Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Melayl 02-19-07, 08:57 PM	This was enspired by this thread (http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=185210) on the enworld boards. It is also posted in that thread. (Much thanks to the folks over there for the ideas.) I'd like to know if you all think it is balanced, needs work, or is just a bad idea. Any feedback would be appreciated J’Sevath The J’Sevath combines aspects of the soulknife and the warlock into a psionic class. J’Sevath are made, not born, and come from any and all races, walks of life, and creeds. Alignment: any Hit Die: d6 Skill Points: 4+Int mod/level (quadruple @ 1st level) Class Skills: Autohypnosis, Concentration, Craft, Profession, Knowledge (psionics), Psicraft, Use Psionic Device, plus any 4 of the following: Bluff, Climb, Disguise, Hide, Intimidate, Jump, Knowledge (any 1 – only once), Listen, Move Silently, Sense Motive, Spot, Tumble. Important Stats: WIS, DEX/STR Weapon/Armor Proficiencies: All Simple weapons plus their Psibolt and Psiblade, Light armors, and Small shields. Level BAB F/R/W Expressions Special 1st +0 +0/2/2 0 Psistrike 1d6, Wild Talent, Least Expression 2nd +1 +0/3/3 1 Detect Psionics, Resilient Mind 3rd +2 +1/3/3 1 Psistrike (primary/secondary) 2d6/1d6 4th +3 +1/4/4 2 Preternatural Defense +1 5th +3 +1/4/4 2 Psistrike 3d6/1d6 6th +4 +2/5/5 3 Lesser Expression 7th +5 +2/5/5 3 Psistrike 4d6/1d6 8th +6/+1 +2/6/6 4 Preternatural Defense +2 9th +6/+1 +3/6/6 4 Psistrike 5d6/2d6 10th +7/+2 +3/7/7 5 11th +8/+3 +3/7/7 5 Psistrike 6d6/2d6, Greater Expression 12th +9/+4 +4/8/8 6 Empower Item, Preternatural Defense+3 13th +9/+4 +4/8/8 6 Psistrike 7d6/2d6 14th +10/+5 +4/9/9 7 15th +11/+6/+1 +5/9/9 7 Psistrike 8d6/3d6 16th +12/+7/+2 +5/10/10 8 True Expression, Preternatural Defense +4 17th +12/+7/+2 +5/10/10 8 Psistrike 9d6/3d6 18th +13/+8/+3 +6/11/11 9 19th +14/+9/+4 +6/11/11 9 Psistrike 10d6/4d6 20th +15/+10/+5 +6/12/12 10 Preternatural Defense +5 Psibolt/Psiblade (Psistrike) (Ps, Su): A J’Sevath can harness the psionic power resident within their soul to create powerful attacks. The Psistrike is composed of telekinetic (not Force) energy. It is manifested as both the Psibolt and the Psiblade (see below). This energy does full normal damage to ectoplasmic creatures. Power Resistance applies to these attacks, treat as a power equal to 1/2 the class level. Starting at 1st level, they may manifest their Psibolt and Psiblade. Manifesting is a Move-equivalent action. Once manifested, attacks can be made as normal for a melee or ranged weapon. The manifested weapon remains ready unless dropped (or character becomes unconscious, etc). The Psibolt is a ranged attack reaching 25 feet, +10 feet per odd J’Sevath level, in a straight line. It is projected from the hand or the brow (third eye) (choose at time of character creation). The Psiblade is a physical manifestation. It can take the form and use of any melee weapon desired by the J’Sevath, but only does the listed damage, regardless of size/shape. It has hardness equal to Wis modifier + ½ class level and HP equal to modifier + class level. You may manifest multiple different shapes, 1 + Wis mod, minumum 1. A Will save may be made each round to use their Psistrike in a Null Psionics/Magic field. At 3rd level, the J’Sevath must choose to specialize in either the Psibolt or the Psiblade. The damage of this weapon progresses at the primary damage rate, the other at the secondary. Once made, this choice is unchangeable. Both do full normal damage to objects. Any appropriate Melee or Ranged feats may be taken for use with the Psiblade/bolt, and the J’Sevath may also take other specialized feats (see below). In addition, weapons like Crystal Hilts (see this (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=385453) thread) may enhance the J’Sevath’s power. Wild Talent (Su): A J’Sevath gains the Wild Talent feat for free, and may gain Psionic focus and take [Psionic] feats as though they had a manifester level equal to their class level. Detect Psionics (Ps): As the power, at will. Resilient Mind (Su): Gain DR of 1 per 4 levels vs mental ability damage/drain effects. Preternatural Defense (Su): J’Sevath gain an Insight bonus to AC that increases with their class level. Empower Item (Su): A J’Sevath may create any psionic item without knowing the requisite powers. He must be of appropriate ML and have the appropriate item creation feats, as well as pay all monetary and experience costs (with a 10% cost increase). DC for item creation is 15 + power level. If DC failed, cannot try to create that item until gaining another level. Expressions (Su): Expressions are Psi-like abilities, purely mental actions. As with all psionic manifestations, they have some sort of display identifying when they are used. Expressions come in three different types: weapon, shape, and general. Weapon affects what the Psistrike does. Shape affects the shape of the Psibolt only. General affects the J’Sevath or others. You start with no Expressions, but may take the Expressive feat to gain one at 1st level. Weapon and Shape Expressions are considered Free actions, and you may use both in the same action. General Expressions are Standard actions. They also come in 4 power classes: Least, Lesser, Greater, and True. They may be used at will, with no daily limit on use. However, only one of each type may be in use at any one time. To learn and use Expressions, you need a minimum Wis: 12 for Least, 14 for Lesser, 16 for Greater and 18 for True. When a J’Sevath gains another Expression, he may trade out any one other Expression for a new one of up to the highest class he has access to. Least Biofeedback – as power Chameleon -- gain a +10 enhancement bonus on Hide checks. Cryokinetic Strike (Weapon) -- your strike deals Cold damage, and an extra +1 point of damage per die. If your strike's shape allows a save, it is a Fort save instead of a Reflex save. Empathy -- gain a +4 enhancement bonus on Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate and Sense Motive. Energy Adaptation, Specified -- gain resistance 10 to one energy type; expend your Focus to manifest as an Immediate action. Far Hand -- as the power, at will, +5 pounds and 10 feet at 5th, 10th, 15th, and 20th levels. Feline Adaptation -- use catfall at will (augmented by 1 step for every 3rd class level), add Wis modifier to Dex Skill checks; gain Evasion and a Reflex bonus by expending your Focus. Force Screen – as power, augmented by 1 step at 6th, 12th, and 18th levels. Merciful Strike (Weapon) – your strike deals non-lethal damage. Mind Strike (Weapon) -- your strike deals d10s, but is [mind-affecting] and grants a Will save for half. Mindlink -- use mindlink at will; expend your Focus to use mass missive. Pyrokinetic Strike (Weapon) -- your Psistrike deals Fire damage, and an extra +1 point of damage per die. Synesthete – as the power Telekinetic Spear (Shape) -- your Psibolt range extends to 250 ft. Lesser Astral Insight -- see invisibility and detect teleportation within 120 ft.; expend Focus to trace the destination of an outgoing teleport. Aquatic Adaptation -- breathe water freely and use float at will; expend your Focus to gain a Swim speed equal to twice your base speed (or 60 ft., whichever is greater) for one round. Canine Adaptation -- manifest elfsight and know direction and location at will; expend Focus to act normally when you would otherwise be surprised. Charm -- cause a single creature to regard you as a friend; expend your Focus to attempt a psi suggestion. Debilitating Strike (Weapon) – 1d2 ability damage to any one mental stat Detect Hostile Intent – as power Dimension Swap -- you and an ally switch positions; expend your Focus to switch two allies. Distract – as power Energy Adaptation -- your body converts energy to harmless light; expend your Focus to manifest as an Immediate action. Inertial Barrier – as power Lingering Ectoplasm (Weapon) -- any who take the full effect of your strike are entangled for 1 round in addition to taking damage. Dispel (Weapon) – as Dispel Psionics, targeted dispel, expend focus to deplete PP = ½ damage dealt. Telekinetic Beam (Shape) -- your strike takes the shape of a 60 ft. line. Telekinetic Push (Weapon) -- your strike knocks its target back 5’ per 5 hpd. Telekinetic Force -- move an object with the sustained force of your mind; expend your Focus to violently hurl objects. Touchsight -- gain Blindsight out to 30 ft. Greater Aura Insight -- detect magic and alignment, identify aura's magical school or psionic discipline