Menu
News
All News
Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
Pathfinder
Starfinder
Warhammer
2d20 System
Year Zero Engine
Industry News
Reviews
Dragon Reflections
White Dwarf Reflections
Columns
Weekly Digests
Weekly News Digest
Freebies, Sales & Bundles
RPG Print News
RPG Crowdfunding News
Game Content
ENterplanetary DimENsions
Mythological Figures
Opinion
Worlds of Design
Peregrine's Nest
RPG Evolution
Other Columns
From the Freelancing Frontline
Monster ENcyclopedia
WotC/TSR Alumni Look Back
4 Hours w/RSD (Ryan Dancey)
The Road to 3E (Jonathan Tweet)
Greenwood's Realms (Ed Greenwood)
Drawmij's TSR (Jim Ward)
Community
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions, OSR, & D&D Variants
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Resources
Wiki
Pages
Latest activity
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Downloads
Latest reviews
Search resources
EN Publishing
Store
EN5ider
Adventures in ZEITGEIST
Awfully Cheerful Engine
What's OLD is NEW
Judge Dredd & The Worlds Of 2000AD
War of the Burning Sky
Level Up: Advanced 5E
Events & Releases
Upcoming Events
Private Events
Featured Events
Socials!
EN Publishing
Twitter
BlueSky
Facebook
Instagram
EN World
BlueSky
YouTube
Facebook
Twitter
Twitch
Podcast
Features
Top 5 RPGs Compiled Charts 2004-Present
Adventure Game Industry Market Research Summary (RPGs) V1.0
Ryan Dancey: Acquiring TSR
Q&A With Gary Gygax
D&D Rules FAQs
TSR, WotC, & Paizo: A Comparative History
D&D Pronunciation Guide
Million Dollar TTRPG Kickstarters
Tabletop RPG Podcast Hall of Fame
Eric Noah's Unofficial D&D 3rd Edition News
D&D in the Mainstream
D&D & RPG History
About Morrus
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions, OSR, & D&D Variants
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.
Community
General Tabletop Discussion
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
Psychic Assassin
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="CustosObscurus" data-source="post: 2342212" data-attributes="member: 32992"><p>I recently got the 3e Psionics Handbook, and really liked it. The Soulknife in particular caught my eye. However, I didn't care much for the psion or the psychic warrior leading into the class, so I wanted it to be a 20 level base class. I heard that the 3.5 book did this, but it wasn't very good. So I started a new class: the Psychic Assassin. Basically, I wanted to make the equivalent of a psychic rogue, similar to the Psychic Warrior being similar to a, well, psychic fighter. This is my first draft, and I think that it's too powerful. Any advice on how to make it more... fair would be appreciated.</p><p></p><p>PS. I really don't like dead levels, so if there's a way to fix it without having levels with no special ability, it would be preferable.</p><p></p><p>EDIT: Here's the new version of the Psychic Stalker class:</p><p></p><p>Psychic Stalker</p><p>Class Description</p><p>Hit Die: d6</p><p>Starting Gold: 5d4*10 (125 gp)</p><p></p><p>Class Skills: Autohypnosis, Balance, Bluff, Climb, Disable Device, Disguise, Escape Artist, Gather Information, Hide, Intimidate, Jump, Listen, Move Silently, Open Lock, Search, Sense Motive, Sleight of Hand, Spot, Tumble, Use Magic Device, Use Psionic Device, Use Rope</p><p></p><p>Skill Points</p><p>At 1st Level: (4 + Int modifier) * 4</p><p>At Each Additional level: 4 + Int modifier</p><p></p><p>Class Features:</p><p>BAB Average</p><p>Fort Poor</p><p>Ref Good</p><p>Will Poor</p><p></p><p>Level Power Points </p><p>1 0</p><p>2 1</p><p>3 2</p><p>4 4</p><p>5 5</p><p>6 8</p><p>7 11</p><p>8 13</p><p>9 16</p><p>10 19</p><p>11 25</p><p>12 30</p><p>13 36</p><p>14 41</p><p>15 47</p><p>16 55</p><p>17 64</p><p>18 72</p><p>19 81</p><p>20 90</p><p></p><p>Bonus Power Point Modifier: Charisma</p><p></p><p>Level Powers Known</p><p>1 1</p><p>2 2</p><p>3 3</p><p>4 3</p><p>5 4</p><p>6 5</p><p>7 6</p><p>8 6</p><p>9 7</p><p>10 8</p><p>11 9</p><p>12 