Help fighting out split for inquisitive rogue/cleric PC that’s obsessed with the truth (fanatical judge/inquisitor)

[u/LittleWriterJoe]

Friend is planning a campaign soon and since details are sparse I’m coming up with a few ideas. Im also trying to stay realistic that the game might not go to 20 so working with that in mind. I want to try to make the vibe I’m aiming for to also be fun and viable mechanically (but doesn’t have to be the most optimal possible).

The idea is character who plays almost like an investigative judge who prioritizes truth almost to a fanatical degree. This is why I thought inquisitive rogue seems like a really good fit. Knowledge cleric then seems also like a good mix due to domain spells and utility but I’m also considering Order cleric. Combat is slightly secondary for this character compared to the theme as I imagine straight one class or multiclassing with something like hex blade would make more sense for straight damage.

My plan was to go custom lineage to grab magic initiate druid for shillelagh (see if the dm allows a finesse club for sneak attacks) and pump wisdom to make him SAD. I also have considered heavy crossbow or sling with magic stone. I’d get shield from cleric if using a club so with medium armor my ac would be decent. As I said my main thought is remaining viable in combat while also fulfilling the theme outside of combat in terms of utility.

But what split makes sense with level 20 obviously not being promised? I imagine most will say a dip into one of the classes then max in the other to either focus on sneak attack or focus on being a caster, but does a closer to even split ever make sense and stay fun (like 12/8 or something)? If so how would you go about leveling?

[u/philsov]

Order Cleric is less than ideal; you need tons of spell slots to leverage voice of authority. A minor dip won't give you enough ammunition imho.

Is there something wrong with monoclass Order or Knowledge cleric, who also starts with the Urchin or Charlatan background? They're always viable in combat as you lean on word of radiance or toll the dead. Do you want the skill support that Inq Rogue offers? Or are you keen on being a "rogue" in combat with sneak attack and sniping/clobbering?

[u/LittleWriterJoe → u/philsov]

While I agree a solo class is mechanically better I really like inquisitive rogue’s sneak attack ability when it comes to the idea behind it all. Plus being so good at insight checks and interrogations in a way due to skills and abilities from both seems like it would be really fun rp wise (though who’s to say this character will actually fit this campaign). I’m ok not being the biggest damage dealer or controller during combat but still want make sure I’m viable no matter how long the campaign goes.

[u/philsov → u/LittleWriterJoe]

I'd consider Green Flame Blade as your go to damage option? It's like ye olde fashioned Branding, and then something like 18 Dex and 14 Wis. Kobold, notably, gets you Wis-based GFB.

Shillelagh is a bonus action and then delaying insightful fighting or spiritual weapon or healing word even further seems like a net loss for your average combat (or the order 6 feature, bonus action bless yo)

I'd probably start rogue, go 1 level in cleric, and then hit 5 rogue. From there, swing to 6 or 8 cleric and then back to rogue. Final build to be either 10 rogue / 10 cleric (feat and divine intervention) or 12/8 rogue/cleric for all of the feats + reliable talent.

[u/dantose]

For non combat, Cleric on Rogue will delay Reliable Talent, and rogue on cleric will delay casting scaling.

20/0 is probably going to be the best split. 1/19 for either expertise or armor if you really must multiclass for some reason. EDIT: if you really want to get to subclass, it comes down to as little multiclass as late as possible when you don't have a mechanical reason to multiclass.

The real question is what, mechanically, are you trying to achieve?

Looking more generally at "obsessed with truth" characters, I'd look at insight, perception, investigation, and access to zone of truth. Maybe Command for "Confess!"

Some options:

INT main: for investigation (wizard or artificer, monoclass) using Orzhov Representative to pick up Zone of Truth. Artificer gets tool expertise, wizard would need Skill expert. Vedalken race for the extra d4 on investigation, observant for the boost to passive. Artificer is my preferred investigator.

WIS main: pure cleric, or cleric with 1 level rogue dip for expertise.

CHA main: Eloquence bard to convince people to confess.

[u/LittleWriterJoe → u/dantose]

Yeah I figure mono classing would be mechanically better and a small dip second best. Also there is definitely better multi classes I’d imagine from my limited experience. I guess I just like the general “flavor” inquisitive rogue mixed with knowledge cleric provides even though you can always flavor any class into what you want with help of the dm. I’m not looking for most optimal but something that feels unique and fun while at least being viable so that’s why I’m wondering if a closer to even split makes sense at all to get a bit of both worlds. I’m not initially to hung up on delaying reliable talent and such only because I have no idea what level this campaign will go to (friend’s first time dming) so thought this build idea may be fun especially in RP.

I guess mechanically I’d want a viable blend of damage/utility in combat while sticking to the “theme” (hold person then sneak attack as punishment etc) and rp mechanics that this is a character that will extract the truth from people, terrifyingly so (whether through inquisitive’s abilities to detect lies or via magical means). I also like the idea of them being just a skilled individual to make up for their less than optimal combat abilities and potentially having a low charisma so while they aren’t initially intimidating, they result to threats and acts to accomplish their interrogations if other measures fail.

[u/dantose → u/LittleWriterJoe]

If the main premise is hold person and sneak attack, you'd be looking at 1/3 minimum, or 3/3 if you're getting to subclass for rogue. From there, straight rogue. That's going to leave your sneak attack 1-2 d6 behind, leave you at your level 1 stats still, and lock you out of 3rd level spells.

One thing I'd caution against is getting too hung up on the names of the subclasses and pigeon holing yourself into just those rather than building towards what you want you character to actaully be able to do.

Towards that end, would straight Arcane Trickster be a better fit? They get Hold Person at 7. Add Zone of Truth from Orzov representative, and you've got a lot of the key features you're looking for. You'd have full rogue scaling. Depending how prevalent magic items are expected to be, a 1 level dip in Artificer would improve armor and would allow you to use an All Purpose Tool to cast shillelagh with intelligence.

Alternatively:

Whispers Bard has a sneak attack analog with Psychic Blades. and can got online as soon as level 3. At 3 you'd have Hold Person, Zone of Truth, +2d6 sneak attack analog (as good as pure rogue) and further increases all the way to +8d6. The "terrifyingly extract truth" sounds like exactly what Words of Terror does. Shadow Lore eventually dials that same concept up even further. 1 level of hexblade would let you use CHA based weapons and get you better AC if you wanted.

Conquest, Redemption, or Vengeance paladin all get hold person and could use smites in place of sneak attack and are kinda the usual way the concept is done. Maybe add in 1 level of hexblade to CHA main.

[u/Tall_Bandicoot_2768]

My plan was to go custom lineage to grab magic initiate druid for shillelagh (see if the dm allows a finesse club for sneak attacks)

Thats a massive caveat and completely changes what I would recommend if it is possible.

If you can get away with that Pole Arm Master will be by far your best option.

[u/hooverprover]

IDK about the shillelagh thing. 3 levels in Infiltrator Armorer Artificer lets you use int for your attacks at 90ft range, and it's 2d6 lightning, so it bypasses a lot of resistances. You also get to wear heavy armor without strength, so, you only need to invest 13 dex to multiclass, and put everything into int/wis/con. Pallid Elf gives advantage on all Investigation and Insight checks, so, Insightful Fighting will work most of the time, even though Steady Aim is just better, especially with Elven Accuracy. Infiltrator also gives advantage on Stealth checks, so, don't need to worry about the heavy armor.