Newbie: what role does a psionicist have and what are it's strengths? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Newbie: what role does a psionicist have and what are it's strengths? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Nicholas the Paladin
09-18-07, 02:42 AM Hello all,

I'm thinking about making my next character a psionicist, but I still have some questions. Let's say I go all the way and play a Psion, I would play the psionic equivalent of the wizard (or sorceror). Same HD, BAB, saves, bonus feats (it's even less I think) etc.

But looking at the spells a psion can use, I get the feeling that playing a wizard you get more powerfull spells. The 'powers' a psionicist are more subtle and are (as far as I could see) more focussed on one opponent or a smaller group.
Okay, the psion has te flexibility of the sorceror, but the powers are still somewhat 'weak'.

That's not a problem, we all know that wizards are one of the most powerfull classes. But it got me thinking; what role does a Psion usually take in a group?

Can you give me a sip of your experience?
guesswhat12321
09-18-07, 03:18 AM Well if your comparing them to wizards and sor's your comparing apples and oranges. As for bonus feats Psions get 5 and as for flexability they beat the Sor into the ground, as for power wizards will rule the world. But their role is just about everything, I have made tank builds, healer builds, Blaster Builds (one recently that I am really proud of), and even support builds. Its all a matter of feat selection, power selection, chooseing psion or wilder, and what you want it to be or concept idea of it. If you say what you would like it to be I could help you out a lot more.
CrimsonDeath
09-18-07, 03:24 AM The role you take is largely defined by your power selection, which is influenced by your primary discipline. The only psion I ever played was a Nomad (Psychoportation devotion). I learned a lot of teleportation powers, so I wound up as our primary mode of long-distance transportation. I also learned a few energy powers, so I was our secondary blaster (we also had a Sorceror), and I picked up a couple of crowd control and save-or-die powers.

You're right that psion powers are a bit weaker, in general, than Sorceror/Wizard spells (particularly in the save-or-die department), but I like the flexibility. Keep in mind that, in terms of daily resources, the Psion compares more closely with the Wizard; the Sorceror can keep throwing spells much longer than a psion of comparable level.
Nicholas the Paladin
09-18-07, 03:40 AM Well if your comparing them to wizards and sor's your comparing apples and oranges. As for bonus feats Psions get 5 and as for flexability they beat the Sor into the ground, as for power wizards will rule the world. But their role is just about everything, I have made tank builds, healer builds, Blaster Builds (one recently that I am really proud of), and even support builds. Its all a matter of feat selection, power selection, chooseing psion or wilder, and what you want it to be or concept idea of it. If you say what you would like it to be I could help you out a lot more.

I'm thinking about being a Kineticist, Telepath or Egoist (in that order). To mee that feels like the 'typical' psionicist (from what I remember from 2nd ed). I want him to be effective in combat, but be somewhat subtle about it.

the reason I'm thinking about the Kineticist te most, is that I currently play a Beguiler,that is strong in the Enhantment department: maybe something else then Telepath will do me good.
I got the feeling that the Egoist is somewhat more of a melee-Psion, which I don't really understand, since it only has d4 HD.
guesswhat12321
09-18-07, 03:52 AM I got the feeling that the Egoist is somewhat more of a melee-Psion, which I don't really understand, since it only has d4 HD.

Hehe I had a psion once that was the the main tank and dealt lots of damage its not all that hard to do.

As far as what your doing I am guessing blaster is your preferred, look into wilder for the wild surge, the energy powers, and the overchannel feat, talented can take off the damage. then theres psionic meditation to do talented more often.
Fireclave
09-18-07, 04:05 AM The 'powers' a psionicist are more subtle and are (as far as I could see) more focussed on one opponent or a smaller group.
This I have to disagree with. There are quite a few multi-target spells on the psion list. The Kineticist's discipline powers have many blasting-type power, and many powers allow you to augment them to target additional creatures.

