Two questions: 1) help with monk/psi war build 2) help with introducing psionics. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Two questions: 1) help with monk/psi war build 2) help with introducing psionics. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
ElyasRavenwood
03-16-08, 12:13 PM In my current campaign I am playing a human Monk 2nd level. The character build that I am planning is 2 levels of monk and 18 levels of psychic warrior. I would like to make a “psychic” monk.
Thematically I think the use of “Ki” and Psionic power mesh together nicely.

Campaign setting: Ptolus

After naming my character Johan Preston, as a nod to Christian Bale in Equilibrium and the “Tetragramaton Clerics” There was some joking I should just pick two weapon fighting and exotic weapon proficiency: dragon pistol. (The campaign setting has “guns”)

Character stats: Str: 14 Dex: 14 Con: 14 Int: 13 Wis: 18 Cha: 13

Skills: Concentration: 5 ranks, Knowledge Religion: 1 rank, Listen 5 ranks, Sense motive 5 ranks, Spot 5 ranks, Tumble 5 ranks, CC Auto Hypnosis 2 ranks.

At 1st level I chose the Decisive strike alternative class feature from the PHB 2 instead of Flurry of blows.

Feats: Stunning fist, Improved grapple, Versatile unarmed strike, Combat reflexes.

Now I am leveling up for third level. I am going to take the character’s 1st level of psychic warrior and I can use a little advice.

For third level I plan to spend skills Auto Hypnosis 3 ranks, Concentration 1 rank.

For my characters remaining levels as my character advances in Psychic warrior, I plan to distribute my skills as follows: 1 rank in concentration, and 1 rank in Auto hypnosis and I plan to buy 1 rank in tumble, I expect to pay the Cross class price of 2 points.

I have two feats to pick. I plan to take Tashalatora and I am not sure about the second one.

I have planned a feat progression but I am not sure about it.

Alternate class feature Decisive strike (PHB 2)

1) 1st level Monk: Improved unarmed strike, Stunning fist,

1) Human: Improved grapple, Versatile unarmed strike

2) Monk bonus feat: Combat reflexes

3) 1st level Psi Warrior: Weapon Prf: Simple, Martial, Armor Prf: Light, medium heavy

3) Tashaltora,

3) 1st Psi War. bonus feat: Power attack

4) 2nd Psi War. bonus feat: Cleave

6) fist of Iron (Complete warrior)

7) 5th psi war bonus feat: Psionic fist

9) Improved Natural attack

10) 8th psi wr bonus feat: Superior Unarmed strike (Tome of battle)

12) Greater Psionic Fist

13) 11th Psi war bonus feat: Unavoidable strike

15) Instinctive consummator (Complete Psionic)

16) 14th psi war bonus feat: Psionic meditation

18) Psionic body

19) 17 psi war bonus feat: Freezing the lifeblood (complete warrior)

Lets see the books I have access to the following psionic sources: Expanded Psionics handbook, Complete Psionic (blah), Hyperconsciousness, Untapped Potential, Secrets of Sarlona.
WOTC books: PHB, DMG, MM, Miniatures handbook, PHB 2, DMG 2, Races: Dragons, Stone, Wild, Destiny, Eberon, Environment: sand frost storm city dungeon. Complete: warrior, ToB, Adventurer, Rogue, Devine, Champion, Arcane, and Mage.
I also have access to most of the FR books and the Eberon books
In addition to that most of the monster books i.e. book of aberrations.

The game is being run in the local game store on “game night”. There is an “open door” policy. In other words, if you show up and want to play you can. I am looking to make a “balanced” character. I know that balanced is subjective. Basically the DM is entirely unfamiliar with Psionics and I will probably be the “table expert” on the subject. Fortunately or Unfortunalty we do have a resident power gamer. I’m not him. The general policy is to let anything in which is in a published Wotc book. The DM I think is a little leery of Psionics, because he is completely unfamiliar with them. I think he will let me run a psionic character because he trusts me not to abuse the system.

If possible I cold use little advice on a psychic warrior “unarmed striking monk” build
What powers should I choose feats prestige classes etc?

Also and more importantly I need a little advice on both introducing psionics to a skeptical Dm, and also on how to keep the game running smoothly, so it doesn’t grind to a halt every time it is my characters turn. I am hoping some other players might find psionics interesting, if I am able to demonstrate the simplicity and elegance of the psionic system by playing it.

Any thoughts on a better class build, better skill selection, better feat selection, and power selections would be welcome. Prestige class as well. How about the fists of Dal Quor?
Fist of Zuoken? I am in need of a little advice thanks.

Also I need a little advice on how to introduce psionics, and keep things running smoothly. I would like to be able to play with my toys, and to continue to be able to play with them.

Thanks.
The_Rob
03-16-08, 05:10 PM Given your current plans, I would suggest you take Monk until at least level 6, then start on Psionic Fist. Personally, I would take it at level 7 as well in order to get Wholeness of Body, but that is up to you.

