Psionic Monk [Archive] - Wizards Community

Psionic Monk [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Sylvaroth
02-12-07, 01:08 PM Dumb question: Are there psionic versions of the core classes? I mean a psionic version of e.g. the monk would not be that difficult to do, would it?
The_Shaman
02-12-07, 02:01 PM Well, monks aren't spellcasters, so it's not that they need psionics. If you change, say, abundant step and empty body to psi-like abilities, I doubt that changes much.

Monks who want to delve deeper into psionics can easily multiclass, though, and the Fist of Zuoken/Psionic Fist is imo a relatively good prestige class for monks who want to develop their psionic potential. However, as the base class is now, you can't make it "psionic" without some serious changes. There was a psionic thief, for example, which got some manifesting for weaker SA and iirc some skill points. It should be in an article on the site, although I don't know how it performs in an actual game (and it's not as if there aren't psi-thief PrCs, either ;) )
InkBlot
02-13-07, 03:05 AM The psychic warrior is arguably the "psionic fighter" and the "psionic barbarian." Depending on your power and feat selection, they can be canny masters of mind and blade, or feral beasts of rage and claws.

The divine mind (Complete Psionics) was supposed to be the "psionic paladin," but is in fact a waste of paper. Psionics are not divine miracles, and the class has neither enough martial prowess or manifesting ability.

The psion and the wilder are analogous to the wizard and the sorcerer.

The erudite (Complete Psionics) is even more like a wizard than the psion. The can potentialy learn all the powers in existance, but can only manifest a small selection of them each day.

The psychic rogue (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/psm/20040723b) is the psionic rogue. It's better at skills and sneaking than the lurk.

The lurk (Complete Psionics) is also somewhat of a psionic rogue. They're better at combat than a psychic rogue (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/psm/20040723b). They're also somewhat analogous to a ranger focused on hunting and stalking.

The thoughtsinger (http://www.bossythecow.com/classes.htm) is the psionic bard. Many of the mechanics are exactly the same.

Psionic monks are handled well with the fist of Zuoken prestige class.

Psionic rangers are handled almost as well with the Illithid slayer prestige class, but not all rangers want to hunt Illithid.

The soulknife is similar to the monk in many ways. Both have ways of dispensing with manufactured weapons. But the soulknife doesn't get as many special abilities as the monk does, and doesn't get anything like the monk's speed or AC bonuses. A soulknife who takes the illumine soul prestige class (Complete Psionics) can fill the undead hunting role of a cleric or paladin. A soulknife who takes the soulbow pretige class (Complete Psionics) can fill the role of an archery-style ranger.

The ardent (Complete Psionics) is similar to a cleric who worships a philosophy, or a druid who worships nature itself rather than a nature diety. Ardents hone their minds through study of philosophy. They can heal well or fight well (but generaly not both), have 3/4 BAB, and a d6 HD. Not as much of a heavy hitter as a cleric or druid, but can fill a similar role.

The sangehirn prestige class (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/psm/20040625c) can also fill the role of a cleric. It's d6 HD, 3/4 BAB, fast healing, and DR/- make it formidable in combat. It's also the most efficient psionic healer out there and only loses one manifester level.
Sysane
02-13-07, 09:13 AM There's also the adrenalyte class which has some similarities to both the barbarian and the monk classes. It has a rage-like mechanic which enhances the characters physical attributes.

Here's the link if you're interested:
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=682320
Suldarr'essalar
02-13-07, 11:40 AM If we are at it, my Shinobi (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=710056) is something like a psionic ninja, and Wargeist (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?p=9788476) being something like a psionic barbarian. Or barbarian leader inspiring others to combat.

There was a very good psionic monk PrC on this board, but not a base class.
Sylvaroth
02-13-07, 12:00 PM Those are all very helpful posts. Thank you very much!

Keep the info coming :D

-Sylvaroth
Master Gvhu
02-21-07, 07:30 PM I try to do a similar thing, have a charcter multiclassing between Monk and Psion. I wondered if there was an "ascetic" feat and I found it in an Eberron sourcebook. Have a look (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20070212a&page=5).

If you are still interested, maybe it will help you...
cnahumck
02-21-07, 07:37 PM There is a good psionic monk PrC here (http://www.athas.org/releases/prc/Prestigeclasses3_5-r2.pdf) and while it is for Dark Sun, it is usable in any setting. Combine it with a psywar 2 fighter 2 before you enter the PrC and you got yourself a real monster, if you pick the right feats, and your DM let's you take that many classes (some do a one and one only)
kelvinaw273
02-22-07, 08:34 PM There are two (to my knowledge) psionic monk PrCs - the Fist of Zuoken is in the XPH and in Complete Psionic the Zerth Cenobite. There are some variations as well in the Races of Eberron the Kalashtar Monk has some replacement levels that allow them to use their natural psionics to enhance their monk abilities.
starwed
02-23-07, 03:36 AM I made a homebrew psionic monk that you can see here. (http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/showthread.php?postid=3012400#poststop) One day, I'll actually get around to posting it in this forum for more feedback. ^_^
Sylvaroth
02-23-07, 12:08 PM I'd like the shortest comment from the Guinness Book of World recors:

WOW!

