Psionic Fist Feat for Druid Shapechange

[Phasics]

Ok in an atempt to sqeeze some more dmg out of the PHB II druid how does this fair ? or am I wasting perfectly good feats ?

First Choose a race that naturally psionic or take wild talent feat (I'm not 100% clear but you only need a power point pool or psi like ability to become psionically focused , correct ??)

anyway we'll assume for moment char is nautally psionic and is a Druid

Now
1st lv
Psionic Fist (QUESTION: does bonus dmg apply to all attacks made in the round or jsut one??)
gets +2d6 upon psionic discharge.

3rd Lv
Psionic Meditation
can become focused as a move action

6th lv
Combat Casting
+4 CON check to become psi focused

9th lv
Greater Psionic Fist
gets +4d6 upon discharge


Now thats all well and good but will it actually work ? DC20 check to become focused each round is a hard target to hit early Conecntration = 4 , say a CON of 14 start you off with 6+1d20 to hit 20, maybe useful as a first strike attack and when you have a break between targets.

3rd level
concentration = 6 so 8+1d20 still going to come up short half of the time but since you only have one attack per round anyway spening you move action trying each round is no big deal

6th comabt casting
now we're getting somewhere concentration = 9 + 2 + 4 = 15+1d20 , 75% ok should start working more often and druid shapechange still only get one attack forms so move action can be taken without effecting number of attacks.

9th Greater Psionic Fist
concentration = 12 + 2+ 4 = 18+1d20 should work every round now , however now druid has a form with 3 attacks and will lose 2 attack to get psionic focus during move action. keeping in mind most of damage from druid shapechange forms comes from the STR buff +8 at this point.

12th and above feat to help avoid attacks of opporunity or at least make them easier to deal with

at higher levels number of attacks dropd back to 2 with 2x1d8+6(+12STR) and 2x2d6+8 (+16STR)
so basically you trading 7-14 and 10-20 dmg for 4-24 dmg

so once your level 16 and in elemntal fury form its not really worth it save for the fact you can do as much damage in a standard attack as you can in a full round attack.

In my mind this optimises for levels 6-15 with limited use outside thoes levels.

However its all great in theory is ther somthing I'm missing that will prevent me getting as much out of these feats as I'm trying to get which is basically a free 4d6 on every standard attack I make ?

thanks

 

[Bacris]

You can't take PsiMed at 3rd level, as it requires 7 ranks in Concentration. 6th level is the soonest you can get it without multiclassing.

I'd also recommend Skill Focus (Concentration) as opposed to Combat Casting. +3 vs +4, but good on ALL concentration checks, not just to become focused.

And psionic fist / weapon is only one attack, not all.

 

[wildstarsreach]

Ok in an atempt to sqeeze some more dmg out of the PHB II druid how does this fair ? or am I wasting perfectly good feats ?

First Choose a race that naturally psionic or take wild talent feat (I'm not 100% clear but you only need a power point pool or psi like ability to become psionically focused , correct ??)

anyway we'll assume for moment char is nautally psionic and is a Druid

Now
1st lv
Psionic Fist (QUESTION: does bonus dmg apply to all attacks made in the round or jsut one??)
gets +2d6 upon psionic discharge.

3rd Lv
Psionic Meditation
can become focused as a move action

6th lv
Combat Casting
+4 CON check to become psi focused

9th lv
Greater Psionic Fist
gets +4d6 upon discharge


Now thats all well and good but will it actually work ? DC20 check to become focused each round is a hard target to hit early Conecntration = 4 , say a CON of 14 start you off with 6+1d20 to hit 20, maybe useful as a first strike attack and when you have a break between targets.

3rd level
concentration = 6 so 8+1d20 still going to come up short half of the time but since you only have one attack per round anyway spening you move action trying each round is no big deal

6th comabt casting
now we're getting somewhere concentration = 9 + 2 + 4 = 15+1d20 , 75% ok should start working more often and druid shapechange still only get one attack forms so move action can be taken without effecting number of attacks.

