I'll start by saying I've done a lot of research through these and the brilliant gems boards. Carnivore's handbook was very helpful, but it didn't address my conundrum.
I've only ever played one psionic :coolcthul character in the d20 ethos.it was in 3.0, and just about everything has changed, as y'all already know.
The campaign I will be joining friday is based in the athas.org Darksun uni. He is only allowing base books for it, including the XPH.
The problem I am having ,is deciding between the Shaper and the telepath. I've loved mindbender type characters in the past, and the telepath seems to fit the roll, how ever it seems like it will be a very poor combat experience for 3 levels using something similar to carnivore's build. Atleast, thats how it seems to a Psion noob.
The shaper however is very interesting, but since we are starting at lvl 1, I'm not sure how well it will work either, and I'd be giving up any mindbending chances. Oh, and I have no idea about what tricks can be done with minor creation, it seems some people are allowed to craft poison grenades etc ?
To make a long post shorter, I'm dying to figure out some nice combinations of powers, and feats etc.
I've always appreciated y'alls craft, I'm terrible at CO so its very amazing to me seeing it done with such skill.
Thanks in advance,
MooNinja
:D
I'm not all that familiar with new Darksun material, we used to play it back in 2nd edition, though. The thing that turns me off from Telepaths is that so many creatures are immune to their best powers. Just make sure you're not entirely reliant on mind-affecting powers and you should be ok, though. Cover your bases.
I've played shapers from level 2 and had fun and was effective. Here is a thread on my experiences. It works better if you can be a warforged because you can heal yourself and are immune to any poison you make, but you can certainly be effective with other races.
I'm not all that familiar with new Darksun material, we used to play it back in 2nd edition, though. The thing that turns me off from Telepaths is that so many creatures are immune to their best powers. Just make sure you're not entirely reliant on mind-affecting powers and you should be ok, though. Cover your bases.
DS has evolves quite a bit since I played it in 2nd as well. Athas.org has been given the official rights to carry it on it seems, and they have been updating the rulebooks etc.
Warforged units would be a no go, they aren't in DS. I saw that before, and was thinking of how awesome a Warforged Shaper would be.
OH and I am thrilled to have the great Carnivore working on something for me!! Woot!
Thanks again guys, this is my first foray into gaming in over a year. So I am kinda nervous about rolling up a really noobish character
Just make sure that you have something to do after your power points run out (e.g. use a bow if you're an elf, or maybe make/buy some power stones of something useful).
1)Darksun Psionics are Different... no Magic Transparency
2)there are several very nice New Powers to look at at Athas.org
3)Psiologist is awesome.... take it as soon as you can... Psion 10/ Psiologist 10 is excellent
4)Environmental Dangers are very deadly.... tactics for Sandstorm work well in this environment as well
:D
Seris Damaru, Male Human Telepath1: CR 1; Medium Humanoid ; HD 1d4+1(Psion) ; hp 5; Init +0; Spd 30; AC:12 (Flatfooted:12 Touch:10); Atk +-1 base melee, +0 base ranged; -4 (1d8, Crossbow, light); -1 (1d4-1, Dagger); AL N; SV Fort +1, Ref +0, Will +3; STR 8, DEX 10, CON 12, INT 16, WIS 13, CHA 14.
Skills: Bluff +6, Concentration +5, Diplomacy +6, Knowledge (Psionics) +7, Psicraft +7, Sense Motive +5.
Feats: Psicrystal Affinity, Psionic Body, Psionic Talent 1st.
Spells Known (Psion): 1st -- Charm, Psionic, Empathy, Entangling Ectoplasm.
Possessions:
Weapons: Dagger (2 gp); Dagger (2 gp); Dagger (2 gp); Dagger (2 gp); Dagger (2 gp); Crossbow, light (35 gp); Bolts, crossbow (10) (1 gp); Bolts, crossbow (10) (1 gp).
Armor: Leather (10 gp).
Goods: Coin: gp (22) (22 gp); Coin: sp (10) (10 sp).
The Psiologist is definitely in consideration, it seems awesome, which I guess it better be with a 5 feat investment. I'm pretty iffy on the powers, Charm and Ecto seem sound. However, the empathy would help my face roll, but I don't know if that can be achieved ok with selective charms, and warm dice.
Second level I am looking to continue with Carnivore's build with the Crystal Shard power, and the other
Wish i could take illithid heritage.since it looks like you are using a 25 point buy ... try this:
Human
Lawful Neutral
Telepath 1
8 Str
10 Dex
10 Con
16 Int
13 Wis
14 Cha
or
1/2 Elf Shaper 1
1/2 Elf racial traits
Half-Elf Racial Traits
• +2 Dexterity, –2 Charisma: Half-elves are limber like their Elven parents, but their upbringing leaves them with a poor sense of self, and affects their relations with others.
