Erudite Build

[Erts]

Well, I'm playing under a tough DM, and my wizard recently was smoshed under an ogre's foot (whoa, it rhymes.)

I decided to role an Erudite, after hearing how powerful they are.
Note, this is my first time playing psionics (not that I hate them, but never really tried much, aside from some other player in my group playing a wilder or a soulknife.)

What is a good, well powered build?

[Optimystik]

If it is your first time playing psionics, I strongly, strongly suggest you play a Psion rather than an Erudite. The Erudite's key strength - unlimited powers known - is balanced by the "Unique Powers per Day" mechanic that forces you to trade in versatility as you manifest your powers. Throughout your career (and especially early on) you will need to have a decent handle on which powers are versatile enough that you won't be stuck with only useless ones at a clutch moment.

To contrast - a Psion has plenty of powers known, and no restriction on which ones they may pull out of their repertoire. It plays like an Int-based sorcerer, so it's very easy to pick up and run with.

And do not forget the cardinal rule: You cannot spend more power points on a single manifestation than your manifester level. That includes everything: the base cost, augmentation, metapsionics, and any cost increases or reductions that may be in effect.

The Psion Handbook will be your best learning tool to start with.

[Wings of Peace]

Just remember, Anarchic Initiates are your friend, Wilders are not your friend.

[Erts]

To contrast - a Psion has plenty of powers known, and no restriction on which ones they may pull out of their repertoire. It plays like an Int-based sorcerer, so it's very easy to pick up and run with.

And do not forget the cardinal rule: You cannot spend more power points on a single manifestation than your manifester level. That includes everything: the base cost, augmentation, metapsionics, and any cost increases or reductions that may be in effect.

The Psion Handbook will be your best learning tool to start with.

Thank you for not linking to the broken one on the WoTC boards. I think I shall follow your advice.

[Optimystik]

Just remember, Anarchic Initiates are your friend, Wilders are not your friend.

Educated Wilder isn't bad, actually. Wild Surge >>> Overchannel.

[Erts]

Any other things I should remember?

EDIT: I keep on seeing the first rule and noting how important it is, and I understand it is a fundamental part of psionics, it does not seem to be incredible complicated. Why is it emphasized so much?

[Wings of Peace]

Educated Wilder isn't bad, actually. Wild Surge >>> Overchannel.

Doesn't Anarchic Initiate give you Wild Surge?

[Alcopop]

*Opps, post on wrong class thanks Optimystik*

[Optimystik]

Any other things I should remember?

Absolutely:

1) Decide on a role you want to play (blaster, summoner, controller etc.) just as you would if you were a wizard, and pick powers/a discipline that supports your chosen role. For example, you will definitely want to be a Shaper if you plan on summoning

2) Psions must choose a discipline, which is sort of similar to a Specialist Wizard choosing a school. However, Psions lose access to the discipline-only powers of other disciplines by doing so. Unlike a Wizard, however, Psions don't lose access to entire schools disciplines worth of powers - just the restricted ones. In other words, any powers on the Psion/Wilder general list are fair game no matter what discipline you choose.

3) Because many psionic feats (and especially metapsionic feats) require expending your psionic focus to function, you will want Psionic Meditation at some point in your career. You won't need it right off the bat (I'd get a psicrystal before that), but plan on getting it by mid-levels at the earliest.

4) There are useful feats and powers in Complete Psionic (Metapower, Linked Power etc.) Just don't look too hard at the PrCs or "fixes" in it. The best psionic PrCs are online - WotC's site, the SRD, and if your DM allows it, the DSP-SRD.

EDIT:

Doesn't Anarchic Initiate give you Wild Surge?

Yes, but only advances it twice in 10 levels. The PrC is decent, but WS isn't a compelling reason to take it in my opinion.

Erudite are a pain to build, but can be quite fun to play.

Oh and as far as optimization goes take a look at Dominant Ideals, it can make you into a meta-psionic monster.
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/psm/20070629a

Substitute Powers (same article) are quite nice too, and not to hard to justify.

You're thinking of Ardents here. While Erudites can get a mantle, neither of the ACFs you mention apply to them even so.

[Keld Denar]

You cannot spend more power points on a single manifestation than your manifester level.

Hey guys...I heard that you can only spend as many power points on a single manifestation as you have manifester levels. Is this true?

[Optimystik]

Hey guys...I heard that you can only spend as many power points on a single manifestation as you have manifester levels. Is this true?

You think that's bad? I heard your manifester level is the maximum amount of power points you can spend on a single manifestation! True story!

[Alcopop]

You're thinking of Ardents here. While Erudites can get a mantle, neither of the ACFs you mention apply to them even so.

*self face-palm*

[2xMachina]

StP Erudite lol?

Play your wizard and the psion too. (Remember to be below ECL to get more xp to learn though. The learning is expensive)

[Bogardan_Mage]

EDIT: I keep on seeing the first rule and noting how important it is, and I understand it is a fundamental part of psionics, it does not seem to be incredible complicated. Why is it emphasized so much?

Because misunderstanding it seems to be the most common, if not only, origin of "Psionics are broken" claims.

[PId6]

EDIT: I keep on seeing the first rule and noting how important it is, and I understand it is a fundamental part of psionics, it does not seem to be incredible complicated. Why is it emphasized so much?

Forgetting it is the number one reason why people think psionics are broken. Without it, you have 3rd level Psions that can deal 20d6+20 damage with a single power (and not be able to do anything else for the rest of the day).

[Erts]

Forgetting it is the number one reason why people think psionics are broken. Without it, you have 3rd level Psions that can deal 20d6+20 damage with a single power (and not be able to do anything else for the rest of the day).

Wow.... That explains a lot.
What discipline and should I be aiming for when I was playing a typical metamagic focused wizard (I was planning on making an Incantantrix before the ogre got me)? I want to play the same kind of role in the party.

[PId6]

What discipline and should I be aiming for when I was playing a typical metamagic focused wizard (I was planning on making an Incantantrix before the ogre got me)? I want to play the same kind of role in the party.

Depends on what you were using it for. If you were using Incantatrix for blasty spells of blastiness, Kineticist is your guy. If you were using Incantatrix to Persist everything under the sun... well, that's not possible in 3.5 psionics, but Egoist has some good buff powers, which is kinda similar.

[Optimystik]

Depends on what you were using it for. If you were using Incantatrix for blasty spells of blastiness, Kineticist is your guy. If you were using Incantatrix to Persist everything under the sun... well, that's not possible in 3.5 psionics, but Egoist has some good buff powers, which is kinda similar.

Or rather, it is possible, but you'll need some 3rd-party material to make it work.