Level 1 psion combat tactics/options.

[Tamior]

Let's say I'm playing a level 1 psion (Telepath, but it doesn't really matter much at level 1, I guess).
Let's also say that in the interest of having the most !fun! we are playing a campaign where XP gains are pretty slow, so I can expect to stay at level 1 for quite a few in-game months, if not years.

Now, let's make one more assumption: for whatever reason, every so often psion is forced to fight a monster effectively without the help of other PC's (other PC's are busy elsewhere, or simply roll so badly at their attack rolls that it does not contribute much, and the monster decided to focus on the psion). That's not to say psion is "solo" per say, but rather that we are simply considering a worst-case scenario where you can't rely on other for help.

For simplicity, let's stick to expanded psionics + core rules. 28 points for point buy, normal starting gold, no super-tight time constraints (so PC's can spend a few weeks crafting, or earning extra money via skills, or training animals, etc).
Enemies encountered are pretty standard CR ~1 stuff: low-end undead, animals, goblins, etc.


1) Assuming you don't care about your attack bonus much, is there any way to boost your AC outside of "just use the armor and shield with highest AC bonus you can afford"? Both Force Screen and Inertial Armor seems pretty moot when you can just have tower shield + chain shirt for the same bonus. Obviously, there are precognition-type powers, but they seem to be pretty bad "bang for the buck".

2) Are there any tricks that would allow you to reliably disengage from combat other than simply having higher speed and/or using "Deceleration" power? Speaking of effective speed, anything other than "Skate" power and "Speed of thought" feat you can realistically get at lvl 1 to boost it?

3) Matter Agitation seems like the absolute best (if somewhat slow-acting) attack power as it requires neither a touch attack nor allows for saving throw, but maybe I'm missing something here?

4) All other attack powers seems to be both close range AND rely on touch attack and/or allow for ST. Why exactly would you chose those at lvl 1 over simply firing a crossbow?

5) Any Control Light shenanigans you can think of other than just using it to cover your escape or to boost your hide checks?

6) Any Control Flames shenanigans you can think of (at psion level 1)?

7) What's the most efficient way to use a normal dog to prevent a melee enemy that is trying to attack you from attacking you? Just positing it between the two of you and fish for AoO's?

8) Any specific tactics to prevent melee opponents from engaging you other than just keeping your distance (some readied action tricks or some less-than-obvious positioning tricks)?

9) Any psicrystal shenanigans available at level 1? Strapping an open bottle of oil to it and making it run and hug the target you are about to set on fire via matter agitation?

10) Any other cool tactic you can think of for a lvl 1 psion?

[Zaq]

I don’t have time to answer all of your questions, but if you’re planning on wearing armor/shield that you aren’t proficient with just because psionics have no ASF, remember that nonproficiency penalties apply to Dexterity checks, and initiative is a Dexterity check. So a Psion in a tin can is almost always going to go last.

It might still be worthwhile to survive the extreme swinginess of the very lowest levels, but it’s still something to consider. Your opponent will basically always get a free turn on you, which might include getting closer than you want them to.

[Tamior]

I don’t have time to answer all of your questions, but if you’re planning on wearing armor/shield that you aren’t proficient with just because psionics have no ASF, remember that nonproficiency penalties apply to Dexterity checks, and initiative is a Dexterity check. So a Psion in a tin can is almost always going to go last.

It might still be worthwhile to survive the extreme swinginess of the very lowest levels, but it’s still something to consider. Your opponent will basically always get a free turn on you, which might include getting closer than you want them to.

True, but at level 1 your initiative (at 28 point buy abilities) is unlikely to be higher than +1. So you are, generally speaking, not going to go first vs most animals and the like anyway. Might as well take the extra AC from the tower shield.
Also, the armor penalty is just -2 (or -1 if masterworked). And you don't have to have you tower shield "active" outside of combat as it only takes a move action to activate it.

[Troacctid]

You could be a warforged (or warforged scout) and take Adamantine Body. That gives you high AC and damage reduction. Great for low level survivability.

[Particle_Man]

You could be a warforged (or warforged scout) and take Adamantine Body. That gives you high AC and damage reduction. Great for low level survivability.

But that race is not Expanded Psionics Handbook + Core.

[RoboEmperor]

Buy Guard Dogs and have them Guard you.

Then later switch to Riding Dogs and Heavy Warhorses. Maybe an Elephant.

Lodestone Marauders are pretty nice too.

Grab a crossbow and plink away. Use your Psi stuff for BFC and support your animals. You can solo most things reasonably well.

[Tamior]

So, just out of curiosity, how would you rule a psicrytal with a bottle of oil strapped to it trying to climb or jump a hostile target to soak it with said oil?

As per RAW, being Diminutive with a str score of 1 it can carry 1 lb bottle of oil at medium load without any problems. Maybe even as a light load if you consider psicrystasl to be quadruped.

To touch the target, it needs to enter it's space and succeed on a touch attack. Again, pretty straight-forward, as psicrystals can normally use touch attacks (they can deliver touch powers).