Reason to take it so high is to meet the pre-req (take wild talent at level 6 as character level bonus feat) because you continue advancing your monk's bonuses to unarmed damage, unarmoured speed and bonuses to AC which would prove to be very advantageous. You'll gain a couple bonus feats with this class too, but not as many as psychic warrior obviously. I think it's a worthwhile sacrifice.
calronmoonflower
03-16-08, 05:37 PM Check out the Tashalatora feat from Secrets of Sarlona. It does have a prerequisite feat, but will work better than Greater Unarmed Strike.
The_Mess
03-16-08, 09:27 PM Somebody has to mention the Enlightened Monk from Dreamscarred Press.

But it won't be me!

If I was going to mention it, I'd point out it's a neat psionic variation on the standard monk. Too bad I'm not.
Fireclave
03-17-08, 12:59 AM Also and more importantly I need a little advice on both introducing psionics to a skeptical Dm

The stickies at the top of the psionics forum are a good place to get familiar with some of the common questions and misconceptions about 3.5 psionics. The FAQ is especially helpful and full of equally helpful links. Particularly, the New DM's and Player's Guide to Psionics (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=486266).

also on how to keep the game running smoothly, so it doesn’t grind to a halt every time it is my characters turn.
This shouldn't be an issue. Just make sure you have a good idea of how the psionic rules work before you use them and a cheat sheet with pages references to rules your DM might have questions about (augmentation, max pp usage, psionic focus, ect), and you should be fine.
Orenmir
03-17-08, 11:06 AM I wouldn't bother with Cleave. I'm not even certain Power Attack is necessary -- at low levels, you'll already have an attack penalty, AND you have medium BAB. Then, you can grab Psionic Fist and other feats earlier.
Scion of Coldshard
03-17-08, 01:36 PM Along with suggesting tashalatora again, as it was mentioned earlier, I would suggest looking at the warmind prc.

Monk 6/Warmind 10 with Tashalatora would be a lot of fun ;)

I would also suggest picking up the combat focus feats from the phb 2. I would suggest my combat trance feats but they are homebrewed and so most likely not a viable option.. even though they would be absolutely perfect for the character you want to make..lol

Still though, Monk 6/Warmind 10 + combat focus/combat stability/combat vigor/combat awareness + practiced manifester + overchannel + tashalatora would be a whole lot of fun. If you need a couple extra feats, and that is pretty likely, then Monk 4/psychic warrior 2/warmind 10 should get you there.

You can do without the psionic fist, power attack, and cleave though.. they just arent all that helpful to the build. Sweeping strike with the warmind will be much more effective than all three of those put together anyway.

