Private Investigator PC

[FalcWP]

You might consider another level of Rogue, two levels of Beguiler, and then the Unseen Seer (Complete Mage) class. It focuses on Divinations, which would be useful for an investigator, while still giving you lots of skill points for Gather Information, Knowledge, Listen, Search, Sense Motive, and Spot. It gives you a 3/4 BAB progression, so no worse than Rogue there. I'll admit, the d4 hit dice wouldn't be fun for a melee type, but things like mirror image could help you there. If you took all 10 levels of the class, you'd have 6th level spells, your BAB would be solid (+10 at level 15... or +11 if you're allowed to use fractional progessions for BAB), you'd have a respectable sneak attack... could be fun. You can alternatively go with two more levels of Rogue and one more of Beguiler - extra d6 of sneak attack in exchange for dropping to 5th level spells.

It gives you another tactic when hitting things doesn't work. It also lets you do nonlethal damage - the whelm spells were mentioned earlier. Heck, find a merciful spellstoring greatspear, and you should be able to knock out folks left and right.

 

[Mistwell]

You might consider another level of Rogue, two levels of Beguiler, and then the Unseen Seer (Complete Mage) class. It focuses on Divinations, which would be useful for an investigator, while still giving you lots of skill points for Gather Information, Knowledge, Listen, Search, Sense Motive, and Spot. It gives you a 3/4 BAB progression, so no worse than Rogue there. I'll admit, the d4 hit dice wouldn't be fun for a melee type, but things like mirror image could help you there. If you took all 10 levels of the class, you'd have 6th level spells, your BAB would be solid (+10 at level 15... or +11 if you're allowed to use fractional progessions for BAB), you'd have a respectable sneak attack... could be fun. You can alternatively go with two more levels of Rogue and one more of Beguiler - extra d6 of sneak attack in exchange for dropping to 5th level spells.

It gives you another tactic when hitting things doesn't work. It also lets you do nonlethal damage - the whelm spells were mentioned earlier. Heck, find a merciful spellstoring greatspear, and you should be able to knock out folks left and right.

Those are great ideas, thank you. We are indeed knocking out many foes rather than killing them. Usually this is done by knocking them below 0 hp with lethal damage, and then stablizing them after the battle (if possible). Starting with nonlethal damage would help with that.

 

[Rolzup]

Oddly enough, the Factotum from Dungeonscape would make a pretty good PI. Lots of skills, the ability to be damned good with them, a little bit of magic to season the mix.... Interesting enough concept that I'm going to take a closer look at it myself.

If not that, take a look at Monte Cook's "Akashic", from his Arcana Evovled setting. Again, plenty of stuff to make an excellent detective.

 

[Mistwell]

I love the Akashic. It's one of my favorite classes. Unfortunately, it is not available. In this game, we are free to choose AE classes, but only if we JUST take AE classes for the entire career of the PC and never mix in non-AE classes. Since I already have two levels of PHB classes, Akashic is out.

I will check out the factotum. I've heard about it before, and it sounded pretty interesting.

 

[Trench]

I'm actually running a police procedural game in Ptolus actually, (which i will story hour eventually...)

We have a factotum and Investigator from Crime and Punishment and both of them are doing quite well. Even the gnome ilusionist is doing some undercover work.

I'd also look at the Justicar PrC from the Complete Warrior. Bloodhound from Complete Adventurer could be a good fit if you somehow urbanize it.

 

[nittanytbone]

Cloistered Cleric could be an option as well, with proper domain selection. More "bookkeeping" spells/skills than face skills, but the high SP, access to all knowledge skills, and casting in armor is handy.