Wilder

[Nifft]

I've never actually played a Wilder, so let me ask this question about Wild Surge:

Can a 5th level Wilder use Wild Surge (2) to manifest an augmented power that would normally cost 7 to manifest?

I ask because I was thinking about running a lightly armed Greek/Spartan type Spear & Shield psionic PC- think "The 300"- and it would seem that a Wilder could use Wild Surge to boost Expansion to full power sooner than a PsyWar, making for an interesting twist on an otherwise straightforward design. (Yes, I know he'd have to burn a feat for Extra Power- but that's still faster than a PsyWar with Overchannel.)

Yes, but note that he can't take Expanded Knowledge until 6th level, unless you're using the Educated Wilder variant.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Thanks, Nifft!

Technically, the standard Wilder can take Expanded Knowledge at 3rd, but couldn't learn anything but a zero level power with it at that time...

and since there aren't any zero level powers...

 

[Nifft]

Technically, the standard Wilder can take Expanded Knowledge at 3rd, but couldn't learn anything but a zero level power with it at that time...

and since there aren't any zero level powers...

I guess it's analogous to a Wizard choosing Weapon Focus six times. Is it legal to choose a feat which requires a choice you can't legally make?

Cheers, -- N

 

[Kat']

As mcuh as I love the roleplaying bit of Wilders, they just plain suck. Psychic Enervation is a pain in the back, they make poor manifesters, ridiculous melee, and low skills. Plus they're CHA-based, the game's worst stat in terms of CO. My advice, dip in for the Elude Touch ability and drop the rest.

A Paladin for example can greatly benefit from such a dip. Grab two useful powers (a non-exhaustive list from the SRD: Conceal Thoughts, Create Sound, Detect Psionics, Empathy, Entangling Ectoplasm, Force Screen, Skate, Synesthete, Vigor) and Elude Touch, and you'll be fine.

 

[Darklone]

Or play a wilder with a few paladin levels. The wilder can take the hit in spellcasting progression better than most others.

 

[Kat']

True again...and if you take 4 levels of paladin you'd even get 16 BAB by level 20 and access to Turn Undead and thus divine feats. MAybe we got something here...

 

[Nifft]

I should note the only Wilders that ever appear in my game are NPCs. Wilders make excellent foes, because they hit hard and have very few tactical options for me as a DM to manage.

Some of their class features (like Volatile Mind) only really work against PCs anyway, so IMHO they're best used as an easy-to-run NPC class, much like the Sorcerer or Warlock.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Jhaelen]

Psychic Enervation is a pain in the back

This reminds me:
There's something else that makes playing wilders easier: Action Points. If you're unlucky on your psychic enervation roll use an action point and you're good to go.

they make poor manifesters, ridiculous melee, and low skills.

Why do they make poor manifesters? Regarding skills I think they're okay. They get 4 skill points per level and have several nice class skills like Tumble or Escape Artist.

Plus they're CHA-based, the game's worst stat in terms of CO.

Being the only one in the party with a good CHA-score can also be an asset. It's a pity they don't get Use Psionic Device as a class skill, though.

 

[Dice4Hire]

One good trick with Wilders is to be a human and take the Able Learner feat from Races of Destiny. Then thsoe 4 skill points can buy low ranks in a lot of nice skills.

 

[Darklone]

Yupp, Wilder/Paladin4 Blaster with good skills... Practiced Manifester feat and you have the full firepower of a singleclass wilder, good BAB, awfully good saves, medium hitpoints and access to divine feats for extra goodness... all this char needs are more feats. And bonus Powerpoints. A lot.