Dont worry about versitile unarmed strike, instead grab the gauntlets of the talon relic item. You need to use a feat to get all of its abilities anyway but the pile of abilities you gain are much, much better than the versitile unarmed strike feat ;)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
ElyasRavenwood 03-16-08, 12:13 PM	In my current campaign I am playing a human Monk 2nd level. The character build that I am planning is 2 levels of monk and 18 levels of psychic warrior. I would like to make a “psychic” monk. Thematically I think the use of “Ki” and Psionic power mesh together nicely. Campaign setting: Ptolus After naming my character Johan Preston, as a nod to Christian Bale in Equilibrium and the “Tetragramaton Clerics” There was some joking I should just pick two weapon fighting and exotic weapon proficiency: dragon pistol. (The campaign setting has “guns”) Character stats: Str: 14 Dex: 14 Con: 14 Int: 13 Wis: 18 Cha: 13 Skills: Concentration: 5 ranks, Knowledge Religion: 1 rank, Listen 5 ranks, Sense motive 5 ranks, Spot 5 ranks, Tumble 5 ranks, CC Auto Hypnosis 2 ranks. At 1st level I chose the Decisive strike alternative class feature from the PHB 2 instead of Flurry of blows. Feats: Stunning fist, Improved grapple, Versatile unarmed strike, Combat reflexes. Now I am leveling up for third level. I am going to take the character’s 1st level of psychic warrior and I can use a little advice. For third level I plan to spend skills Auto Hypnosis 3 ranks, Concentration 1 rank. For my characters remaining levels as my character advances in Psychic warrior, I plan to distribute my skills as follows: 1 rank in concentration, and 1 rank in Auto hypnosis and I plan to buy 1 rank in tumble, I expect to pay the Cross class price of 2 points. I have two feats to pick. I plan to take Tashalatora and I am not sure about the second one. I have planned a feat progression but I am not sure about it. Alternate class feature Decisive strike (PHB 2) 1) 1st level Monk: Improved unarmed strike, Stunning fist, 1) Human: Improved grapple, Versatile unarmed strike 2) Monk bonus feat: Combat reflexes 3) 1st level Psi Warrior: Weapon Prf: Simple, Martial, Armor Prf: Light, medium heavy 3) Tashaltora, 3) 1st Psi War. bonus feat: Power attack 4) 2nd Psi War. bonus feat: Cleave 6) fist of Iron (Complete warrior) 7) 5th psi war bonus feat: Psionic fist 9) Improved Natural attack 10) 8th psi wr bonus feat: Superior Unarmed strike (Tome of battle) 12) Greater Psionic Fist 13) 11th Psi war bonus feat: Unavoidable strike 15) Instinctive consummator (Complete Psionic) 16) 14th psi war bonus feat: Psionic meditation 18) Psionic body 19) 17 psi war bonus feat: Freezing the lifeblood (complete warrior) Lets see the books I have access to the following psionic sources: Expanded Psionics handbook, Complete Psionic (blah), Hyperconsciousness, Untapped Potential, Secrets of Sarlona. WOTC books: PHB, DMG, MM, Miniatures handbook, PHB 2, DMG 2, Races: Dragons, Stone, Wild, Destiny, Eberon, Environment: sand frost storm city dungeon. Complete: warrior, ToB, Adventurer, Rogue, Devine, Champion, Arcane, and Mage. I also have access to most of the FR books and the Eberon books In addition to that most of the monster books i.e. book of aberrations. The game is being run in the local game store on “game night”. There is an “open door” policy. In other words, if you show up and want to play you can. I am looking to make a “balanced” character. I know that balanced is subjective. Basically the DM is entirely unfamiliar with Psionics and I will probably be the “table expert” on the subject. Fortunately or Unfortunalty we do have a resident power gamer. I’m not him. The general policy is to let anything in which is in a published Wotc book. The DM I think is a little leery of Psionics, because he is completely unfamiliar with them. I think he will let me run a psionic character because he trusts me not to abuse the system. If possible I cold use little advice on a psychic warrior “unarmed striking monk” build What powers should I choose feats prestige classes etc? Also and more importantly I need a little advice on both introducing psionics to a skeptical Dm, and also on how to keep the game running smoothly, so it doesn’t grind to a halt every time it is my characters turn. I am hoping some other players might find psionics interesting, if I am able to demonstrate the simplicity and elegance of the psionic system by playing it. Any thoughts on a better class build, better skill selection, better feat selection, and power selections would be welcome. Prestige class as well. How about the fists of Dal Quor? Fist of Zuoken? I am in need of a little advice thanks. Also I need a little advice on how to introduce psionics, and keep things running smoothly. I would like to be able to play with my toys, and to continue to be able to play with them. Thanks.
The_Rob 03-16-08, 05:10 PM	Given your current plans, I would suggest you take Monk until at least level 6, then start on Psionic Fist. Personally, I would take it at level 7 as well in order to get Wholeness of Body, but that is up to you. Reason to take it so high is to meet the pre-req (take wild talent at level 6 as character level bonus feat) because you continue advancing your monk's bonuses to unarmed damage, unarmoured speed and bonuses to AC which would prove to be very advantageous. You'll gain a couple bonus feats with this class too, but not as many as psychic warrior obviously. I think it's a worthwhile sacrifice.
calronmoonflower 03-16-08, 05:37 PM	Check out the Tashalatora feat from Secrets of Sarlona. It does have a prerequisite feat, but will work better than Greater Unarmed Strike.
The_Mess 03-16-08, 09:27 PM	Somebody has to mention the Enlightened Monk from Dreamscarred Press. But it won't be me! If I was going to mention it, I'd point out it's a neat psionic variation on the standard monk. Too bad I'm not.
Fireclave 03-17-08, 12:59 AM	Also and more importantly I need a little advice on both introducing psionics to a skeptical Dm The stickies at the top of the psionics forum are a good place to get familiar with some of the common questions and misconceptions about 3.5 psionics. The FAQ is especially helpful and full of equally helpful links. Particularly, the New DM's and Player's Guide to Psionics (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=486266). also on how to keep the game running smoothly, so it doesn’t grind to a halt every time it is my characters turn. This shouldn't be an issue. Just make sure you have a good idea of how the psionic rules work before you use them and a cheat sheet with pages references to rules your DM might have questions about (augmentation, max pp usage, psionic focus, ect), and you should be fine.
Orenmir 03-17-08, 11:06 AM	I wouldn't bother with Cleave. I'm not even certain Power Attack is necessary -- at low levels, you'll already have an attack penalty, AND you have medium BAB. Then, you can grab Psionic Fist and other feats earlier.
Scion of Coldshard 03-17-08, 01:36 PM	Along with suggesting tashalatora again, as it was mentioned earlier, I would suggest looking at the warmind prc. Monk 6/Warmind 10 with Tashalatora would be a lot of fun ;) I would also suggest picking up the combat focus feats from the phb 2. I would suggest my combat trance feats but they are homebrewed and so most likely not a viable option.. even though they would be absolutely perfect for the character you want to make..lol Still though, Monk 6/Warmind 10 + combat focus/combat stability/combat vigor/combat awareness + practiced manifester + overchannel + tashalatora would be a whole lot of fun. If you need a couple extra feats, and that is pretty likely, then Monk 4/psychic warrior 2/warmind 10 should get you there. You can do without the psionic fist, power attack, and cleave though.. they just arent all that helpful to the build. Sweeping strike with the warmind will be much more effective than all three of those put together anyway. Dont worry about versitile unarmed strike, instead grab the gauntlets of the talon relic item. You need to use a feat to get all of its abilities anyway but the pile of abilities you gain are much, much better than the versitile unarmed strike feat ;)