Author Topic: Psion (Shaper) Optimization. I'm a Warforged!  (Read 18075 times)

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carnivore

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Re: Psion (Shaper) Optimization. I'm a Warforged!
« Reply #20 on: September 08, 2010, 07:58:48 PM »
i would suggest a little different build... like this.... im not too sure what the race+Templates variants you are using ... but will use your modifiers

Dragonborn Fire/Water Warforged
Shaper 10/ Constructor 10

Attributes: 32pt buy + original template

8 Str(8 base)
14 Dex(16 base -2 Race) [10 points]
16 Con(10 base +2 Race +4 Template) [2 points]
18 Int(16 base +2 Template) [10 points]
14 Wis(16 base -2 race) [10 points]
4 Cha(8  base -2 race -2 template)

Flaws:
Non-combatant
Vulnerable

Traits:
Aggressive: +2 Initiative, -1 AC
Slow: +1hp/lvl, 1/2 Land Speed

Feats:
Adamantine Body(Flaw Bonus)
Psicrystal Affinity(Flaw Bonus)
Psionic Body(Psion bonus)
Psionic Meditation(Psion bonus)
Metamorphic Transfer(Psion bonus)
Boost Construct(Constructor bonus)
Boost Construct(Constructor bonus)
1st lvl: Boost Construct
3rd lvl: Linked Power
6th lvl: Augment Construction
9th lvl: Psicrystal Containment
12th lvl: Extend Power
15th lvl: Ecto Manipulation
18th lvl: Quicken Power

 :D

Endarire

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Re: Psion (Shaper) Optimization. I'm a Warforged!
« Reply #21 on: September 08, 2010, 09:17:35 PM »
Carnivore: Danke for the feat suggestions!

I chose Durable Construct at 3 since
-It makes for longer-lasting minions,
-That's the soonest I can get it,
-And I may never reach the Constructor's ability.

Also, a psychic reformation lets me change my feats, skills, and powers.  I can probably buy an item of such by level 4 if I'm greatly discontent.
« Last Edit: September 08, 2010, 09:19:28 PM by Endarire »
Hood - My first answer to all your build questions; past, present, and future.

Speaking of which:
Don't even need TO for this.  Any decent Hood build, especially one with Celerity, one-rounds [Azathoth, the most powerful greater deity from d20 Cthulu].
Does it bug anyone else that we've reached the point where characters who can obliterate a greater deity in one round are considered "decent?"

Saeomon

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Re: Psion (Shaper) Optimization. I'm a Warforged!
« Reply #22 on: September 08, 2010, 10:30:58 PM »
I'm currently playing a Gnome Shaper. My party just made level 4 at the end of last session, so I'm still working out what I plan to take at this new level. I'll post my current and projected builds up to level 8 here, in case it's of any help to you.

Some notes about my plans for this character and the campaign I'm in:
[spoiler]My plan is to go into the Anarchic Initiate PrC as soon as possible. The DM has ruled that if you take a PrC, you have to take all of the levels of that PrC.

I should note that my DM is using the Psionics is Different variant in some respects, but not others. She's been vague about how psionics and magic interact. Therefore I've avoided taking things like Detect Psionics and don't plan on taking powers like Dispel Psionics unless and until I get a better understanding of how they'll work. If they don't work against magic then they're just not worth it, since magic is so much more common.

Other than that, I'm the party's "wizard," more or less. The others in the group are a Fighter, a Rogue/Cleric, and a Druid. The rest of the party is optimization-light; the Druid has TWF, for example. This has given my character the opportunity to shine; because of her Astral Constructs, we've been victorious in encounters several levels above our ECL.[/spoiler]

Gnome Shaper 3 build:
[spoiler]
Stats:
Strength 10
Dexterity 14
Constitution 20
Intelligence 18
Wisdom 14
Charisma 14
(The DM was very generous with stats. She gave us 90 points to spread out however we wanted.)