9</p><p>13 10</p><p>14 11</p><p>15 12</p><p>16 12</p><p>17 13</p><p>18 14</p><p>19 15</p><p>20 15</p><p></p><p>Level Max Level of Powers Known</p><p>1 1</p><p>2 1</p><p>3 1</p><p>4 1</p><p>5 1</p><p>6 2</p><p>7 2</p><p>8 2</p><p>9 2</p><p>10 2</p><p>11 3</p><p>12 3</p><p>13 3</p><p>14 3</p><p>15 3</p><p>16 4</p><p>17 4</p><p>18 4</p><p>19 4</p><p>20 4</p><p></p><p>Psychic Stalker Power list:</p><p> 1- Burst, Catfall, Chameleon, Compression, Conceal Thoughts, Control Light, Distract, Elfsight, Empty Mind, Float, Force Screen, Inertial Armor, Precognition (Defensive), Precognition (Offensive), Prevenom Weapon, Synesthete</p><p></p><p> 2- Animal Affinity, Body Equilibrium, Cloud Mind, Concealing Amorpha, Psionic Darkvision, Dimension Swap, Hustle, Psionic Levitate, Prowess, Sustenance, Thought Shield, Wall Walker</p><p></p><p> 3- Greater Concealing Amorpha, Danger Sense, Dimension Slide, Ectoplasmic Form, Empathic Feedback, Escape Detection, Mental Barrier, Ubiquitous Vision</p><p></p><p> 4- Psionic Dimension Door, Psionic Freedom of Movement, Inertial Barrier, Steadfast Perception</p><p></p><p>Level Special</p><p>1 Sharpen Blade, Bonus Psionic Feat</p><p>2 Sneak Attack +1d6</p><p>3 Evasion</p><p>4 Mind Blade 1d3</p><p>5 Sneak Attack +2d6 </p><p>6 Uncanny Dodge</p><p>7 Free Draw</p><p>8 Mind Blade 2d3, Sneak Attack +3d6</p><p>9 Throw Mind Blade</p><p>10 Improved Uncanny Dodge</p><p>11 Sneak Attack +4d6</p><p>12 Mind Blade 3d3</p><p>13 Improved Evasion</p><p>14 Sneak Attack +5d6</p><p>15 Imbed Power</p><p>16 Mind Blade 4d3</p><p>17 Sneak Attack +6d6</p><p>18 Hide in Plain Sight</p><p>19 Knife to the Soul</p><p>20 Mind Blade 5d3, Sneak Attack +7d6, Death Attack</p><p></p><p> A Psychic Stalker is proficient with all simple weapons.</p><p></p><p> Sharpen Blade: A psychic stalker can focus his mind on the edge of his weapon and enhance it's power. If a psychic stalker spends 1 power point, he can make his blade even sharper, which adds a +1 to damage with that weapon. This ability takes a move action, and lasts for 10 rounds. This ability stacks up to +5.</p><p></p><p> Sneak Attack: If you can catch an opponent by surprise, you can strike a vital point for more damage. Any time the target is denied their Dex bonus to AC (wether they have a Dex bonus or not) or if the target is flanked by the stalker, a sneak attack can be made. The extra damage is 1d6 at first level, and increases by 1d6 every 3 levels thereafter. Ranged attacks can be sneak attacks, but they must be made within 30 feet.</p><p></p><p> Evasion: If you make a reflex save against an attack that normally deals half damage on a successful save, you instead take no damage. Evasion can only be used if the stalker is wearing light or no armor. A helpless stalker does not have the benefit of evasion.</p><p></p><p> Mind Blade: As a move equivalent action, the stalker can create a semisolid weapon of any size and any color/shape you desire. As a move equivalent action you can change the color, size, or shape of your weapon. This blade is never considered a reach weapon or a ranged weapon despite the shape you choose. The blade can be broken (10 hardness, 10 hit points); however, you can simply create another one on your next move-equivalent action. The moment he releases his grip on the blade, it dissipates. The stalker may take weapon focus, Weapon specialization, or weapon finesse in conjunction with the mind blade. The stalker must have 1 power point in reserve to create the mindblade.</p><p>The blade is a light one-handed weapon that deals 1d3 slashing damage at fourth level, and gains +1d3 damage at every fourth level afterwards. Since the weapon is not completely real, your strength modifier doesn't apply to damage; instead, you add your Cha modifier to the damage dealt. A mind blade doesn't weigh anything. A mind blade will continue to function where psionics normally don't; such as a null psionics field. However, you have to make a concentration check (DC 15) to prevent it from dissipating. </p><p>A mindblade is considered a magic weapon for purposes of overcoming damage reduction.