CleverNickName
Limit Break Dancing (He/They)
Seriously, you can make a psion using only the Core Rulebooks.
And there you have it. One psion, made entirely from Core Rulebook sources.
RACE
The character's race is less important, but you'll want to go with something that has a bonus to mental stats...preferably Charisma or Intelligence. I would go with Tiefling, but literally any other race will work. Whichever race you choose, be sure to describe him as being completely bald, with gray skin and tattoos on his scalp. That's important.
CLASS:
For his class: choose Sorcerer, and the Draconic bloodline. Choose your favorite color of dragon, I usually go with gold because fire is awesome. But--and this is important!--at any place on your character sheet where you would normally write "dragon" or "draconic," write "psychic" instead and never explain it further. The more you try to explain, the less mysterious (and more controversial) your psion becomes.
(Obviously, if your DM allows you to use non-Core rules, go with Aberrant Mind instead. But not all DMs do, and that's perfectly fine--it won't affect your build at all.)
SPELLS:
The spells are what make the sorc--I mean, psion, so pick the following at 1st level: firebolt, mage hand, message, and mending for your cantrips, and burning hands and shield for your 1st level spells. This will give you a nice, well rounded head-start on becoming any of the famous psion flavors (pyrokinetic, telekinetic, etc.) As you gain levels, choose spells that shape your character in the preferred direction. Like, if you want to become more of a pyrokinetic, choose fire-based spells like fireball and scorching ray. If you want to go more of a telekinetic route, choose levitate, fly, telekinesis, and so forth.
But whatever you do: do not ever call them spells. Not even once. This is non-negotiable, you must always call them "powers." You might want to invest in a PDF editor so that you can change the words on your character sheet. This is a huge sticking point that will cause arguments to no end, so whatever you do: train yourself to never say the word "spell." They are POWERS. Those aren't spell levels, they are POWER levels. That isn't a metamagic ability, it is a metaPOWER ability. You'll get the hang of it. And with you constantly correcting them at the table, the rest of the players will too.
For yourspell power focus, select the Orb but describe it as a rough-hewn mineral crystal.
FINISHING TOUCHES:
Now, you need to ask your DM if you can use variant rules in their campaign. Most will say 'yes' to feats and multiclassing, so while the door is open ask for Spell Points. If the DM already uses the Spell Points variant, insist on using the standard spell-slot version instead. This is important too, because as we all know, psions must use different mechanics for some reason. Be prepared to die on this hill.
And remember: they must never be called Spell points. You must call them POWER points, even if that risks confusion with Microsoft products.
When you select your starting equipment, be sure to describe your clothing as being made from a shimmery, unidentifiable fabric. And when you select your trinket, choose a small iron circlet with antennae, or maybe a symbol in the shape of an eye.
Your name must be at least 6 characters long, and must use the letters X, Q, and/or Z. Like Qelznix, or Zaxlaq.
Seriously: One of these is a sorcerer, and the other is a psion.
Can you spot the difference?
Neither can anyone else at the table.
The character's race is less important, but you'll want to go with something that has a bonus to mental stats...preferably Charisma or Intelligence. I would go with Tiefling, but literally any other race will work. Whichever race you choose, be sure to describe him as being completely bald, with gray skin and tattoos on his scalp. That's important.
CLASS:
For his class: choose Sorcerer, and the Draconic bloodline. Choose your favorite color of dragon, I usually go with gold because fire is awesome. But--and this is important!--at any place on your character sheet where you would normally write "dragon" or "draconic," write "psychic" instead and never explain it further. The more you try to explain, the less mysterious (and more controversial) your psion becomes.
(Obviously, if your DM allows you to use non-Core rules, go with Aberrant Mind instead. But not all DMs do, and that's perfectly fine--it won't affect your build at all.)
SPELLS:
The spells are what make the sorc--I mean, psion, so pick the following at 1st level: firebolt, mage hand, message, and mending for your cantrips, and burning hands and shield for your 1st level spells. This will give you a nice, well rounded head-start on becoming any of the famous psion flavors (pyrokinetic, telekinetic, etc.) As you gain levels, choose spells that shape your character in the preferred direction. Like, if you want to become more of a pyrokinetic, choose fire-based spells like fireball and scorching ray. If you want to go more of a telekinetic route, choose levitate, fly, telekinesis, and so forth.
But whatever you do: do not ever call them spells. Not even once. This is non-negotiable, you must always call them "powers." You might want to invest in a PDF editor so that you can change the words on your character sheet. This is a huge sticking point that will cause arguments to no end, so whatever you do: train yourself to never say the word "spell." They are POWERS. Those aren't spell levels, they are POWER levels. That isn't a metamagic ability, it is a metaPOWER ability. You'll get the hang of it. And with you constantly correcting them at the table, the rest of the players will too.
For your
FINISHING TOUCHES:
Now, you need to ask your DM if you can use variant rules in their campaign. Most will say 'yes' to feats and multiclassing, so while the door is open ask for Spell Points. If the DM already uses the Spell Points variant, insist on using the standard spell-slot version instead. This is important too, because as we all know, psions must use different mechanics for some reason. Be prepared to die on this hill.
And remember: they must never be called Spell points. You must call them POWER points, even if that risks confusion with Microsoft products.
When you select your starting equipment, be sure to describe your clothing as being made from a shimmery, unidentifiable fabric. And when you select your trinket, choose a small iron circlet with antennae, or maybe a symbol in the shape of an eye.
Your name must be at least 6 characters long, and must use the letters X, Q, and/or Z. Like Qelznix, or Zaxlaq.
Seriously: One of these is a sorcerer, and the other is a psion.
Can you spot the difference?
Neither can anyone else at the table.
And there you have it. One psion, made entirely from Core Rulebook sources.
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