Feats:
Psicrystal Affinity (Standard 1)
Overchannel (Psion Bonus 1)
Talented (Standard 3)

Powers:
Level 1 - Matter Agitation, Minor Creation, Vigor; Astral Construct, Entangling Ectoplasm
Level 2 - Levitate, Ego Whip

Skills:
Been focusing on taking the prerequisites for Anarchic Initiate. Put at least 1 point in every Knowledge skill. Tossed a few points into Craft (Alchemy) and Craft (Sculpting), the latter for the appearance of Astral Constructs. Other than that, the only notable thing I did was take 1 cross-class point in Autohypnosis. Knowing I have a better than flat 10% chance at stabilizing is nice.[/spoiler]

Gnome Shaper 4-6 Projected Build:
[spoiler]
Feats:
At 5th level I'll take Expanded Knowledge: Energy Missile. At 6th, Psionic Meditation.

Powers:
For my 2nd level powers, I'm planning on taking Control Sound. For my other power, I'm debating between Detect Hostile Intent and Concussion Blast.

At 6th level I'll take my first level of Anarchic Initiate. As for my 3rd level powers, I'm looking at taking Energy Wall, Time Hop, Ectoplasmic Cocoon, and Touchsight.
[/spoiler]

Gnome Shaper Build: Level 7 and Beyond
[spoiler]
Once I get 4th level powers at 7th level, I plan to use Psychic Reformation to swap to the following build:

Powers:
1st Level: Minor Creation, Vigor, Control Flames; Astral Construct, Inertial Armor
2nd Level: Levitate, Ego Whip; Control Sound, Share Pain
3rd Level: Energy Wall, Time Hop; Ectoplasmic Cocoon, Touchsight
4th Level: Telekinetic Maneuver, Fabricate

Skills:
I plan to rearrange my skill points to get the most out of each point. E.g., I'll reform out that cross-class point in Autohypnosis, since Anarchic Initiate has that as a class skill.

Notable plans, post-level-7:
At level 8, I'll swap out the Overchannel and Talented Feats for Extend Power and Boost Construct. I won't need Overchannel anymore, since Anarchic Initiate will provide me with the superior Wild Surge, also giving me the prerequisite required to continue in Anarchic Initiate.

Expanded Knowledge: Metamorphosis at level 9. Haven't decided whether or not to keep it as a power, or make a Skin of Proteus or two. Regardless, Metamorphic Transfer will be a later feat.
[/spoiler]

Final Thoughts:
[spoiler]Learn your DM's tolerance level and work with him or her. Shapers are very versatile, with the right power selection. I've told my DM that my whole objective has been to make a character that is rarely without an option in any given situation. So far I've been successful. But I've had to accept a few things as a concession. For example, my DM doesn't want to have to deal with immediate actions, since she's never been in a game with them. Therefore I've agreed not to take powers with that manifestation time.

Try not to agonize over power selection. This can be hard, especially if you're playing a campaign starting at level 1. Like I mentioned, I'm torn between Concussion Blast and Detect Hostile Intent for 4th level. Expect some tough choices. You may eventually just have to pick one and stick with it.

Discuss Psychic Reformation before you get it. Find out exactly how much your DM is willing to allow you to use this power. Being able to change your character's entire build with 10 minutes' notice is incredibly powerful. I find that a cap of once per level is a good compromise.

You may need to play a few sessions before determining how much you'll need to worry about PP conservation. Astral Constructs are a good way to preserve PP, as are offensive powers that last rounds or minutes per level, or for the duration of concentration. However, if your DM is generous about allowing you to rest between encounters then it's less of a concern. It's better to figure this out before you worry about building in a PP regeneration technique, which many DMs frown on.

Finally, figure out what impact, if any, Complete Psionic will have on your game and exactly how certain things from that book will work. For example, my DM has said that the nerf to Crystal Shard, Swarm of Crystals, etc. is in effect, so DR will apply to those powers. However, she also says that the power will overcome DR/magic. This makes those powers less attractive, though not as bad as the book would allow for. Likewise, definitely find out if the Astral Construct nerf is in effect. My DM says no, but has limited me to as many constructs on the field as I have character levels, just to make sure the game doesn't slow down.

Good luck with your character! Like others have said, you've obviously done your homework. You have the potential for even more optimization than I do with my little Gnome. However, even though she's not fully optimal, she's by far the most versatile, flexible, and downright FUN characters I've ever played.[/spoiler]
« Last Edit: September 08, 2010, 10:41:16 PM by Saeomon »

Endarire

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Re: Psion (Shaper) Optimization. I'm a Warforged!
« Reply #23 on: September 08, 2010, 10:51:21 PM »
Saeomon: Thank you for your input!  We're doing a round robin game where everyone DMs an adventure for a level in turn.  I cannot fully plan for this, but I understand your concerns.
Hood - My first answer to all your build questions; past, present, and future.

