How to "tank" o_O [Archive] - Wizards Community

How to "tank" o_O [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Starman IX
04-07-07, 09:13 PM Psychic Warrior.

Expanded Knowledge (Metamorphosis).

Use said power to turn into a Mountain Troll.

Manifest Expansion to go Colossal.

Manifest Claws of the Beast to it's full extent.

Rip things to shreds.

Yeah, I know, I know, this does not stop casters from killing you outright or blowing you to smithreenies :rolleyes: But it gets rid of anything else post haste.
Fireclave
04-07-07, 09:18 PM ...that's...nice. I guess. Is there a question being asked, or an issue that needs discussing?
Starman IX
04-07-07, 09:29 PM Yeah, it was meant for discussion. Degrade it, applaud it, whatever. I was just stating the obvious :)
balor64
04-07-07, 09:36 PM Sounds like the King of Smack.
Starman IX
04-07-07, 11:30 PM It does, doesnt it? Without having to resort to fudge rulings or having to adjucate anything. Simple is good :)
Fireclave
04-08-07, 12:33 AM Well, yes, you can lay considerable smack with Metamorphosis+Expansion+Claws, assuming you can reach a high enough level, can avoid being targeted dispelled, and can avoid consuming your PP resources too quickly. But this combo is rather bare-bones. One-dimensional. Elementary. It takes little effort to come up with it. As you said, it's stating the obvious. Expand upon it and show us truly capable, well-rounded tank build, and then I'll applaud.
Starman IX
04-08-07, 02:05 AM You know, I seem to remember saying casters would own this build :rolleyes: Well rounded? If you're playing with this type of build, you better have at least 3 people behind you. You hit things, hopefully your companions can heal, protect, and buff you. D&D is not a single player game. Stating the obvious? Yes, I did, but is it a crime to do so? Nobody can say something is cool? :confused:
Fireclave
04-08-07, 02:52 AM First, I wouldn't say caster can own this combo. It's just susceptible to a targeted dispell. A single dispell can render you set you back to square one in the middle of a heated battle with no time to rebuff yourself.

Second, what you presented is more of a combo than a build. A build is a character concept, not just a few good abilities working together.

And what can you do if this combo fails? What if you're debuffed or separated from the party you are reliant on and possibly have to save? Or what if, for what ever reason, this combo doesn't work (opponent is invised, incorporeal, ect). Does this build have any backup strategies for tanking? They aren't required, but an effective build that can remain effective even in the face of its weaknesses is more impressive.

I said "well rounded" because a psywar can be so much more than a one trick pony. Aside from this particularly effective combo, what else can this psywar do and/or what other feats, items, and abilities does he have to support this strategy. You gave us the super-smack, but I want the Super-Smack combo meal with some onion rings and a Dr. Pepper.

Stating the obvious isn't a crime, but it isn't particularly interesting either. Don't get me wrong. I'm not dismissing your idea or saying that its not good. It is good. It kicks much ass. But when I read the title "How to 'tank'", I was expecting a discussion of how to build an effective psychic tank, not just a single combo. If you're going to state the obvious, at least put a new spin on it.

:twocents:
Bacris
04-08-07, 08:56 AM Personally, I'd say go Egoist - use 2 expanded knowledge, but get Metamorphosis earlier. Take Psionic Body to shore up your HP.

Multiclass into Slayer for increased BAB / Hit Dice, take Practiced Manifester to keep your ML as high as possible...

You could also take ranks in UPD. DC 20 check lets you use a dorje, saves you feat slots. By 7th level, when you can use Metamorphosis, you could have 5 ranks in UPD, 5 ranks in psicraft, for a +7 bonus to UPD. Add in your Cha mod and it should be a 50/50 chance to use the dorje. Stack on a magic item that grants a bonus (+5 is only 2500, after all...), and you're up to about a 80% success chance.

