Need help boosting a tiny Psionic PP Pool for PoW's Sleeping Goddess-themed PC

[Miss Disaster]

Howdy!

I created a 12th level Rogue with the Eldritch Scoundrel and Hidden Blade (Path of War Expanded) archetypes. Also, I have some Sleeping Goddess discipline stuff - 3 maneuvers and 1 stance. Using the formula for determining my psionic PP in Path of War Expanded, looks like I have 8 Power Points to use with my Sleeping Goddess maneuvers. Cool!

Now, this is my first foray into playing a character with psionics. So I was wondering if any of you could recommend some inexpensive and easily acquired magic items, gear, feats, traits, etc. that could help supplement my meager 8 PP pool ... and possibly some helpful talents or power to add to this small pool.

I'm not looking to go full throttle into psionics for this arcane-trickster type character. I just want some nice supplementary psionic add-ons to dip my toes into. I have normal WBL for a 12th level character and access to all PFRPG and 3.5 books - including all the psionic ones and Dreamscarred Press PF ones.

****

To note, I fell in love with the 5th level Sleeping Goddess stance, ' Inarguable Presence of the Sleeping Goddess' ... so I'll be using it to enable a number of attacks with the Mind-Affecting descriptor.

Thanks for reading - and for any help!

[upho]

To increase your power points per day, the best/easiest option for you is likely buying/finding/crafting cognizance crystals (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/alternative-rule-systems/psionics-unleashed/equipment/psionic-items/cognizance-crystals/).

Since you don't have a manifester level and aren't exactly swimming in free feat slots, unless you're interested in dipping into a psionic class I wouldn't recommend trying to get the ability to actually manifest powers normally. Instead, I suggest you put your Use Magic Device skill to good use, boosting your total bonus up to +19 (it may be a good idea to get the Pragmatic Activator trait so you can use Int if you dumped Cha), allowing you to use dorjes (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/alternative-rule-systems/psionics-unleashed/equipment/psionic-items/dorjes/) without risk of failure.

Dorjes are the psionic equivalent of wands, with the key difference being that they may contain up to 50 uses of a psionic power of any level, not just up to 4th. In addition, the ML of the power can be up to 5 higher than the minimum required, in which case the additional ML translates into additional power points with which you can augment the power. For example, you could get a dorje of ML 7 metamorphosis (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/alternative-rule-systems/psionics-unleashed/psionic-powers/m/metamorphosis/) (15,750 gp market price), and since this is a 3rd level power requiring a minimum ML of 5, the power is already augmented with 2 power points. The metamorphosis line of powers also happen to be great choices due to their fantastic innate flexibility.

Largely depending on what you usually focus on in and outside of combat (fighting style, weapon choice etc), the are also potentially quite a few other reasonably low level powers and psionic feats you might be interested in, especially since even though you're not a proper manifester you still have the psionic subtype and thus also psionic focus, giving you access to a quite wide selection of feats. If you can post a bit more details I might be able to help.

Finally, since you have a some power points, you may want to get weapons of the deep crystal (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/alternative-rule-systems/psionics-unleashed/equipment/psionic-items/psionic-special-materials/) special material (only +1,000 gp). This allows you to charge the weapon with 2 power points as a free action, causing it to deal an additional +2d6 damage on the next hit.

[Miss Disaster]

Wow. Thank you, Upho! Terrific advice.

I'm now looking to acquire a dorje of Entangling Ectoplasm for a nice ranged debuff attack. I'll look to integrate some of the other things you mentioned too ....

I'm especially interested in those feats you mentioned. My primary combat schtick is casting offensive spells (illusions, rays and compulsion spells) with a magic longbow as a secondary offense role.

[phlidwsn]

Off the top of my head:


Advanced Study (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/alternative-rule-systems/path-of-war/feats/advanced-study-combat/) for more Sleeping Goddess maneuvers known would give more pp

Psionic Talent (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/alternative-rule-systems/psionics-unleashed/feats/psionic-talent-psionic/) gives you 2pp the first time you take it, 3pp the next time, etc.

Picking up Tap Animus (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/alternative-rule-systems/path-of-war/feats/tap-animus-combat/) and Awakened Animus (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/alternative-rule-systems/path-of-war/feats/awakened-animus-combat/) would give you one more pp and 1-2 points of animus per round that you could use in place of pp. (You could also dip Mystic (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/alternative-rule-systems/path-of-war/classes/mystic/#TOC-Animus-Su-)or Rubato Bard (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/bard/archetypes/dreamscarred-press-bard-archetypes/rubato-bard-archetype/) instead of Tap Animus)

[StSword]

Akashic can also be of some help.

The font of power (http://spheresofpower.wikidot.com/akashic-rogue-talents) rogue talent gives Essence equal to one third of one's rogue class level.

