Ranged vs. Melee (Natural) vs. Melee (Manufactured) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Ranged vs. Melee (Natural) vs. Melee (Manufactured) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Tectorman
01-14-08, 12:09 PM There are three Psionics feat series that divide into the three categories listed above: Psionic Fist, Unavoidable Strike, and Greater Psionic Fist for Melee (things a physical part of your body); Psionic Weapon, Deep Impact, and Greater Psionic Weapon for Melee (Manufactured); and Psionic Shot, Fell Shot, and Greater Psionic Shot (and Return Shot) for Ranged.

I'm finalizing a base class themed around this, but I need to know how to start. Point Blank Shot, being a prerequisite for the ranged feats anyway, seems like the logical choice for the Ranged category. Improved Unarmed Strike, though not a prerequisite, makes since for the Melee (Not Manufactured) category.

So what would go for the Melee (Manufactured) category? I need something low-level (this is at level 1 of a base class, remember), about the same balance as PBS and IUS, and can reasonably be applied across the whole of the category. I was originally thinking Weapon Focus (any melee manufactured weapon), but it seems to be too limiting (only one weapon, whereas PBS applies to all ranged attacks, and IUS, while only one weapon, is the base feat that serves as a prerequisite for a whole slew of feats). Weapon Focus serves as the basis of a feat tree, but most of the feats I can think of are all Fighter-only feats.

Offhand, I was thinking Weapon Focus, but with Weapon Aptitude, but with Weapon Aptitude only working on changing Weapon Focus (i.e., Weapon Focus with one weapon, change it after an hour, but you wouldn't be able to change any other feats this way, not even feats like Weapon Specialization {without levels in Warblade, of course}, but changing Weapon Focus would only make the other feats unaccessible for the time being), but this approach requires a lot of explaining.

Help.
Saiyamantis
01-14-08, 06:55 PM Blind-Fight: Melee only ability. Also benefits unarmed strikes, but so does the Psionic Weapon tree.

Power Attack: Synergizes with the Str 13 prerequisite. Same drawback as Blind-Fight. Probably your best bet.

Quick Draw: Applies to melee weapons but not unarmed strikes. Also benefits ranged weapons, but shouldn't be a problem if the class encourages melee enough.

I can understand why you're trying to avoid Weapon Focus, but remember that most characters tend to stick to one weapon anyway. If you really want a feat that leads up to the psionic feat tree, add a restriction that they only work if you have Weapon Focus for that weapon. Most people won't care.
Tectorman
01-16-08, 12:26 PM (Looks at the PHB, looking for a feat that serves as the base of a feat tree, benefits melee over ranged (and weapons over natural stuff), and doesn't require levels in another class to benefit the feat tree. Fails to see Power Attack.)

Will Smith, I, Robot: You are the dumbest smart person I have ever met!

I probably will go with PA. Anything else?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Tectorman 01-14-08, 12:09 PM	There are three Psionics feat series that divide into the three categories listed above: Psionic Fist, Unavoidable Strike, and Greater Psionic Fist for Melee (things a physical part of your body); Psionic Weapon, Deep Impact, and Greater Psionic Weapon for Melee (Manufactured); and Psionic Shot, Fell Shot, and Greater Psionic Shot (and Return Shot) for Ranged. I'm finalizing a base class themed around this, but I need to know how to start. Point Blank Shot, being a prerequisite for the ranged feats anyway, seems like the logical choice for the Ranged category. Improved Unarmed Strike, though not a prerequisite, makes since for the Melee (Not Manufactured) category. So what would go for the Melee (Manufactured) category? I need something low-level (this is at level 1 of a base class, remember), about the same balance as PBS and IUS, and can reasonably be applied across the whole of the category. I was originally thinking Weapon Focus (any melee manufactured weapon), but it seems to be too limiting (only one weapon, whereas PBS applies to all ranged attacks, and IUS, while only one weapon, is the base feat that serves as a prerequisite for a whole slew of feats). Weapon Focus serves as the basis of a feat tree, but most of the feats I can think of are all Fighter-only feats. Offhand, I was thinking Weapon Focus, but with Weapon Aptitude, but with Weapon Aptitude only working on changing Weapon Focus (i.e., Weapon Focus with one weapon, change it after an hour, but you wouldn't be able to change any other feats this way, not even feats like Weapon Specialization {without levels in Warblade, of course}, but changing Weapon Focus would only make the other feats unaccessible for the time being), but this approach requires a lot of explaining. Help.
Saiyamantis 01-14-08, 06:55 PM	Blind-Fight: Melee only ability. Also benefits unarmed strikes, but so does the Psionic Weapon tree. Power Attack: Synergizes with the Str 13 prerequisite. Same drawback as Blind-Fight. Probably your best bet. Quick Draw: Applies to melee weapons but not unarmed strikes. Also benefits ranged weapons, but shouldn't be a problem if the class encourages melee enough. I can understand why you're trying to avoid Weapon Focus, but remember that most characters tend to stick to one weapon anyway. If you really want a feat that leads up to the psionic feat tree, add a restriction that they only work if you have Weapon Focus for that weapon. Most people won't care.
Tectorman 01-16-08, 12:26 PM	(Looks at the PHB, looking for a feat that serves as the base of a feat tree, benefits melee over ranged (and weapons over natural stuff), and doesn't require levels in another class to benefit the feat tree. Fails to see Power Attack.) Will Smith, I, Robot: You are the dumbest smart person I have ever met! I probably will go with PA. Anything else?