Psionic General build? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Psionic General build? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
forsaken1111
04-26-07, 04:15 AM I need some help with a build for a psionics-based general.

First a bit about my game. We're playing a fairly high-powered game which will top out around 35-40. The game is designed to accomodate massive numbers of minions and followers. Essentially it's going to be a warfare game with some heros of battles rules in effect. All official books are available except the Unearth Arcana. Anything in there must be specifically allowed by my DM so i'd rather just avoid it altogether. Also my DM has his own version of item bonding from the DMG2 so none of that.

Any campaign setting specific things, like Faerun feats and such must be approved by my DM.

I should add that I'm not necessarily looking for something uber powerful which can destroy anything it comes up against. I'm looking for a character which is fun to roleplay and has his own unique twist. The Thrallherd, while interesting, doesn't really interest me. I'd rather roleplay a general who leads through force of personality and loyalty, not a tyrant of mental domination.

The Erudite can gain access to powers from any discipline by learning them from a friendly psion or a power stone. That interests me because there are several powers in different disciplines which would be very helpful to a general.

I'm thinking of doing a Dromite Erudite. The +1 ECL isn't that big of a deal really.

Tentative build is a Lawful/Neutral Dromite. The build will continue past 20 since this is an epic game, but I'm only planning to 20 for now. Its a relativly simple build taking anarchic initiate for the full ML progression and nifty side abilities.

Erudite 5/Anarchic Initiate 10/Erudite +4

This brings me to ML 19

Feat 1st: Iron Will?
-Prereq for Force of Will

Feat 3rd: Overchannel
-Prereq for Anarchic Initiate

Bonus Feat 5th: Ordered Chaos*
-Prereq for Anarchic Initiate

Feat 6th: Leadership
-Here's where he gets his army

Feat 9th: Force of Will?
-Decent Feat

Feat 12th: Talented?
-Good modification of Overchannel

Feat 15th: Extra Followers?
-Double normal number of followers is good

Feat 18th: Improved Cohort?
-Cohort level +1 is good

*Note: My DM has agreed to allow Ordered Chaos to function as an entry requirement to chaos-only alignment restrictions on classes just like it does for items and spell effects. This thread isn't about that, its just a house rule.

Edit: Actually I was just made aware of the Diamond Dragon prestige class from Dragon Magic. That's a possibility I haven't explored, does anyone have any feedback on it?
The_Ditto
04-26-07, 01:04 PM Forget Anarchaic initiate .. go for Thrall herd ... get 2 cohorts ... :tiphat:

Have fun!!!
:P
Rageheart
04-26-07, 01:29 PM Why would ANY general leading an army be an Anarchist?
forsaken1111
04-26-07, 05:04 PM Forget Anarchaic initiate .. go for Thrall herd ... get 2 cohorts ... :tiphat:

Have fun!!!
:P

Thanks... but like I said in the original post I really don't like thrallherd and its not what I want to roleplay.

Why would ANY general leading an army be an Anarchist?

Good question. Perhaps it's an army of chaotic beings, and their purpose is to promote anarchy and chaos?

Edit: Besides, what could be more fun than opening up a chaos breach in front of the enemy?

What other psionic class would you suggest than anarchic initiate?
Rageheart
04-27-07, 10:39 AM Good question. Perhaps it's an army of chaotic beings, and their purpose is to promote anarchy and chaos?

So.... let me see if I have this straight a person that believes that "individual conscience and the pursuit of self-interest should not be constrained by any collective body or public authority." (- Wikipedia) decides to get together with a small group of friends (maybe 20-30 thousand of them) and becomes an authority in order to organize them into an effective fighting force capable of being cohesive, even if not all that effective against another army?

Not likely, as the troops will likely get bored and wander off to rape and pillage the countryside while he is busy talking to the other thousands of troops about storming the keep, and it's not like he can stop them from leaving without oppressing their self-interest.

What other psionic class would you suggest than anarchic initiate?

a Maveric Voidshaper* would be sweet....
In any society there are outcasts, lost souls that
for one reason or another cannot find their place
in a productive world. Many among these
outcasts are gifted, often being forced from a
normal life by the discovery of their talents.
When such outcasts follow the path of the
nomad, and desire both to see the whole of their
world, and shape themselves a place within it,
they often take up the mantle of the maverick
voidshaper: the renegade master of space and
time.

Edit: Besides, what could be more fun than opening up a chaos breach in front of the enemy?
How about using a Widened Voidburst Energy Ball on the sheild wall of the enemy (and laughing as they get thrown about like ragdolls) in order to open a 40' wide breach for your troops?

A Seidmadr* would also be cool.
A seidmadr is a telepath of no small skill,
capable of jumping from body to body with the
ease an actor shifts between roles. Although the
discipline developed as a way to truly know
others minds, it rapidly developed into a means
of borrowing anothers body and eventually
progressed to more permanent means.

or maybe even a Warmind.