with Psicraft check; study an item for one hour to psi identify it. Co-opt Concentration – as power Crippling Strike – 1d4 ability damage to any one physical stat Telekinetic Anchor (Weapon) -- opponent must make Will save or be dimensionally anchored for 5 rounds. Intellect Fortress -- allies within 10 ft. gain a +2 bonus on Will saves; expend Focus to grant dampen power within 10 ft. instead. Psychofeedback – as power Retrieve – as power Telekinetic Cone (Shape) -- your strike becomes a 30 ft. cone-shaped burst. Telekinetic Shout (Weapon) -- your strike deals Sonic damage and ignores Power Resistance. Teleport -- use psi teleport at will; expend your Focus as an Immediate action to teleport yourself up to 30 ft. True Dominate -- control target telepathically. Mind Blank, Psionic -- you are immune to scrying and mental effects. Planar Insight -- use plane shift at will; expend your Focus as an Immediate action to become Ethereal for one round. Telekinetic Burst (Shape) -- your strike becomes a 40 ft. burst centered on you. True Sight -- as psi true sight, at will. Shadow Body – as power Upgrade Psistrike [Psionic] Prereq: Psistrike class ability, 5th or higher J’Sevath level Benefits: Your strike damage increases by 1 step (1d6 to 1d8, etc) per Upgrade feat. You may take this feat multiple times, at 5th, 12th, and 20th levels. Must be taken separately for Psibolt and Psiblade. Free Draw [Psionic] Prereq: Psistrike class ability, 4th or higher J’Sevath level Benefits: You may manifest your Psistrike as a free action rather than as a move action. Enhance Psistrike [Psionic] Prereq: Psistrike class ability, 4th or higher J’Sevath level Benefits: Your Psistrike gains an enhancement bonus of +1. You may take this feat multiple times, at 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th, and 20th levels for a total of +5. Must be taken separately for Psibolt and Psiblade. Split Psiblade [Psionic] Prereq: Psibolt/blade class ability, 3rd or higher J’Sevath level Benefits: May split Psiblade into 2 identical weapons of 1 die class and enhancement class (if any) lower. Threat [Psionic] Prereq: Psibolt/blade class ability, Upgrade (range), Enhance (multiple) Benefit: Critical range increases by 1 class per Upgrade feat and multiplier by 1 per Enhance feat to maximum of 17-20, x3 Expressive [Psionic] Prereq: Expression class ability, Wis modifier +1 or greater Benefit: You learn another Expression, up to one class lower than the highest class you have access to. Exception: You may take this feat even at 1st level to gain access to a Least Expression. This does not count against your maximum number of Expressions. This does not qualify you to switch out another expression, nor can you switch out this when you gain another Expression. You may take this feat a number of times equal to your Wis modifier. I think they might also qualify for some of the other wonderful soulknife feats that others on the boards have created.
nobodez 02-20-07, 11:00 AM	I like it, but it seems to be closer to a warlock/soulknife gestalt than a psionic replacement for the warlock/soulknife. If they started off with no expressions, and gained one less overall, than that would work better (since a warlock needs that first invocation slot to attack in melee, and it takes a PrC for the soulknife to get something like that). Also, I'd simplify the table, instead of psibolt/blade, just call is "psistrike (1d6)", and increase it for a maximum of 5d6 at 19th, and add another ability "primary psistrike (+1d6)" at 3rd, 5th, 9th, 13th, 17th. That way it's less confusing, since if I was just reading the table, I'd think that no matter what, a 19th level J'Sevath (unwieldy name) could only have a 10d6 bolt, and a 5d6 blade. Also, this would allow the class to actually qualify for the feats (on a literal reading). Also, the wording of the "manifesting" of the bolt/blade is a bit difficult to understand, and you may want to drop the parenthetical PR information, as well as add a note that once a bolt/blade is manifested, attacks can be made as normal for a projectile/melee weapon (respectively).
bholdr_mage 02-20-07, 11:53 AM	I'd take the blade out too. Otherwise, solid idea. I'd rather see the psionic version of the Warlock...this is really as he said, a gestalt character.
