building an efficient Astral Construct [Archive] - Wizards Community

building an efficient Astral Construct [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
helicopter
08-31-04, 02:45 PM I just started a game where i am now a 9th level Shaper Psion who specializes in creating astral constructs. Looking over the menus A and B, i see a lot of nice combinations and options for my constructs. i also plan on taking the really cool Boost Construct feat for additional menu options.

the reason i write to all of you, is to get expert advice and testimonials on good construct building advice for certain situations.

any of you build constrcucts yourself? just curious how your Shaper Psion has fared. thanks!!
helicopter
09-01-04, 10:00 AM Any help from you psionics experts would be greatly appreciated!
DreamWeaver
09-01-04, 02:11 PM Well, first, gotta say that I think this thread would do better in the Psionics message board.

Aside from that, I'm playing a Kineticist who plans on taking Expanded Knowledge (Astral Construct) and the Boost Construct feat.

Looking it over, I know exactly what I would want for my Construct, but that is mainly once it reaches an 8th lvl construct type (i.e.: choice from the C menu, plus another for the Boost Construct type). Essentially, I'd like to choose the Natural Invisibility and then use my 2nd C menu choice to make two choices on the B menu: Extra Attack (giving mine 3 slam attacks) and Pounce (full attack with charge).

I assume you could do the same with Boost Construct and any construct lvl that gives you a choice from menu B (just not the Natural Invisibility on menu C). Of course, you generally want the extra attack mainly if your construct is size large or larger since it will already have 2 attacks at that point.

Also, as opposed to many suggestions from the psionics board against the Metamind PrC, I plan on taking it starting at lvl 6 all the way up through lvl 15. Thus, I can drop an astral construct combat team for that full minute without expending any of my own actual power points. After that is done, I'll save 3 power points on the next 3 created due to it being a 1st lvl power and my ability to manifest up a 1st lvl power for free up to 3 times per day (yeah, I know, small amount, but hey, a pp saved is a pp earned!).
wolphyde
09-01-04, 02:49 PM as he does ask for good astral constructs i would consider this the right forum

i haven't seen many psions in action so far so i can't tell you anything based on experience, but from just looking at them, i would say:
9th: 1C: Invis 1B: extra attack 2A:trip, power attack BOOST: 2B: pounce, imp. grab
5th: 1B: extra attack BOOST: 1B: pounce or 2A: trip, imp slam att or imp bull rush
3rd: 1A: trip BOOST: cleave

that all assumes regular ground combat vs multiple enemies. If you fight in water or air choices are obvious and vs few, strong opponents i would consider the deflection/ damage reduction choices to make them last longer.
HoshiAdam
09-01-04, 03:43 PM I would recommend taking the Constructor PrC if you want to make amazing constructs. It can be found here. (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/psm/20040625b) It is a great PrC for a character that likes to be an army of one.
creepy drifter
09-01-04, 05:32 PM the Pounce and Extra Attack options are my favorites.

i'll also second the taking of the Constructor PrC. Very strong. Especially the quicken option.
DreamWeaver
09-01-04, 07:29 PM Well, my only reason for suggesting the psionic forum was due to a seemingly slow/sluggish response to psionic questions here. Of course, it is perfectly fine to ask it here, but you might get a broader response in the psionic forum.

And....HOLY COW!!! I totally blanked on the Constructor PrC! That is a big thumbs up from me if you are interested in becoming Mr. Construct Creator. That class was obviously built with that particular focus in mind. And it really only costs you a few ranks in craft (simple enough) and 2 manifester lvls (not so bad since you could still go the rest psion and be an 18th lvl manifester by lvl 20). That really isn't bad at all....
Belodion
09-03-04, 02:15 AM Honestly, from what I've seen in my regular campaign (which is DM'd by a WotC designer, of all people), it won't matter what you use as those suckers can beat the crap out of anyone. In fact, they were actually neutered for the campaign due to the damage they can pull off (especially if you call one, then time hop away to wait out the fight, rinse and repeat).
spasheridan
09-06-04, 04:24 AM I've had good luck using trippers and bullrushers, Trip is just so mean and these guys are really strong. Tack on the extra strength power and smash. Bullrush is generally reserved for days when there are dangerous enviroments around... say lava pits, cliffs, walls of fire.

Bull rush an enemy into a wall of fire and hold them there. Sure, you burn too, but you're dead in leve/rounds so it doesn't matter. grapple and jump off a cliff. Kamikaze tactics in D&D can be VERY deadly.

