Hi there,
I am trying to puzzle out a build for a psychic warrior, can I get a little feedback on him?
He's supposed to be a sword & board type (battleaxe, actually, but same principle). As far as paths, I was figuring Weaponmaster for the first one, and add in Survivor for the second one. Race is almost certainly half-orc.
1 TWF, Imp. Sh. Bash
2 Ps. Sh. Bash
3 Ps. Weapon
5 Dazzling Display, Wpn. Focus
7 C. Ref.
8 Shatter Defense
9 P. Att.
11 Deep Impact, Psi. Meditation
13 Shield Slam
14 Imp. Bull Rush
15 Deadly Stroke
17 Shield Master, Gr. Psi. Weapon
19 Iron Will
20 (Undecided, maybe ITWF?)
A thought I had while making this guy: I get the impression that Expanding up to Large (and later, Huge) is a very common trick for PWs, but the Dex penalty Expansion hits you with would leave you unable to use TWF if you end up below 15, right? So that particular wrinkle might not fly for this particular guy.
Thanks in advance for your time!
Later on,
Red
Yes, you are in the right place for build advice. But I'm merely a lurker on your thread, hoping to find out more on psionics.
Checking out the class guides (stickied at the top of the Advice column) is always a good first step, tho.
I think this link will take you to psychic warrior: Psychic Warrior
Yes, you are in the right place for build advice. But I'm merely a lurker on your thread, hoping to find out more on psionics.
Checking out the class guides (stickied at the top of the Advice column) is always a good first step, tho.
I think this link will take you to psychic warrior: Psychic Warrior
Yeah, I saw that guide. It looks really great as far as it goes, but the fact that it's unfinished and the guy hasn't done anything with it in 5-6 months has me bummed. Thanks all the same, though! :)
Redblade
What level or level range do you expect to be playing?
Low, 1-4 range, exact value still TBD. GM has implied that xp gain will be at a decent clip, at least early on.
The more I think about what I listed above, the more I worry it could be a little too MAD. PW wants Str and Wis, and a sword & board route also mandates a min Dex of 15, which in turn, as I noted above, closes me off to the hilarity that can ensue from Expanding up a size category or two. Is this a legit concern or am I overthinking this? I'm going to see if a 2-hander build jumps out at me, and try to compare/contrast the two.
Later on,
Red
Is this 3.5 or Dreamscarred psionics? I'm not familiar with the latter, although I only hear good things about it.
Upgraded expansion and a big 2hand weapon could make vital strike pretty nifty.
Impact greatsword is 4d6 large, 6d6 huge, or even higher if you're starting large like with a half-giant.
As I recall, deep impact and psi weapon both require expending focus, and the best you can get for regaining it is a move action, which make those particularly bad choices for 2 wpn fighting's full attacks.
For sword and board, enjoys psychic lions charge for more full attacks, pounce at level 4 is nifty.
I don't have the books with me... but isn't Psi. Meditation a move action? as such the trick to reusing Psi. Weapon every round, means no full-attacking
Have a look at your action economy and figure out what you want to be doing each round (mostly)
do you want a mobile build? pouncer?
or a "stand in your face" build? ... you did mention sword&board
Psi warrior gets the equivalent of a "shield" spell (called Force Screen), so you could go twohander and still have that shield bonus AC.
Psi. Meditation + Psi. Weapon + Vital Strike could be a nice Standard-attack-whacking combo, if that's what you are interested in.
Also pick that psi power (hustle?) which gives you an extra move action to meditate+move+standard attack in one round.
What passes for a plan in my head didn't have me blowing focus on P. Weapon every turn, I was figuring on keeping the smaller bonus for maintaining focus; I think I'd be more likely to expend focus on Deep Impact to go for a real chunky-salsa effect. :)
The main purpose for the shield wad so that Psi Shield Bash could be used to inflict the shaken condition, which, among other things, paves the way for Deadly Strike. I'll see if there are other avenues by which to pursue that option.
More later, thanks for the feedback so far.
-Red
UPDATE: the DM-to-be asked me to avoid psionics if at all possible. Which it is, so I'm going to take the core of this build and see if I can turn it into a fighter. Thanks for your feedback, it always helps!
-Red
What passes for a plan in my head didn't have me blowing focus on P. Weapon every turn, I was figuring on keeping the smaller bonus for maintaining focus; I think I'd be more likely to expend focus on Deep Impact to go for a real chunky-salsa effect. :)
The main purpose for the shield wad so that Psi Shield Bash could be used to inflict the shaken condition, which, among other things, paves the way for Deadly Strike. I'll see if there are other avenues by which to pursue that option.
UPDATE: the DM-to-be asked me to avoid psionics if at all possible. Which it is, so I'm going to take the core of this build and see if I can turn it into a fighter.
You might want to have a look at the Magus then... He gives you some of what you were looking for.
And if you want to keep the "I'll have them covering in fear", have a look at the Hexstrike Magus Guide to pick the things you need to work with intimidate + enforcer and cold damage + rime spells... quick quote (you don't have to be Hexcrafter to do this combination, but you get there quicker):Rime Spell: Lesser known than the intensify+SG+Magical Lineage trick. This is just as awesome. Take Rime Spell+Frostbite+Wayang Spell hunter. and do 1d6+your cl in nonleathal damage AND auto entangle. This gets better as you get more attacks.
Enforcer: Oh baby! Free check to make a foe shaken when you deal non leathal!!! Combine with a Rime Frostbite (wayang Spellhunter) for a first level spell that fatigues,shakes and entagles all at once, while doing YOUR LEVEL in bonus nonlethal damage. That's better than smite. Sucks thier attack by 5 and lowers saves and AC.
You are now a debuff warrior!
For some inexplicable reason I have had trouble wrapping my brain around the Magus, which is a shame because they do sound super-awesome. Might be time to try again (takes a deep breath, dives in).
Red