Okay, the psion has te flexibility of the sorcerer, but the powers are still somewhat 'weak'.
Actually, the psion is quite a bit more flexible than the sorcerer. For example, most low level powers when augmented function almost or just as well has higher level powers. Every 1st level power the psion has is also a potential 9th level power. The sorcerer's lower level spells, on the other hand, don't get much stronger after a certain point. Either the damage peters out or the save DC can't keep up, making their lower level spells less optional choices than their highest level spells available. Don't get me wrong. There's nothing wrong with the sorcerer's lower level spells. But when it really counts, the good stuff generally comes from the 8 or so top level spells he knows, not his whole spells known list.

Also, many power are self-contained Improve, Greater, Mass, and/or Superior versions of themselves. Psionic Charm, for example, is effectively Charm Person, Mass Charm Person, Charm Monster, and Mass Charm Monster all in the same power. The sorcerer would have to spend four spells known to be able to do the same, which is almost always a bad idea for sorcerers due to the redundancy.

But power wise, the psion is slightly behind the wizard and sorcerer in versitility of their respective class lists, and is behind in staying power due to spells "auto-augmenting." Where the psion has to pay for every additional target, +1 DC, or +1d6, the wizard and sorcerer, most the most part, get those bonuses for free. The difference is staying power is not extremely huge, but it is there. Though I'm probably making sound alot worse than it actually is.

Unlike with a wizard or sorcerer, a psion has to think a little bit more about how he uses and conserves his power. For example, why spend 15 power points manifest a 15d6 Energy Cone to kill a monster when a 10PP 10d6 Energy Cone would kill the monster just as dead? Or instead only spend 6PP for 6d6 damage and let the barbarian and paladin finish the monster off. If you use that kind of thinking when manifesting, you can stretch your PP alot farther.
Nicholas the Paladin
09-18-07, 07:10 AM Hehe I had a psion once that was the the main tank and dealt lots of damage its not all that hard to do.. can you give me some pointers?

As far as what your doing I am guessing blaster is your preferred, look into wilder for the wild surge, the energy powers, and the overchannel feat, talented can take off the damage. then theres psionic meditation to do talented more often. Well actually, I like the keniticist mostly because I like to "move stuff" ;-)....and doe some damage, but I'm not primarily in in for the damage. I think playing a typical blaster is really boring.

is there a prionics handbook?
Bacris
09-18-07, 07:50 AM Egoist tank - metamorphosis, biofeedback, and Psionic Body. Bam, your ability to take damage has severely increased. Choose the right form to change into and your ability to deal damage increases, as well.
DracoPhoenix
09-18-07, 08:01 AM Regarding flexibility - an important example (especially for a kenesist) is the energy powers. 1 power, 4 energy types. Most are effectively pp spent in d6 damage.

A few carefully selected versions of energy powers should cover the majority of your needs:

ray : single shot

missile : up to 5 targets (@ L2) - I actually reformed out ray after Exp K(this). More useful for groups as you don't hit your allies. Also, ref for half means you'll do something every time.

ball : single AoE
barrage : multiple AoE. (comp psi) (if you pack missiles consider this over ball)

I've got a shaper and 90% of the time I use missile for damage. The other 10% it's concussive blast (ok, sucky augmentation, but it's force).

Reformation, costs xp, but you can remove less useful powers a darn sight more easily than a sorc. Not using energy ray because you've got missiles now? Drop it for something more useful.

Also, no material components, focus and you can suppress displays to reduce the chance of being detected.
jbsaff
09-18-07, 09:54 AM is there a prionics handbook?

Yes, the Expanded Psionics Handbook. However, much of the game rule information is available on the SRD (http://d20srd.org).

Also, have you checked the psionics Master Index thread at the top of this forum? The Psion Buildguide should have some good pointers.
PhaedrusXY
09-18-07, 12:12 PM I've started a thread that is kind of a diary of my experiences playing a shaper from low levels here (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=921444).

The Psion Buildguide and Compendium can be found here (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=624041).
guesswhat12321
09-18-07, 01:05 PM Egoist tank - metamorphosis, biofeedback, and Psionic Body. Bam, your ability to take damage has severely increased. Choose the right form to change into and your ability to deal damage increases, as well.

