TDO's Avatar

[GuyFawkes]

Hey there!

I want to use this homebrew by The Demented One, the Avatar, in my next game, and I would like to ask your help in optimizing it. I will probably go straight to whatever level the game takes us in this class alone, but if you could suggest any class to go with this, that would be cool as well.

The game starts at level 6, and the starting stats are as follows: 18 16 16 14 12 10. All WotC 3.5 sources are fair game, 3.0 with permission, as well as Dragon Mag, given sources.

What I would like to humbly ask the venerable peoples of this forum for your recommendations are the following:

1. Stats. For obvious reasons. The game doesn't allow for level buyoff, so any good advice for LA +0 races and templates and other tricks would be appreciated. The primary stats for the class are cha and wis; cha for DCs and wis for bonus power points. I'm contemplating on making the character decent in melee, since the class' BAB, HD, and archetype kind of allows it, so if you could make 2 recommendations, 1 for a melee type, and the other for an OP focusing on using powers only.

2. Archetypes. The class has lots of archetypes to choose from, and the player can only get a maximum of 6 archetypes. Which archetypes to get, and at what order to get them. Again, since I am contemplating on a melee character, the Warrior type would be taking one slot, so that leaves it with 5 slots left. And if you do not think getting Warrior is the way to maximizing the class, then please recommend another set of 6.

3. Powers. I am not too good with picking powers so I really need help in this one.

4. Feats. Which ones to get and when to get them. I am not particularly familiar with psionic feats so I would very much appreciate any help with this. Also, the game allows for 2 flaws, so that's 2 more feats.

5. Items. The starting gold is wealth by level.

Any help on any of the points above would be appreciated. Thank you.

[awaken_D_M_golem]

idk enough about Untapped or Hypercon ...


Looks like it shoots the gap between
an Ardent Gish and a Psion BfControl.
Perhaps closer to a Psion.

Warrior is a long way to wait for the BAB.
Crafter gets the UMD/UPD goodies.
Not quite as good as Magic Mantle.

Yeah, I'd go any Psion guide build.
The Warforged Shaper build with Crafter = good.

3) ... Linked
6) ... Psionic Meditation
9) ... EK: PsyRef ; make item / or Metamorph or Schism
(the usual suspects)

A higher level tactic, would be to do Wizard
style divinations, to find out which Archetypes
to use per encounter.  And switch to match.

[GuyFawkes]

Thanks for the comments. 

[sirpercival]

I've been trying to look over the Avatar in more detail to give you some feedback, but I've just had absolutely zero time.  Sorry...

[GuyFawkes]

No problem sirp, thanks anyway.

I've never played too much psionics, much less high OP, so it's taking me a bit of time to make my character. But I'll be putting up a build of some sort soon. It's probably easier to comment from there.

By the by, is this recharge trick kosher?

The MoI Recharge Trick -

(click to show/hide)

The Recharge Trick uses Midnight Augmentation, Linked Power and Metapower to manifest Bestow Power (linked to  with a lower power point cost than power points bestowed by Bestow Power.  This allows your psychic to do his thing, all day long.
Feats: Midnight Augmentation, Linked Power, Metapower, Psicrystal Containment
Powers: Bestow Power, a first level power (Here I use Synchronicity)
Method:
    1. Focus yourself and your Psicrystal
    2. You choose Synchronicity to be effected by Midnight Augmentation, investing one essentia
    3. Expend your Psychic Focus to manifest a Synchronicity (which you have chosen to permanently join Linked Power to by Metapower)
    4. Expend your Psicrystal's Psychic Focus to manifest Synchronicity, linked to Bestow Power (Costs reduced by Midnight Augmentation for -1, and Metapower for -2, reducing the cost of the Synchronicity/Bestow Power combo to 1 PP)
    5. Refocus yourself and your Psicrystal (Doable in one round, if you choose Synchronicity as your 1st level power)
    6. Repeat 3-6

Minimum Level: 3 (Higher without Flaws + Human)

Cause I figure I'd be burning through my PPs a lot.

