Non-Core Class Survivor: Round 3

[Desdichado]

I'd like to see the soulknife take his long walk off a pier sometime, too.

I'd like to see the Soulknife tweaked just a tiny bit and retained. I love the idea of the soulknife. Probably the only psionic class I'd be interested in playing, except I think that it's a tiny bit underwhelming as is.

 

[Jefe Bergenstein]

I'm playing a rogue/swashbuckler right now that I'm quite enjoying.

Its ok for a few levels as a multiclass combo (until you can take a prc), but as a 20 level class, its severely lacking.

 

[Desdichado]

I'll agree with that. I've got 4? 5? (I need to double check) levels of it with a commensurate number of Rogue levels. And frankly, I'm seriously thinking of not taking anymore Swashbuckler levels at all.

 

[I'm A Banana]

This round, Incarnum.

Next round, perhaps Artificer. Because a class whose entire schtick is "I make magic items!" is just begging you to have years of pointless downtime while he crafts. And introducing a class to patch how one race is broken does not a good excuse make.

 

[Rystil Arden]

It's still 2-20 damage for a 1st level character. there is no other character that can replicate this level of damage at that point in the game, or for several levels after that...

This is blatantly untrue. 2d10 (which requires two feats to do without burning yourself and then a full-round action to maybe get back your focus if you want to try again, plus you burn all your PP except the bonus ones to do it) at level 1 isn't that great. It averages to 11 damage, Will negates. The Barbarian with his Greatsword would have to start the game with 14 Strength to not average this (which means 10 Strength before Rage if we include Rage) on each hit, which he can do every round, without a feat or a full-round recharge, the whole day long.

 

[jcfiala]

I'll agree with that. I've got 4? 5? (I need to double check) levels of it with a commensurate number of Rogue levels. And frankly, I'm seriously thinking of not taking anymore Swashbuckler levels at all.

I'm more fond of the Duellist PC, at least for a few levels, myself. I like the Precise Strike ability, and the extra AC from your int doesn't hurt any.

 

[I'm A Banana]

Not to mention that a will save is totally useless on a good 1/3 of the enemies you meet, meaning you just wasted your turn, bucko!

Sorry (P)SH, I just can't agree with your idea of what breaks the game. D&D is definately robust enough to put up with 2d10 Will negates damage at level 1 (also doesn't work against mindless things -- vermin, undead, constructs...). Potent? Sure. Like a barbarian's rage or a rogue's sneak attack. But it's not even close to flawed, let alone to the point of outcry.

 

[Glyfair]

The Wilder, Soulborn and Swashbuckler leave us this round. On to round 4.

 

[airwalkrr]

It's still 2-20 damage for a 1st level character. there is no other character that can replicate this level of damage at that point in the game, or for several levels after that...

Not so. I'll show you how.

Half-Orc Sorcerer (or Wizard) with Fist of Stone, 20 Strength, and Fullblade proficiency
2d8+12 points of damage per hit
Booya!

Since Mind thrust is a 1st level power, it only takes 1 power point to manifest, and if he overchannels it, that does not increase the manifesting cost, it just takes 1d8 hitpoints from him.

Say what now!? You had better read the Overchannel description a bit more carefully.

OVERCHANNEL [PSIONIC]
You burn your life force to strengthen your powers.
Benefit: While manifesting a power, you can increase your effective manifester level by one, but in so doing you take 1d8 points of damage. At 8th level, you can choose to increase your effective manifester level by two, but you take 3d8 points of damage. At 15th level, you can increase your effective manifester level by three, but you take 5d8 points of damage.
The effective increase in manifester level increases the number of power points you can expend on a single power manifestation, as well as increasing all manifester level-dependent effects, such as range, duration, and overcoming power resistance.
Normal: Your manifester level is equal to your total levels in classes that manifest powers.

(emphasis my own)

A 1st-level human psion with an Int of 15 can do this ONCE. And there is a pretty big risk of him going unconscious in the process.

 

[genshou]

Not so. I'll show you how.

Half-Orc Sorcerer (or Wizard) with Fist of Stone, 20 Strength, and Fullblade proficiency
2d8+12 points of damage per hit
Booya!

Is it possible to be proficient with a fullblade with a Base Attack of +0?