What can I do to drop my opponent's saves? [Archive] - Wizards Community

What can I do to drop my opponent's saves? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
The_Rob
02-19-08, 10:07 PM Okay, I'm a level 3 psion (INT: 18) and we were fighting a band of goblins led by a bugbear. I augment Mind Thrust (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/powers/mindThrust.htm) to level 3 (which adds +1 to dc as well) plus I have Psionic Endowment (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/psionicFeats.htm#psionicEndowment) (adds +1 to save dc) and he succeeded his will save. Now, if he makes a high d20 roll his saves wouldn't even matter but I want to try to avoid this happening in the future. Is there anything I can do (besides greater psionic endowment - which I'll take next feat) to lower my opponent's saves?
Lycanthromancer
02-19-08, 10:17 PM Debuff them. Which kind of psion are you? Egoist, kineticist, nomad, seer, shaper, or telepath? Some of these have different options.

Sickening your foes (destiny dissonance) is a good option, as is entangling ectoplasm or psionic grease (Reflex only). You could charm your foes or use telempathic projection to convince them to drop their defenses entirely (though guess what? this requires a save!). You can also use demoralize, as shaken creatures get a penalty to saving throws, too.

There's always psionic minor creation to make a plant-based poison, or animal affinity to boost your save DCs.

Alchemical items are also available for your perusal.

If you have CPsi available and some feats to vomit away, there's always Illithid Heritage/Illithid Compulsion.

Alternately, you could resort to another power, such as matter agitation, that doesn't require a saving throw. Energy ray is your friend! (You do have a high Dex, right?)

If you're a shaper and have Use Psionic/Magic Device (and your DM rules that the two skills are transparent), you could always use scrolls of arcane and divine magic, as well.
The_Rob
02-20-08, 11:29 AM Int: 18, Dex: 16, Con: 16, Wis: 13 (going to bump it to 14 next level)

I don't have energy ray, but I will be taking energy missile next level. And I'm playing a kineticist.

I do have Entangling Ectoplasm but that doesn't lower saves. I can't get those other powers you mentioned, and demoralize gets a will saving throw as well, which is pretty much the same boat...
CrimsonDeath
02-20-08, 11:53 AM Too bad an Intimidate check with the intent to demoralize takes a standard action.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
The_Rob 02-19-08, 10:07 PM	Okay, I'm a level 3 psion (INT: 18) and we were fighting a band of goblins led by a bugbear. I augment Mind Thrust (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/powers/mindThrust.htm) to level 3 (which adds +1 to dc as well) plus I have Psionic Endowment (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/psionicFeats.htm#psionicEndowment) (adds +1 to save dc) and he succeeded his will save. Now, if he makes a high d20 roll his saves wouldn't even matter but I want to try to avoid this happening in the future. Is there anything I can do (besides greater psionic endowment - which I'll take next feat) to lower my opponent's saves?
Lycanthromancer 02-19-08, 10:17 PM	Debuff them. Which kind of psion are you? Egoist, kineticist, nomad, seer, shaper, or telepath? Some of these have different options. Sickening your foes (destiny dissonance) is a good option, as is entangling ectoplasm or psionic grease (Reflex only). You could charm your foes or use telempathic projection to convince them to drop their defenses entirely (though guess what? this requires a save!). You can also use demoralize, as shaken creatures get a penalty to saving throws, too. There's always psionic minor creation to make a plant-based poison, or animal affinity to boost your save DCs. Alchemical items are also available for your perusal. If you have CPsi available and some feats to vomit away, there's always Illithid Heritage/Illithid Compulsion. Alternately, you could resort to another power, such as matter agitation, that doesn't require a saving throw. Energy ray is your friend! (You do have a high Dex, right?) If you're a shaper and have Use Psionic/Magic Device (and your DM rules that the two skills are transparent), you could always use scrolls of arcane and divine magic, as well.
The_Rob 02-20-08, 11:29 AM	Int: 18, Dex: 16, Con: 16, Wis: 13 (going to bump it to 14 next level) I don't have energy ray, but I will be taking energy missile next level. And I'm playing a kineticist. I do have Entangling Ectoplasm but that doesn't lower saves. I can't get those other powers you mentioned, and demoralize gets a will saving throw as well, which is pretty much the same boat...
CrimsonDeath 02-20-08, 11:53 AM	Too bad an Intimidate check with the intent to demoralize takes a standard action.