Don't forget vigor, vigor helps out a lot along with share pain to your psicrystal, and forced share pain to enemies and at higher levels get expanded Knowledge and get empathic transfer hostile. Then theres body adjustment to heal your self.
Lycanthromancer
09-18-07, 01:45 PM Once you get into higher levels, get a Heward's Handy Haversack. Metamorphosis and a psicrystal bumped REALLY high with Improved Psicrystal, then you can buff your psicrystal up on your turns to fight for you. It does all the attacking, and you're in the Haversack. When it gets damaged, you heal it using body adjustment. When it needs a Strength bump, you manifest animal affinity. While its attacking and you have nothing else to do for the round, either hold off your turn or manifest swarm of crystals, an energy power, a battlefield control power such as entangling ectoplasm or wall of ectoplasm, or dimension swap on your allies.

Since psicrystals gain most of a construct's benefits on each hit die (including base attack bonus), have some serious immunities, and KEEP THEIR PSICRYSTAL GRANTED ABILITIES EVEN WHEN SHAPESHIFTED (including flight), you can have a serious self-buffing, self-sustaining tank-and-blaster combo going. The best part is that you can get most of this quite early (ie, as soon as you can get metamorphosis).

This is, by far, my most favorite melee build ever.
vogster
12-16-07, 01:44 AM Since psicrystals gain most of a construct's benefits on each hit die (including base attack bonus), have some serious immunities, and KEEP THEIR PSICRYSTAL GRANTED ABILITIES EVEN WHEN SHAPESHIFTED (including flight), you can have a serious self-buffing, self-sustaining tank-and-blaster combo going. The best part is that you can get most of this quite early (ie, as soon as you can get metamorphosis).

Where can I read the rules on base attack bonus for psicrystals? In the book the psicrystal has +0 base attack. How do you know how it progresses?
Tempest Stormwind
12-16-07, 02:14 AM Where can I read the rules on base attack bonus for psicrystals? In the book the psicrystal has +0 base attack. How do you know how it progresses?

Isn't it just really, really embarrassing to bump a three-month-old thread only to find that the question is answered (at length) in the FAQ stickied at the top of the forum?

(Not to waste this reply on a "read a sticky!" answer, I'd like to highlight something that DisposableHero brought to my attention today regarding psionic tanks: Share Pain + Intellect Fortress. The damage that's shared through Share Pain is damage from a psionic power. Consider what happens with sufficient Share Paining.)
TheKeyofE
12-16-07, 02:21 AM (Not to waste this reply on a "read a sticky!" answer, I'd like to highlight something that DisposableHero brought to my attention today regarding psionic tanks: Share Pain + Intellect Fortress. The damage that's shared through Share Pain is damage from a psionic power. Consider what happens with sufficient Share Paining.)

:mymy: ... :plotting:
vogster
12-16-07, 09:28 AM Isn't it just really, really embarrassing to bump a three-month-old thread only to find that the question is answered (at length) in the FAQ stickied at the top of the forum?

No not really. I got my question answered didn't I?

Isn't it just really, really embarrassing to be a known as a jerk on the internet?

Thanks!
Fafnir
12-16-07, 10:40 AM No not really. I got my question answered didn't I?

Isn't it just really, really embarrassing to be a known as a jerk on the internet?

Thanks!

A correct jerk.

(Are you sure about Intellect Fortress? I'll have to check the wording on Share Pain.)
archerpwr
12-16-07, 02:46 PM (Not to waste this reply on a "read a sticky!" answer, I'd like to highlight something that DisposableHero brought to my attention today regarding psionic tanks: Share Pain + Intellect Fortress. The damage that's shared through Share Pain is damage from a psionic power. Consider what happens with sufficient Share Paining.)

Oh Snap! I'm filing away this combo for future reference. Just how far can I stretch vigor?
CrimsonDeath
12-16-07, 02:48 PM Isn't it just really, really embarrassing to be a known as a jerk on the internet?

Actually, being known as a jerk on the internet is something to take pride in.