9
•‖Humanoid‖(elf):‖Half-elves are humanoid creatures with the elf subtype.
•‖Medium:‖As‖Medium‖creatures,‖half-elves have no bonuses or penalties due to size.
•‖Half-elf base land speed is 30 feet.
•‖Half-elves have low-light vision as described in the Player’s Handbook.
•‖Half-elves gain a +2 racial bonus to Disguise checks when impersonating elves or humans.
•‖+1‖racial‖bonus‖on‖Listen,‖Search‖and‖Spot‖checks.‖Half-elves have keen senses, but not as keen as those of an elf.
•‖+2‖racial‖bonus‖on‖all‖Survival‖and‖Handle‖Animal‖checks. Half-elves spend a lot of time in the wilds of the tablelands.
•‖Elven Blood:‖For‖all‖effects‖related‖to‖race,‖a‖half-elf is considered an elf. Half-elves, for example, are just as vulnerable to effects that affect elves as their elf ancestors are, and they can use magic items that are only usable by elves.
•‖Automatic‖Languages:‖Common‖and‖Elven.‖
Bonus‖Languages: Any.
•‖Favored‖Class:‖Any.‖When determining whether a multiclass half-elf takes an experience point penalty, his highest–level class does not count when determining whether he takes an experience point for multiclassing.
• +2 Dexterity, –2 Charisma: Half-elves are limber like their Elven parents, but their upbringing leaves them with a poor sense of self, and affects their relations with others.
9
•‖Humanoid‖(elf):‖Half-elves are humanoid creatures with the elf subtype.
•‖Medium:‖As‖Medium‖creatures,‖half-elves have no bonuses or penalties due to size.
•‖Half-elf base land speed is 30 feet.
•‖Half-elves have low-light vision as described in the Player’s Handbook.
•‖Half-elves gain a +2 racial bonus to Disguise checks when impersonating elves or humans.
•‖+1‖racial‖bonus‖on‖Listen,‖Search‖and‖Spot‖checks.‖Half-elves have keen senses, but not as keen as those of an elf.
•‖+2‖racial‖bonus‖on‖all‖Survival‖and‖Handle‖Animal‖checks. Half-elves spend a lot of time in the wilds of the tablelands.
•‖Elven Blood:‖For‖all‖effects‖related‖to‖race,‖a‖half-elf is considered an elf. Half-elves, for example, are just as vulnerable to effects that affect elves as their elf ancestors are, and they can use magic items that are only usable by elves.
•‖Automatic‖Languages:‖Common‖and‖Elven.‖
Bonus‖Languages: Any.
•‖Favored‖Class:‖Any.‖When determining whether a multiclass half-elf takes an experience point penalty, his highest–level class does not count when determining whether he takes an experience point for multiclassing.
Tarandan Method
Prerequisites: Raam.
You have mastered the teachings of Tarandas, the Grey Lady, who first codified the psionic disciplines. The powers you manifest from your chosen discipline are harder to resist. Benefits: Add 2 to the save DC of powers from your chosen discipline.
That's just crazy! Who came up with that feat?
I wouldn't take both Empathy and Telempathic Projection, though. I'd go with Psionic Charm, Demoralize and something that works against undead (e.g. Psionic Grease or Entangling Ectoplasm).
That's just crazy! Who came up with that feat?
i dont know... i found it here:
http://www.athas.org/products/ds3 ... under the link to:
Chapter 3: Heroic Characteristics
I wouldn't take both Empathy and Telempathic Projection, though. I'd go with Psionic Charm, Demoralize and something that works against undead (e.g. Psionic Grease or Entangling Ectoplasm).
Psionic Charm is very nice especially with the Augments... but skills will be far more useful in this campaign world... Empathy gives info and Boosts skill checks, it will be very easy later to get Friendly with a Diplomacy Check... but Telempathic Projection will alter the Subject 1 category... and boost Skill checks... thus it will be far easier to get Fanatic(Very friendly and helpful) NPC earlier
its a Tossup between Psionic Grease or Entangling Ectoplasm .... i like Entangling Ecto
:D
On aside, what powers would you recommend for the shaper build ?
BTW We choose either use 27point buy, or roll. I think he meant 25, but i'll check with him again today when we game.
What do y'all think, roll or point buy ? I almost always go with the buy, but i could see some nice upside to a couple higher stats , in con and dex pretty much.
If we already have a face, what would you suggest ?
t
Thanks a ton for all the help!!!!
BTW We choose either use 27point buy, or roll. I think he meant 25, but i'll check with him again today when we game.
What do y'all think, roll or point buy ? I almost always go with the buy, but i could see some nice upside to a couple higher stats , in con and dex pretty much.
roll first.... if you get poor rolls... use the 27 Point Buy ....
