Tweaking a Soulknife

[Tetsubo]

I have an idea for a modified Soulknife character. Instead of a Mindblade, he uses a Mindstaff. Two-handed weapon that has a single attack at 1st level. The standard Soulknife can use the Mindblade and a shield. My modification means no shield but he would get the 1.5 x damage increase for using a two-handed weapon. When he would normally be able to form two Mindblades he would simply get two attacks with his Mindstaff just as a standard staff. The weapon damage increase (bastard sword form) would also apply to the Mindstaff when not used as a double weapon. Does this sound balanced? Should he get some sort of bonus for not using a shield or is the damage multiplier enough?

I would allow the Throw Mindblade ability to remain, though probably keep it Bludgeoning and just change the fluff to an 'energy' sphere or 'stick' (think Daredevil's baton). Yes, I know that clubs have a throwing range. Most people don't think of them as throwing weapons however. Even if they were used as such in the real world.

Any thoughts?

 

[Angellis_ater]

All that sounds really well enough - to be honest it even says that it is just a "short sword, mechanically" so it could easily look like a Quarterstaff. All weapons used in two hands get x1.5 Str modifier, so all you would essentially be doing is modifying it from piercing/slashing to bludgeoning. Not a big deal.

The bastard sword form could easily be called "Warrior's Staff" and since it generally is held in two hands (unless one spends a feat on EWP), once again the only REAL mechanical change you are making is changing it from slashing to bludgeoning.

Regarding the "throw" ability, why not have it simply extend? Make it look like extended range melee attacks? Works well, visually, with a quarterstaff.

 

[Dagredhel]

...Does this sound balanced? Should he get some sort of bonus for not using a shield or is the damage multiplier enough?

All that sounds really well enough - to be honest it even says that it is just a "short sword, mechanically" so it could easily look like a Quarterstaff. All weapons used in two hands get x1.5 Str modifier, so all you would essentially be doing is modifying it from piercing/slashing to bludgeoning. Not a big deal.

The two mechanical differences between a short sword and a quarterstaff are damage type (piercing vs. bludgeoning) and critical threat range (19-20 vs. 20.) I agree to the extent that you could call that an even trade.

However, both weapons are Light. This means that they do not do 1.5x Strength modifier damage even if wielded in two hands.

Allowing a mindblade to be treated as a two-handed weapon at 1st level actually offers a significant advantage, beyond the extra 0.5 Str modifier damage. It also means that Power Attack will also add damage at a 2:1 ratio.

Treating the mindblade as a two-handed weapon at 1st level might be considered too much, nevermind offering some additional benefit to "make up" for the choice not to use a shield.

On a different note, my suggestion would be to replace the Throw mindblade with Deflect Arrows and Spinning Defense in place of Multiple throw.

The feats would be gained without the need to satisfy the normal requirements, and Deflect Arrows could be used while wielding the Quarterstaff-shaped mindblade with two hands.

Spinning Defense
[General]
(DR331 p28)
Combat Expertise
Deflect Arrows

While wielding a Polearm during a Total Defense Action, you gain the following:
a) an additional +1 Dodge bonus to AC; and
b) you may use Deflect Arrows any number of times until your next turn, but you cannot use the Snatch Arrow (if you have it). You do not need a free hand to Deflect Arrows.

 

[Nifft]

My thoughts: Overall balanced, but the devil's in the details.

I'd make "Throw Mindthingy" into a separate ability so its effects are "siloed". It would deal 1d6 blunt, 20/x2, and would act like one-handed thrown weapon of no particular type, though it would benefit from Weapon Focus (mindblade) and the like.

Then replace the Shape Mindblade with Mindstaff Flurry. Gain an extra melee attack with your Mindstaff, but -2 to all attack rolls this round. This is more powerful than the normal mindblade TWF, but it's balanced because you can't shape a 1d10, 19/x2 mind-bastard-sword -- and thus you can't throw a 1d10 weapon, etc.

I'd allow a PC to give up Bladewind in trade for suffering only -1 to attacks during a Mindstaff Flurry. Together with the Greater Weapon Focus, this would put the mindstaff on par with what a Monk gets, though the weapon damage would be a bit behind, and the Power Attack damage would be a bit ahead.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

If, after all your tweeking, your mind goes all a-jello, you can look at Dragon #341 which has a bunch of Soulknife feats, including one that lets you pick a weapon with which your PC is familiar and let him reshape his mindblade into that. The feat may be taken multiple times. (Essentially, it does with one feat for ALL weapons what CompPsi did for 3 exotic weapons with 3 feats...very efficient.)

RPGnet RPG Game Index: "Mind Plade Feats" (Article)

(Another feat lets the Soulknife create a mind-shield, another lets him create multiple throwing daggers, etc.)