Kineticists of Kintargo

[Lanathar]

So I have a player who is playing a kineticist

I have never had one in a game before but note that there are very few magic items that help them. They seem to have limited support as a class. I assume this is because writers don’t understand their rules (they do seem confusing)

I was thinking of putting some NPC opponent kineticists I’m so that I can introduce third party kineticist magic items but have full control over it

But what kinds would fit the setting and AP as foes ?

Water because they are by the sea ?
Fire due to the infernal connection?
There is an archetype for changelings who resist the call...?

Does anyone have any thoughts ?
Same question could be applied to how the other occult classes might fit in as some seem fun

[roguerouge]

You could make a strong argument for earth, given what Barz-villain wants to do. Heck, you might even re-skin Barzillai as an earth kineticist. (See the various threads on him for how we've re-worked his stat bloc or class to make him more viable in combat.)

[Lanathar]

Earth is more what he aspires for rather than his current powers I would assume?
For some reason I feel like such a reskinning will be a power down - for example unable to do anything at all once engaged in melee

All this comes from not really understanding how they get their power

[Lanathar]

Wait , more viable in combat ? Do people think he isn’t ?
I thought the posts were just thinking that occultist or anti paladin were more thematic - or questioning why he still gets spells from big A

[roguerouge]

Basically, he has several spell choices that are flavorful to the DM, but would never be seen by the players (e.g. Mark of Justice). Sub in Protection from Good, Resounding Blow, Forceful Strike, Weapon of Awe, See Invisibility.

[roguerouge]

Lanathar wrote:

Earth is more what he aspires for rather than his current powers I would assume?

Yeah. His ultimate goal is

plot:

to become the land of Cheliax, basically

. As for the power of a kineticist, I have no idea about that class.

[Rerednaw]

Lanathar wrote:

So I have a player who is playing a kineticist

I have never had one in a game before but note that there are very few magic items that help them. They seem to have limited support as a class. I assume this is because writers don’t understand their rules (they do seem confusing)
...
Does anyone have any thoughts ?
Same question could be applied to how the other occult classes might fit in as some seem fun

I could easily see where a Kineticist would fit. One of tremendous advantages for that class in this kind of AP is you are always armed and always have your abilities (subject to burn limits). Even when stripped and tossed into a jail cell...you have your full arsenal at hand. Or about your daily business and don't want to scream "I'm a locked and loaded adventurer look at my gear!"

Elements? All of the above and also:

Aether. For a city that thrives on trade, having at-will cargo-moving via Telekenetic Haul (100# per level, all day long) would be of immense use.

Regarding treasure, Kineticists are among the more self-sufficient (if a bit below power-wise characters who optimize or take a tier 1 class). Aside from stat-boosting (belts of con, etc.) or the basic core items such as save-boosters, static items that enhance ranged attacks are about the only thing they may want. A kineticist who doesn't have an energy blast is a 3/4 BAB ranged attacker...who never gets the benefit of an enchanted weapon to assist with their attack bonus. And that does hurt once you get to mid-levels and beyond.

Third party items?
An item that adds to available burn per day would be nice (like x/day subtract 1 burn but not below 0 when using a talent).
Or say the equivalent of a metamagic rod. One of the issues with kinetic blast is zero non-lethal options before level 7 (expanded metakinesis and merciful spell). If anything I'd consider a non-lethal substitution feat or item that allows it a bit earlier. Unless he plans on spamming a wild talent and never blasting, in almost every combat until Book 3 that is.