9th Greater Psionic Fist
concentration = 12 + 2+ 4 = 18+1d20 should work every round now , however now druid has a form with 3 attacks and will lose 2 attack to get psionic focus during move action. keeping in mind most of damage from druid shapechange forms comes from the STR buff +8 at this point.

12th and above feat to help avoid attacks of opporunity or at least make them easier to deal with

at higher levels number of attacks dropd back to 2 with 2x1d8+6(+12STR) and 2x2d6+8 (+16STR)
so basically you trading 7-14 and 10-20 dmg for 4-24 dmg

so once your level 16 and in elemntal fury form its not really worth it save for the fact you can do as much damage in a standard attack as you can in a full round attack.

In my mind this optimises for levels 6-15 with limited use outside thoes levels.

However its all great in theory is ther somthing I'm missing that will prevent me getting as much out of these feats as I'm trying to get which is basically a free 4d6 on every standard attack I make ?

thanks

Nasty, worth consideration, but really better with a Psychic Warrior or Monk. I looked at similar feats for a replacement character in our last campaign. Good thinking and build.

 

[moritheil]

I'm pretty sure combat casting doesn't work.

You get a +4 bonus on Concentration checks made to cast a spell or use a spell-like ability while on the defensive or while you are grappling or pinned.

Obtaining focus is not casting a spell or using a SLA.

 

[Bacris]

There's a feat that grants a +4 to gain focus, pretty sure that's the one he meant.

 

[Phasics]

There's a feat that grants a +4 to gain focus, pretty sure that's the one he meant.

he's right I just couldnt find the name

its
************
Combat Manifestation [Psionic]

You are adept at manifesting powers in combat.
Benefit

You get a +4 bonus on Concentration checks made to manifest a power or use a psi-like ability while on the defensive or while you are grappling or pinned.
***********

however it dosent mention if its valid for becomming psionically focused , just manifesting or psi-like ability , although I guess becomming psionically focused is a psilike ability. If not then I would take skill focus concentration as suggested.

 

[Phasics]

You can't take PsiMed at 3rd level, as it requires 7 ranks in Concentration. 6th level is the soonest you can get it without multiclassing.

I'd also recommend Skill Focus (Concentration) as opposed to Combat Casting. +3 vs +4, but good on ALL concentration checks, not just to become focused.

And psionic fist / weapon is only one attack, not all.

Good pickup I'd therfore take the +4 or +3 to Concentration feat at 3rd and then Psi Med at 6th , unfortunly that does delay its full use in combat but then again I guess it really wouldnt be that effective until then anyway.

 

[Bacris]

The feat for gaining focus with a bonus is Narrow Mind.

NARROW MIND [PSIONIC]
Your ability to concentrate is as keen as an arrowhead, allowing you to gain your psionic focus even in the most turbulent situations.
Prerequisite: Wis 13.
Benefit: You gain a +4 bonus on Concentration checks you make to become psionically focused.

Either way, it's better to take Skill Focus

 

[wildstarsreach]

I'm pretty sure combat casting doesn't work.



Obtaining focus is not casting a spell or using a SLA.

Combat manifestation is applicable. Getting your focus back is a full round action. That is unless you have Psionic Meditation. Your Druid has at least a 13 Wis and would qualify to use a move action then. You would get 2 attempts if you failed the first time. Using a psychic focus makes a psionic effect. A psionic effect is still manifesting a power of some kind. I would allow Combat Manifestation to apply. Skill focus is worth taking as well.

 

[Bacris]

Combat manifestation is applicable. Getting your focus back is a full round action. That is unless you have Psionic Meditation. Your Druid has at least a 13 Wis and would qualify to use a move action then. You would get 2 attempts if you failed the first time. Using a psychic focus makes a psionic effect. A psionic effect is still manifesting a power of some kind. I would allow Combat Manifestation to apply. Skill focus is worth taking as well.

Gaining focus is not a psi-like ability or manifesting a power - it is using a skill. While you personally may allow it to work, by RAW, it doesn't. Either way, Skill Focus Concentration is superior, as it also works for channeling through any damage, for manifesting or using a skill on the defensive, and the like. There are far better feat options than Combat Manifesting / Narrow Mind.