Psion build

[Maltore]

I did a search for a Psion build but the closest I got was the Wizard vs Psion thread.

I am currently DMing my very first game involving psionics and I'd like a psion BBEG, somewhere between 10th-15th level, using only the Expanded Psionics Handbook. Could someone link me to a guide similar to the batman wizard, or could you give me tips on tactics/powers that are especially worth it/work well together? I highly prefer 'abjurerer'/battlefield control casters over blasters.

The party is entirely melee-oriented (tripper build/mounted combat build/psionic warrior focusing on claws/rogue). Don't take pity on them, they are chewing through higher than level appropriate encounters without breaking much sweat.

[kamikasei]

I suggest looking on the Wizards forum; there's a compendium of build guides for psionics there.

The things with psions is that they have a limited number of powers known (unlike wizards, though for an NPC it's not so visible a difference) and have a limited pool to choose from (wizards have the option of specializing, in which case they give up one or more schools; psions have to specialize, and are limited to the "universal" powers and their specialist powers, being denied access to all other disciplines). So you can't really make a psion as versatile/"batman"y as a wizard.

If you want a BBEG who can mess the party up via battlefield control and/or abjuration-style effects, your best bet is probably either a shaper (to summon minions) or a telepath (to lock down players or turn them against one another), using the dispel psionics powers to remove the party's buffs (assuming they have buffs - it'll help against the psywar at least).

[The Minx]

To expand on that, I'd say that of the 6 types of Psion, Telepath is the most dangerous. The BBEG with such powers can pump up the Save DC of mind control powers to obscene levels. Take for instance Psionic Dominate:

Dominate, Psionic
Telepathy (Compulsion) [Mind-Affecting]
Level: Telepath 4
Display: Mental
Manifesting Time: 1 round
Range: Medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)
Target: One humanoid
Duration: Concentration
Saving Throw: Will negates
Power Resistance: Yes
Power Points: 7

As the dominate person spell, except as noted here.
Augment

You can augment this power in one or more of the following ways.

1. If you spend 2 additional power points, this power can also affect an animal, fey, giant, magical beast, or monstrous humanoid.
2. If you spend 4 additional power points, this power can also affect an aberration, dragon, elemental, or outsider in addition to the creature types mentioned above.
3. For every 2 additional power points you spend, this power can affect an additional target. Any additional target cannot be more than 15 feet from another target of the power.
4. If you spend 1 additional power point, this power’s duration is 1 hour rather than concentration. If you spend 2 additional power points, this power’s duration is 1 day rather than concentration. If you spend 4 additional power points, this power’s duration is 1 day per manifester level rather than concentration.

In addition, for every 2 additional power points you spend to achieve any of these effects, this power’s save DC increases by 1.

The power has a base DC of 14 + Int modifier. Let's say your BBEG has Int 22, this makes it Save DC 20.

He can normally use 15 pp per manifestation. Take the Overchannel feat and use it to give +2 manifester levels, you can then use 17 pp per manifestation. This implies an additional +10 pp beyond what is needed to manifest the power, which means +5 on save DCs. Add other save DC boosting feats for a further +2 save DC bonus, a Psionatrix of Telepathy for +1, a headband of intellect +6 for a further +3 Save DC bonus, and you have a net Save DC of 31(!)

I used this for a Telepath anti-hero in a OOTS derivative. Not one of the heroes managed to save:

"Surrender yourselves! Immediately!"

The main issue is whether they know that the BBEG is a telepath and manage to make themselves immune to mind-affecting effects. Then you need to use it on powerful NPCs and have them beat up the heroes instead.

If you want to make her more versatile, go for the Erudite. Although she is limited in the number of different powers he can use per day, she can learn all the discipline specific powers up to 8th level and the general powers up to 9th level.

EDIT: fixed boo-boo in the DC calculations.

[Douglas]

psions have to specialize, and are limited to the "universal" powers and their specialist powers, being denied access to all other disciplines).

It's not entirely clear from your post whether you know this or not, but psions are only denied access to the short "specialist only" lists for other disciplines. For example, Energy Ray is a psychokinesis power but any psion can learn it. Energy Missile, however, is a kineticist-only power.

The really sad thing about Shapers is that the vast majority of the useful stuff they can do that's specific to them is all wrapped up in the single Astral Construct power, which anyone can learn with a single application of the Expanded Knowledge feat.

[kamikasei]

It's not entirely clear from your post whether you know this or not, but psions are only denied access to the short "specialist only" lists for other disciplines. For example, Energy Ray is a psychokinesis power but any psion can learn it. Energy Missile, however, is a kineticist-only power.

I was actually forgetting that the general "psion/wilder" powers do have disciplines listed, but what you describe is what I meant; I was using "discipline" as equivalent to "specialist only".