Speaking of which:
Don't even need TO for this.  Any decent Hood build, especially one with Celerity, one-rounds [Azathoth, the most powerful greater deity from d20 Cthulu].
Does it bug anyone else that we've reached the point where characters who can obliterate a greater deity in one round are considered "decent?"

Endarire

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Re: Psion (Shaper) Optimization. I'm a Warforged!
« Reply #24 on: September 09, 2010, 05:57:34 AM »
What else should I know?
Hood - My first answer to all your build questions; past, present, and future.

Speaking of which:
Don't even need TO for this.  Any decent Hood build, especially one with Celerity, one-rounds [Azathoth, the most powerful greater deity from d20 Cthulu].
Does it bug anyone else that we've reached the point where characters who can obliterate a greater deity in one round are considered "decent?"

PhaedrusXY

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Re: Psion (Shaper) Optimization. I'm a Warforged!
« Reply #25 on: September 09, 2010, 12:10:22 PM »
What else should I know?
Don't blast at all. You'll run out of power points in the blink of an eye.   :)

Time Hop can be used for all sorts of things the author's probably didn't intend.

Psicrystals are damned handy. I used to have mine lay out poison-coated caltrops around the campsite when we settled down for the night (both caltrops and poison were made with Minor Creation). Then it would "patrol" the campsite while we slept, helping out whoever was on watch duty.

Wagons, mounts, and other "mundane" items and creatures can be hugely beneficial. Don't overlook them. The mule in particular is amazing for the cost.
[spoiler]
A couple of water benders, a dike, a flaming arrow, and a few barrels of blasting jelly?

Sounds like the makings of a gay porn film.
...thanks
[/spoiler]

Felix Underwood

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Re: Psion (Shaper) Optimization. I'm a Warforged!
« Reply #26 on: September 09, 2010, 12:51:47 PM »
As for recharge methods, what do you propose?
Here's a few resources you're probably already aware of:

3.5 Psion Buildguide and Compendium
by carnivore and transported here by Archmage Joda.
http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=1036.0

Psionic Action Abusing Gone Wild
Phoenix00 (reposted by Hijax)
http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=7062.msg248143#msg248143

A Psion Handbook
Sugglir the Illithid
http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=8342.0


There's a bunch of Power Point Regen strategies out there.  I haven't created any, and I'm afraid I'd forget who to give credit for what.  Searching for Power Point Recovery (or similar wording) would probably produce more than a few.

From what I know, they mostly revolve around ways of reducing the cost of Bestow Power.  It costs 3 PP for each 2 PP you bestow upon a target.  Get the cost lower than the benefit and you profit.

Another aspect is the "target".  You can use two psionic characters, or have your psicrystal channel the power for you to the next person it touches (namely you).


I'll make a feeble atempt to list some components to different PP recovery schemes (mix and match as you see fit):

Earth Sense (RoS feat) required to get:  Earth Power (Ros feat)

Torc of Power Preservation (ExPsiH version... more expensive than the MIC version <greater?>)

Azure Talent (MoI feat) + Psycarnum Infusion (MoI feat)

Midnight Augmentation (MoI feat) + more essentia (Azuran race or Bonus Essentia feat)

Metapower ( ) on Linked Power + Midnight Augmentation (MoI feat) on synchronicity linked to bestow power



...Oh man!!...  you gotta be kidding me...  Here I'm doing some more research for fear I missed something important, and I find this:

How do Psions recharge power points?
Endarire
http://brilliantgameologists.com/boards/index.php?topic=7137.0

hehe... Ok, I'll stop now


Endarire

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Re: Psion (Shaper) Optimization. I'm a Warforged!
« Reply #27 on: September 09, 2010, 08:34:48 PM »
Time hop seems most useful for these:

-Taking an ally out of the fight.
-Taking an enemy or a key piece of equipment out of the fight.
-Setting up a spell/power combo, like time hopping an enemy then casting wall of stone where he was.

Blasting-wise, I don't plan to rely on it, but I'd like to have the option.  Having played an arena blaster, I learned how inefficient it was.  (3 fully-augmented energy missile powers and my opponent still ain't close to death?)

