Soulknife PrC [Archive] - Wizards Community

Soulknife PrC [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Pandapeep
11-17-07, 05:31 PM Ok, so, the Soulknife is kinda widely considered a weak class, but I love the idea of the class and don't think it is bad on its face. A weapon that you can draw as a free action, have be light or two handed, free enhancements to it that can be easily changed, the ability to attack everyone around you with one attack roll, and +5d8(max) extra non-precision dmg? Sounds good, but, with the low bab, no ability to further the weapon if you leave the class it tends to kinda suck in practice.

So, why not change it from a 20 lvl base to a 10 lvl PrC? Does this idea work? What would it's prereqs be? I've never made a PrC before, so any help would be great.
Mordin
11-18-07, 01:32 AM This is how I use the class

Soulknife
Requirements:

Skills: Knowledge (psionics) 5 ranks, Concentration 8 ranks.

Feats: Psionic Meditation, any other psionic or metapsionic feat.

Psionics: Able to manifest 1st level powers.

Class Features:
BAB: Average (as rouge).
Good Saves: Reflex and Will Poor Saves: Fort
Hit Dice: 1d6

Class Skills: Autohypnosis (Wis), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Hide (Dex), Jump (Str), Knowledge (psionics) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silent (Dex), Profession (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str) and Tumble (Dex).

Skill Points at Each Level: 4+ Int modifier.

LEVEL ABILITIES:
1. Mind blade, imbed power +1 manifesting level
2. Throw mind blade, +1 mind blade.
3. Mind blade enhancement +1 +1 manifesting level
4. +2 mind blade, free draw.
5. Shape mind blade +1 manifesting level
6. +3 mind blade, mind blade enhancement +2.
7. Multiple throw +1 manifesting level
8. +4 mind blade.
9. Mind blade enhancement +3 +1 manifesting level
10. Knife to the soul, +5 mind blade.

Weapon and Armor Proficiencies: A soulknife gains no new weapon or armor proficiencies.

Powers Known: At every odd level, a soulknife gains additional power points per day and access to new powers as if he/she had also gained a level in whatever manifesting class he/she belonged to before he/she added the prestige class. If a character had more than one manifesting class before he/she became a soulknife, he/she must decide to which class he/she adds the new level of soulknife for the purpose of determining power points per day, powers known and manifester level. He/she dose not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained (bonus feats, metapsionic or item creation feats, and so on).

Mind Blade (Su): Same as the normal class

Imbed Power (Su): At 1st level, a soulknife can imbed any one power into his/her mind blade. This power can be of any level up to one level lower than the highest-level power he/she can manifest. This ability requires a move action, and the soulknife must pay the cost of the power to imbed it. It is more difficult to resist an imbedded power; the DC of an imbedded power is improved by +1 for every two soulknife levels (if the power does not allow a saving throw, then treat the power as normal). Even if the power normally affects an area or is a ray, it affects only the target. The power remains in the mind blade until a successful attack is made or the mind blade is dissipated, in either case the power points are used. A mind blade can never have more than one power imbedded at a time.

Slightly changed from the 3.0 version

Throw Mind Blade (Ex): Same as normal class

Mind Blade Enhancement (Su): Same as the normal one

Mind Blade Enhancements
Defending +1
Deflecting +1
Flaming +1
Frost +1
Keen +1
Lucky +1
Merciful +1
Psychokinetic +1
Shock +1
Sundering +1
Vicious +1
Collision +2
Flame burst +2
Icy burst +2
Magebane +2
Mindcrusher +2
Psibane +2
Psychokinetic burst +2
Shock burst +2
Wounding +2
Bodyfeeder +3
Mindfeeder +3
Soulbreaker +3

Free Draw (Su): Same as the normal one

Shape Mind Blade (Su): At 5th level, a soulknife learns to manipulate the shape of his/her mind blade. As a move action, the soulknife can change the shape of his/her mind blade into any piercing or slashing weapon he/she is proficient with. If the weapon is a two-handed weapon it must be wielded two-handed (unless the soulknife has a feat which allows him/her to wield it one-handed such as the Monkey Grip feat). Alternatively, a soulknife can split his/her mind blade into to separate light weapons, suitable for fighting with a weapon in each hand (the normal penalties apply for fighting two-handed). However, both mind blades have an enchantment bonus 1 lower than the soulknife would otherwise create with a single blade. For example, a 6th level soulknife normally creates a +3 mind blade, but he/she could use this ability to instead materialize two +2 mind blades.