Inserting extra words into sentences, on the other hand...
Magocrat
12-16-07, 03:04 PM Tempest Stormwind is kind of like House. He may seem to be insulting at first, but I'll be damned if he isn't right or doesn't have good intentions.
Tempest Stormwind
12-16-07, 04:07 PM Tempest Stormwind is kind of like House. He may seem to be insulting at first, but I'll be damned if he isn't right or doesn't have good intentions.

If I had an ego pad, that would go in there. :) (Good to see you again, Magocrat.)

I'm not trying to be mean. I'm trying to be blunt, since subtlety doesn't translate well to text.

And yes, the combo works. DH designed it so that a party can actually survive an Ubercharge without losing anyone; against powers it's similar to Damp Power but with Intellect Fortress' upsides (notably a duration).
CrimsonDeath
12-17-07, 01:59 AM subtlety doesn't translate well to text.
No matter how hard I try...
MindFlayerZoidberg
12-17-07, 03:48 AM Tempest Stormwind is kind of like House. He may seem to be insulting at first, but I'll be damned if he isn't right or doesn't have good intentions.

Nice. And since we are on the topic of House I had a fun-idea-challenge-type-thing revolving around the supreme diagnostic powers of the forum regulars. This thread is off topic so might as well bring it up anyway.

The challenge is a hypothetical situation: A dwarf has wandered into your temple. It has no memory, woke up in armor outside a cave with a lot of weapons and a lot of gold. The dwarf notices it has a few strange abilities. It wants you to find out what it is. You have a team of clerics and wizards who can cast spells and roll knowledge checks to determine what feats and class abilities it has, as well as using deductive knowledge to ascertain its HD, bab, and saves. After that is done you meet with your team in your chambers and write down your conclusions on a large scroll until it all makes sense. So, basically, D&D version of House, trying to figure out if the Dwarf is 4 PsiWarrior/3 Fighter/2 Pyrokineticist or a 6 Wilder/ 2 Slayer.

Interesting? Compelling? or is it just too late at night?
CrimsonDeath
12-17-07, 03:59 AM First order of business: Check under the hood, so we can stop calling the Dwarf "it".