Psicrystals are fun, and I planned to have most the inside of my Warforged as hollow so my psicrystal could enter and exit my arms, hands, chest, feet, legs, head, and eyes.  How do you advise I use my psicrystal in combat pre-share pain?  What about out of combat?
Hood - My first answer to all your build questions; past, present, and future.

Speaking of which:
Don't even need TO for this.  Any decent Hood build, especially one with Celerity, one-rounds [Azathoth, the most powerful greater deity from d20 Cthulu].
Does it bug anyone else that we've reached the point where characters who can obliterate a greater deity in one round are considered "decent?"

Saeomon

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Re: Psion (Shaper) Optimization. I'm a Warforged!
« Reply #28 on: September 09, 2010, 09:16:17 PM »
Blasting-wise, I don't plan to rely on it, but I'd like to have the option.

At low-levels, Matter Agitation is a superior "blasting" power. No save and you don't have to worry about SR/PR at that point. The fact that it lasts for Concentration minutes/level instead of being Instantaneous is what puts it over the top. It's like many MMOs' damage-over-time spells, with two rounds of warm-up time. Plus it's got a few utility uses, as well.

At mid- to high-levels, Control Flames can be really efficient, PP-wise. Consider using it as your main direct damage power.

But I can understand wanting to have the option to blast. Here's my recommendations for a solid offensive repertoire:

Concussion Blast to handle Incorporeal creatures. Swap it out for Telekinetic Maneuver once you can.

Energy Missile to handle most everything else. Make sure to use the Cold option on enemies with Evasion. Swap it out for Energy Barrage (C.Psi) once that is available, since Energy Barrage doesn't allow for SR/PR.

Wall of Flames to do your AoE, in case you encounter a swarm.

Hail of Crystals to fill out the role of ranged touch attack, with a bonus AoE. Probably the only power that's really worth it if you're using the C.Psi nerf to metacreativity.

Psicrystals are fun, and I planned to have most the inside of my Warforged as hollow so my psicrystal could enter and exit my arms, hands, chest, feet, legs, head, and eyes.  How do you advise I use my psicrystal in combat pre-share pain?  What about out of combat?

In combat? If you can get a dorje of Entangling Ectoplasm or Energy Ray and take ranks in Use Psionic Device, give it to the crystal to use. If you take any touch attack powers, it can deliver them for you. Other than that, have it hide.

Out of combat? Use it as a scout, either on its own or riding on the shoulder of your party's Rogue. Use it as an alarm system; leave it in the room you know the enemy will go into while you stay in another. Use it as an eagle eye by sending it up a tree or on top of a building. Use it to look for stuff at the bottom of a pool of water. Use it to eavesdrop. Use it as a back-up for failed Knowledge checks, since it gets all the ranks you do. There's so many things it can do, it's really all a matter of your imagination.

Lycanthromancer

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Re: Psion (Shaper) Optimization. I'm a Warforged!
« Reply #29 on: September 10, 2010, 01:24:08 AM »
We aren't using the astral construct nerf.  I was curious if Constructor was worth it since I want to do things besides astral construct.
Constructor is totally worth it; it is, by far, my favorite PrC, though thrallherd is second in line. It gives you all sorts of abilities that are incredible (since astral constructs are amazingly versatile; if you use your imagination they can do tons of stuff for you), and you give up very very little to get in. Basically a useless power, a useless feat, and a manifester level (or two if you want to go all the way, baby), and I think it's actually worth the losses.

Also, see how many ways you can boost your Manifester Level and the number of pp you can spend augmenting any given power. Overchannel is a no-brainer. If Magic of Incarnum is available there's plenty of psionic stuff to use in the feats and powers section, and you should be able to bind a metamagic (psionic) rod to your hands slot for a +1 3x per day. If you add in a torc of power preservation (XPH version) that's 1 pp per manifestation you get for free. If you add in Midnight Augmentation, that's an additional 1 pp saved. If you add in Earth Power, that's a bonus as well. Linked Power + Metapower + a 1st level power (ecto protection is level 1 and you can manifest it as a swift action when Linked to astral construct) gets you a small bonus, too. You could be getting a level 9 construct at or before level 10, depending on how many effects you get to stack.

