Optimystik
2010-07-12, 07:55 PM
http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/crystal_master_med.jpg
So I had this concept bouncing around in my head for awhile - a Psiforged Erudite (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/iw/20060406b&page=1)who goes into the Crystal Master (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/psm/20040625d) PrC. (I know, the above image is a human - someone with more photoshop skills than I possess, or a clear mind's eye, can color him more metallic and remove his nose :smallwink:)
I'll spoiler all the stuff that's incidental to my question - read it if you feel like.
Brief Backstory:
Chamber was designed to be the ultimate psionic repository - a walking archive of every psionic power that exists. An experimental configuration of his internal crystal matrix gave him near-limitless potential to learn the psionic talents of others.
However, while his repertoire was limitless, the number of powers he could consciously access became limited as a result. In computing terms, he has a large amount of hard drive space, but low RAM and a small paging file. While he can clear his cache, it takes him 24 hours between attempts to do so successfully.
Inspiration:
From the flavor text of the below card:
http://magiccards.info/scans/en/tp/278.jpg
Chamber is a work of art designed to finish himself - both by completing his mental repertoire, and by discovering the right gems to fill the receptacles in his body. Vaguely aware of this purpose, he has an uncharacteristic amount of vanity (for a Warforged) as a result.
Why Warforged?
I feel there is significant synergy between Warforged and the Crystal Master PrC. Several of the more useful gems are obviated by a Warforged's natural attributes/immunities.
- Amethyst: Warforged are immune to poison.
- Azurite: Warforged don't need to eat, sleep or drink.
- Blue Zircon: Warforged are immune to disease.
- Jade: Warforged don't age and are immortal.
This gives them substantial room for the more mechanically powerful gems, like Diamond, or the ones that cover for Warforged weaknesses, like Bulls Eye Agate.
The synergy between Crystal Master and Erudite is also significant: Not only do Erudites get one of the prereqs for free and have all the needed skills in class, the right gems can also cover for an Erudite's limited UPD.
In addition, Craft (gemcutting), required to enter the PrC and create its gems, can also be used to repair Warforged. This gives me a way to heal myself. Flavorwise, this would be particularly true for Psiforged.
My use of Psiforged is primarily for flavor reasons, though I do also plan on having him acquire/create an Expanded Reservoir and Power Crystal (MoE) - useful psionic components which only Psiforged can use.
Parameters:
- All WotC sources
- I'm trying to build using the table version of his UPD as a worst-case scenario. If I can convince my DM to allow more, great, but if I can be viable with just 11 UPD at 20 then I can handle anything.
- I'm also predicting the Erudite multiclassing restriction will extend to PrCs. Again, this is a worst case scenario; I'm confident I can talk my way out of that one too, but I'll be planning against it in any case.
- I'm considering Flaws, but I'll try to make a viable build without them first. It's pretty feat-starved though, even with 10 levels of Erudite.
Gems
This is where I need help. I've narrowed my choices down to 12, of which I can only have 5 (plus my psicrystal, which counts as a 6th-gem at the capstone, so long as it's nearby.)
- Aquamarine: Int bonus (up to +3) while focused.
- Bulls-Eye Agate: Fear immunity.
- Deep Crystal: expend focus, +2d6 to slam attack.
- Diamond: bonus PP (up to 24.)
- Emerald: SR (up to 29.)
- Jet: Fly (get it? Groan) as a PLA
- Moonstone: Insight bonus to AC/saves while focused (up to +6)
- Peridot: DR, up to 6/-.
- Red Jasper: immune to ability drain while focused, 6/day.
- Ruby: Con bonus (up to +3) while focused.
- Sapphire: Constant Touchsight field while focused (60ft.)
- Tourmaline: +6 Insight to Appraise, Knoweldge (gemology), Craft (gemcutting), and Search.
Bolded = Chosen
Which would you recommend? Also, any ideas for feats and powers? I need to strike a balance between a Psion and Wilder for UPD choice - i.e. spammable powers I won't mind being stuck with when I'm out of UPD slots.
