What is the Inquisitive Roguish Archetype?

Identity

The Inquisitive is an investigative Rogue focused on reading people, finding hidden details and creating a persistent Sneak Attack opening through Insightful Fighting. Its detective tools and Insightful Fighting make it more self-sufficient at reading a target, while the underlying class remains a mobile Sneak Attack specialist.

How it fits the Rogue chassis

Inquisitive begins at 3rd Rogue level and gains further archetype features at 9th, 13th, and 17th level. Inquisitive gains archetype features at Rogue levels 3, 9, 13, and 17. Its detective tools grow at those milestones while Sneak Attack, Expertise, and the Rogue's defenses improve on the normal class schedule.

Ability-score implications

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.

Combat and exploration role

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.

Sneak Attack remains central

Insightful Fighting creates an alternative way to satisfy Sneak Attack. Once the contested Insight check succeeds, you can Sneak Attack that creature for the feature's duration even without advantage and without an ally beside it, as long as you do not have disadvantage. All ordinary once-per-turn and qualifying-weapon rules still apply.