is TheCrazyGM's assertion that the material faithfully matches its cited source; that attestation was recorded by eco_the_exploiter on 2026-09-18.

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