The build, of course, is Erudite 10/Crystal Master 10.
So I had this concept bouncing around in my head for awhile - a Psiforged Erudite (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/iw/20060406b&page=1)who goes into the Crystal Master (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/psm/20040625d) PrC. (I know, the above image is a human - someone with more photoshop skills than I possess, or a clear mind's eye, can color him more metallic and remove his nose :smallwink:)
I'll spoiler all the stuff that's incidental to my question - read it if you feel like.
Brief Backstory:
Chamber was designed to be the ultimate psionic repository - a walking archive of every psionic power that exists. An experimental configuration of his internal crystal matrix gave him near-limitless potential to learn the psionic talents of others.
However, while his repertoire was limitless, the number of powers he could consciously access became limited as a result. In computing terms, he has a large amount of hard drive space, but low RAM and a small paging file. While he can clear his cache, it takes him 24 hours between attempts to do so successfully.
Inspiration:
From the flavor text of the below card:
http://magiccards.info/scans/en/tp/278.jpg
Chamber is a work of art designed to finish himself - both by completing his mental repertoire, and by discovering the right gems to fill the receptacles in his body. Vaguely aware of this purpose, he has an uncharacteristic amount of vanity (for a Warforged) as a result.
Why Warforged?
I feel there is significant synergy between Warforged and the Crystal Master PrC. Several of the more useful gems are obviated by a Warforged's natural attributes/immunities.
- Amethyst: Warforged are immune to poison.
- Azurite: Warforged don't need to eat, sleep or drink.
- Blue Zircon: Warforged are immune to disease.
- Jade: Warforged don't age and are immortal.
This gives them substantial room for the more mechanically powerful gems, like Diamond, or the ones that cover for Warforged weaknesses, like Bulls Eye Agate.
The synergy between Crystal Master and Erudite is also significant: Not only do Erudites get one of the prereqs for free and have all the needed skills in class, the right gems can also cover for an Erudite's limited UPD.
In addition, Craft (gemcutting), required to enter the PrC and create its gems, can also be used to repair Warforged. This gives me a way to heal myself. Flavorwise, this would be particularly true for Psiforged.
My use of Psiforged is primarily for flavor reasons, though I do also plan on having him acquire/create an Expanded Reservoir and Power Crystal (MoE) - useful psionic components which only Psiforged can use.
Parameters:
- All WotC sources
- I'm trying to build using the table version of his UPD as a worst-case scenario. If I can convince my DM to allow more, great, but if I can be viable with just 11 UPD at 20 then I can handle anything.
- I'm also predicting the Erudite multiclassing restriction will extend to PrCs. Again, this is a worst case scenario; I'm confident I can talk my way out of that one too, but I'll be planning against it in any case.
- I'm considering Flaws, but I'll try to make a viable build without them first. It's pretty feat-starved though, even with 10 levels of Erudite.
Gems
This is where I need help. I've narrowed my choices down to 12, of which I can only have 5 (plus my psicrystal, which counts as a 6th-gem at the capstone, so long as it's nearby.)
- Aquamarine: Int bonus (up to +3) while focused.
- Bulls-Eye Agate: Fear immunity.
- Deep Crystal: expend focus, +2d6 to slam attack.
- Diamond: bonus PP (up to 24.)
- Emerald: SR (up to 29.)
- Jet: Fly (get it? Groan) as a PLA
- Moonstone: Insight bonus to AC/saves while focused (up to +6)
- Peridot: DR, up to 6/-.
- Red Jasper: immune to ability drain while focused, 6/day.
- Ruby: Con bonus (up to +3) while focused.
- Sapphire: Constant Touchsight field while focused (60ft.)
- Tourmaline: +6 Insight to Appraise, Knoweldge (gemology), Craft (gemcutting), and Search.
Bolded = Chosen
Which would you recommend? Also, any ideas for feats and powers? I need to strike a balance between a Psion and Wilder for UPD choice - i.e. spammable powers I won't mind being stuck with when I'm out of UPD slots.
The build, of course, is Erudite 10/Crystal Master 10.