[phaedrusxy]

So I was looking at the class a bit. Even without considering the archetypes, you have 3/4 BAB and Vigor + Share Pain on your class powers list. So performing the "tank" role shouldn't be a problem at all, if you take Psicrystal Affinity for the Share Pain + Psicrystal + (shared) Vigor combo. Dampen Power is also on your list, and is a fantastic power. So I'd consider taking it as well.

I'd highly suggest Linked Power and knowledge of a 1st level swift action power to go with this, as it basically lets you Quicken your buffs (including Vigor) for 1 power point. I think some of the 1st level powers on the Avatar class list are swift/immediate, but you'll have to check for sure yourself.

For the Archetype choices, the following looked pretty good to me: Archer, Craftsman, Dreamer, Father, Lurker, Savage, Seeker, Wanderer, and Warrior (mostly for armor and shield proficiency). All of those have good powers, or abilities, and would make decent choices. If you multiclass into even a single level that grants armor and weapon proficiencies, I would suggest not actually taking Warrior, as it isn't that good otherwise.

If you go with a warforged, the Craftsman could be a good choice, as you'll gain Psionic Repair Damage, which is quite an efficient way to heal (and you can share it with your psicrystal to "double up" on the benefit). The Adamantine Body feat would also get you heavy armor without having to bother with the Warrior archetype. I think that would be quite a solid basis for a "tank" build, actually. The main drawback is the penalty to wisdom.

In general: I'd forget about Charisma. Choose powers that don't allow saving throws. Since you're wanting to fill the role of "self-buffing tank", that shouldn't be a problem.

[GuyFawkes]

Actually I was going for more of a secondary melee damage dealer, with utility and at least one or two offensive powers. But seeing as there's no one going for tank in our group, I may as well be going that route, so thanks!

[phaedrusxy]

Oh yeah, see if you can use these to help boost your powers known a bit.

[GuyFawkes]

Ooh! Noice! Will definitely ask about it. Thanks! 

[sirpercival]

Ooh! Noice! Will definitely ask about it. Thanks! 

Approved. 

[awaken_D_M_golem]

No problem sirp, thanks anyway.

I've never played too much psionics, much less high OP, so it's taking me a bit of time to make my character. But I'll be putting up a build of some sort soon. It's probably easier to comment from there.

By the by, is this recharge trick kosher?

The MoI Recharge Trick -

(click to show/hide)

The Recharge Trick uses Midnight Augmentation, Linked Power and Metapower to manifest Bestow Power (linked to  with a lower power point cost than power points bestowed by Bestow Power.  This allows your psychic to do his thing, all day long.
Feats: Midnight Augmentation, Linked Power, Metapower, Psicrystal Containment
Powers: Bestow Power, a first level power (Here I use Synchronicity)
Method:
    1. Focus yourself and your Psicrystal
    2. You choose Synchronicity to be effected by Midnight Augmentation, investing one essentia
    3. Expend your Psychic Focus to manifest a Synchronicity (which you have chosen to permanently join Linked Power to by Metapower)
    4. Expend your Psicrystal's Psychic Focus to manifest Synchronicity, linked to Bestow Power (Costs reduced by Midnight Augmentation for -1, and Metapower for -2, reducing the cost of the Synchronicity/Bestow Power combo to 1 PP)
    5. Refocus yourself and your Psicrystal (Doable in one round, if you choose Synchronicity as your 1st level power)
    6. Repeat 3-6

Minimum Level: 3 (Higher without Flaws + Human)

Cause I figure I'd be burning through my PPs a lot.

Yes, but ... it changes which powers you choose,
rather drastically.  And it changes your tactics to:
heal nova + buff nova + mini combat nova
You're no longer playing the class, you're playing the recharge.

[GuyFawkes]

Approved. 

Thanks!

Yes, but ... it changes which powers you choose,
rather drastically.  And it changes your tactics to:
heal nova + buff nova + mini combat nova
You're no longer playing the class, you're playing the recharge.

I didn't quite get what you mean, but I guess it does take a lot out of one's build, in terms of feats and powers. So yeah, I think I'd skip out on it. Thanks.