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Nicholas the Paladin 09-18-07, 02:42 AM	Hello all, I'm thinking about making my next character a psionicist, but I still have some questions. Let's say I go all the way and play a Psion, I would play the psionic equivalent of the wizard (or sorceror). Same HD, BAB, saves, bonus feats (it's even less I think) etc. But looking at the spells a psion can use, I get the feeling that playing a wizard you get more powerfull spells. The 'powers' a psionicist are more subtle and are (as far as I could see) more focussed on one opponent or a smaller group. Okay, the psion has te flexibility of the sorceror, but the powers are still somewhat 'weak'. That's not a problem, we all know that wizards are one of the most powerfull classes. But it got me thinking; what role does a Psion usually take in a group? Can you give me a sip of your experience?
guesswhat12321 09-18-07, 03:18 AM	Well if your comparing them to wizards and sor's your comparing apples and oranges. As for bonus feats Psions get 5 and as for flexability they beat the Sor into the ground, as for power wizards will rule the world. But their role is just about everything, I have made tank builds, healer builds, Blaster Builds (one recently that I am really proud of), and even support builds. Its all a matter of feat selection, power selection, chooseing psion or wilder, and what you want it to be or concept idea of it. If you say what you would like it to be I could help you out a lot more.
CrimsonDeath 09-18-07, 03:24 AM	The role you take is largely defined by your power selection, which is influenced by your primary discipline. The only psion I ever played was a Nomad (Psychoportation devotion). I learned a lot of teleportation powers, so I wound up as our primary mode of long-distance transportation. I also learned a few energy powers, so I was our secondary blaster (we also had a Sorceror), and I picked up a couple of crowd control and save-or-die powers. You're right that psion powers are a bit weaker, in general, than Sorceror/Wizard spells (particularly in the save-or-die department), but I like the flexibility. Keep in mind that, in terms of daily resources, the Psion compares more closely with the Wizard; the Sorceror can keep throwing spells much longer than a psion of comparable level.
Nicholas the Paladin 09-18-07, 03:40 AM	Well if your comparing them to wizards and sor's your comparing apples and oranges. As for bonus feats Psions get 5 and as for flexability they beat the Sor into the ground, as for power wizards will rule the world. But their role is just about everything, I have made tank builds, healer builds, Blaster Builds (one recently that I am really proud of), and even support builds. Its all a matter of feat selection, power selection, chooseing psion or wilder, and what you want it to be or concept idea of it. If you say what you would like it to be I could help you out a lot more. I'm thinking about being a Kineticist, Telepath or Egoist (in that order). To mee that feels like the 'typical' psionicist (from what I remember from 2nd ed). I want him to be effective in combat, but be somewhat subtle about it. the reason I'm thinking about the Kineticist te most, is that I currently play a Beguiler,that is strong in the Enhantment department: maybe something else then Telepath will do me good. I got the feeling that the Egoist is somewhat more of a melee-Psion, which I don't really understand, since it only has d4 HD.
guesswhat12321 09-18-07, 03:52 AM	I got the feeling that the Egoist is somewhat more of a melee-Psion, which I don't really understand, since it only has d4 HD. Hehe I had a psion once that was the the main tank and dealt lots of damage its not all that hard to do. As far as what your doing I am guessing blaster is your preferred, look into wilder for the wild surge, the energy powers, and the overchannel feat, talented can take off the damage. then theres psionic meditation to do talented more often.
Fireclave 09-18-07, 04:05 AM	The 'powers' a psionicist are more subtle and are (as far as I could see) more focussed on one opponent or a smaller group. This I have to disagree with. There are quite a few multi-target spells on the psion list. The Kineticist's discipline powers have many blasting-type power, and many powers allow you to augment them to target additional creatures. Okay, the psion has te flexibility of the sorcerer, but the powers are still somewhat 'weak'. Actually, the psion is quite a bit more flexible than the sorcerer. For example, most low level powers when augmented function almost or just as well has higher level powers. Every 1st level power the psion has is also a potential 9th level power. The sorcerer's lower level spells, on the other hand, don't get much stronger after a certain point. Either the damage peters out or the save DC can't keep up, making their lower level spells less optional choices than their highest level spells available. Don't get me wrong. There's nothing wrong with the sorcerer's lower level spells. But when it really counts, the good stuff generally comes from the 8 or so top level spells he knows, not his whole spells known list. Also, many power are self-contained Improve, Greater, Mass, and/or