Psywarriors? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Psywarriors? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Zardnaar
10-14-07, 03:02 AM I'm looking for advice on how to build a Psywarrior. By G/F has taken one for the Savage Tide adventure path. At level one she took an Elan and the Feats Psionic Weapon and Elan Resilience.
CrimsonDeath
10-14-07, 04:10 AM What are her ability scores? What books are allowed/does she have available? What specific goals does she have/capabilities does she want? What power does she know? Does she still have time to change any decisions you've made? Does she have any ideas for what feats and powers she'd like to take in the future?

There are several PsyWar builds floating around, although it might take a bit of digging to find them.

(I've never played a PsyWar, but the people with experience in this matter are probably going to have an easier time helping you if you answer at least a couple of the above questions.)
Zardnaar
10-14-07, 04:35 AM I have most of the complete books, various FR books, XPH, PH2, DMG2. Her scores are (32 point buy).

Str 16
Wis 14
Con 14
Dex 12
Int 12
Cha 10
Ovistavin
10-15-07, 11:45 AM If you haven't already done so, you might want to look in the Master Index at the top of the forum.
Orenmir
10-15-07, 12:31 PM One of this things that makes this such a great class is its versatility. Which path would you like to take?:

Tank
Ranged
Sword & Board
Grappler
Unarmed
Claw & Bite
Tactician

There are some great feat/power choices that can take you down any of these paths. You need to state much more about what role the character will fill.
SlanderPanic
10-15-07, 12:33 PM Looks like she's off to a pretty good start. If I were her, I'd probably swap out Psionic Weapon and Improved Elan Resilience for Psionic Body and Speed of Thought. The former gives her extra hit points and stays useful throughout her career. The latter allows her to stay quick on her feet even if she's plodding around in Medium armor. (At 1st level, she'll most likely have scale mail unless your DM is being really generous with starting gold.) You generally don't want to spend slots on focus-expenditure feats until you're more likely to succeed than to fail at that DC 20, full-round, AoO-provoking Concentration check.

For her first power, biofeedback is a great choice. DR 2/- for one minute at the cost of a standard action is a life-saver, especially at low levels. Force screen is also good, if she doesn't plan on using a shield. Heck, she could go for inertial armor instead of wearing physical armor if she wants. It provides the same protection as scale mail or chain shirt, lasts an hour at first level, and doesn't penalize skills or movement.

If she didn't get bonus power points from being naturally psionic, I wouldn't at all recommend even using her power until she gains a level because, once she's spent all of her power points, she can't maintain a focus. As it is, she can manifest twice without losing her speed boost.

What kind of fighting style is she going for? Sword-and-board, two-handed, bow, Renaissance rifleman, etc?
Zardnaar
10-15-07, 01:03 PM I'm the DM. She is usig a two handed weapon.
SlanderPanic
10-15-07, 02:22 PM Then please tell us more, good sir. What's the party makeup? Are you being generous with starting equipment? What does she have in mind for her character?
Bacris
10-15-07, 02:54 PM What specific goals does she have/capabilities does she want? What power does she know? Does she still have time to change any decisions you've made? Does she have any ideas for what feats and powers she'd like to take in the future?

Going to reiterate these questions.

The psychic warrior class can be made into a thousand and one different character types, so you can't really get advice on how to build one without knowing what type of build is desired.

2-hand weapon with psionic weapon, seems like a damage dealer build. Psionic Meditation is going to be key using focus-expending feats. Psicrystal Containment is a good investment to get a 2nd focus.

For powers, Expansion, Graft Weapon, Hustle, and Form of Doom are good... but it depends on what level range we're talking about...

I'm not very familiar with Savage Tide, aside from knowing its an Adventure Path, so if you could answer the above-quoted questions, we could actually give some really constructive advice, rather than random ideas ;)
The_Shaman
10-15-07, 03:06 PM I'm the DM. She is usig a two handed weapon.

Hmm, nice. I wanted to make a psy-warrior with a halberd one of these days. Anyway, expansion and shield are nice, and as I suspect she would be favoring a heavier armor, skate might come in handy at times. Still, as the others say, more information about the party and on her idea of what she wants her character to excel at would be welcome.
Zardnaar
10-16-07, 03:32 AM She just wants to effective and wear full plate. The party is a Cleric, Rogue, Psywarrior and Beguiler.
Callix
10-16-07, 07:24 AM A couple of power paths for psywarriors:

1: You Gotta Get Past Me First.
1st: Expansion, Force Screen, Vigor.
2nd: Strength of my Enemy, Hustle, Dissolving Weapon.
Try to continue themes of durability and occasional whacking. This is the tank setup; try and get a reach trip weapon, and boost Int at 4th so you can get Combat Expertise and Improved Trip. Combat Reflexes is another good feat. Use Hustle and Psionic Meditation to regain foci, or just to get into position and still make a full attack.