(* Avalable in Untapped Potential, flavor text added to lend a feel for these classes.)
The_Ditto
04-27-07, 11:24 AM Thanks... but like I said in the original post I really don't like thrallherd and its not what I want to roleplay.

sorry .. didn't see that comment ... :tiphat:

in that case ... exit-stage-left ... ;)
forsaken1111
04-28-07, 02:47 AM sorry .. didn't see that comment ... :tiphat:

in that case ... exit-stage-left ... ;)

No problem. Its just that thrallherd really isn't worth it. You can do much better with leadership.
ShaRd2000
04-28-07, 09:35 AM Why would ANY general leading an army be an Anarchist?

Just be chaotic evil/neutral

I will f*cking kill you if you do not obey me.
Rageheart
04-28-07, 04:53 PM Just be chaotic evil/neutral
Quote:Originally Posted by General Chaotic Guy
I will f*cking kill you if you do not obey me.

Trying to force order on an unruly soldier.... sounds Lawful Evil to me... Chaotic Evil would most likely just kill him on the spot. There would be no real motivation to join the army of someone like that, nor to take recruits. Managing an army takes a lot of planning and orginization. There must be a definite rank structure... not just Leader or Grunt. If you have a group of Grunts with a Leader, it's not an Army... it's a mob.

If a mob gets too large it'll naturally splinter off into a second group under the leadership of the next most influential Grunt turned Leader. This happens in swarms like Bee hives in real life. The original Leader is not likely to be happy and would try to kill the newly risen Leader in order to reassert his Will over the second mob.

This is why Chaotic Humanoids generaly do not do well in groups larger than a tribe, and why tribes often are at war with one another.

It usually takes a Lawful-minded Warlord to force tribes to work as a group, against their nature.

My will is LAW, the penalty for breaking the law is... Death.
forsaken1111
04-28-07, 05:28 PM Well first off, I stated very clearly that my character would be law/neutral with the Ordered Chaos feat. He is NOT chaotic... so I don't get where this discussion came from.

Second, you have to think of how they used to control barbarian hordes and such. Sure they weren't regemented and orderly, but they were semi-organized and motivated by the promise of killing/looting/raping/pillaging the enemy's countryside.