</p><p></p><p> Uncanny Dodge: You can react to danger before your regular senses would normally allow. You retain your Dex bonus to AC (if any) even if caught flat footed or struck by an invisible attacker.</p><p></p><p> Free Draw: You may create a Mind Blade as a free action rather than a move action.</p><p></p><p> Throw Mind Blade: A psychic stalker can throw his Mind Blade as a ranged weapon with a range increment of 30'. Wether or not the attack hits, a thrown mind blade then dissipates. The Assassin can make a sneak attack with a thrown Mind Blade and can use the blade in conjunction with other special abilities (such as embedding powers). You must have at least 1 power point in reserve to use this ability.</p><p></p><p> Improved Uncanny Dodge: You can no longer be flanked; you can react to opponents on opposite sides as easily as you can react to a single attacker. You also can't be sneak attacked while being flanked unless the attacker has at least 4 more levels than you.</p><p></p><p> Improved Evasion: This ability works like evasion, except that while the stalker still takes no damage on a successful reflex save, she now takes only half damage on a failed save. A helpless stalker does not gain the benefit of improved evasion.</p><p></p><p> Imbed Power: You can imbed one psionic power of 3rd level or lower that you know in your mind blade. This spell-like ability requires a move equivalent action, and the stalker must pay the cost of the power to imbed it. The power immediately affects the next target that the assassin successfully attacks with the mind blade, with no saving throw allowed. Even if the power normally affects an area or is a ray, it affects only the target. When the power is cast, the blade is ready to have another power cast on it. A mind blade can only have 1 power imbedded at a time.</p><p></p><p> Hide in Plain Sight: If you are within 10 feet of a shadow, you can attempt to make a hide check, even if you are being watched. If you succeed, you seem to just melt into the shadows.</p><p></p><p> Knife to the Soul: If you spend 15 power points, you can attack an opponent's life force directly. They get to make a will save (with a DC of your class level + your Cha modifier). If they fail, they take 1d6 points of Con damage. You can only perform this ability 3/day.</p><p></p><p> Death Attack: If a stalker studies his victim for 3 rounds and then makes a successful melee sneak attack, it has the additional effect of possibly paralyzing or killing the target (stalker's choice). While studying the target, the stalker can undertake other actions as long as his attention stays focused on the target and the target does not detect the stalker or recognize the stalker as an enemy. If the victim fails the saving throw (DC 10 + the stalker's class level + the stalker's Int modifier) he either dies or is paralyzed for 1d6 rounds + 1 round for each level of the stalker. If the victim's saving throw succeeds, the attack is just a normal sneak attack. The attempt must be made within 3 rounds of finishing the study. If it is not, you must study the target for another 3 rounds.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="CustosObscurus, post: 2342212, member: 32992"] I recently got the 3e Psionics Handbook, and really liked it. The Soulknife in particular caught my eye. However, I didn't care much for the psion or the psychic warrior leading into the class, so I wanted it to be a 20 level base class. I heard that the 3.5 book did this, but it wasn't very good. So I started a new class: the Psychic Assassin. Basically, I wanted to make the equivalent of a psychic rogue, similar to the Psychic Warrior being similar to a, well, psychic fighter. This is my first draft, and I think