Strategic Chakra deployment

[ChexMix]

It kind of blows my mind that the Chakra rules are PFS legal. Make no mistake, practical or not, they're still awesome. But what do folks think about them from a practical perspective? I can see situations where grabbing a little quick DR for one Ki might be helpful, but what about the advanced ones? How about the Chakra feats? Is there a character build here someplace?

[The Great Rinaldo!]

What are these Chakra rules? I have not heard of them.

[Serisan]

Chakra Initiate is mandatory if you plan to use the system with any regularity. The other two feats could go either way. Chakra Adept is good, particularly for only needing either a fort or will save to maintain. I just don't know that I would use the maintain option much. The real boost is just getting the serpent-fire ki points.

It's a good way to make the ninja a bit more wuxia, though you're required to focus on CHA. Other than that, I'm not sure how much I'd care to use a system that requires that many fail-points.

[Markov Spiked Chain]

I feel like there's a way to use Ki Channel here to good effect. Maybe Ninja 2/Cleric(Irori) X?

[RainyDayNinja]

I don't think Chakra Adept is optional; making two saves for seven turns in a row (eventually) leaves you with less than a 50% chance of getting through without rolling a natural 1. If you fail on a 2? Virtually impossible.

I think the way to go is with either Ki Mystic or Drunken Master, because both get you ki points at level 3, allowing you to start taking the Chakra feats then, plus giving you extra ki to use. If not those, then take vows for extra ki.

That being said, I don't see much benefit to any of the chakras other than sacral for brief utility flight.