Superior versions of themselves. Psionic Charm, for example, is effectively Charm Person, Mass Charm Person, Charm Monster, and Mass Charm Monster all in the same power. The sorcerer would have to spend four spells known to be able to do the same, which is almost always a bad idea for sorcerers due to the redundancy. But power wise, the psion is slightly behind the wizard and sorcerer in versitility of their respective class lists, and is behind in staying power due to spells "auto-augmenting." Where the psion has to pay for every additional target, +1 DC, or +1d6, the wizard and sorcerer, most the most part, get those bonuses for free. The difference is staying power is not extremely huge, but it is there. Though I'm probably making sound alot worse than it actually is. Unlike with a wizard or sorcerer, a psion has to think a little bit more about how he uses and conserves his power. For example, why spend 15 power points manifest a 15d6 Energy Cone to kill a monster when a 10PP 10d6 Energy Cone would kill the monster just as dead? Or instead only spend 6PP for 6d6 damage and let the barbarian and paladin finish the monster off. If you use that kind of thinking when manifesting, you can stretch your PP alot farther.
Nicholas the Paladin 09-18-07, 07:10 AM	Hehe I had a psion once that was the the main tank and dealt lots of damage its not all that hard to do.. can you give me some pointers? As far as what your doing I am guessing blaster is your preferred, look into wilder for the wild surge, the energy powers, and the overchannel feat, talented can take off the damage. then theres psionic meditation to do talented more often. Well actually, I like the keniticist mostly because I like to "move stuff" ;-)....and doe some damage, but I'm not primarily in in for the damage. I think playing a typical blaster is really boring. is there a prionics handbook?
Bacris 09-18-07, 07:50 AM	Egoist tank - metamorphosis, biofeedback, and Psionic Body. Bam, your ability to take damage has severely increased. Choose the right form to change into and your ability to deal damage increases, as well.
DracoPhoenix 09-18-07, 08:01 AM	Regarding flexibility - an important example (especially for a kenesist) is the energy powers. 1 power, 4 energy types. Most are effectively pp spent in d6 damage. A few carefully selected versions of energy powers should cover the majority of your needs: ray : single shot missile : up to 5 targets (@ L2) - I actually reformed out ray after Exp K(this). More useful for groups as you don't hit your allies. Also, ref for half means you'll do something every time. ball : single AoE barrage : multiple AoE. (comp psi) (if you pack missiles consider this over ball) I've got a shaper and 90% of the time I use missile for damage. The other 10% it's concussive blast (ok, sucky augmentation, but it's force). Reformation, costs xp, but you can remove less useful powers a darn sight more easily than a sorc. Not using energy ray because you've got missiles now? Drop it for something more useful. Also, no material components, focus and you can suppress displays to reduce the chance of being detected.
jbsaff 09-18-07, 09:54 AM	is there a prionics handbook? Yes, the Expanded Psionics Handbook. However, much of the game rule information is available on the SRD (http://d20srd.org). Also, have you checked the psionics Master Index thread at the top of this forum? The Psion Buildguide should have some good pointers.
PhaedrusXY 09-18-07, 12:12 PM	I've started a thread that is kind of a diary of my experiences playing a shaper from low levels here (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=921444). The Psion Buildguide and Compendium can be found here (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=624041).
guesswhat12321 09-18-07, 01:05 PM	Egoist tank - metamorphosis, biofeedback, and Psionic Body. Bam, your ability to take damage has severely increased. Choose the right form to change into and your ability to deal damage increases, as well. Don't forget vigor, vigor helps out a lot along with share pain to your psicrystal, and forced share pain to enemies and at higher levels get expanded Knowledge and get empathic transfer hostile. Then theres body adjustment to heal your self.
Lycanthromancer 09-18-07, 01:45 PM	Once you get into higher levels, get a Heward's Handy Haversack. Metamorphosis and a psicrystal bumped REALLY high with Improved Psicrystal, then you can buff your psicrystal up on your turns to fight for you. It does all the attacking, and you're in the Haversack. When it gets damaged, you heal it using body adjustment. When it needs a Strength bump, you manifest animal affinity. While its attacking and you have nothing else to do for the round, either hold off your turn or manifest swarm of crystals, an energy power, a battlefield control power such as entangling ectoplasm or wall of ectoplasm, or dimension swap on your allies. Since psicrystals gain most of a construct's benefits on each hit die (including base attack bonus), have some serious immunities, and KEEP THEIR PSICRYSTAL GRANTED ABILITIES EVEN WHEN SHAPESHIFTED (including flight), you can have a serious self-buffing, self-sustaining tank-and-blaster combo going. The best part is that you can get most of this quite early (ie, as soon as you can get metamorphosis). This is, by far, my most favorite melee build ever.