that it's too powerful. Any advice on how to make it more... fair would be appreciated. PS. I really don't like dead levels, so if there's a way to fix it without having levels with no special ability, it would be preferable. EDIT: Here's the new version of the Psychic Stalker class: Psychic Stalker Class Description Hit Die: d6 Starting Gold: 5d4*10 (125 gp) Class Skills: Autohypnosis, Balance, Bluff, Climb, Disable Device, Disguise, Escape Artist, Gather Information, Hide, Intimidate, Jump, Listen, Move Silently, Open Lock, Search, Sense Motive, Sleight of Hand, Spot, Tumble, Use Magic Device, Use Psionic Device, Use Rope Skill Points At 1st Level: (4 + Int modifier) * 4 At Each Additional level: 4 + Int modifier Class Features: BAB Average Fort Poor Ref Good Will Poor Level Power Points 1 0 2 1 3 2 4 4 5 5 6 8 7 11 8 13 9 16 10 19 11 25 12 30 13 36 14 41 15 47 16 55 17 64 18 72 19 81 20 90 Bonus Power Point Modifier: Charisma Level Powers Known 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 3 5 4 6 5 7 6 8 6 9 7 10 8 11 9 12 9 13 10 14 11 15 12 16 12 17 13 18 14 19 15 20 15 Level Max Level of Powers Known 1 1 2 1 3 1 4 1 5 1 6 2 7 2 8 2 9 2 10 2 11 3 12 3 13 3 14 3 15 3 16 4 17 4 18 4 19 4 20 4 Psychic Stalker Power list: 1- Burst, Catfall, Chameleon, Compression, Conceal Thoughts, Control Light, Distract, Elfsight, Empty Mind, Float, Force Screen, Inertial Armor, Precognition (Defensive), Precognition (Offensive), Prevenom Weapon, Synesthete 2- Animal Affinity, Body Equilibrium, Cloud Mind, Concealing Amorpha, Psionic Darkvision, Dimension Swap, Hustle, Psionic Levitate, Prowess, Sustenance, Thought Shield, Wall Walker 3- Greater Concealing Amorpha, Danger Sense, Dimension Slide, Ectoplasmic Form, Empathic Feedback, Escape Detection, Mental Barrier, Ubiquitous Vision 4- Psionic Dimension Door, Psionic Freedom of Movement, Inertial Barrier, Steadfast Perception Level Special 1 Sharpen Blade, Bonus Psionic Feat 2 Sneak Attack +1d6 3 Evasion 4 Mind Blade 1d3 5 Sneak Attack +2d6 6 Uncanny Dodge 7 Free Draw 8 Mind Blade 2d3, Sneak Attack +3d6 9 Throw Mind Blade 10 Improved Uncanny Dodge 11 Sneak Attack +4d6 12 Mind Blade 3d3 13 Improved Evasion 14 Sneak Attack +5d6 15 Imbed Power 16 Mind Blade 4d3 17 Sneak Attack +6d6 18 Hide in Plain Sight 19 Knife to the Soul 20 Mind Blade 5d3, Sneak Attack +7d6, Death Attack A Psychic Stalker is proficient with all simple weapons. Sharpen Blade: A psychic stalker can focus his mind on the edge of his weapon and enhance it's power. If a psychic stalker spends 1 power point, he can make his blade even sharper, which adds a +1 to damage with that weapon. This ability takes a move action, and lasts for 10 rounds. This ability stacks up to +5. Sneak Attack: If you can catch an opponent by surprise, you can strike a vital point for more damage. Any time the target is denied their Dex bonus to AC (wether they have a Dex bonus or not) or if the target is flanked by the stalker, a sneak attack can be made. The extra damage is 1d6 at first level, and increases by 1d6 every 3 levels thereafter. Ranged attacks can be sneak attacks, but they must be made within 30 feet. Evasion: If you make a reflex save against an attack that normally deals half damage on a successful save, you instead take no damage. Evasion can only be used if the stalker is wearing light or no armor. A helpless stalker does not have the benefit of evasion. Mind Blade: As a move equivalent action, the stalker can create a semisolid weapon of any size and any color/shape you desire. As a move equivalent action you can change the color, size, or shape of your weapon. This blade is never considered a reach weapon or a ranged weapon despite the shape you choose. The blade can be broken (10 hardness, 10 hit points); however, you can simply create another one on your next move-equivalent action. The moment he releases his grip on the blade, it dissipates. The stalker may