The body-bound mind akashic feat (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/variant-magic-rules/akashic-magic/feats/body-bound-mind-akashic/) allows you to bind essence into it, which gives you two power points for every point of essence bound.

That feat can also be bought as a rogue talent with akashic training.

At twelfth level that nets you 6 power points.

Or you go with the Akashic Flux feat (http://spheresofpower.wikidot.com/seraph-feats), which allows one to spend essence burn to replace animus points, so with Awakened Animus you could convert 4 points of essence burn into power points every encounter- Essence burn recovers one point per one minute of rest in a quiet environment.

Again, can be bought as a rogue talent with akashic training.

Combine that with the animus replenishment rate of 1 to 2 points a turn of combat and you've got a pretty good never ending supply of power points.

[Miss Disaster]

Thank you very much, phlidwsn and StSword!

This gives me a lot of ideas and combinatorial options. I like that everybody who's offered me helpful ideas kept it within a reasonable scope of minimal expenditure. :-)

I'm looking forward to my first time doing "resource management" within my teeny-tiny Power Point pool!

[upho]

Wow. Thank you, Upho! Terrific advice.

I'm now looking to acquire a dorje of Entangling Ectoplasm for a nice ranged debuff attack. I'll look to integrate some of the other things you mentioned too ....While this isn't necessarily bad as a reliable backup during earlier levels, I suggest you stay away from psionic powers only/mainly useful while you're already in combat, generally speaking. The reason is that you don't really have the resources and abilities to make such powers nearly as viable as your spells or maneuvers (and just the item-juggling needed for dorjes make them difficult to use efficiently in combat). Or to put it in other words: drawing and using a dorje of a combat power is very rarely going to be a better use of your actions than casting one of your rogue spells and/or initiating a maneuver.

When it comes to alternatives to entangling ectoplasm specifically, I'd consider for example preparing snowball (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/s/snowball/) and maybe investing in a rime spell metamagic rod (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/rods/metamagic-rods/metamagic-rod-rime), which nets you a typically less limited and more powerful similar debuff which will remain viable well past 10th level.

A few other potentially great psionic powers for you (from dorje or power stone):
Chameleon (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/alternative-rule-systems/psionics-unleashed/psionic-powers/c/chameleon/) (1st) +10 enhancement to Stealth for 10 mins/ML. Cheap and useful even for an Eldritch Scoundrel.
Banshee's hearing (https://libraryofmetzofitz.fandom.com/wiki/Banshee%E2%80%99s_Hearing) (2nd) may grant 60 ft. blindsight for 1 hour/ML; makes it very difficult for all creatures with a beating heart to hide from you
Mindlink (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/alternative-rule-systems/psionics-unleashed/psionic-powers/m/mindlink/) (1st) Telepathic link between targets over any distance on same plane, great for sneaky co-op shenanigans and for communicating with odd creatures.
P (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/alternative-rule-systems/psionics-unleashed/psionic-powers/p/psychic-reformation/)sychic reformation (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/alternative-rule-systems/psionics-unleashed/psionic-powers/p/psychic-reformation/) (4th) Ridiculously powerful and highly unique versatility. One of the strongest - if not the strongest - psionic powers in the game.


I'm especially interested in those feats you mentioned. My primary combat schtick is casting offensive spells (illusions, rays and compulsion spells) with a magic longbow as a secondary offense role.I think the Advanced Study, Tap Animus (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/alternative-rule-systems/path-of-war/feats/tap-animus-combat/) and Awakened Animus (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/alternative-rule-systems/path-of-war/feats/awakened-animus-combat/) feats suggested by phlidwsn are definitely worth considering.

Hawkeye (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/alternative-rule-systems/psionics-unleashed/feats/hawkeye-combat/) increases the max range at which you can make sneak attacks (and other ranged attack bonuses normally limited to 30 ft.)

Fell Shot (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/alternative-rule-systems/psionics-unleashed/feats/fell-shot-psionic) might be worth it to ensure you hit with strikes and sneak attacks using your bow, especially if you prioritize your Int above your Dex.

And considering your combat schtick, especially if you like casting rays which deal hp damage, I think there's also a more involved Akashic based combo you should strongly consider in higher levels:

Replace one of your current disciplines with Radiant Dawn - it's freely accessible without trait or martial tradition and has several fantastic maneuvers - and learn maneuvers to gain at least 3 essence.
Get the Shape Veil (http://spheresofpower.wikidot.com/akashic-feats#toc36) feat so you can shape the Storm Gauntlets (http://spheresofpower.wikidot.com/veil-list-and-descriptions#toc81) veil (lasts all day long).
Get the Access Middle Chakra Slot (wrist) (http://spheresofpower.wikidot.com/akashic-feats#toc3) feat, allowing you to bind your Storm Gauntlets veil to your wrists chakra.