2: "I am the Mighty..." *squish* "Next!"
1st: Expansion, Vigor, Skate.
2nd: Dissolving Weapon, Hustle, Psionic Lion's Charge.
Main theme here is damage output. Feats look like...
2nd: Power Attack
3rd: Improved Bull Rush (yes, that's right)
5th: Psionic Meditation
6th: Greater Psionic Weapon (Deep Impact is tempting, but...)
8th: Shock Trooper.
Buff Expansion (10 mins/lvl augment is worthwhile, 2 sizes is available) and Dissolving Weapon (Don't augment it, not worth the pp). With two size increases and a greatsword, you're looking at 12d6+mods (+3 damage from Expanded strength) on the first hit, with free Power Attack for +12 damage, and the option of a full attack with 4d6+mods and free PA on any iteratives. Probably not worth 3pp at 8th, but a solid choice at 16th. Effective? Yes. Full plate? If you want. It'll slow you down, but Skate can give you enough speed to be a threat to mobile enemies, and you're no slower than the cleric unbuffed. And, of course, any enemy that runs away opens itself up to more charges.
The_Shaman
10-17-07, 05:04 AM Is greater psionic weapon worth it, really? It adds 7 damage to your strike on average (over the 7 that PW gives), but it costs a feat. At least Deep impact offers a choice between easier hitting or doing more damage.
Lycanthromancer
10-17-07, 05:16 PM Compare that with the Weapon Specialization tree. Which is better, 7 points of damage when you REALLY need it with any melee weapon you have, or a couple of points all the time, but only when you're wielding a specific weapon?

I think it really IS a good set of feats.
CrimsonDeath
10-17-07, 08:58 PM but only when you're wielding a specific weapon?