Fear is also a great motivator for chaotic beings, especially as a spellcaster/psion who could put a mark on them and tell them it will kill them if they desert.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
forsaken1111 04-26-07, 04:15 AM	I need some help with a build for a psionics-based general. First a bit about my game. We're playing a fairly high-powered game which will top out around 35-40. The game is designed to accomodate massive numbers of minions and followers. Essentially it's going to be a warfare game with some heros of battles rules in effect. All official books are available except the Unearth Arcana. Anything in there must be specifically allowed by my DM so i'd rather just avoid it altogether. Also my DM has his own version of item bonding from the DMG2 so none of that. Any campaign setting specific things, like Faerun feats and such must be approved by my DM. I should add that I'm not necessarily looking for something uber powerful which can destroy anything it comes up against. I'm looking for a character which is fun to roleplay and has his own unique twist. The Thrallherd, while interesting, doesn't really interest me. I'd rather roleplay a general who leads through force of personality and loyalty, not a tyrant of mental domination. The Erudite can gain access to powers from any discipline by learning them from a friendly psion or a power stone. That interests me because there are several powers in different disciplines which would be very helpful to a general. I'm thinking of doing a Dromite Erudite. The +1 ECL isn't that big of a deal really. Tentative build is a Lawful/Neutral Dromite. The build will continue past 20 since this is an epic game, but I'm only planning to 20 for now. Its a relativly simple build taking anarchic initiate for the full ML progression and nifty side abilities. Erudite 5/Anarchic Initiate 10/Erudite +4 This brings me to ML 19 Feat 1st: Iron Will? -Prereq for Force of Will Feat 3rd: Overchannel -Prereq for Anarchic Initiate Bonus Feat 5th: Ordered Chaos* -Prereq for Anarchic Initiate Feat 6th: Leadership -Here's where he gets his army Feat 9th: Force of Will? -Decent Feat Feat 12th: Talented? -Good modification of Overchannel Feat 15th: Extra Followers? -Double normal number of followers is good Feat 18th: Improved Cohort? -Cohort level +1 is good *Note: My DM has agreed to allow Ordered Chaos to function as an entry requirement to chaos-only alignment restrictions on classes just like it does for items and spell effects. This thread isn't about that, its just a house rule. Edit: Actually I was just made aware of the Diamond Dragon prestige class from Dragon Magic. That's a possibility I haven't explored, does anyone have any feedback on it?
The_Ditto 04-26-07, 01:04 PM	Forget Anarchaic initiate .. go for Thrall herd ... get 2 cohorts ... :tiphat: Have fun!!! :P
Rageheart 04-26-07, 01:29 PM	Why would ANY general leading an army be an Anarchist?
forsaken1111 04-26-07, 05:04 PM	Forget Anarchaic initiate .. go for Thrall herd ... get 2 cohorts ... :tiphat: Have fun!!! :P Thanks... but like I said in the original post I really don't like thrallherd and its not what I want to roleplay. Why would ANY general leading an army be an Anarchist? Good question. Perhaps it's an army of chaotic beings, and their purpose is to promote anarchy and chaos? Edit: Besides, what could be more fun than opening up a chaos breach in front of the enemy? What other psionic class would you suggest than anarchic initiate?
Rageheart 04-27-07, 10:39 AM	Good question. Perhaps it's an army of chaotic beings, and their purpose is to promote anarchy and chaos? So.... let me see if I have this straight a person that believes that "individual conscience and the pursuit of self-interest should not be constrained by any collective body or public authority." (- Wikipedia) decides to get together with a small group of friends (maybe 20-30 thousand of them) and becomes an authority in order to organize them into an effective fighting force capable of being cohesive, even if not all that effective against another army? Not likely, as the troops will likely get bored and wander off to rape and pillage the countryside while he is busy talking to the other thousands of troops about storming the keep, and it's not like he can stop them from leaving without oppressing their self-interest. What other psionic class would you suggest than anarchic initiate? a Maveric Voidshaper* would be sweet.... In any society there are outcasts, lost souls that for one reason or another cannot find their place in a productive world. Many among these outcasts are gifted, often being forced from a normal life by the discovery of their talents. When such outcasts follow the path of the nomad, and desire both to see the whole of their world, and shape themselves a place within it, they often take up the mantle of the maverick voidshaper: the renegade master of space and time. Edit: Besides, what could be more fun than opening up a chaos breach in front of the enemy? How about using a Widened Voidburst Energy Ball on the sheild wall of the enemy (and laughing as they get thrown about like ragdolls) in order to open a 40' wide breach for your troops? A Seidmadr* would also be cool. A seidmadr is a telepath of no small skill, capable of jumping from body to body with the ease an actor shifts between roles. Although the discipline developed as a way to truly know others minds, it rapidly developed into a means of borrowing anothers body and eventually progressed to more permanent means. or maybe even a Warmind. (* Avalable in Untapped Potential, flavor text added to lend a feel for these classes.)
The_Ditto 04-27-07, 11:24 AM	Thanks... but like I said in the original post I really don't like thrallherd and its not what I want to roleplay. sorry .. didn't see that comment ... :tiphat: in that case ... exit-stage-left ... ;)
forsaken1111 04-28-07, 02:47 AM	sorry .. didn't see that comment ... :tiphat: in that case ... exit-stage-left ... ;) No problem. Its just that thrallherd really isn't worth it. You can do much better with leadership.
ShaRd2000 04-28-07, 09:35 AM	Why would ANY general leading an army be an Anarchist? Just be chaotic evil/neutral I will f*cking kill you if you do not obey me.
Rageheart 04-28-07, 04:53 PM	Just be chaotic evil/neutral Quote:Originally Posted by General Chaotic Guy I will f*cking kill you if you do not obey me. Trying to force order on an unruly soldier.... sounds Lawful Evil to me... Chaotic Evil would most likely just kill him on the spot. There would be no real motivation to join the army of someone like that, nor to take recruits. Managing an army takes a lot of planning and orginization. There must be a definite rank structure... not just Leader or Grunt. If you have a group of Grunts with a Leader, it's not an Army... it's a mob. If a mob gets too large it'll naturally splinter off into a second group under the leadership of the next most influential Grunt turned Leader. This happens in swarms like Bee hives in real life. The original Leader is not likely to be happy and would try to kill the newly risen Leader in order to reassert his Will over the second mob. This is why Chaotic Humanoids generaly do not do well in groups larger than a tribe, and why tribes often are at war with one another. It usually takes a Lawful-minded Warlord to force tribes to work as a group, against their nature. My will is LAW, the penalty for breaking the law is... Death.
forsaken1111 04-28-07, 05:28 PM	Well first off, I stated very clearly that my character would be law/neutral with the Ordered Chaos feat. He is NOT chaotic... so I don't get where this discussion came from. Second, you have to think of how they used to control barbarian hordes and such. Sure they weren't regemented and orderly, but they were semi-organized and motivated by the promise of killing/looting/raping/pillaging the enemy's countryside. Fear is also a great motivator for chaotic beings, especially as a spellcaster/psion who could put a mark on them and tell them it will kill them if they desert.