FvS Inq vs Bard Inq? Would I lose much on 18FvS/2Arti vs 20 FvS?

[Oliphant]

I've playing a Scoundrel 20 Bard Inquisitive at cap, fully focused on ranged dps, INT based, playing end game. I'm doing 37 AP in Inq, 31 AP in Warchanter and 13 AP in Harper. I've been hearing a pure FvS Aasimar would probably be better and I'm thinking about doing a TR to do a FvS Inq with the goal of improving dps a bit. My only worry is doing all that work and then it turns out to not even be as good. The biggest difference seems to be access to full BAB, which affects attack speed. Attack speed is the mother of all bonuses because it scales everything, not just certain components. To get full BAB on Warchanter you need to invest in the 2nd to last core, which is no conflict with any other trees. To get full BAB with FvS I would need to use Warpirest Tier 5 but that cannot happen because I need to Inq Tier 5 for No Holds Barred. FvS route also seems to be missing the 1/2 stat modifier bonus to damage, like Harper route, which is very important for the Bard Inq INT build in my play experience.

How confident are we that FvS Wisdom based route is significantly better (and definitely not worse) than going Warchanter Harper Inq INT based route?

Also, I'm interested in adding 2 arti levels to help with the loot tetris. Is there much I'm losing by losing 2 FvS levels? Does rune arm mess with animation speed in anyway? Any hidden downside to rune arm I am missing?

So many questions, so many thanks in advance!

[Oliphant]

18Bar/arti2 is a neighborhood contender too

[RAFAR]

I've playing a Scoundrel 20 Bard Inquisitive at cap, fully focused on ranged dps, INT based, playing end game. I'm doing 37 AP in Inq, 31 AP in Warchanter and 13 AP in Harper. I've been hearing a pure FvS Aasimar would probably be better and I'm thinking about doing a TR to do a FvS Inq with the goal of improving dps a bit. My only worry is doing all that work and then it turns out to not even be as good. The biggest difference seems to be access to full BAB, which affects attack speed. Attack speed is the mother of all bonuses because it scales everything, not just certain components. To get full BAB on Warchanter you need to invest in the 2nd to last core, which is no conflict with any other trees. To get full BAB with FvS I would need to use Warpirest Tier 5 but that cannot happen because I need to Inq Tier 5 for No Holds Barred. FvS route also seems to be missing the 1/2 stat modifier bonus to damage, like Harper route, which is very important for the Bard Inq INT build in my play experience.

How confident are we that FvS Wisdom based route is significantly better (and definitely not worse) than going Warchanter Harper Inq INT based route?

Also, I'm interested in adding 2 arti levels to help with the loot tetris. Is there much I'm losing by losing 2 FvS levels? Does rune arm mess with animation speed in anyway? Any hidden downside to rune arm I am missing?

So many questions, so many thanks in advance!

You can use the Divine Power spell for full BAB, without spending ap. Alternatively the divine crusader destiny also gives full bab, but it's constant dps is inferior to dreadnought. Has better burst though with Zeal.
Fvs, as being divine, can use heavy armor (with fighter splash for example) for higher prr/mrr than bard. Has better heals too, but maybe worse CC. Also has access to death pact for "oh cr**" situations and a lot more hit points with Stout of Heart.

You can get wis bonus to damage from Falconry for 13ap or for 8 ap in Harper (or 12 to avoid the need for having both int and wis/cha in high numbers). Putting 41 ap in inquisitive for the capstone gives you much better dps over the warchanter version. Imo.

Splashing 1 arti gives you a free Rapid Reload feat, a RC Puppy for levers and access to trapping skills. Oh, and UMD, which you have now as a bard, and may need it with fvs, too.
1 more arti = runearms as an extra item on an otherwise not used slot. Rune arms are great even if not used actively, just for stats, like Tira's Splendor for equipment type heal amp, /silver DR bypass and deathblock. Or situationally breaking doors with a fireball shooter one.
If you don't use up all the remaining AP in war soul, fighter could also be useful for extra action boost charges from kensei.

Anyway, do you really need to have at least 18 lvls of fvs? Lv18 war soul core gives you haste spell that by the level you get it, can already be replaced by passive speed/alacrity. On lv27 you can take Blinding Speed anyway. What about 16 fvs/2 arti/2 fighter instead? Knowledge/grace of battle would still work. You could have 1 lv8 spell, like death pact, and get both the arti goodies and the 2 feats from fighter.
(Point blank shot, rapid shot, precision, precise shot, improved precise shot, improved critical, insightful reflexes(?), quicken, extend(?) - rapid reload comes with arti)

[Oliphant]

Thank you, that helps a lot!

[droid327]

16 FvS/2 Rog/2 Fig Aasi Inqui. 41 Inq 26 War Soul 13 etc (Beacon, Aasi, etc.)

The loss of Trance is regrettable but it holds its own with plenty of healing and buffing, and DP for BAB like mentioned above. Feats are what really set the build apart and the extra two Fig levels let you take the full ranged suite plus Emp Heal/Quicken for more survivability.