Jason Robbs's page

This is my favourite class from the playtest - truely unique. Nice work Mark!

I theorycrafted the following build. I built it quick so there might be some problems with it (using PFS rules)

Jack the Human Water Kineticist

1) [Wild Arcana: Slick], Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot
2) [WT: Extra Range]
3) Improved Initiative
4) [WT: Kinetic Blade]
5) [Infusion Specialization: Form], Weapon Finesse
6) [WT: Kinetic Whip]
7) [WT: Expanded Element (Aether)], Combat Reflexes
8) [WT: Expanded Defense], [IS: Form]
9) Toughness
10)[WT: Spark of Life]
11)[IS: Form], Iron Will
12)[WT: Kinetic Form]

HP: 171 + 12 (with 48 nonlethal)
AC: 38
Saves: 16/18/9 (20/23/13 with greater heroism)

atk: ice blast +18 (+22) touch (6d6+3)
telekinetic blast +18 (+22) (6d6+12)
kinetic whip +17/+12 (+21/+16) touch (6d6+2)
kinetic whip +17/+12 (+21/+16) (6d6+11)

Str: 7
Dex: 19 (25)
Con: 17 (20) -> 24 with Elemental Body II
Int: 12
Wis: 10
Cha: 7

Equipment:
(16000) Belt of Dex +4
(8000) Pink Rhomboid Sphere Ioun Stone (+2 con)
(11100) Mithral Chain Shirt +3
(4000) Cracked Pale Green Ioun Stone (+1 atk)
(9000) Cloak of Resistance +3
(2000) Ring of Protection +1
(2000) Amulet of Natural Armor +1
(5000) Jingasa of the Fortunate Soldier
(5000) Dusty Rose Prism Ioun Stone (+1 insight AC)
(30000) Boots of the Battle Herald (30 rounds of greater heroism)
(2000) Handy Haversack
Total: 98k

At the start of the day Jack activates Force Ward (+12 temporary HP) and Shroud of Water (with 2 burn for a total +6 shield AC). He then activates Kinetic Form with 2 burn to turn into a medium Water Elemental. In combat Jack is a switch hitter, using ice blast at range and then kinetic whip up close. Jack can also mix things up with Slick (i.e. grease) and Spark of Life (to summon a Large Water Elemental). In a pinch Jack can empower (1 burn) or maximize (2 burn) to make his kinetic whip hurt ( +25/+20 for 9d6+21 or 51 damage per hit).

After building this I have a couple thoughts:

- This build has a good power progression. At level 1 you can either blast or grease. By 8 you can use Kinetic Whip for free and have Weapon Finesse. By 12 you get more flexibility with an AoE and summoning.

- This build doesn't really need many feats outside of PBS, Precise Shot and Weapon Finesse. With more time I would replace the rest of the "filler" feats with something that would give more combat flexibility. Maybe some sort of intimidate option? Or Whirlwind Attack? If Vital Strike works with Kinetic Whip then that is the obvious choice (actually Vital strike shouldn't stack - imagine VS + Empower or Maximize!). I could also see grabbing Wild Arcana a bunch to add more options - I didn't since I am sticking to PFS rules.

- This feels like a wizard build by being very SAD, having very low gear requirements and one save that really needs to be shored up. All that gear gets you on a Kineticist is defence (AC/Saves) and stat bumps.

- Grab every attack bonus you can. This class seems tailor made for the Boots of the Battle Herald - no swift actions and a need for more attack and saves. Missing out on Boots of Speed hurts but +4 attack is far more important. Does the greater heroism temporary HP stack with Force Shield? Actually how does the Boots of the Battle Herald give temporary HP - is it refreshed every round?

- Before burn this build has amazing defense outside of the Will save. I estimate that you could use an extra 3 burn before getting in trouble (giving you a total of 99 HP after temporary hp/nonlethal)

- Since I specialized in form infusions I stayed away from composite blasts and substance infusions since the majority of them cost burn every time. I feel like if I need to nova I can use metakinesis.

- With the human bonus and 12 int you have 4 skill points per level. This isn't terrible but with poor mental stats and no extra out of combat utility this build will fall short in social situations.

Anyways I think that this is a great first step for the class. Let me know if I made any glaring errors.