Melayl 02-21-07, 10:29 AM	Thanks for the replies. I don't have time at the moment to answer them properly, but I will try to do so soon.
Melayl 02-21-07, 11:46 AM	nobodez: I liked your suggestions, and changed some things. Thank you. bholdr_mage: I like the idea of them being able to use both the bolt and the blade. I feel it allows for more diversity in the class -- you can go the psi-warlock route or the soulknife route, as you choose to. Of course, my opinions only really count in my game, so you can drop the knife for your use. I appreciate the response, and I'm glad you like it overall. The name is a bit of a mouthful, but it stuck in my head, so I used it for my notes. Feel free to change it as you desire. Does it seem overpowered? Your mentions of gestalt make me think so, but I may be misinterpreting them.
nobodez 02-21-07, 02:10 PM	Re: Gestalt - Well, as it stands, it's not nearly as bad, though you might want to move the Reflex to either a mid or a low save, since it's the same as the soulknife but higher than the warlock right now. Also, it might just be easier to give Wild Talent rather than change the rules on how you can hold a Psionic Focus, because as it stands unlike any other psionic character, they can hold a focus even without a pp, which somewhat breaks the rules as written previously. Otherwise, it seems fine to me, though I still prefer my own psi-lock (the Seijin, though I'm still working the kinks out on it).
Melayl 02-21-07, 02:41 PM	Have you posted your Seijin yet? I'd like to take a look at it. it might just be easier to give Wild Talent rather than change the rules on how you can hold a Psionic Focus, because as it stands unlike any other psionic character, they can hold a focus even without a pp, which somewhat breaks the rules as written previously Never really thought about that (I just adapted the mechanic that was in place on the other thread). I'll likely change that. you might want to move the Reflex to either a mid or a low save, since it's the same as the soulknife but higher than the warlock right now There is a mid save? I thought there was only good and poor. If there's a mid, I might do that. I kept Reflex and Will both at Good, because the soulknife's were like that, and the Warlock's Will was Good (and since I was trying to make a class like both...)
WinterPsionic 02-23-07, 01:32 PM	As is it still strikes me as a gestalt build...the 2 easiest ways I see to "fix" this are: 1) Require them to choose the Bolt or Blade at first level, after that the one they didn't choose progresses at 1/4 the rate of their choice. 2) Reduce the number of "expressions", a straight grown Warlock gets 12 and your giving them nearly the same number. This doesn't have to be a huge reduction but your still encapsulating a good portion of both classes while a variant should be 1/2 & 1/2. Just me :twocents: I like the idea but a better way to do it may be to use 1 weapon type and allow if to be treated similiary to an EB.(Also the range is a tad high for the bolt...maybe 15ft +5/2 J'Sev levels, being a ranged attack they should have a decent Dex to help with AC espicially with the Prenatural Defense which considerably powerful all on it's own)
DracoPhoenix 02-26-07, 07:15 AM	For the gestalt warlock // soulknife problem - how about making it a psi-ranger? At ~second level you basically chose melee or ranged as your primary attack, the other remaining the "base" shot / sword ability from then on. Then grant a combination of invocations & psi war powers, depending on range/melee choice etc.
MaverickWolf 02-26-07, 10:43 AM	An interesting idea, but I think it's a little overpowered right now. One, I don't know why it has Clarity of Mind. It already has a good Will save, meaning he's already got a boost against mind-affecting, and his Wisdom powers his abilities, so he's likely to have a good one. Two, Preternatural Defense has to go, or at least the save bonus on it does. As written, at 20th level, you end up with a +11 Fort, +17 Reflex, and +17 Will as BASE saves. Three, Expressive should grant an expression up to one level lower than you currently know, not your max. ALL of the feats like that for spells, invocations, anything, grant new abilities at a level lower than your max, at least pre-epic. On a side note, thanks for the link.