If we already have a face, what would you suggest ?
t
Shaper is awesome for many things in Darksun .... Egoist is also very Nice for a Combat oriented Build
personally i would choose 1/2 Elf or Mul for race:
Mul racial traits
Mul Racial Traits
•‖+4‖Strength,‖+2‖Constitution,‖–2 Charisma: Combining the human height with the Dwarven musculature, muls end up stronger than either parent race, but their status as born–to–be slaves makes them insecure in their dealings with others.
•‖Humanoid‖(dwarf):‖Muls‖are‖humanoid‖creatures‖with the dwarf subtype.
•‖Medium:‖As‖Medium‖creatures,‖muls‖have‖no‖bonuses or penalties due to size.
•‖Mul‖base‖land speed is 30 feet.
•‖Darkvision:‖Muls‖can‖see‖in‖the‖dark‖up‖to‖30‖feet.‖Darkvision is black and white only, but is otherwise like normal sight, and muls can function just fine with no light at all.
•‖Tireless:‖Muls‖get‖a‖+4‖racial‖bonus‖to‖checks‖for‖performing a physical action that extends over a period of time (running, swimming, holding breath, and so on). This bonus stacks with the Endurance feat. This bonus may also be applied to savings throws against spells and magical effects that cause weakness, fatigue, exhaustion or enfeeblement.
•‖Extended‖Activity:‖Muls‖may‖engage‖in‖up‖to‖12‖hours of hard labor or forced marching without suffering from fatigue.
•‖Dwarven‖Blood:‖For‖all‖effects‖related‖to‖race,‖a‖mul‖is considered a dwarf. Muls, for example, are just as vulnerable to effects that affect dwarves as their dwarf ancestors are, and they can use magic items that are only usable by dwarves.
•‖Nonlethal‖Damage‖Resistance‖1/–. Muls are difficult to subdue, and do not notice minor bruises, scrapes, and other discomforts that pain creatures of other races.
•‖Favored‖Class:‖Gladiator.‖A‖multiclass‖mul’s‖gladiator class does not count when determining whether he takes an experience point for multiclassing.
•‖Automatic‖Language:‖Common.‖Bonus‖Languages:‖Dwarven, Elven, Gith, and Giant.
•‖Level‖Adjustment:‖+1.‖As‖a‖hybrid‖half-race, muls are considerably more powerful than either of their parent races, thus they gain levels more slowly.
•‖+4‖Strength,‖+2‖Constitution,‖–2 Charisma: Combining the human height with the Dwarven musculature, muls end up stronger than either parent race, but their status as born–to–be slaves makes them insecure in their dealings with others.
•‖Humanoid‖(dwarf):‖Muls‖are‖humanoid‖creatures‖with the dwarf subtype.
•‖Medium:‖As‖Medium‖creatures,‖muls‖have‖no‖bonuses or penalties due to size.
•‖Mul‖base‖land speed is 30 feet.
•‖Darkvision:‖Muls‖can‖see‖in‖the‖dark‖up‖to‖30‖feet.‖Darkvision is black and white only, but is otherwise like normal sight, and muls can function just fine with no light at all.
•‖Tireless:‖Muls‖get‖a‖+4‖racial‖bonus‖to‖checks‖for‖performing a physical action that extends over a period of time (running, swimming, holding breath, and so on). This bonus stacks with the Endurance feat. This bonus may also be applied to savings throws against spells and magical effects that cause weakness, fatigue, exhaustion or enfeeblement.
•‖Extended‖Activity:‖Muls‖may‖engage‖in‖up‖to‖12‖hours of hard labor or forced marching without suffering from fatigue.
•‖Dwarven‖Blood:‖For‖all‖effects‖related‖to‖race,‖a‖mul‖is considered a dwarf. Muls, for example, are just as vulnerable to effects that affect dwarves as their dwarf ancestors are, and they can use magic items that are only usable by dwarves.
•‖Nonlethal‖Damage‖Resistance‖1/–. Muls are difficult to subdue, and do not notice minor bruises, scrapes, and other discomforts that pain creatures of other races.
•‖Favored‖Class:‖Gladiator.‖A‖multiclass‖mul’s‖gladiator class does not count when determining whether he takes an experience point for multiclassing.
•‖Automatic‖Language:‖Common.‖Bonus‖Languages:‖Dwarven, Elven, Gith, and Giant.
•‖Level‖Adjustment:‖+1.‖As‖a‖hybrid‖half-race, muls are considerably more powerful than either of their parent races, thus they gain levels more slowly.
Thanks again, this is some prime information. Since reading your handbook, and doing research it kinda makes me sad that I've missed out on the XPH for this long. I'm actually dreading going to a 4e game, and not getting to use it.
you dont have to go with 4E.... there is a lot of cheap 3.5 material out there...even a lot of free stuff
just say NO to 4.0
:D