And speaking of Linked Power, this should be your bread and butter metapsionic feat. It lets you manifest powers with long manifesting times as immediate, swift, move, or standard actions, so long as you don't mind waiting a round (which is when you'd be getting your astral construct anyway). Get enough psionic foci (and the ability to regain them as a move action, and hustle), and you can get a LOT of constructs by next round, and they all act on your turn.

Also, check out the gloves of the arcanist in the MIC. If your DM rules that you can have gloves of the psionicist that work identically with psionic powers, then that's a boost, too.

In any case, I say go for it. Fer sure.
[spoiler]Masculine men like masculine things. Masculine men are masculine. Therefore, liking masculine men is masculine.

I dare anyone to find a hole in that logic.
______________________________________
[/spoiler]I'm a writer. These are my stories. Some are even SFW! (Warning: Mostly Gay.)
My awesome poster collection. (Warning, some are NSFW.)
Agita's awesome poster collection.
[spoiler]
+1 Lycanthromancer
Which book is Lycanthromancer in?
Lyca ... is in the book. Yes he is.
 :D
shit.. concerning psionics optimization, lycan IS the book
[/spoiler]

Endarire

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Re: Psion (Shaper) Optimization. I'm a Warforged!
« Reply #30 on: September 10, 2010, 01:36:04 AM »
Catfall Linked with synchronicity is uber.  (|=^)
« Last Edit: September 11, 2010, 04:18:24 AM by Endarire »
Hood - My first answer to all your build questions; past, present, and future.

Speaking of which:
Don't even need TO for this.  Any decent Hood build, especially one with Celerity, one-rounds [Azathoth, the most powerful greater deity from d20 Cthulu].
Does it bug anyone else that we've reached the point where characters who can obliterate a greater deity in one round are considered "decent?"

PhaedrusXY

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Re: Psion (Shaper) Optimization. I'm a Warforged!
« Reply #31 on: September 10, 2010, 11:58:36 AM »
In combat? If you can get a dorje of Entangling Ectoplasm or Energy Ray and take ranks in Use Psionic Device, give it to the crystal to use. If you take any touch attack powers, it can deliver them for you. Other than that, have it hide.

Out of combat? Use it as a scout, either on its own or riding on the shoulder of your party's Rogue. Use it as an alarm system; leave it in the room you know the enemy will go into while you stay in another. Use it as an eagle eye by sending it up a tree or on top of a building. Use it to look for stuff at the bottom of a pool of water. Use it to eavesdrop. Use it as a back-up for failed Knowledge checks, since it gets all the ranks you do. There's so many things it can do, it's really all a matter of your imagination.
Pretty much sums up my thoughts. Talk to your DM and see if you can give the psicrystal a normal vision range by manifesting Synthesete on it, and letting it "feel light". If so, that increases its value as a scout by increasing its vision range, and also boosting its Spot and Search checks that are within its "normal" vision range.
[spoiler]
A couple of water benders, a dike, a flaming arrow, and a few barrels of blasting jelly?

Sounds like the makings of a gay porn film.
...thanks
[/spoiler]

carnivore

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Re: Psion (Shaper) Optimization. I'm a Warforged!
« Reply #32 on: September 10, 2010, 07:11:35 PM »
heres my alternate power list:

Powers:




1st level:

Astral Construct
Minor Creation
Vigor
Ecto Protection(...sucky power but required for Constructor)
Channel the Psychic Dragon(Dragon Magic)
[spoiler]
Channel the Psychic Dragon .. Psion 1/ PW 1
Swift action to manifest
1 min/ML duration
1PP = +5 Competence to Diplomacy Checks, Cold Resistance 5
Augments:
3PP = +5 Competence to Climb Checks, Electricity Resistance 10
5PP = +5 Competence to Balance & Escape Artist Checks, Immune to Magic Missiles, +5 Saves vs Spl/Powers with Force Descriptor
7PP = +5 Competence to Bluff & Sense Motive Checks, Sonic Resistance 20
9PP = +10 Competence to Intimidate & Swim Checks, Cold Resistance 30
[/spoiler]
 
2nd level:
Crystal Storm or Amethyst Burst
Psychoportive Shelter
Share pain
Psionic Repair Damage

3rd level:
Dispel Psionics
Timehop
TK thrust
Touchsight

4th level:
Gemstone Breath
Metamorphosis(researched)
Divination
Planar Apotheosis or Schism(Researched)

