Best Way to Become a Pyrokineticist? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Best Way to Become a Pyrokineticist? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
FruitOfTheShroom
09-12-04, 03:38 PM In a new campaign we are starting, I am planning on playing a character who will eventually become a Pyrokineticist. My stats are (Rolled) as follows: 18, 17, 14, 15, 12, 12.

I realize the Pyrokineticist might not be a smart choice, due to it's emphasis on fire, but I like the idea of it. Unfortunately, I cannot seem to find a class that I want to take prior to the PrC. Any suggestions would be appreciated, thank you.
Ectoplasmoid
09-12-04, 04:11 PM Personally, I recommend a fire-obsessed, near schizophrenic pyro sorcerer/Evoker. You can cross class the needed skill ranks easily, giving you your first pyro level as a 6th level char.
Battousai
09-12-04, 04:23 PM You'd better take levels in some powerful PrC in case you fight a fire-immune monster.
JosephKell
09-12-04, 04:51 PM Read the test prior to the class. It points out how some classes can benefit from the Pyrokineticist.

Soulknives can benefit greatly from the Weapon Aflire ability.

Bard can qualify you for Pyrokineticist (if you take Wild Talent).

This works on the condition that Soulknives can take Craft (Alchemy), they have power points, does that qualify them? Soulknife is nice because it has Wild Talent to cover the require PP reserve, also Concentration is a class skill. So even if you don't plan on using your Soulknife, one level will help immensely on the road to Pyrokineticist (it also gets rid of the Barbarian's Itliteracy).

I thought up Soulknife 1/Barbarian 4/Pyrokineticist 4/Frenzied Berserker 10 (yes 19 levels) and after long thought... the 20th level maybe should be Pyrokineticist 5 because Nimbus allows 5 minutes of DR 5/magic, +4 Cha, and Melee Touch Attack for 2d6 damage. Granted the DR X/Magic isn't all that great at higher levels, but the increase to Charisma can make Intimidating Rage that more affective.

OOO!! NEW THOUGHT!

Pyrokineticist GRAPPLER!

Hand Afire would be a huge boon in grapple. But the best grapplers tend to be Monks, which have to be Lawful while a Pyrokineticist must be Chaotic.

Perhaps the most powerful might be To try to Combine The Fire Lash with Weapon Afire (1d8 + 2d6 fire damage) and then to try to put that with Whirlwind Attack. The Fire Lash has a 15 ft reach so that could be quite interesting.

Okay, I think I got it... Psychic Rogue gets access to Power Points, Concentration as a class skill, Alchemy (via craft and power points), and Knowledge (Psionics).

You could also try Soulknife 1/Rogue 4/Pyrokineticist 4/then back to Rogue or whatever to be a Fire Lash Afire-ing and trying to add Sneak Attack when applicable.

But any Whip (or Fire Lash) user should take Combat Reflexes.
scrollreader
09-13-04, 12:48 AM You should definately take a look at lasher. It gets lots of attacks, and if nothing else, a one level dip is gorgeous for you, though more levels really make the most out of the Pyro's Fire lash.

I just noticed an interesting choice of words in description of the fire lash:

"A pyro can take Weapon Focus and Weapon Specialization(if she otherwise meets the prerequisites) in conjunction with the fire lash, as well as any feats that apply to the use of a standar whip." - emphasis mine

This could certainly be interpreted to allow you to stack Weapon Specialization and weapon focus. Which is an interesting thought. Check with your Dm first, however.
Karkul
09-13-04, 04:00 AM Why stop at Pyrokineticist 4? At level 8 you get greater weapon afire for +4d6 fire damage to your attacks, plus you have the bolt of fire ability that is based on your Pyro level (1d6 dmg/pyro level as many times per day as you desire! Who needs a ranged weapon!).

One build idea I'd been considering was Half-Giant Monk11/Pyrokineticist 8. I'd have to take all the monk levels first b/c of the alignment shift needed. My plan was to play a lawful/chaotic good character and pick up the Holy Ki Strike ability (+2d6 holy to unarmed). By level 20 I'd have a character that has improved flurry an added +4d6+2d6 damage to unarmed attacks, and (depending on DM) used the large monk unarmed progression. I suppose you could even substitute Kensai for some of the monk levels to further improve your fists. I also was considering Initiate of the Draconic Mysteries, but I dont have Draconomicon so I have to wait till I go to the bookstore =P

Another option I'd look into was the alternate alignment Paladin variants. There was a chaotic good one (Paladin of Freedom?) which sets you up nicely for Pyrokineticist (full BAB and concentration as class skill). I like the idea of a holy pyromaniac. There is also a shield in BoED called an Asura Shield which is practically tailored to the holy pyromaniac concept. I was envisioning the character with their Fire lash in one hand and the Asura shield in the other, keep the enemies at bay with the whip and bash anyone that gets within arms reach (Divine shield feats are fun with this too).
catharz
09-13-04, 04:24 AM Psychic rogue 1/Rogue 4/Pyro 1 - ranged touch 15' at will with 3d6 SAD. And not so much investment in Pyro that you'll cry when the red dragon comes along.
Sir Gummibaerchen
09-13-04, 04:57 AM Play a variant, found in the Mind's Eye Clumn HERE (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/psm/20040625e)

