What would be the absolute best class / race build and background for CC?

So I'll likely be playing in our first game of this two weeks, I havent read the adventure, and our DM is not letting us read the player handouts (says there are spoilers in there)

I have no idea how much RP there is vs combat, (but would like to get an idea) I know theres undead and a plague of somekind...

I like characters who are useful in figuring out the plot (a few of the main skills) and who are good in combat.

what class/race/build maybe even background? do you think would do extra awesome in this AP?

Inquisitor? damphire? necromancer? witch? what?

Inquisitor or Cleric would be my suggestions. Paladin would also be very strong. Necromancer would be...interesting. Possibly very good, but also possibly very bad if you have a creative GM who thinks logically rather than following the book.

Basically, it is gothic horror. I think your GM should let you read the handout, there are no major spoilers in there, just hints at things you figure out in the first few hours of the module anyway. But maybe your GM has some plans...

You mean you can't download the player's guide?

There are no spoilers in there.

You will need social skills. There is a good deal of RP involved. Diplomacy and Sense Motive at least.
Knowledge skills will also help.
Someone should be able to channel. It is not a must, but the game is a lot easier that way.

If you can't do this the game is a lot harder.

The background is up to you. That won't really affect the story.

How you build the class is more important then the class itself.

Just to be clear what I mean is that you can build an inquisitor to be good in combat or to be a skill monkey. A rogue can also be the skills guy or you can be he combat rogue.

I would not go dhamphir unless really want to.
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I like a class that can find and disable traps. There are not a lot, but the ones they do have are brutal.<--There are several ways to do this.

Someone that is good in combat.

Someone that can remove bad conditions.

After that it is up to the party.

Alchemists aren't bad or Magi but I gotta say the Inquisitor, Cleric and Paladin will make it easier

k Im thinking half-ork neutral evil inquisitor of Pharasma, with wacked out intimidate...

something about saying (and I wouldent do this, its extreme but kinda funny to me)

"oh, your in-league with the undead? guess I have to kill you and your whole family"

btw- what feats buff intimidate? should I drop a level into barb to get their intimidate goodness, or thug?

is the vampire hunter a good one for this? are silver weapons really good for busting DR in this AP?

any suggestions for the build itself? I mean is there a way to get smite evil with this build?

Paladin will make the last third of the campaign a complete walk-over, especially if it's an Undead Slayer.