Thanks for all the posts, they are all very helpful, keep them coming.

Kudos
Sylvaroth
NoldorForce
02-23-07, 02:34 PM Wait, no one has mentioned the lucid cenobite (sp?) PrC from Hyperconscious? That's a class that advances the major class features of both monk and whatever chosen manifesting class you've taken - mostly better, IMO, then psionic fist.
Vharuck
02-23-07, 04:37 PM Since you were very vague and just asked for a "psionic monk," I guess I'll be the guy who keeps it simple. A monk of a naturally psionic race can gain a psionic focus and take psionic feats.

Or you could just make a Psychic Warrior who has Improved Unarmed Strike and uses inertial armor.
bholdr_mage
02-25-07, 01:59 PM Since you were very vague and just asked for a "psionic monk," I guess I'll be the guy who keeps it simple. A monk of a naturally psionic race can gain a psionic focus and take psionic feats.

Or you could just make a Psychic Warrior who has Improved Unarmed Strike and uses inertial armor.

& perhaps your DM can make an "Ascetic Psychic Warrior" feat to let monk levels stack with psychic warrior levels to determine unnarmed attack damage.
InkBlot
02-25-07, 06:58 PM An easy psionic monk variant would be to replace the bonus feats with psionic feats, and maybe some other abilities with psi-like abilities.

Psychic Monk

All monks hone their minds as well as their bodies, and souls. You hone your mind through the secret art of psionics.

Level: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 6th
Replaces: Bonus Feat, Still Mind, Abundant Step

Benefit: Add knowledge (psionics) to the list of Monk class skill.

At 1st level you gain the psionic subtype and a reserve of 1 power point.

In place of your normal bonus feats, you gain the following bonus feats. At 1st level, you may select either Speed Of Thought, Psionic Dodge, or Up The Walls as a bonus feat. At 2nd level, you may select either Return Shot, Mental Leap, or Psionic Charge as a bonus feat. At 6th level, you may select either Aligned Attack, Ghost Attack, Wounding Attack, or Focused Sunder as a bonus feat. You need not have any of the prerequisites normally required for these feats to select them.

