Post/Author/DateTime	Post
ppaladin123 04-08-08, 01:10 PM	I am trying to build a marksman and am wondering whether it is worth it to invest in the psionic shot, greater psionic shot, fell shot feat progression. It doesn't seem like it. Marksmen don't receive "hustle" until level 10 at the earliest. That means that using psionic shot precludes me from using rapid shot until then (and it kills a full round before level five and psionic meditation so it isn't worth it before level 5). If I use it I get one shot at 1d8 +2d6 vs. rapid shot which at level 6 will give three shots at 1d8. I am not even counting a compound bow or arrow enhancements. Unless I get greater psionic shot I am behind in damage and also betting all of it on one shot. The hustle comes, so it might be useful but so does the power that allows for an extra arrow in rapid shot when psionically focused. At level 11 that is 5 arrows vs. one (or one attack roll if using manyshot). It doesn't seem like a good investment. Am I missing something...or are these feats sort of useless for my character?
Tempest Stormwind 04-08-08, 01:38 PM	I deliberately designed bits of the marksman, from day 1, to be better based off of different styles. If your signature style is using the bow, then you're better off picking up feats that improve your arrow output (as the bow lends itself very well to multiple attacks), which Psionic Shot doesn't do. I'd actually consider looking into Manyshot over Psionic Shot in this case. However, if your signature style is the crossbow (deliberately designed to maximize powerful, single-shot sniper attacks, and hopefully make crossbows useful again), Psionic Shot and similar becomes far more effective a choice. It's also reasonably effective for the thrown-weapon specialties, due to their lower damage, but the true power of a thrown-weapon marksman comes from battlefield control and confusion.
ppaladin123 04-08-08, 02:02 PM	I deliberately designed bits of the marksman, from day 1, to be better based off of different styles. If your signature style is using the bow, then you're better off picking up feats that improve your arrow output (as the bow lends itself very well to multiple attacks), which Psionic Shot doesn't do. I'd actually consider looking into Manyshot over Psionic Shot in this case. However, if your signature style is the crossbow (deliberately designed to maximize powerful, single-shot sniper attacks, and hopefully make crossbows useful again), Psionic Shot and similar becomes far more effective a choice. It's also reasonably effective for the thrown-weapon specialties, due to their lower damage, but the true power of a thrown-weapon marksman comes from battlefield control and confusion. Yup. I should have considered the crossbow specialization option. Cool. I love this class by the way and prefer it over the ranger by a wide margin. You did a great job. Thanks so much.
Moosh Nailo 04-08-08, 07:38 PM	But doesn't the first crossbow style ability, augmented shot, make psionic shot either redundant or useless? They both require the expenditure of psionic focus.
Jaid 04-08-08, 10:08 PM	But doesn't the first crossbow style ability, augmented shot, make psionic shot either redundant or useless? They both require the expenditure of psionic focus. you can expend your psicrystal's focus also, if it has one ;) (or at least, if it has one stored by the correct feats that is)
calronmoonflower 04-08-08, 11:08 PM	you can expend your psicrystal's focus also, if it has one ;) (or at least, if it has one stored by the correct feats that is) Subconsciouses Containment is another way to go.
Tempest Stormwind 04-08-08, 11:40 PM	Correct: Given the free Psychic Meditation, Wind Reader, and assorted other focus-related options, either of the extra-focus feats is a solid investment for the Marksman anyway. Greater Psionic Shot or Fell Shot + crossbow tier options results in devastating damage, but prevents you from attacking the round after. Big whoop; attack with a snipe attack and reload/move while they recover from the sudden loss of the wizard.