Inquisitive FAQ
How do you build and play a Inquisitive Rogue?
Build the Inquisitive on top of a normal Dexterity-focused Rogue, then invest in the secondary abilities and skills that support the archetype. Study the scene before rushing in. In combat, identify a high-value enemy and establish Insightful Fighting when normal Sneak Attack setup is unreliable. Outside combat, Expertise in Insight, Perception or Investigation can turn the Rogue into the party's main detective.
Ability scores
Dexterity remains the combat priority. Wisdom is unusually important for this archetype because Insightful Fighting, Perception and Insight are central to its identity. Intelligence supports Investigation if the character leans heavily into detective work.
Weapons and Sneak Attack
Keep a reliable finesse or ranged weapon because Insightful Fighting changes how you qualify for Sneak Attack, not how Sneak Attack is delivered. Ranged weapons pair especially well with studying a dangerous target while maintaining distance.
Action economy
Study the scene before rushing in. In combat, identify a high-value enemy and establish Insightful Fighting when normal Sneak Attack setup is unreliable. Outside combat, Expertise in Insight, Perception or Investigation can turn the Rogue into the party's main detective.
Skills and Expertise
Insight is the defining skill because it powers Insightful Fighting. Perception and Investigation also interact directly with the subclass, so Expertise in one or more of these can make the Inquisitive exceptionally dependable as the party's investigator.
Common mistake
A common mistake is assuming Insightful Fighting automatically grants advantage. It does not. It gives you another way to qualify for Sneak Attack against the studied creature, provided you still meet the feature's conditions and do not have disadvantage.