In place of Still Mind (Ex), you gain Empty Mind (Ps). You can manifest Empty Mind as a psi-like ability a number of times per day equal to your Wisdom bonus. Your effective manifester level for this effect is one-half your Monk level (rounded down). You can use this ability to qualify for any feat or prestige class that requires Still Mind.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Sylvaroth 02-12-07, 01:08 PM	Dumb question: Are there psionic versions of the core classes? I mean a psionic version of e.g. the monk would not be that difficult to do, would it?
The_Shaman 02-12-07, 02:01 PM	Well, monks aren't spellcasters, so it's not that they need psionics. If you change, say, abundant step and empty body to psi-like abilities, I doubt that changes much. Monks who want to delve deeper into psionics can easily multiclass, though, and the Fist of Zuoken/Psionic Fist is imo a relatively good prestige class for monks who want to develop their psionic potential. However, as the base class is now, you can't make it "psionic" without some serious changes. There was a psionic thief, for example, which got some manifesting for weaker SA and iirc some skill points. It should be in an article on the site, although I don't know how it performs in an actual game (and it's not as if there aren't psi-thief PrCs, either ;) )
InkBlot 02-13-07, 03:05 AM	The psychic warrior is arguably the "psionic fighter" and the "psionic barbarian." Depending on your power and feat selection, they can be canny masters of mind and blade, or feral beasts of rage and claws. The divine mind (Complete Psionics) was supposed to be the "psionic paladin," but is in fact a waste of paper. Psionics are not divine miracles, and the class has neither enough martial prowess or manifesting ability. The psion and the wilder are analogous to the wizard and the sorcerer. The erudite (Complete Psionics) is even more like a wizard than the psion. The can potentialy learn all the powers in existance, but can only manifest a small selection of them each day. The psychic rogue (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/psm/20040723b) is the psionic rogue. It's better at skills and sneaking than the lurk. The lurk (Complete Psionics) is also somewhat of a psionic rogue. They're better at combat than a psychic rogue (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/psm/20040723b). They're also somewhat analogous to a ranger focused on hunting and stalking. The thoughtsinger (http://www.bossythecow.com/classes.htm) is the psionic bard. Many of the mechanics are exactly the same. Psionic monks are handled well with the fist of Zuoken prestige class. Psionic rangers are handled almost as well with the Illithid slayer prestige class, but not all rangers want to hunt Illithid. The soulknife is similar to the monk in many ways. Both have ways of dispensing with manufactured weapons. But the soulknife doesn't get as many special abilities as the monk does, and doesn't get anything like the monk's speed or AC bonuses. A soulknife who takes the illumine soul prestige class (Complete Psionics) can fill the undead hunting role of a cleric or paladin. A soulknife who takes the soulbow pretige class (Complete Psionics) can fill the role of an archery-style ranger. The ardent (Complete Psionics) is similar to a cleric who worships a philosophy, or a druid who worships nature itself rather than a nature diety. Ardents hone their minds through study of philosophy. They can heal well or fight well (but generaly not both), have 3/4 BAB, and a d6 HD. Not as much of a heavy hitter as a cleric or druid, but can fill a similar role. The sangehirn prestige class (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/psm/20040625c) can also fill the role of a cleric. It's d6 HD, 3/4 BAB, fast healing, and DR/- make it formidable in combat. It's also the most efficient psionic healer out there and only loses one manifester level.
Sysane 02-13-07, 09:13 AM	There's also the adrenalyte class which has some similarities to both the barbarian and the monk classes. It has a rage-like mechanic which enhances the characters physical attributes. Here's the link if you're interested: http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=682320
Suldarr'essalar 02-13-07, 11:40 AM	If we are at it, my Shinobi (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=710056) is something like a psionic ninja, and Wargeist (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?p=9788476) being something like a psionic barbarian. Or barbarian leader inspiring others to combat. There was a very good psionic monk PrC on this board, but not a base class.
Sylvaroth 02-13-07, 12:00 PM	Those are all very helpful posts. Thank you very much! Keep the info coming :D -Sylvaroth
Master Gvhu 02-21-07, 07:30 PM	I try to do a similar thing, have a charcter multiclassing between Monk and Psion. I wondered if there was an "ascetic" feat and I found it in an Eberron sourcebook. Have a look (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20070212a&page=5). If you are still interested, maybe it will help you...
cnahumck 02-21-07, 07:37 PM	There is a good psionic monk PrC here (http://www.athas.org/releases/prc/Prestigeclasses3_5-r2.pdf) and while it is for Dark Sun, it is usable in any setting. Combine it with a psywar 2 fighter 2 before you enter the PrC and you got yourself a real monster, if you pick the right feats, and your DM let's you take that many classes (some do a one and one only)
kelvinaw273 02-22-07, 08:34 PM	There are two (to my knowledge) psionic monk PrCs - the Fist of Zuoken is in the XPH and in Complete Psionic the Zerth Cenobite. There are some variations as well in the Races of Eberron the Kalashtar Monk has some replacement levels that allow them to use their natural psionics to enhance their monk abilities.
starwed 02-23-07, 03:36 AM	I made a homebrew psionic monk that you can see here. (http://enworld.cyberstreet.com/showthread.php?postid=3012400#poststop) One day, I'll actually get around to posting it in this forum for more feedback. ^_^
Sylvaroth 02-23-07, 12:08 PM	I'd like the shortest comment from the Guinness Book of World recors: WOW! Thanks for all the posts, they are all very helpful, keep them coming. Kudos Sylvaroth
NoldorForce 02-23-07, 02:34 PM	Wait, no one has mentioned the lucid cenobite (sp?) PrC from Hyperconscious? That's a class that advances the major class features of both monk and whatever chosen manifesting class you've taken - mostly better, IMO, then psionic fist.
Vharuck 02-23-07, 04:37 PM	Since you were very vague and just asked for a "psionic monk," I guess I'll be the guy who keeps it simple. A monk of a naturally psionic race can gain a psionic focus and take psionic feats. Or you could just make a Psychic Warrior who has Improved Unarmed Strike and uses inertial armor.
bholdr_mage 02-25-07, 01:59 PM	Since you were very vague and just asked for a "psionic monk," I guess I'll be the guy who keeps it simple. A monk of a naturally psionic race can gain a psionic focus and take psionic feats. Or you could just make a Psychic Warrior who has Improved Unarmed Strike and uses inertial armor. & perhaps your DM can make an "Ascetic Psychic Warrior" feat to let monk levels stack with psychic warrior levels to determine unnarmed attack damage.
InkBlot 02-25-07, 06:58 PM	An easy psionic monk variant would be to replace the bonus feats with psionic feats, and maybe some other abilities with psi-like abilities. Psychic Monk All monks hone their minds as well as their bodies, and souls. You hone your mind through the secret art of psionics. Level: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 6th Replaces: Bonus Feat, Still Mind, Abundant Step Benefit: Add knowledge (psionics) to the list of Monk class skill. At 1st level you gain the psionic subtype and a reserve of 1 power point. In place of your normal bonus feats, you gain the following bonus feats. At 1st level, you may select either Speed Of Thought, Psionic Dodge, or Up The Walls as a bonus feat. At 2nd level, you may select either Return Shot, Mental Leap, or Psionic Charge as a bonus feat. At 6th level, you may select either Aligned Attack, Ghost Attack, Wounding Attack, or Focused Sunder as a bonus feat. You need not have any of the prerequisites normally required for these feats to select them. In place of Still Mind (Ex), you gain Empty Mind (Ps). You can manifest Empty Mind as a psi-like ability a number of times per day equal to your Wisdom bonus. Your effective manifester level for this effect is one-half your Monk level (rounded down). You can use this ability to qualify for any feat or prestige class that requires Still Mind.