How is a 1st Level Psion/Wilder playable?

[Moonstone Spider]

I can't figure out how to use such a character at level 1.
The problem is the pitifully tiny power point reserve. Most games I've found my biggest ability score is a 16, which gives 1 extra power point for a total of 3. So you can do your mojo three times in a single day, which equates to once per battle at the upside. You have no BAB yet, your stats are caster-like, and your HD are little so trying to fight without your psionics is a losing proposition. Even better, when you spend your last power point you can't psionically focus anymore and thus can't use any of your psionic feats, so you most likely want to keep at least one point in reserve cutting you down to two "spells" a day.

Comparitively a Sorcerer has 5/3 spells and a wizard has 3/1, and will both get +1/+1 to those from the similar ability score. Those 5-10 spells can be reasonably spread out across a few battles but switching to a psion I find myself terrified of running out of power. This goes away by level 2 when you get 6 points as a base and probably 2 more from an attribute, but how do you survive level 1?

 

[IcyCool]

Comparitively a Sorcerer has 5/3 spells and a wizard has 3/1, and will both get +1/+1 to those from the similar ability score.

Compared to the Psion's 0/3 (or more, if you take a psionic race).

Those 5-10 spells can be reasonably spread out across a few battles but switching to a psion I find myself terrified of running out of power. This goes away by level 2 when you get 6 points as a base and probably 2 more from an attribute, but how do you survive level 1?

3 1st level psionic powers per day, and extra hitpoints from Psionic Body aren't too shabby. Not to mention the fact that you can wear armor, and you can also do what the 1st-level wizard or sorcerer (who is more fragile than you) does, and carry a crossbow.

 

[Haffrung Helleyes]

The Sorcerer and Wizard's 0 level spells are no more useful in battle than his crossbow. So, it isn't really fair to include them in the comparision.

Ken

 

[Moonstone Spider]

At level 1, I find Daze to be a Bread and Butter spell for sorcerers/wizards. Often it's significantly more useful than, say, magic missile. Touch of Fatigue can be pretty handy too although the touch range negates a lot of mileage.

 

[Henry]

There are a large number of things you can do to alleviate this:

1) Take the "Natural Talent" feat (I think it's called) - the one that will give you 1 extra power point. 4 points at first level is plenty. Assuming you play a human, take it TWICE - you've now got 6 points at first level!

2)Take Point blank shot (and if human, psionic shot). The extra point of attack and damage goes a long way, and psionic shot will absolutely kill the heck out of almost all first level enemies you encounter.

3) Play a psionic race, such as eladrin, or my personal favorite, kalashtar (if allowed).

4) See if you can bargain with the DM to give up one or more of your racial abilities in exchange for 1 bonus power point. You can explain it as childhood training in the psionic arts, which took up time that you would have used training in other areas (like the weapon proficiency for elves, the diplomacy and favored class bonus for half-eleves, the spell-like abilities of gnomes, etc.)

 

[Blightersbane]

How? How is a Sorcerer or a Wizard? The Psions power selection is somewhat limited when compared to a Wizards, a Wizard with a 16 int cast 1 1st level spell with no armor. A 1st Psion with 16 int has 3 powers to chose from and 3 points, which means he can manefest 1 power 3 times or all 3 powers 1/each.

Below is a potent 1st level pc who could/would hang in there with any 1st level group.

Feats: Point Blank Shot, Psionic Shot, Imp Init or enlarge power
Powers: Entangling Ecto Plasm, Mind Thrust & Vigor

approx. every other round he fires a bolt 1d8+2d6 damage
Vigor gives him as much hit points as the party fighter
His armor protects him as much as the party fighter
use ent ecto vs BBEG and let the party Rogue kill him w/ sneak attacks
Mind Thrust when your loading your X bow when applicable

Blightersbane

 

[Henry]

Below is a potent 1st level pc who could/would hang in there with any 1st level group.

Feats: Point Blank Shot, Psionic Shot, Imp Init or enlarge power
Powers: Entangling Ecto Plasm, Mind Thrust & Vigor

I totally forgot about the extra feat! Thanks for reminding me! That makes it even easier.

 

[Plane Sailing]

He is certainly no weaker than a 1st level wizard or sorcerer, and he probably has more options (considering his flexibility and number of powers known).

And what is wrong with a heavy or light crossbow? His +0 BAB is just the same as the monk, cleric, rogue etc, and only 1 point below that of the fighter. He is a fine missile combatant when he runs out of power (just like the wizard or sorcerer, in fact)

 

[Thanee]

Comparitively a Sorcerer has 5/3 spells and a wizard has 3/1, and will both get +1/+1 to those from the similar ability score.

It's +0/+1 actually. Not that one more or less 0th-level spell makes any difference, though.

Those 5-10 spells...

They have 4 (sorcerer) and up to 3 (wizard) spells. The rest are cantrips and no big difference to just doing nothing at all.

...but how do you survive level 1?

The same way as everyone else... get a crossbow (in your case, you can even wear armor, which arcanists cannot without additional downsides to their casting ability), stay out of the way, only use powers when you really need them.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Stalker0]

Yep, level 1 is a great equalizer in combat ability. A psion/sorc/wizard whatever with a decent dex (which you want for AC and ranged touch anyway) and a crossbow can do about as much damage as anyone except a pure fighter class.