But, like a previuos poster said, these things are just too good for their level. After 1 psychic warrior I've decided that this is too much goodness and am not going to play another psychic PC unless it's an all psychic game.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
helicopter 08-31-04, 02:45 PM	I just started a game where i am now a 9th level Shaper Psion who specializes in creating astral constructs. Looking over the menus A and B, i see a lot of nice combinations and options for my constructs. i also plan on taking the really cool Boost Construct feat for additional menu options. the reason i write to all of you, is to get expert advice and testimonials on good construct building advice for certain situations. any of you build constrcucts yourself? just curious how your Shaper Psion has fared. thanks!!
helicopter 09-01-04, 10:00 AM	Any help from you psionics experts would be greatly appreciated!
DreamWeaver 09-01-04, 02:11 PM	Well, first, gotta say that I think this thread would do better in the Psionics message board. Aside from that, I'm playing a Kineticist who plans on taking Expanded Knowledge (Astral Construct) and the Boost Construct feat. Looking it over, I know exactly what I would want for my Construct, but that is mainly once it reaches an 8th lvl construct type (i.e.: choice from the C menu, plus another for the Boost Construct type). Essentially, I'd like to choose the Natural Invisibility and then use my 2nd C menu choice to make two choices on the B menu: Extra Attack (giving mine 3 slam attacks) and Pounce (full attack with charge). I assume you could do the same with Boost Construct and any construct lvl that gives you a choice from menu B (just not the Natural Invisibility on menu C). Of course, you generally want the extra attack mainly if your construct is size large or larger since it will already have 2 attacks at that point. Also, as opposed to many suggestions from the psionics board against the Metamind PrC, I plan on taking it starting at lvl 6 all the way up through lvl 15. Thus, I can drop an astral construct combat team for that full minute without expending any of my own actual power points. After that is done, I'll save 3 power points on the next 3 created due to it being a 1st lvl power and my ability to manifest up a 1st lvl power for free up to 3 times per day (yeah, I know, small amount, but hey, a pp saved is a pp earned!).
wolphyde 09-01-04, 02:49 PM	as he does ask for good astral constructs i would consider this the right forum i haven't seen many psions in action so far so i can't tell you anything based on experience, but from just looking at them, i would say: 9th: 1C: Invis 1B: extra attack 2A:trip, power attack BOOST: 2B: pounce, imp. grab 5th: 1B: extra attack BOOST: 1B: pounce or 2A: trip, imp slam att or imp bull rush 3rd: 1A: trip BOOST: cleave that all assumes regular ground combat vs multiple enemies. If you fight in water or air choices are obvious and vs few, strong opponents i would consider the deflection/ damage reduction choices to make them last longer.
HoshiAdam 09-01-04, 03:43 PM	I would recommend taking the Constructor PrC if you want to make amazing constructs. It can be found here. (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/psm/20040625b) It is a great PrC for a character that likes to be an army of one.
creepy drifter 09-01-04, 05:32 PM	the Pounce and Extra Attack options are my favorites. i'll also second the taking of the Constructor PrC. Very strong. Especially the quicken option.
DreamWeaver 09-01-04, 07:29 PM	Well, my only reason for suggesting the psionic forum was due to a seemingly slow/sluggish response to psionic questions here. Of course, it is perfectly fine to ask it here, but you might get a broader response in the psionic forum. And....HOLY COW!!! I totally blanked on the Constructor PrC! That is a big thumbs up from me if you are interested in becoming Mr. Construct Creator. That class was obviously built with that particular focus in mind. And it really only costs you a few ranks in craft (simple enough) and 2 manifester lvls (not so bad since you could still go the rest psion and be an 18th lvl manifester by lvl 20). That really isn't bad at all....
Belodion 09-03-04, 02:15 AM	Honestly, from what I've seen in my regular campaign (which is DM'd by a WotC designer, of all people), it won't matter what you use as those suckers can beat the crap out of anyone. In fact, they were actually neutered for the campaign due to the damage they can pull off (especially if you call one, then time hop away to wait out the fight, rinse and repeat).
spasheridan 09-06-04, 04:24 AM	I've had good luck using trippers and bullrushers, Trip is just so mean and these guys are really strong. Tack on the extra strength power and smash. Bullrush is generally reserved for days when there are dangerous enviroments around... say lava pits, cliffs, walls of fire. Bull rush an enemy into a wall of fire and hold them there. Sure, you burn too, but you're dead in leve/rounds so it doesn't matter. grapple and jump off a cliff. Kamikaze tactics in D&D can be VERY deadly. But, like a previuos poster said, these things are just too good for their level. After 1 psychic warrior I've decided that this is too much goodness and am not going to play another psychic PC unless it's an all psychic game.