Somewhat modified

Multiple Throw (Ex): Same as normal

Knife the Soul (Su): At 10th level, a soulknife has learned to imbed pure psychic energy into his/her mind blade. For every two power points a soulknife imbeds into his/her mind blade he/she may deal 1 point of ability damage to Intelligence, Wisdom or Charisma (his/her choice). A soulknife can combine an imbedded power and this ability in any combination. Treat this ability as augmenting a power (for determining how many power points can be spent). For example, a 5th level psion/10th level soulknife could augment his/her soulknife with a total of 10 power points to do 5 points of damage to a targets Wisdom in addition to any power already imbedded in his/her mind blade. Creatures immune to extra damage from critical hits and/or mind-affecting effects are immune to this ability.
Pandapeep
11-18-07, 02:46 AM No bladewind? No psychic strike? It's not bad, but I think I'm going to go another way with it.
Mordin
11-18-07, 11:35 AM This version is more geared towards the "assassin" type Soulknife.
Pandapeep
11-18-07, 12:04 PM Yea, and that's cool. It seems well done, but I want my soulknife to be a bit more straight up martially inclined.
kelvinaw273
11-18-07, 12:56 PM Well there is a get around on that BAB against high AC opponents called Psionic Weapon (feat) followed by Deep Impact (feat). The latter allows you to make an attack vs touch AC by expending your psionic focus. Combine with your psychic strike and other enhancements and you can dish out a nasty first strike if you want to.

Don't think of the soulknife as a fighter replacement, think of them as more of a monk-style fighter and you'll get the tactics that should work. Oh, and the Kalashtar soul-knife replacement levels in Races of Eberron beef it up a little, as does the Atavist PrC.
calronmoonflower
11-18-07, 02:35 PM Ok, so, the Soulknife is kinda widely considered a weak class, but I love the idea of the class and don't think it is bad on its face. A weapon that you can draw as a free action, have be light or two handed, free enhancements to it that can be easily changed, the ability to attack everyone around you with one attack roll, and +5d8(max) extra non-precision dmg? Sounds good, but, with the low bab, no ability to further the weapon if you leave the class it tends to kinda suck in practice.

So, why not change it from a 20 lvl base to a 10 lvl PrC? Does this idea work? What would it's prereqs be? I've never made a PrC before, so any help would be great.