vogster 12-16-07, 01:44 AM	Since psicrystals gain most of a construct's benefits on each hit die (including base attack bonus), have some serious immunities, and KEEP THEIR PSICRYSTAL GRANTED ABILITIES EVEN WHEN SHAPESHIFTED (including flight), you can have a serious self-buffing, self-sustaining tank-and-blaster combo going. The best part is that you can get most of this quite early (ie, as soon as you can get metamorphosis). Where can I read the rules on base attack bonus for psicrystals? In the book the psicrystal has +0 base attack. How do you know how it progresses?
Tempest Stormwind 12-16-07, 02:14 AM	Where can I read the rules on base attack bonus for psicrystals? In the book the psicrystal has +0 base attack. How do you know how it progresses? Isn't it just really, really embarrassing to bump a three-month-old thread only to find that the question is answered (at length) in the FAQ stickied at the top of the forum? (Not to waste this reply on a "read a sticky!" answer, I'd like to highlight something that DisposableHero brought to my attention today regarding psionic tanks: Share Pain + Intellect Fortress. The damage that's shared through Share Pain is damage from a psionic power. Consider what happens with sufficient Share Paining.)
TheKeyofE 12-16-07, 02:21 AM	(Not to waste this reply on a "read a sticky!" answer, I'd like to highlight something that DisposableHero brought to my attention today regarding psionic tanks: Share Pain + Intellect Fortress. The damage that's shared through Share Pain is damage from a psionic power. Consider what happens with sufficient Share Paining.) :mymy: ... :plotting:
vogster 12-16-07, 09:28 AM	Isn't it just really, really embarrassing to bump a three-month-old thread only to find that the question is answered (at length) in the FAQ stickied at the top of the forum? No not really. I got my question answered didn't I? Isn't it just really, really embarrassing to be a known as a jerk on the internet? Thanks!
Fafnir 12-16-07, 10:40 AM	No not really. I got my question answered didn't I? Isn't it just really, really embarrassing to be a known as a jerk on the internet? Thanks! A correct jerk. (Are you sure about Intellect Fortress? I'll have to check the wording on Share Pain.)
archerpwr 12-16-07, 02:46 PM	(Not to waste this reply on a "read a sticky!" answer, I'd like to highlight something that DisposableHero brought to my attention today regarding psionic tanks: Share Pain + Intellect Fortress. The damage that's shared through Share Pain is damage from a psionic power. Consider what happens with sufficient Share Paining.) Oh Snap! I'm filing away this combo for future reference. Just how far can I stretch vigor?
CrimsonDeath 12-16-07, 02:48 PM	Isn't it just really, really embarrassing to be a known as a jerk on the internet? Actually, being known as a jerk on the internet is something to take pride in. Inserting extra words into sentences, on the other hand...
Magocrat 12-16-07, 03:04 PM	Tempest Stormwind is kind of like House. He may seem to be insulting at first, but I'll be damned if he isn't right or doesn't have good intentions.
Tempest Stormwind 12-16-07, 04:07 PM	Tempest Stormwind is kind of like House. He may seem to be insulting at first, but I'll be damned if he isn't right or doesn't have good intentions. If I had an ego pad, that would go in there. :) (Good to see you again, Magocrat.) I'm not trying to be mean. I'm trying to be blunt, since subtlety doesn't translate well to text. And yes, the combo works. DH designed it so that a party can actually survive an Ubercharge without losing anyone; against powers it's similar to Damp Power but with Intellect Fortress' upsides (notably a duration).
CrimsonDeath 12-17-07, 01:59 AM	subtlety doesn't translate well to text. No matter how hard I try...
MindFlayerZoidberg 12-17-07, 03:48 AM	Tempest Stormwind is kind of like House. He may seem to be insulting at first, but I'll be damned if he isn't right or doesn't have good intentions. Nice. And since we are on the topic of House I had a fun-idea-challenge-type-thing revolving around the supreme diagnostic powers of the forum regulars. This thread is off topic so might as well bring it up anyway. The challenge is a hypothetical situation: A dwarf has wandered into your temple. It has no memory, woke up in armor outside a cave with a lot of weapons and a lot of gold. The dwarf notices it has a few strange abilities. It wants you to find out what it is. You have a team of clerics and wizards who can cast spells and roll knowledge checks to determine what feats and class abilities it has, as well as using deductive knowledge to ascertain its HD, bab, and saves. After that is done you meet with your team in your chambers and write down your conclusions on a large scroll until it all makes sense. So, basically, D&D version of House, trying to figure out if the Dwarf is 4 PsiWarrior/3 Fighter/2 Pyrokineticist or a 6 Wilder/ 2 Slayer. Interesting? Compelling? or is it just too late at night?
CrimsonDeath 12-17-07, 03:59 AM	First order of business: Check under the hood, so we can stop calling the Dwarf "it".