Don't most characters use one specific weapon most of the time anyway?
AtsuiShoto
10-18-07, 03:17 PM Most characters do, but sometimes a campaign doesn't offer upgrades to an existing weapon so often as better replacement weapons... in which case a variety of different types of weapons may have to be used.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Zardnaar 10-14-07, 03:02 AM	I'm looking for advice on how to build a Psywarrior. By G/F has taken one for the Savage Tide adventure path. At level one she took an Elan and the Feats Psionic Weapon and Elan Resilience.
CrimsonDeath 10-14-07, 04:10 AM	What are her ability scores? What books are allowed/does she have available? What specific goals does she have/capabilities does she want? What power does she know? Does she still have time to change any decisions you've made? Does she have any ideas for what feats and powers she'd like to take in the future? There are several PsyWar builds floating around, although it might take a bit of digging to find them. (I've never played a PsyWar, but the people with experience in this matter are probably going to have an easier time helping you if you answer at least a couple of the above questions.)
Zardnaar 10-14-07, 04:35 AM	I have most of the complete books, various FR books, XPH, PH2, DMG2. Her scores are (32 point buy). Str 16 Wis 14 Con 14 Dex 12 Int 12 Cha 10
Ovistavin 10-15-07, 11:45 AM	If you haven't already done so, you might want to look in the Master Index at the top of the forum.
Orenmir 10-15-07, 12:31 PM	One of this things that makes this such a great class is its versatility. Which path would you like to take?: Tank Ranged Sword & Board Grappler Unarmed Claw & Bite Tactician There are some great feat/power choices that can take you down any of these paths. You need to state much more about what role the character will fill.
SlanderPanic 10-15-07, 12:33 PM	Looks like she's off to a pretty good start. If I were her, I'd probably swap out Psionic Weapon and Improved Elan Resilience for Psionic Body and Speed of Thought. The former gives her extra hit points and stays useful throughout her career. The latter allows her to stay quick on her feet even if she's plodding around in Medium armor. (At 1st level, she'll most likely have scale mail unless your DM is being really generous with starting gold.) You generally don't want to spend slots on focus-expenditure feats until you're more likely to succeed than to fail at that DC 20, full-round, AoO-provoking Concentration check. For her first power, biofeedback is a great choice. DR 2/- for one minute at the cost of a standard action is a life-saver, especially at low levels. Force screen is also good, if she doesn't plan on using a shield. Heck, she could go for inertial armor instead of wearing physical armor if she wants. It provides the same protection as scale mail or chain shirt, lasts an hour at first level, and doesn't penalize skills or movement. If she didn't get bonus power points from being naturally psionic, I wouldn't at all recommend even using her power until she gains a level because, once she's spent all of her power points, she can't maintain a focus. As it is, she can manifest twice without losing her speed boost. What kind of fighting style is she going for? Sword-and-board, two-handed, bow, Renaissance rifleman, etc?
Zardnaar 10-15-07, 01:03 PM	I'm the DM. She is usig a two handed weapon.
SlanderPanic 10-15-07, 02:22 PM	Then please tell us more, good sir. What's the party makeup? Are you being generous with starting equipment? What does she have in mind for her character?
Bacris 10-15-07, 02:54 PM	What specific goals does she have/capabilities does she want? What power does she know? Does she still have time to change any decisions you've made? Does she have any ideas for what feats and powers she'd like to take in the future? Going to reiterate these questions. The psychic warrior class can be made into a thousand and one different character types, so you can't really get advice on how to build one without knowing what type of build is desired. 2-hand weapon with psionic weapon, seems like a damage dealer build. Psionic Meditation is going to be key using focus-expending feats. Psicrystal Containment is a good investment to get a 2nd focus. For powers, Expansion, Graft Weapon, Hustle, and Form of Doom are good... but it depends on what level range we're talking about... I'm not very familiar with Savage Tide, aside from knowing its an Adventure Path, so if you could answer the above-quoted questions, we could actually give some really constructive advice, rather than random ideas ;)
The_Shaman 10-15-07, 03:06 PM	I'm the DM. She is usig a two handed weapon. Hmm, nice. I wanted to make a psy-warrior with a halberd one of these days. Anyway, expansion and shield are nice, and as I suspect she would be favoring a heavier armor, skate might come in handy at times. Still, as the others say, more information about the party and on her idea of what she wants her character to excel at would be welcome.
Zardnaar 10-16-07, 03:32 AM	She just wants to effective and wear full plate. The party is a Cleric, Rogue, Psywarrior and Beguiler.
Callix 10-16-07, 07:24 AM	A couple of power paths for psywarriors: 1: You Gotta Get Past Me First. 1st: Expansion, Force Screen, Vigor. 2nd: Strength of my Enemy, Hustle, Dissolving Weapon. Try to continue themes of durability and occasional whacking. This is the tank setup; try and get a reach trip weapon, and boost Int at 4th so you can get Combat Expertise and Improved Trip. Combat Reflexes is another good feat. Use Hustle and Psionic Meditation to regain foci, or just to get into position and still make a full attack. 2: "I am the Mighty..." squish "Next!" 1st: Expansion, Vigor, Skate. 2nd: Dissolving Weapon, Hustle, Psionic Lion's Charge. Main theme here is damage output. Feats look like... 2nd: Power Attack 3rd: Improved Bull Rush (yes, that's right) 5th: Psionic Meditation 6th: Greater Psionic Weapon (Deep Impact is tempting, but...) 8th: Shock Trooper. Buff Expansion (10 mins/lvl augment is worthwhile, 2 sizes is available) and Dissolving Weapon (Don't augment it, not worth the pp). With two size increases and a greatsword, you're looking at 12d6+mods (+3 damage from Expanded strength) on the first hit, with free Power Attack for +12 damage, and the option of a full attack with 4d6+mods and free PA on any iteratives. Probably not worth 3pp at 8th, but a solid choice at 16th. Effective? Yes. Full plate? If you want. It'll slow you down, but Skate can give you enough speed to be a threat to mobile enemies, and you're no slower than the cleric unbuffed. And, of course, any enemy that runs away opens itself up to more charges.
The_Shaman 10-17-07, 05:04 AM	Is greater psionic weapon worth it, really? It adds 7 damage to your strike on average (over the 7 that PW gives), but it costs a feat. At least Deep impact offers a choice between easier hitting or doing more damage.
Lycanthromancer 10-17-07, 05:16 PM	Compare that with the Weapon Specialization tree. Which is better, 7 points of damage when you REALLY need it with any melee weapon you have, or a couple of points all the time, but only when you're wielding a specific weapon? I think it really IS a good set of feats.
CrimsonDeath 10-17-07, 08:58 PM	but only when you're wielding a specific weapon? Don't most characters use one specific weapon most of the time anyway?
AtsuiShoto 10-18-07, 03:17 PM	Most characters do, but sometimes a campaign doesn't offer upgrades to an existing weapon so often as better replacement weapons... in which case a variety of different types of weapons may have to be used.