Try This.
Soulknife as a 15 Level Prestige Class
Cartigan
11-18-07, 02:56 PM I have an idea I like I might flesh out over Thanksgiving.
Legdiwena
11-18-07, 03:02 PM Soulknife used to be a PrC, it's in 3.0 Psionics Handbook.
Cainin
11-19-07, 10:00 AM The people at <www.athas.org>, who are the official site for 3.5 Dark Sun, converted Soulknife as a prestige class for their campaign setting. If you go to their site, you'll find their version in the Prestige Class #1 release.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Pandapeep 11-17-07, 05:31 PM	Ok, so, the Soulknife is kinda widely considered a weak class, but I love the idea of the class and don't think it is bad on its face. A weapon that you can draw as a free action, have be light or two handed, free enhancements to it that can be easily changed, the ability to attack everyone around you with one attack roll, and +5d8(max) extra non-precision dmg? Sounds good, but, with the low bab, no ability to further the weapon if you leave the class it tends to kinda suck in practice. So, why not change it from a 20 lvl base to a 10 lvl PrC? Does this idea work? What would it's prereqs be? I've never made a PrC before, so any help would be great.
Mordin 11-18-07, 01:32 AM	This is how I use the class Soulknife Requirements: Skills: Knowledge (psionics) 5 ranks, Concentration 8 ranks. Feats: Psionic Meditation, any other psionic or metapsionic feat. Psionics: Able to manifest 1st level powers. Class Features: BAB: Average (as rouge). Good Saves: Reflex and Will Poor Saves: Fort Hit Dice: 1d6 Class Skills: Autohypnosis (Wis), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft (Int), Hide (Dex), Jump (Str), Knowledge (psionics) (Int), Listen (Wis), Move Silent (Dex), Profession (Wis), Sense Motive (Wis), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str) and Tumble (Dex). Skill Points at Each Level: 4+ Int modifier. LEVEL ABILITIES: 1. Mind blade, imbed power +1 manifesting level 2. Throw mind blade, +1 mind blade. 3. Mind blade enhancement +1 +1 manifesting level 4. +2 mind blade, free draw. 5. Shape mind blade +1 manifesting level 6. +3 mind blade, mind blade enhancement +2. 7. Multiple throw +1 manifesting level 8. +4 mind blade. 9. Mind blade enhancement +3 +1 manifesting level 10. Knife to the soul, +5 mind blade. Weapon and Armor Proficiencies: A soulknife gains no new weapon or armor proficiencies. Powers Known: At every odd level, a soulknife gains additional power points per day and access to new powers as if he/she had also gained a level in whatever manifesting class he/she belonged to before he/she added the prestige class. If a character had more than one manifesting class before he/she became a soulknife, he/she must decide to which class he/she adds the new level of soulknife for the purpose of determining power points per day, powers known and manifester level. He/she dose not, however, gain any other benefit a character of that class would have gained (bonus feats, metapsionic or item creation feats, and so on). Mind Blade (Su): Same as the normal class Imbed Power (Su): At 1st level, a soulknife can imbed any one power into his/her mind blade. This power can be of any level up to one level lower than the highest-level power he/she can manifest. This ability requires a move action, and the soulknife must pay the cost of the power to imbed it. It is more difficult to resist an imbedded power; the DC of an imbedded power is improved by +1 for every two soulknife levels (if the power does not allow a saving throw, then treat the power as normal). Even if the power normally affects an area or is a ray, it affects only the target. The power remains in the mind blade until a successful attack is made or the mind blade is dissipated, in either case the power points are used. A mind blade can never have more than one power imbedded at a time. Slightly changed from the 3.0 version Throw Mind Blade (Ex): Same as normal class Mind Blade Enhancement (Su): Same as the normal one Mind Blade Enhancements Defending +1 Deflecting +1 Flaming +1 Frost +1 Keen +1 Lucky +1 Merciful +1 Psychokinetic +1 Shock +1 Sundering +1 Vicious +1 Collision +2 Flame burst +2 Icy burst +2 Magebane +2 Mindcrusher +2 Psibane +2 Psychokinetic burst +2 Shock burst +2 Wounding +2 Bodyfeeder +3 Mindfeeder +3 Soulbreaker +3 Free Draw (Su): Same as the normal one Shape Mind Blade (Su): At 5th level, a soulknife learns to manipulate the shape of his/her mind blade. As a move action, the soulknife can change the shape of his/her mind blade into any piercing or slashing weapon he/she is proficient with. If the weapon is a two-handed weapon it must be wielded two-handed (unless the soulknife has a feat which allows him/her to wield it one-handed such as the Monkey Grip feat). Alternatively, a soulknife can split his/her mind blade into to separate light weapons, suitable for fighting with a weapon in each hand (the normal penalties apply for fighting two-handed). However, both mind blades have an enchantment bonus 1 lower than the soulknife would otherwise create with a single blade. For example, a 6th level soulknife normally creates a +3 mind blade, but he/she could use this ability to instead materialize two +2 mind blades. Somewhat modified Multiple Throw (Ex): Same as normal Knife the Soul (Su): At 10th level, a soulknife has learned to imbed pure psychic energy into his/her mind blade. For every two power points a soulknife imbeds into his/her mind blade he/she may deal 1 point of ability damage to Intelligence, Wisdom or Charisma (his/her choice). A soulknife can combine an imbedded power and this ability in any combination. Treat this ability as augmenting a power (for determining how many power points can be spent). For example, a 5th level psion/10th level soulknife could augment his/her soulknife with a total of 10 power points to do 5 points of damage to a targets Wisdom in addition to any power already imbedded in his/her mind blade. Creatures immune to extra damage from critical hits and/or mind-affecting effects are immune to this ability.
Pandapeep 11-18-07, 02:46 AM	No bladewind? No psychic strike? It's not bad, but I think I'm going to go another way with it.
Mordin 11-18-07, 11:35 AM	This version is more geared towards the "assassin" type Soulknife.
Pandapeep 11-18-07, 12:04 PM	Yea, and that's cool. It seems well done, but I want my soulknife to be a bit more straight up martially inclined.
kelvinaw273 11-18-07, 12:56 PM	Well there is a get around on that BAB against high AC opponents called Psionic Weapon (feat) followed by Deep Impact (feat). The latter allows you to make an attack vs touch AC by expending your psionic focus. Combine with your psychic strike and other enhancements and you can dish out a nasty first strike if you want to. Don't think of the soulknife as a fighter replacement, think of them as more of a monk-style fighter and you'll get the tactics that should work. Oh, and the Kalashtar soul-knife replacement levels in Races of Eberron beef it up a little, as does the Atavist PrC.
calronmoonflower 11-18-07, 02:35 PM	Ok, so, the Soulknife is kinda widely considered a weak class, but I love the idea of the class and don't think it is bad on its face. A weapon that you can draw as a free action, have be light or two handed, free enhancements to it that can be easily changed, the ability to attack everyone around you with one attack roll, and +5d8(max) extra non-precision dmg? Sounds good, but, with the low bab, no ability to further the weapon if you leave the class it tends to kinda suck in practice. So, why not change it from a 20 lvl base to a 10 lvl PrC? Does this idea work? What would it's prereqs be? I've never made a PrC before, so any help would be great. Try This. Soulknife as a 15 Level Prestige Class
Cartigan 11-18-07, 02:56 PM	I have an idea I like I might flesh out over Thanksgiving.
Legdiwena 11-18-07, 03:02 PM	Soulknife used to be a PrC, it's in 3.0 Psionics Handbook.
Cainin 11-19-07, 10:00 AM	The people at <www.athas.org>, who are the official site for 3.5 Dark Sun, converted Soulknife as a prestige class for their campaign setting. If you go to their site, you'll find their version in the Prestige Class #1 release.