A Quest for Essential Style Psionic Classes
- Thread starter Crowsion
- Start date
Rune
Once A Fool
My brother and I came up with a defender monk for him to play. Iit works similarly to the brawler fighter, but intercepts foes that move through an area (determined by Wis), rather than chasing after foes that move through an area (determined by Dex).
Once intercepted, the monk provokes an (free action) attack from the foe (probably with an AC bonus from a stance), which the foe must take in order to continue it's move. If the foe hits the monk, it may continue with its movement. If it misses, the monk gets to make an opportunity attack against the foe (modified by stance, of course), and it's movement is stopped.
That's the core defender mechanic. It's got other stuff to help it feel like more of a monk like a tithe mechanic, which can be used to replicate--and replace--the effects of magic items, or a ki action--which serves the role of power strike by granting an effective action point (but not a real action point, so no bonuses from warlords!) one or more times an encounter. This ki action cannot be used more than once a round, but may be used in the same round as a real action point. And, oh yeah--the flurry: Roll minimum damage on an attack, get another free action attack (not limited to one/turn!).
All of this makes for a very mobile-feeling, stunt-happy monk who does his job well, without overshadowing the rest of the party.
He's had a lot of fun with it.
Once intercepted, the monk provokes an (free action) attack from the foe (probably with an AC bonus from a stance), which the foe must take in order to continue it's move. If the foe hits the monk, it may continue with its movement. If it misses, the monk gets to make an opportunity attack against the foe (modified by stance, of course), and it's movement is stopped.
That's the core defender mechanic. It's got other stuff to help it feel like more of a monk like a tithe mechanic, which can be used to replicate--and replace--the effects of magic items, or a ki action--which serves the role of power strike by granting an effective action point (but not a real action point, so no bonuses from warlords!) one or more times an encounter. This ki action cannot be used more than once a round, but may be used in the same round as a real action point. And, oh yeah--the flurry: Roll minimum damage on an attack, get another free action attack (not limited to one/turn!).
All of this makes for a very mobile-feeling, stunt-happy monk who does his job well, without overshadowing the rest of the party.
He's had a lot of fun with it.
Tony Vargas
Legend
What do you mean by Essentials style? Extra fluff? Lack of dailies/multi-use-encounters? Sub-classes with different roles?
Psionics are already essentials-ish, since they deviated from the AEDU structure of 4e.
Psionics are already essentials-ish, since they deviated from the AEDU structure of 4e.
RangerWickett
Legend
I had an idea that I never fleshed out to make essential monks and ardents.
Monks would use basic attacks, be able to use Dex instead of Str, and would have 12 zodiac animal stances. You'd know, like, 2 stances at 1st level, and could pick up another stance every 5 levels. Each stance would modify your basic attack and give you access to a special move action.
Ardents would, again, use basic attacks, and they'd have mantles, similar to bardic music auras. And special psychic attacks.
Like I said, not terribly fleshed out.
Monks would use basic attacks, be able to use Dex instead of Str, and would have 12 zodiac animal stances. You'd know, like, 2 stances at 1st level, and could pick up another stance every 5 levels. Each stance would modify your basic attack and give you access to a special move action.
Ardents would, again, use basic attacks, and they'd have mantles, similar to bardic music auras. And special psychic attacks.
Like I said, not terribly fleshed out.
Yes, something that breaks away from the AEDU format.
Yes, you got the idea, something that's just a little different.
Yes, you got the idea, something that's just a little different.