Or even better, if you can use the Mind's Eye Getting Wired article, set up a chain of permanent psionic tattoos that cascade your expansion / claws of the beast combo.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Starman IX 04-07-07, 09:13 PM	Psychic Warrior. Expanded Knowledge (Metamorphosis). Use said power to turn into a Mountain Troll. Manifest Expansion to go Colossal. Manifest Claws of the Beast to it's full extent. Rip things to shreds. Yeah, I know, I know, this does not stop casters from killing you outright or blowing you to smithreenies :rolleyes: But it gets rid of anything else post haste.
Fireclave 04-07-07, 09:18 PM	...that's...nice. I guess. Is there a question being asked, or an issue that needs discussing?
Starman IX 04-07-07, 09:29 PM	Yeah, it was meant for discussion. Degrade it, applaud it, whatever. I was just stating the obvious :)
balor64 04-07-07, 09:36 PM	Sounds like the King of Smack.
Starman IX 04-07-07, 11:30 PM	It does, doesnt it? Without having to resort to fudge rulings or having to adjucate anything. Simple is good :)
Fireclave 04-08-07, 12:33 AM	Well, yes, you can lay considerable smack with Metamorphosis+Expansion+Claws, assuming you can reach a high enough level, can avoid being targeted dispelled, and can avoid consuming your PP resources too quickly. But this combo is rather bare-bones. One-dimensional. Elementary. It takes little effort to come up with it. As you said, it's stating the obvious. Expand upon it and show us truly capable, well-rounded tank build, and then I'll applaud.
Starman IX 04-08-07, 02:05 AM	You know, I seem to remember saying casters would own this build :rolleyes: Well rounded? If you're playing with this type of build, you better have at least 3 people behind you. You hit things, hopefully your companions can heal, protect, and buff you. D&D is not a single player game. Stating the obvious? Yes, I did, but is it a crime to do so? Nobody can say something is cool? :confused:
Fireclave 04-08-07, 02:52 AM	First, I wouldn't say caster can own this combo. It's just susceptible to a targeted dispell. A single dispell can render you set you back to square one in the middle of a heated battle with no time to rebuff yourself. Second, what you presented is more of a combo than a build. A build is a character concept, not just a few good abilities working together. And what can you do if this combo fails? What if you're debuffed or separated from the party you are reliant on and possibly have to save? Or what if, for what ever reason, this combo doesn't work (opponent is invised, incorporeal, ect). Does this build have any backup strategies for tanking? They aren't required, but an effective build that can remain effective even in the face of its weaknesses is more impressive. I said "well rounded" because a psywar can be so much more than a one trick pony. Aside from this particularly effective combo, what else can this psywar do and/or what other feats, items, and abilities does he have to support this strategy. You gave us the super-smack, but I want the Super-Smack combo meal with some onion rings and a Dr. Pepper. Stating the obvious isn't a crime, but it isn't particularly interesting either. Don't get me wrong. I'm not dismissing your idea or saying that its not good. It is good. It kicks much ass. But when I read the title "How to 'tank'", I was expecting a discussion of how to build an effective psychic tank, not just a single combo. If you're going to state the obvious, at least put a new spin on it. :twocents:
Bacris 04-08-07, 08:56 AM	Personally, I'd say go Egoist - use 2 expanded knowledge, but get Metamorphosis earlier. Take Psionic Body to shore up your HP. Multiclass into Slayer for increased BAB / Hit Dice, take Practiced Manifester to keep your ML as high as possible... You could also take ranks in UPD. DC 20 check lets you use a dorje, saves you feat slots. By 7th level, when you can use Metamorphosis, you could have 5 ranks in UPD, 5 ranks in psicraft, for a +7 bonus to UPD. Add in your Cha mod and it should be a 50/50 chance to use the dorje. Stack on a magic item that grants a bonus (+5 is only 2500, after all...), and you're up to about a 80% success chance. Or even better, if you can use the Mind's Eye Getting Wired article, set up a chain of permanent psionic tattoos that cascade your expansion / claws of the beast combo.