Now both your damaging rays (and similar spells considered "weapons") as well as your bow attacks deal an additional +1d6 electric, +1d6 sonic, and +1d6 cold damage.

You can also build on the above in many ways, for example by adding any of the following:

Akashic Catalyst (http://spheresofpower.wikidot.com/akashic-wondrous-items) to further increase the energy damage die sizes of you Storm Gauntlets (up to +2d6 of each energy type).
Body-Bound Mind (http://spheresofpower.wikidot.com/akashic-feats#toc9), as suggested by StSword, to convert essence into power points.
Essence Forged (http://spheresofpower.wikidot.com/akashic-weapons) longbow, a truly dirt cheap and highly competitive magical weapon - 5,000 gp for up to a +3 enhancement and +3 equivalent abilities (more with additional feats), magic with a normal market price of no less than 72,000 gp...


And finally, I definitely think you should consider taking Bladecaster (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/alternative-rule-systems/path-of-war/prestige-classes/bladecaster/) levels, as it will progress both your casting and your initiation, remove the low level cap on your Hidden Blade progression, and allows you to cast a spell as a swift action against a foe you target with a strike.


The font of power (http://spheresofpower.wikidot.com/akashic-rogue-talents) rogue talent gives Essence equal to one third of one's rogue class level.

That feat can also be bought as a rogue talent with akashic training.Unfortunately, the Eldritch Scoundrel and Hidden Blade archetype features replace the rogue talent class feature entirely (ES changes the talent progression to every 4th level, and HB replaces the talents at those levels). Even the Extra Rogue Talent feat is off the table.


Or you go with the Akashic Flux feat (http://spheresofpower.wikidot.com/seraph-feats)This may very well be problematic for the OP, since it's not found in any of the source material allowed in the game (Co7S is published by Lost Spheres Publishing, not DSP).

[StSword]

Ah well, my bad.

In hindsight I should have checked out eldritch scoundrel.

[thethird]

I don't see any mention of race, have you considered a psionic race?

[StSword]

There is a trait I would suggest looking at.

Combat Training (https://www.d20pfsrd.com/alternative-rule-systems/path-of-war/traits/combat-training-combat/)- It gives you an additional discipline maneuver known. So use it for a sleeping goddess maneuver and you get not only another maneuver but an extra power point.

[pabelfly]

Practiced Manifester gives you the equivalent of four more manifester levels of your psionic class of choice, the effects of which includes boosting your PP.

[exelsisxax]

Practiced Manifester gives you the equivalent of four more manifester levels of your psionic class of choice, the effects of which includes boosting your PP.

This does nothing, because he isn't a manifester and has no real manifester level, and gets no PP from levels of any kind anyway.

[Kris Moonhand]

Have you considered the Nightmare archetype for Dread, by the way? You'd lose out on sneak attack and gambits, but Nightmare uses the Claim mechanic and has manifesting as a base, meaning you get a buttload of PP.

[Miss Disaster]

Just to note, I do have access to DSP's Akashic material, too. As well as all the auxiliary Pathfinder 3PP Psi stuff from DSP - like Seventh Path, etc.

And yes, I'm still churning through all these wonderful suggestions - there's a lot to read and cover for a Psi newbie like me! Especially tantalizing is that Chameleon Dorje idea to mega-boost my Stealth. And I'm trying to see if I have room for binding a veil as well ...

[StSword]

Just to note, I do have access to DSP's Akashic material, too. As well as all the auxiliary Pathfinder 3PP Psi stuff from DSP - like Seventh Path, etc.

And yes, I'm still churning through all these wonderful suggestions - there's a lot to read and cover for a Psi newbie like me! Especially tantalizing is that Chameleon Dorje idea to mega-boost my Stealth. And I'm trying to see if I have room for binding a veil as well ...

Well be careful, you wouldn't want your enthusiasm to make you forget to keep your eye on the prize- a character that can do what you want.

I wouldn't want you to end up not enjoying your character because the options you chose didn't synergize.

The point is to have fun, after all. :)

Magic, akasha, supernatural martial arts, psionics, all have great options, but if you don't chose your options to play well together you fall into the trap of making a character who can do several things, but none of them well.

[Kris Moonhand]

Oh, well, if you have Akasha... might I recommend the Narcissism (https://libraryofmetzofitz.fandom.com/wiki/Narcissism) feat and The Resolute (https://libraryofmetzofitz.fandom.com/wiki/The_Resolute) veil? That'll give you PP equal to your character level (since you're already psionic and your veilweaver level is equal to your character level) plus the ability to expend focus to reroll maneuver skill checks, attack rolls, damage rolls, or saving throws.