take weapon focus, Weapon specialization, or weapon finesse in conjunction with the mind blade. The stalker must have 1 power point in reserve to create the mindblade. The blade is a light one-handed weapon that deals 1d3 slashing damage at fourth level, and gains +1d3 damage at every fourth level afterwards. Since the weapon is not completely real, your strength modifier doesn't apply to damage; instead, you add your Cha modifier to the damage dealt. A mind blade doesn't weigh anything. A mind blade will continue to function where psionics normally don't; such as a null psionics field. However, you have to make a concentration check (DC 15) to prevent it from dissipating. A mindblade is considered a magic weapon for purposes of overcoming damage reduction. Uncanny Dodge: You can react to danger before your regular senses would normally allow. You retain your Dex bonus to AC (if any) even if caught flat footed or struck by an invisible attacker. Free Draw: You may create a Mind Blade as a free action rather than a move action. Throw Mind Blade: A psychic stalker can throw his Mind Blade as a ranged weapon with a range increment of 30'. Wether or not the attack hits, a thrown mind blade then dissipates. The Assassin can make a sneak attack with a thrown Mind Blade and can use the blade in conjunction with other special abilities (such as embedding powers). You must have at least 1 power point in reserve to use this ability. Improved Uncanny Dodge: You can no longer be flanked; you can react to opponents on opposite sides as easily as you can react to a single attacker. You also can't be sneak attacked while being flanked unless the attacker has at least 4 more levels than you. Improved Evasion: This ability works like evasion, except that while the stalker still takes no damage on a successful reflex save, she now takes only half damage on a failed save. A helpless stalker does not gain the benefit of improved evasion. Imbed Power: You can imbed one psionic power of 3rd level or lower that you know in your mind blade. This spell-like ability requires a move equivalent action, and the stalker must pay the cost of the power to imbed it. The power immediately affects the next target that the assassin successfully attacks with the mind blade, with no saving throw allowed. Even if the power normally affects an area or is a ray, it affects only the target. When the power is cast, the blade is ready to have another power cast on it. A mind blade can only have 1 power imbedded at a time. Hide in Plain Sight: If you are within 10 feet of a shadow, you can attempt to make a hide check, even if you are being watched. If you succeed, you seem to just melt into the shadows. Knife to the Soul: If you spend 15 power points, you can attack an opponent's life force directly. They get to make a will save (with a DC of your class level + your Cha modifier). If they fail, they take 1d6 points of Con damage. You can only perform this ability 3/day. Death Attack: If a stalker studies his victim for 3 rounds and then makes a successful melee sneak attack, it has the additional effect of possibly paralyzing or killing the target (stalker's choice). While studying the target, the stalker can undertake other actions as long as his attention stays focused on the target and the target does not detect the stalker or recognize the stalker as an enemy. If the victim fails the saving throw (DC 10 + the stalker's class level + the stalker's Int modifier) he either dies or is paralyzed for 1d6 rounds + 1 round for each level of the stalker. If the victim's saving throw succeeds, the attack is just a normal sneak attack. The attempt must be made within 3 rounds of finishing the study. If it is not, you must study the target for another 3 rounds. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
General Tabletop Discussion
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
Psychic Assassin
Top