Fist of Zuoken expanded to 20 levels?

[Staffan]

The thing is that the Fist of Zuoken is pretty much designed to give a mid-level monk some psionic powers (basically as a psychic warrior with more PP) instead of monk abilities. If using it as a core class, I'd just call it a Psychic Warrior, take the Claw powers, and call them Fists instead.

 

[Nifft]

How is the class sketched out above more complex than a Monk taking the FoZ PrC?

By complex I meant: you could balance it with the granted class abilites AND full PsiWar manifester progression, but you'd have to be really careful. Like, you could remove all the AC-boosting powers (inertial armor and force screen and ... what's it called ... defensive precognition? Anyway. Those.), but you'd still be left with the possibilty that the PsiMonk in question would take Expanded Knowledge (some AC-boosting power) and pooch that paricular balance scheme.

In the spirit of Complete Psionic, I think some PsiMonk-specific Augments would be a wise way to go about writing the class... leverage the power list, it's a great thing to have.

Also, if I may pimp my creation for a moment, take a peek at my Psychic Ninja base class. It's an attempt to make a Psionic Rogue with full manifester progression, and I think it's seen some use outside my game.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Erekose]

The thing is that the Fist of Zuoken is pretty much designed to give a mid-level monk some psionic powers (basically as a psychic warrior with more PP) instead of monk abilities. If using it as a core class, I'd just call it a Psychic Warrior, take the Claw powers, and call them Fists instead.

I think in a sense you've hit the nail on the head of what my original concept was - a class that is mainly the Monk but with some psionic powers. What I have to decide is whether or not Nifft's and your suggestion of using the Psychic Warrior with a customised powers list is the better option.

 

[Erekose]

. . . In the spirit of Complete Psionic, I think some PsiMonk-specific Augments would be a wise way to go about writing the class... leverage the power list, it's a great thing to have.

Thanks Nifft, the complexities of game balance may well make the decision for me and push me down your suggested route.

Also, if I may pimp my creation for a moment, take a peek at my Psychic Ninja base class. It's an attempt to make a Psionic Rogue with full manifester progression, and I think it's seen some use outside my game.

Thanks again - as hinted at earlier, I guess what I'm attempting to do is replace the core classes that are relevant for the version of Githzerai in my campaign with ones that have psionic powers integrated into them from 1st level onwards (as a way of highlighting the "otherworldly" qualities of the Gith). Principally this means replacements for the Fighter, Wizard/Sorcerer, Monk, and Rogue (only Gods can dispense Divine Magic in my campaign and the Githzerai have no gods).

As you can see, these are translated into the Psychic Warrior, Psion (again as a distinct difference between the "otherworld races" and the Material Plane races, the Gith are naturally psionic but have no arcane casting ability), the Psychic Monk, and the Psychic Rogue.