5th level:
Hail of Crystals
Anticipatory Strike
Major Creation
Plane Shift

6th level:
Fabricate Greater
Disintegrate
Temporal Acceleration

7th level:
Mass Ecto coccon
Energy Conversion
Mind Blank, Personal

8th level:
Recall Death
Teleport greater
True Metabolism

9th level:
Genisis
Assimilate
Affinity field
Reality Revision


remember .... you can also Buy some Powers ... just Pay for a 17th lvl Telepath with Psychic Chirgury to implant the knowledge of the powers in your mind.. this can be very costly for high level powers, but is realitively cheap for low level powers(1st-3rd)


 :D

Lycanthromancer

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Re: Psion (Shaper) Optimization. I'm a Warforged!
« Reply #33 on: September 11, 2010, 12:28:08 AM »
The primary perk of ecto protection is the fact that it's a swift power whenever it's manifested in the same round as astral construct. That means that whenever you Link AC to it, it's automagically a swift-action power, so you can whip out constructs as swift actions round after round for a single extra power point. Of course, using Metapower on astral construct and Linked Power means you've got an extra power point to play with for augmentation.

Also, Extend Power will also be your friend. Also.
[spoiler]Masculine men like masculine things. Masculine men are masculine. Therefore, liking masculine men is masculine.

I dare anyone to find a hole in that logic.
______________________________________
[/spoiler]I'm a writer. These are my stories. Some are even SFW! (Warning: Mostly Gay.)
My awesome poster collection. (Warning, some are NSFW.)
Agita's awesome poster collection.
[spoiler]
+1 Lycanthromancer
Which book is Lycanthromancer in?
Lyca ... is in the book. Yes he is.
 :D
shit.. concerning psionics optimization, lycan IS the book
[/spoiler]

Endarire

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Re: Psion (Shaper) Optimization. I'm a Warforged!
« Reply #34 on: September 11, 2010, 04:20:31 AM »
Lycan: How do you use Linked Power with astral construct and ecto protection for swift action construct manifestation?

Minor post modifications.  I realized I can't Tumble in heavy armor!
« Last Edit: September 11, 2010, 04:36:34 AM by Endarire »
Hood - My first answer to all your build questions; past, present, and future.

Speaking of which:
Don't even need TO for this.  Any decent Hood build, especially one with Celerity, one-rounds [Azathoth, the most powerful greater deity from d20 Cthulu].
Does it bug anyone else that we've reached the point where characters who can obliterate a greater deity in one round are considered "decent?"

Lycanthromancer

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Re: Psion (Shaper) Optimization. I'm a Warforged!
« Reply #35 on: September 11, 2010, 12:08:22 PM »
Lycan: How do you use Linked Power with astral construct and ecto protection for swift action construct manifestation?

Minor post modifications.  I realized I can't Tumble in heavy armor!
Check the text:

"This power can be manifested as a swift action in the same round that you manifest an astral construct, as long as the power points you spend to perform both actions does not exceed your manifester level."

Note that you're manifesting astral construct as an augmentation to ecto protection, which means you're manifesting both in the same round. You're targeting the construct that appears next round but that you're creating this round.
[spoiler]Masculine men like masculine things. Masculine men are masculine. Therefore, liking masculine men is masculine.

I dare anyone to find a hole in that logic.
______________________________________
[/spoiler]I'm a writer. These are my stories. Some are even SFW! (Warning: Mostly Gay.)
My awesome poster collection. (Warning, some are NSFW.)
Agita's awesome poster collection.
[spoiler]
+1 Lycanthromancer
Which book is Lycanthromancer in?
Lyca ... is in the book. Yes he is.
 :D
shit.. concerning psionics optimization, lycan IS the book
[/spoiler]

snakeman830

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Re: Psion (Shaper) Optimization. I'm a Warforged!
« Reply #36 on: September 11, 2010, 01:42:20 PM »
We aren't using the astral construct nerf.  I was curious if Constructor was worth it since I want to do things besides astral construct.
Constructor is totally worth it; it is, by far, my favorite PrC, though thrallherd is second in line. It gives you all sorts of abilities that are incredible (since astral constructs are amazingly versatile; if you use your imagination they can do tons of stuff for you), and you give up very very little to get in. Basically a useless power, a useless feat, and a manifester level (or two if you want to go all the way, baby), and I think it's actually worth the losses.
How is Boost Construct a useless feat?  Every AC you create gains another ability.  Looks handy to me, especially for a character that's using Astral Constructs a lot.