I'd go with sonic energy, but that's just me. Acid would be nifty as well.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
FruitOfTheShroom 09-12-04, 03:38 PM	In a new campaign we are starting, I am planning on playing a character who will eventually become a Pyrokineticist. My stats are (Rolled) as follows: 18, 17, 14, 15, 12, 12. I realize the Pyrokineticist might not be a smart choice, due to it's emphasis on fire, but I like the idea of it. Unfortunately, I cannot seem to find a class that I want to take prior to the PrC. Any suggestions would be appreciated, thank you.
Ectoplasmoid 09-12-04, 04:11 PM	Personally, I recommend a fire-obsessed, near schizophrenic pyro sorcerer/Evoker. You can cross class the needed skill ranks easily, giving you your first pyro level as a 6th level char.
Battousai 09-12-04, 04:23 PM	You'd better take levels in some powerful PrC in case you fight a fire-immune monster.
JosephKell 09-12-04, 04:51 PM	Read the test prior to the class. It points out how some classes can benefit from the Pyrokineticist. Soulknives can benefit greatly from the Weapon Aflire ability. Bard can qualify you for Pyrokineticist (if you take Wild Talent). This works on the condition that Soulknives can take Craft (Alchemy), they have power points, does that qualify them? Soulknife is nice because it has Wild Talent to cover the require PP reserve, also Concentration is a class skill. So even if you don't plan on using your Soulknife, one level will help immensely on the road to Pyrokineticist (it also gets rid of the Barbarian's Itliteracy). I thought up Soulknife 1/Barbarian 4/Pyrokineticist 4/Frenzied Berserker 10 (yes 19 levels) and after long thought... the 20th level maybe should be Pyrokineticist 5 because Nimbus allows 5 minutes of DR 5/magic, +4 Cha, and Melee Touch Attack for 2d6 damage. Granted the DR X/Magic isn't all that great at higher levels, but the increase to Charisma can make Intimidating Rage that more affective. OOO!! NEW THOUGHT! Pyrokineticist GRAPPLER! Hand Afire would be a huge boon in grapple. But the best grapplers tend to be Monks, which have to be Lawful while a Pyrokineticist must be Chaotic. Perhaps the most powerful might be To try to Combine The Fire Lash with Weapon Afire (1d8 + 2d6 fire damage) and then to try to put that with Whirlwind Attack. The Fire Lash has a 15 ft reach so that could be quite interesting. Okay, I think I got it... Psychic Rogue gets access to Power Points, Concentration as a class skill, Alchemy (via craft and power points), and Knowledge (Psionics). You could also try Soulknife 1/Rogue 4/Pyrokineticist 4/then back to Rogue or whatever to be a Fire Lash Afire-ing and trying to add Sneak Attack when applicable. But any Whip (or Fire Lash) user should take Combat Reflexes.
scrollreader 09-13-04, 12:48 AM	You should definately take a look at lasher. It gets lots of attacks, and if nothing else, a one level dip is gorgeous for you, though more levels really make the most out of the Pyro's Fire lash. I just noticed an interesting choice of words in description of the fire lash: "A pyro can take Weapon Focus and Weapon Specialization(if she otherwise meets the prerequisites) in conjunction with the fire lash, as well as any feats that apply to the use of a standar whip." - emphasis mine This could certainly be interpreted to allow you to stack Weapon Specialization and weapon focus. Which is an interesting thought. Check with your Dm first, however.
Karkul 09-13-04, 04:00 AM	Why stop at Pyrokineticist 4? At level 8 you get greater weapon afire for +4d6 fire damage to your attacks, plus you have the bolt of fire ability that is based on your Pyro level (1d6 dmg/pyro level as many times per day as you desire! Who needs a ranged weapon!). One build idea I'd been considering was Half-Giant Monk11/Pyrokineticist 8. I'd have to take all the monk levels first b/c of the alignment shift needed. My plan was to play a lawful/chaotic good character and pick up the Holy Ki Strike ability (+2d6 holy to unarmed). By level 20 I'd have a character that has improved flurry an added +4d6+2d6 damage to unarmed attacks, and (depending on DM) used the large monk unarmed progression. I suppose you could even substitute Kensai for some of the monk levels to further improve your fists. I also was considering Initiate of the Draconic Mysteries, but I dont have Draconomicon so I have to wait till I go to the bookstore =P Another option I'd look into was the alternate alignment Paladin variants. There was a chaotic good one (Paladin of Freedom?) which sets you up nicely for Pyrokineticist (full BAB and concentration as class skill). I like the idea of a holy pyromaniac. There is also a shield in BoED called an Asura Shield which is practically tailored to the holy pyromaniac concept. I was envisioning the character with their Fire lash in one hand and the Asura shield in the other, keep the enemies at bay with the whip and bash anyone that gets within arms reach (Divine shield feats are fun with this too).
catharz 09-13-04, 04:24 AM	Psychic rogue 1/Rogue 4/Pyro 1 - ranged touch 15' at will with 3d6 SAD. And not so much investment in Pyro that you'll cry when the red dragon comes along.
Sir Gummibaerchen 09-13-04, 04:57 AM	Play a variant, found in the Mind's Eye Clumn HERE (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/psm/20040625e) I'd go with sonic energy, but that's just me. Acid would be nifty as well.