Erudites: something overlooked? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Erudites: something overlooked? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Zarreth_Nessad
06-30-07, 01:51 PM In the section of the CPsi describing how Erudites gain powers, there is this section:

Exception: If a character with erudite levels gains at least as many levels in another psionic class as he has in his erudite class...

So an Erudite 5/Anarchic Initiate 5 would no longer be able to add more powers known via his "Learning Discipline Powers" section, even though it's increasing his effective Erudite levels as well?

I'm becoming more convinced every day that the Erudite is a worthless class unless you plan on going Erudite 20... and then it's questionable.

So why would someone want to play an Erudite with all the restrictions it has?
InkBlot
06-30-07, 02:03 PM It's not overlooked so much as it is either houseruled, or just not a consideration.

One of the nice things about psionics is that the best psion is a 20th level psion. Unlike core magic, where the best wizard has 2 levels in a dozen pretige classes. Not that prestige classes aren't fun, but they shouldn't make core classes obsolete.

Anyway, the best erudite is a 20th level erudite. Even without the multiclassing restriction this would be true.

The multiclassing restriction was put in place because of the stupid way erudites determine the XP cost for learning a power. An erudite pays XP based on his erudite level. So if you had an erudite5/anarchic initiate 10, you could learn 8th level powers for the same XP cost it took to learn 3rd level powers.

In my games, I remove the multiclassing restriction, and base the XP cost off of the level of the power you want to learn. So an 8th level power always costs the same amount of XP no matter how many erudite levels you have.
kyeudo
06-30-07, 02:12 PM Read the newest Expanded Classes article. Erudites can trade a bonus feat for Spell as Power, which makes them both a manifester and a spellcaster. Instant high power abilities.

Also, Erudites have the best platform for psionic item creation and benefit the most from making good use of dorjes and power stones. Sticks and Stones powers are just not worth wasting a unique power slot on any day unless you absolutely need it and dont have it in power stone format.
Zarreth_Nessad
06-30-07, 02:43 PM Even with those houserules, you're still limited at 20th level to only 11 unique powers per day! At least half of those would be taken up by things like Inertial Armor, Force Screen, Psionic Mind Blank, etc. IMO the Spell to Power option just makes it barely viable and only better than a sorceror becasue a sorceror doesn't get feats from his class. So how do you justify being so restricted (in the unique powers per day)?
InkBlot
06-30-07, 03:05 PM The restriction isn't as bad as you think. OK, so half your unique powers are taken up by defenses. How many offensive powers do you think you need? Energy Powers are versatile enough that you should only need one of them, maybe two at most. Then a save-or-die or save-or-suck power for each save, that's another three powers.

5 powers for defense and 4 for offense still leaves 2 powers open for any suprises or utility uses that may crop up.

Then there's power stones. Erudites get that feat for free for a reason.

But I should realy leave this discussion to people who have actually played an erudite.
Fafnir
06-30-07, 03:22 PM Then there's power stones. Erudites get that feat for free for a reason.

They do not. They get Psicrystal Affinity. :teach:
pud
06-30-07, 04:32 PM One of the nice things about psionics is that the best psion is a 20th level psion.
The advantages of Psion20 over Psion10/Anarchic Initiate10 seem outclassed by the latters benefits, don't you think?
Nite_shade
06-30-07, 06:27 PM They do not. They get Psicrystal Affinity. :teach:

Well, as Tempest Stormwind says, it's pretty much a must to take Imprint Stone as an Erudite.
kyeudo
06-30-07, 07:55 PM Erudites are best played in the same vein as a psionic artificer, only backwards. Artificers have the utility stuff in their infusions and make items to contain the combat powers, while an Erudite makes items for the utility stuff and uses his powers for combat.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Zarreth_Nessad 06-30-07, 01:51 PM	In the section of the CPsi describing how Erudites gain powers, there is this section: Exception: If a character with erudite levels gains at least as many levels in another psionic class as he has in his erudite class... So an Erudite 5/Anarchic Initiate 5 would no longer be able to add more powers known via his "Learning Discipline Powers" section, even though it's increasing his effective Erudite levels as well? I'm becoming more convinced every day that the Erudite is a worthless class unless you plan on going Erudite 20... and then it's questionable. So why would someone want to play an Erudite with all the restrictions it has?
InkBlot 06-30-07, 02:03 PM	It's not overlooked so much as it is either houseruled, or just not a consideration. One of the nice things about psionics is that the best psion is a 20th level psion. Unlike core magic, where the best wizard has 2 levels in a dozen pretige classes. Not that prestige classes aren't fun, but they shouldn't make core classes obsolete. Anyway, the best erudite is a 20th level erudite. Even without the multiclassing restriction this would be true. The multiclassing restriction was put in place because of the stupid way erudites determine the XP cost for learning a power. An erudite pays XP based on his erudite level. So if you had an erudite5/anarchic initiate 10, you could learn 8th level powers for the same XP cost it took to learn 3rd level powers. In my games, I remove the multiclassing restriction, and base the XP cost off of the level of the power you want to learn. So an 8th level power always costs the same amount of XP no matter how many erudite levels you have.
kyeudo 06-30-07, 02:12 PM	Read the newest Expanded Classes article. Erudites can trade a bonus feat for Spell as Power, which makes them both a manifester and a spellcaster. Instant high power abilities. Also, Erudites have the best platform for psionic item creation and benefit the most from making good use of dorjes and power stones. Sticks and Stones powers are just not worth wasting a unique power slot on any day unless you absolutely need it and dont have it in power stone format.
Zarreth_Nessad 06-30-07, 02:43 PM	Even with those houserules, you're still limited at 20th level to only 11 unique powers per day! At least half of those would be taken up by things like Inertial Armor, Force Screen, Psionic Mind Blank, etc. IMO the Spell to Power option just makes it barely viable and only better than a sorceror becasue a sorceror doesn't get feats from his class. So how do you justify being so restricted (in the unique powers per day)?
InkBlot 06-30-07, 03:05 PM	The restriction isn't as bad as you think. OK, so half your unique powers are taken up by defenses. How many offensive powers do you think you need? Energy Powers are versatile enough that you should only need one of them, maybe two at most. Then a save-or-die or save-or-suck power for each save, that's another three powers. 5 powers for defense and 4 for offense still leaves 2 powers open for any suprises or utility uses that may crop up. Then there's power stones. Erudites get that feat for free for a reason. But I should realy leave this discussion to people who have actually played an erudite.
Fafnir 06-30-07, 03:22 PM	Then there's power stones. Erudites get that feat for free for a reason. They do not. They get Psicrystal Affinity. :teach:
pud 06-30-07, 04:32 PM	One of the nice things about psionics is that the best psion is a 20th level psion. The advantages of Psion20 over Psion10/Anarchic Initiate10 seem outclassed by the latters benefits, don't you think?
Nite_shade 06-30-07, 06:27 PM	They do not. They get Psicrystal Affinity. :teach: Well, as Tempest Stormwind says, it's pretty much a must to take Imprint Stone as an Erudite.
kyeudo 06-30-07, 07:55 PM	Erudites are best played in the same vein as a psionic artificer, only backwards. Artificers have the utility stuff in their infusions and make items to contain the combat powers, while an Erudite makes items for the utility stuff and uses his powers for combat.