As an aside, (I'll probably get shot for this), some of the Ectopic Form feats *might* be worth looking at.  You gain some specific benefits on Astral Construct you use it with, but you also still get to make all the selections you normally do.

An Alabaster Ariel, for example, gets free Deflection and Wings all the way through.  Upper level ones gain Poison Touch and Heavy Defelction.  You still get to make your menu choices for each construct, but each Ectopic Form feat will give you a better base to work off of than your standard AC.  Amber Tunneler is a good idea, since they have a Burrow speed: something that's normally unavailable for Astral Constructs.
« Last Edit: September 11, 2010, 01:43:52 PM by snakeman830 »
I am constantly amazed by how many DM's ban Tomb of Battle.  The book doesn't even exist!

Quotes:[spoiler]
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That explains so much about my life.
hiicantcomeupwithacharacterthatisntaghostwhyisthatamijustretardedorsomething
Why would you even do this? It hurts my eyes and looks like you ate your keyboard before suffering an attack of explosive diarrhea.
[/spoiler]

If using Genesis to hide your phylactry, set it at -300 degrees farenheit.  See how do-gooders fare with a liquid atmosphere.

Lycanthromancer

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Re: Psion (Shaper) Optimization. I'm a Warforged!
« Reply #37 on: September 11, 2010, 02:06:30 PM »
We aren't using the astral construct nerf.  I was curious if Constructor was worth it since I want to do things besides astral construct.
Constructor is totally worth it; it is, by far, my favorite PrC, though thrallherd is second in line. It gives you all sorts of abilities that are incredible (since astral constructs are amazingly versatile; if you use your imagination they can do tons of stuff for you), and you give up very very little to get in. Basically a useless power, a useless feat, and a manifester level (or two if you want to go all the way, baby), and I think it's actually worth the losses.
How is Boost Construct a useless feat?  Every AC you create gains another ability.  Looks handy to me, especially for a character that's using Astral Constructs a lot.

As an aside, (I'll probably get shot for this), some of the Ectopic Form feats *might* be worth looking at.  You gain some specific benefits on Astral Construct you use it with, but you also still get to make all the selections you normally do.

An Alabaster Ariel, for example, gets free Deflection and Wings all the way through.  Upper level ones gain Poison Touch and Heavy Defelction.  You still get to make your menu choices for each construct, but each Ectopic Form feat will give you a better base to work off of than your standard AC.  Amber Tunneler is a good idea, since they have a Burrow speed: something that's normally unavailable for Astral Constructs.
Sorry, I meant useless skill.

As for ectopic forms, avoid them like the plague they are. You don't get to make any choices on menu selections (since they don't get them, RAW or RAI, as stated by Cordell himself), and a regular astral construct is better than they are after about level 5 anyway.

So, yes. Plague.
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I dare anyone to find a hole in that logic.
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+1 Lycanthromancer
Which book is Lycanthromancer in?
Lyca ... is in the book. Yes he is.
 :D
shit.. concerning psionics optimization, lycan IS the book
[/spoiler]

snakeman830

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Re: Psion (Shaper) Optimization. I'm a Warforged!
« Reply #38 on: September 11, 2010, 06:00:54 PM »
CPsi is extremely vague on menu choices with the Ectopic form feats (makes no mention, in fact), so I'm not sure where the "not RAW" comes from.
I am constantly amazed by how many DM's ban Tomb of Battle.  The book doesn't even exist!

Quotes:[spoiler]
By yes, she means no.
That explains so much about my life.
hiicantcomeupwithacharacterthatisntaghostwhyisthatamijustretardedorsomething
Why would you even do this? It hurts my eyes and looks like you ate your keyboard before suffering an attack of explosive diarrhea.
[/spoiler]

If using Genesis to hide your phylactry, set it at -300 degrees farenheit.  See how do-gooders fare with a liquid atmosphere.

carnivore

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Re: Psion (Shaper) Optimization. I'm a Warforged!
« Reply #39 on: September 11, 2010, 06:31:11 PM »
Lycanthromancer is correct ...AVOID Ectopic Form feats ...

 :D