Melayl 02-26-07, 01:58 PM	For the gestalt warlock // soulknife problem - how about making it a psi-ranger? At ~second level you basically chose melee or ranged as your primary attack, the other remaining the "base" shot / sword ability from then on. Then grant a combination of invocations & psi war powers, depending on range/melee choice etc. It is already rather similar to your suggestion. Could you give a more specific explaination of what you'd change? I think that would help me understand a little better. Three, Expressive should grant an expression up to one level lower than you currently know, not your max. ALL of the feats like that for spells, invocations, anything, grant new abilities at a level lower than your max, at least pre-epic. Ah. Thank you for pointing that out. I changed it, but still allow it to be taken at 1st for a Least Expression. Two, Preternatural Defense has to go, or at least the save bonus on it does. As written, at 20th level, you end up with a +11 Fort, +17 Reflex, and +17 Will as BASE saves. Seems like a reasonable idea. I think I'll drop the save portion, but I'll still keep the AC. One, I don't know why it has Clarity of Mind. It already has a good Will save, meaning he's already got a boost against mind-affecting, and his Wisdom powers his abilities, so he's likely to have a good one. My reasoning was that I wanted it to be very resistant to control/charm/etc. I know it already has a good Will and Wis bonus, but I had wanted some extra insurance. Would it seem more reasonable to instead give a bonus to Will saves vs Mind-affecting stuff? Or instead would you suggest going with a DR-type ability to reduce mental ability damage (but not ability burn)? On a side note, thanks for the link. You're welcome. :) I rather liked what you did with them, and thought you should have a plug.
MaverickWolf 02-26-07, 04:13 PM	I think I like the DR against mental ability damage the best. And it's easily scalable. Maybe 1 per every 4 or 5 levels.
bholdr_mage 02-27-07, 08:10 PM	It is already rather similar to your suggestion. Could you give a more specific explaination of what you'd change? I think that would help me understand a little better. I think he was offering the option of mindblade focus or psistrike focus...kind of like how the ranger goes with ranged or two weapon fighting. There's alternate things for the soulknife in Untapped Potential...might look there.
Melayl 02-28-07, 03:06 PM	I think he was offering the option of mindblade focus or psistrike focus...kind of like how the ranger goes with ranged or two weapon fighting. . You mean choose one and lose access to the other? As it stands, your primary strike (psiblade or psibolt) advances much better than your secondary strike choice. I'm still confused -- must be the lack of sleep this past week. I'm sorry, but I'm a little dense today.
Melayl 07-24-07, 10:30 PM	Ok, so I finally updated some things. Clarity of Mind is now Resilient Mind, and grants DR vs mental ability damage/drain. I also slowed the secondary psistrike damage progression. Any further comments will be welcome (I'll try not to take forever to address them this time).
Chemus 07-25-07, 12:25 AM	Pretty flavorful adaptation, Thread, er.. Dread Necromancer ;). The way I see it is partially a psionic warlock. With a few things missing, and a few things added. I recommend that the ability to manifest the bolt as a weapon be changed to an expression. Just like it is for warlocks. I think that you put the number of expressions known ought to go to 12, even with the saves and skill points. They do lose out on something more useful; use magic/psionic device and being able to take 10. For the warlock, that's huge. So, I think that 12 expressions is balanced, if the warlock is considered balanced, and if the blade is one of the expressions. Also, Aquatic adaptation should be a least expression. It's less powerful than Swimming the Styx from Complete Mage, except for the double move thing, but that's one round per psionic focus. A lesser, tops. Overall, good job.
Melayl 07-26-07, 03:23 AM	This was designed to be a Soulknife alternative, with Warlock as an inspiration. I'll leave the weapon as part of the base, not an Expression. Fits the feel better for me. If you take Psibolt as your primary, the weapon is almost negligible as damage, anyway. As to the Aquatic Adaptation, I agree -- I'd been thinking about that for a bit now. I've dropped it to Lesser (may eventually do Least, but it kinda grants 2 different powers -- a limited Adapt Body, and Float -- so it will probably stay Lesser).