Just to verify- are we discussing the psionic class by the name of 'dread'?
If so, then to clarify the purpose of this thread: dreads are intimidation and fear based psionic characters. So is that the essence we are aiming for here? With a preference for ranged attacks?
The Nightmare archetype in conjunction with broken dream style is good for running an unarmed build. A level of Master of Many Styles with ascetic style will allow you to use a weapon.
Yes. I am open to a melee style build as well, if it is a more optimal way to go.
I don't know too much about psionics, but one of the better general melee builds is intimidation focused.
The basic combo is cornugon smash (free action intimidation when you do a power attack) and hurtful (swift action to attack a target that gets shaken or frightened). This allows for two hits even after a move, although it is pretty much 1 use/enemy in a fight.
This is notable since you can also grab a weapon with the cruel property (when you hit a shaken or otherwise scared creature, they are also sickened). This makes the 1-2 punch into a great debuff build. Combined, the conditions give a -4 to attack and saves.
Heck, if you play a blood rager, you could grab a riving strike build on top of that. That is a feat that gives -2 to saves vs. spells when hit with arcane strike. Blood rager would be required since arcane strike and hurtful both use the swift action- blooded arcane strike is a feat that makes it a free action, freeing you up. If you add this too, you could get a -6 to spell saves.
Not sure if this is the kind of stuff you are looking for, but I might as well throw it out there to get this rolling.
Oh, no, the blood rager stuff is separate from the dread class.
I wasn't sure whether you were going for the actual dread class, or looking for a substitute (since you brought up antipaladin, which I am sure has some kind of fear build). I kind of assumed that you were not allowed psionics and you just wanted to adapt the idea.
If you are playing with psionics, then stick with dread- it is likely more custom built for this fear stuff. Just grabbing the hurtful feat to get in a sneaky shot when doing your other stuff is likely fine. At least if you have any kind of melee stats (I am not experienced with psionics, and this might end up as a ranged build).
Oh, I wasn't sure whether you were going for the actual dread class, or looking for a substitute (since you brought up antipaladin, which I am sure has some kind of fear build). I kind of assumed that you were not allowed psionics and you just wanted to adapt the idea.
2 levels of Antipaladin = Nothing is immune to fear when you're around. Yes, really. A 2-level dip for a fear-based build is amazing if you're fine with being chaotic evil.
Oh, I wasn't sure whether you were going for the actual dread class, or looking for a substitute (since you brought up antipaladin, which I am sure has some kind of fear build). I kind of assumed that you were not allowed psionics and you just wanted to adapt the idea.2 levels of Antipaladin = Nothing is immune to fear when you're around. Yes, really. A 2-level dip for a fear-based build is amazing if you're fine with being chaotic evil.
The Dread Class gets that ability too, so the dip isn't really needed.
Hold on, I got you:
The Nightmare archetype from PoW:E gives you access to the Black Seraph martial discipline (the intimidate focused one).
then you can focus on eventually picking up hurtful and cornugon smash. among other things.