[3.5]Subsystems: ToB, Psionics & Incarnum

[Thurbane]

So, even though my group will not likely use these in the the near future (we're pretty much core only plus PHB2), I want to get more familiar with these three subsystems:

Manoeuvres & Stances (ToB)
Incarnum (MoI)
Psionics (SRD, CP, XPH)

The main reason is for online purposes, such as reading Iron Chef entries etc. I also want to expand my knowledge of 3.5 in general...

Can someone link me to some good (basic) handbooks, and give me any pointers from when they first learned these systems? Any general advice much appreciated.

I'm also going to (at some point) post some sample builds from each subsystem for critique, and error checking.

Cheers - T


Handbooks
Incarnum -
Incarnum and YOU: a reference guide (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=215723)
Psionics -
Psionic Tricks Handbook: Brainstorms (http://www.minmaxboards.com/index.php?topic=1187.0)
ToB -
Maneuver Cards (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/we/20061225a)
Tome of Battle for Dummies (http://www.minmaxboards.com/index.php?topic=2030)

[The Underlord]

By ToM(Tome of Magic), do you mean ToB(Tome of battle) which is where maneuvers and stances are from? Also, use the google.
incarnum (http://lmgtfy.com/?q=3.5+Incarnum+Handbook)
(I'm not trying to be mean)

[Wings of Peace]

A few things to remember about ToB:

-Power Attack can be applied to Strike type maneuvers.
-Stone Dragon Maneuvers can only be used when in contact with ground.
-Only one of each maneuver can be prepared at a time (this prevents players from stocking up one a single favorite maneuver.

[Thurbane]

By ToM(Tome of Magic), do you mean ToB(Tome of battle) which is where maneuvers and stances are from? Also, use the google.
incarnum (http://lmgtfy.com/?q=3.5+Incarnum+Handbook)
(I'm not trying to be mean)
Yeah, typo, meant to be ToB.

Yes, I know I can Google handbooks, I thought some of the playgrounders might have some they prefer to others. Also, I was about to go to bed as I posted this. :smallwink:

[Psyren]

I'm spotty at best on ToB but can definitely help with the rest. Did you have any specific questions or is it all just general stuff?

For a crash course in psionics, Peregrine's Summary (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=10635999&postcount=2) (in my sig) is the best I've seen thus far.

[Novawurmson]

For Incarnum, I would highly recommend the board's own Incarnum and YOU: A Reference Guide (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=215723). Does a better job of explaining it than the book. Anything I say would probably just be repeating what is here.

ToB is best when you have maneuver cards (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/we/20061225a) printed and ready to go. Also, ToB mostly replaces Monks, Paladins and Fighters with Swordsages, Crusaders and Warblades. The two should mostly not be in the same campaign together unless the originals are heavily optimized (Monk->PsyWarrior, Paladin with Battle Blessing and Sword of the Arcane Order, Dungeoncrasher Fighter->Barbarian, etc.)

The most important rule of Psionics is that you only spend your manifester level in PP on a single power; a level 2 Psion with 6 PP can still only spend 2 PP on any given power.

[Dusk Eclipse]

Tome of Battles for Dummies (http://www.minmaxboards.com/index.php?topic=2030) is a general handbook, it covers the basics of the martial adepts, there are also a designated handbook for each of the classes (Swordsage and Warblade by Elfin and Crusader by PrivatePrinny IIRC) though only the Warblade one is being updated and it is the most comprehensive of the three.

Now one of the things about ToB is that it comes "pre-optimized" in the sense there are truly few "traps" and even then they work at least somewhat well, so in that sense they are pretty easy to build. Therefore it is quite easy to overshadow other non-initiator martial classes, especially at low levels.

[hex0]

Of course, even if you don't want to use the system in your game, the books still have nice feats that are usable without using ANY of the subsystem.

TOB has Superior Unarmed Strike, Snap Kick, etc.

[Psyren]

Of course, even if you don't want to use the system in your game, the books still have nice feats that are usable without using ANY of the subsystem.

TOB has Superior Unarmed Strike, Snap Kick, etc.

MoI is the king of this category, letting you get things like Evasion, Uncanny Dodge, nondetection, flight, teleportation, incorporeality, immunities, and various trained-only skills untrained through feats alone.

[Thurbane]

Thanks all for the feedback so far. I was going to go to bed a few hours ago, but I'm having trouble sleeping. When I get a chance, probably tomorrow, I'll edit the handbook links into my original post.

[Big Fau]

MoI is the king of this category, letting you get things like Evasion, Uncanny Dodge, nondetection, flight, teleportation, incorporeality, immunities, and various trained-only skills untrained through feats alone.

In limited capacity, mind you. The Blink Shirt isn't exactly Teleport at will.