[Caewil]

Expanded Knowledge solves all such problems. There really aren't that many discipline specific powers that are indispensable. Both telepaths and shapers make fairly good BBEG's. I would however, suggest instead the constructor prestige class. With a Psion5/Constructor10, you'll be manifesting 6th level Astral constructs. (ML 13) Make sure you grab the overchannel feat since an additional 2 pp will bump your constructs to 7th level, gaining access to Menu C. You will be able to choose or exchange a total of 4 Menu C abilities for your construct and if your psionic focus is active, it lasts for 15 minutes. You may also create many lower level constructs at once and quicken your casting for free as well. (although you must expend your focus)

Use the constructs to keep the PC's engaged whilst spamming control powers. Wrap them in cocoons and such. Maybe put up an energy wall or two for an element your constructs are immune to and have them grapple the PC's. Since you have long lasting constructs, you can buff them beforehand with whatever you want. For melee constructs, give them reach, spikes and constrict. Ranged constructs should get Dimension Slide and Energy Bolt for harassment. Everyone should get Natural Invisibility if you can swing for it.

[Maltore]

Thank you very much for the input so far, I think I'll be going with a telepath. Sounds like you could have a lot of fun with it Jedi Mind Trick-style. Make them stand around helplessly, toy around with them like on those hypnosis shows until you've made them thoroughly ridiculous, then just take off. Gods, they'll hate the bastard.

[NEO|Phyte]

Consider adding Thrallherd to your telepath. You'll lose 1 manifester level (2 if you take the capstone level), but the ability to reduce the cost of a Psionic Dominate by up to 10 PP (which means 10 more points of augmentation) once per day can be BRUTAL.

[JMobius]

Consider adding Thrallherd to your telepath. You'll lose 1 manifester level (2 if you take the capstone level), but the ability to reduce the cost of a Psionic Dominate by up to 10 PP (which means 10 more points of augmentation) once per day can be BRUTAL.

I thought it explicitly stated that the PP reduction applied to expended PP only, NOT to the manifester level cap.

[NEO|Phyte]

I thought it explicitly stated that the PP reduction applied to expended PP only, NOT to the manifester level cap.

The manifester level cap is still there. Funny how lowering the manifestation cost means you can augment it more without reaching said cap, isn't it?

[Darkmatter]

Thrallherd or no, the easy way to get around immunity to mind affecting abilities is to have your BBEG telepath dominate other people (read: fighter types with low will saves) to use against the heroes. For a mere 11 pp expenditure every two weeks, he can keep a human barbarian dominated - if he overchannels for 16 pp every two weeks, he can keep a dragon as a constant and utterly expendable thrall. He only needs to overcome its SR/will save once - then he just orders it to fail its saves every two weeks on the renewal date. Since he's got in excess of 200 power points per day, that means he could fairly easily keep a dozen dragons / outsiders / abberations on retainer, renewing their dominations biweekly, and at any given time only be out less than 10% of his total points. This gets even more efficient with the 2 point "multiple target" augment.

He can even be a shadowy figure through most of the campaign - the 4th level modify memory power manifested right after the renewal of a dominate could make him look like whatever he wished in the mind of his thralls. Even if one of them got freed in a lucky dispel psionics check or being held in jail away from their dominator, they'd be unable to give the characters any information beyond where they were supposed to meet their master for the next dominate.

Telepaths make the best bad guys.

[Douglas]

then he just orders it to fail its saves every two weeks on the renewal date.

For the vast majority of creatures, such an order would be either against its nature, obviously self-destructive, or both. Congratulations, you have accomplished either a) nothing or b) granting your subject a new save with a +2 bonus.

[mangosta71]

A psion is really more similar to a sorcerer than a wizard. So looking through a sorcerer guide can give you more ideas than looking through a wizard guide. But I'll agree that the Telepath discipline is extremely dangerous, and the Thrallherd PrC can be very fitting for a BBEG that goes the Telepath route.

[Yukitsu]

Please note half of a telepaths abilities fail outright from one against people with class abilities, and is completely tossed out at level 15.

[wadledo]

This is also a good look through.
Especially if this is your first time with psionics.

[Fixer]

Depending on your usage of the magic/psionic transparency rules, you can have the BBEG telepath put the PCs in an anti-magic shield to prevent those pesky Mind Blank or Protection from Evil spells from dampening your fun.

[lord_khaine]

i would personaly suggest using extendet Temporal acceleration to get the time to put down a couple of Astral constructs, and then leave the party to deal with them, while he continues to do evil things.

[kamikasei]

Please note half of a telepaths abilities fail outright from one against people with class abilities, and is completely tossed out at level 15.

I can't parse this sentence. Can you clarify what you mean?

\/ Figured it was something like that, missed that you could read "from one" as "from level one on up".

[Sstoopidtallkid]

I can't parse this sentence. Can you clarify what you mean?

He means that even at low levels certain characters are immune to mind-affecting, and after level 8 spells come into play, anyone expecting him will have Mindblank.

Also, yes. Some people on here need to "lrn 2 parce". It's annoying when someone posts something completely illegible because they didn't bother to read it and add punctuation.

[Devils_Advocate]

The use of Psionic/Magic transparency is recommended. It's rather more balanced and sensible. Throwing in something that works just like magic except it can't be countered like magic is kinda cheap.

You could run go with the rather straightforward evil telepathic mastermind type character. Me, I'd rather make a Neutral Good telepath whose heightened empathy drives him to subtly manipulate townsfolk in order to reduce conflict and promote their emotional well-being.

OK, so not quite so inherently antagonistic, but a character like that could still come into conflict with the PCs. "You are interfering with my intricate plans! "