But what happens next? A climb check opposed by reflex save..? Some kind of opposite skill check?
I mean, you could try to resolve it as a normal grapple, but the psicrystal is simply trying to soak the target with oil, not "grapple" it in the straight-forward sense.

Even if you would rule that psicrystal can't "hold" onto the target to climb it (as per grapple rules), that still leaves the option of just jumping at the target. RAW, a psicrytal should be pretty capable of jumping 1-2 feet into the air even with -5 from low str.

Edit: after some deliberation, I think we are looking at something like psicrytal being forced to take a DC 8 jump check to reach the "center" of a medium-sized creature followed by a touch attack to actually hit it. On hit, the oil vial breaks and the target gets soaked. On miss for any reason, it'd say psi-cystal needs to take a DC 10 balance check to avoid breaking the vial anyway, soaking the ground. Sounds about right?

[Anthrowhale]

With regards to question 4, a goblin has AC 15 and Will-1, so a gray elf Psion with Int 20 can create a DC 16 will save with Mind Thrust that the goblin fails 80% of the time. If you have Overchannel, the Mind Thrust can inflict 2d10 damage which has high odds of taking out the 5hp goblin. It's a potent high probability of success quick attack.

[Zaq]

With regards to question 4, a goblin has AC 15 and Will-1, so a gray elf Psion with Int 20 can create a DC 16 will save with Mind Thrust that the goblin fails 80% of the time. If you have Overchannel, the Mind Thrust can inflict 2d10 damage which has high odds of taking out the 5hp goblin. It's a potent high probability of success quick attack.

A level 1 character with d4 HD, a racial CON penalty, and shockingly few point-buy points left after buying up your recommended preracial 18 INT should NOT be dealing themselves d8 damage, which is what Overchannel will do.

Decent strategy at level 3-5 (scaled up appropriately), but TERRIBLE advice at level 1. Especially if survival is a concern.

[Tamior]

With regards to question 4, a goblin has AC 15 and Will-1, so a gray elf Psion with Int 20 can create a DC 16 will save with Mind Thrust that the goblin fails 80% of the time. If you have Overchannel, the Mind Thrust can inflict 2d10 damage which has high odds of taking out the 5hp goblin. It's a potent high probability of success quick attack.

Going into mind thrust range vs goblin — when you have a crossbow — just does not sound right.
Heck, a smart goblin will literally ready a javelin to try and hit you as you attempt to manifest your mind thrust, forcing a concentration check.
And if that goblin makes that 20% save he will just whack you in the face on his action via a charge, likely one-shotting an elf.

All the while you can manifest "skate" to outrun the goblin and simply keep shooting it with your crossbow repeatedly from a respectable range. That way you will stay out of range of it's javelins, too.

Not to mention mind thrust is literally useless vs anything mindless, and you only know 3 powers at level 1, so you better make them count.

Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the input, but the range on mind thrust is just abysmal, and it can STILL fail, making you pretty much a sitting duck.

[MaxiDuRaritry]

The best thing for a telepath to do at level 1 is to be a shaper. If he made a horrible decision and went telepath, instead, he should get himself a psicrystal with Hidden Talent (psionic minor creation), have his psicrystal create some plant-based poison, then have his psicrystal poison some crossbow bolts, which he then proceeds to fire at his enemies via a crossbow.

[StreamOfTheSky]

Honestly at level 1 for offense you probably are best off just firing the crossbow. Maybe have crystal shard or energy ray for enemies in a lot of armor and thus a touch attack actually makes a big difference. At level 1, enemies usually only have like 3-10 hp, so they'll drop in 1 or 2 hits and it's not worth blowing pp on doing the same damage as you could w/ a crossbow.

My favorite "budget" power is Demoralize. It hits all enemies w/in 30 ft around you, doesn't affect allies, and can be used to fear stack with Intimidate or other methods. I like getting the Unsettling Enchantment feat (per the transparency rules, Telepathy = Enchantment and it...basically is the same thing....I think most DMs would allow the feat to apply) to add a further debuff to my 1 power point wonder, though that bit's not in your allowed sources.
Of course, at level 1, enemies drop so fast that debuffs are pretty pointless, though in a crammed room w/ lots of weak foes, it might be worth using.

Vigor really isn't bad even at low levels, it'll probably about double your hp.

Deja Vu will be situational, but could often be very strong. Again...you could probably use the same action to just kill the foe w/ a crossbow bolt, though.

If your DM allows it to work in a combat situation where your side hasn't attacked anyone yet, Psionic Charm could end a fight for you, aside from the out of combat uses.

[emeraldstreak]

True, but at level 1 your initiative (at 28 point buy abilities) is unlikely to be higher than +1. So you are, generally speaking, not going to go first vs most animals and the like anyway. Might as well take the extra AC from the tower shield.
Also, the armor penalty is just -2 (or -1 if masterworked). And you don't have to have you tower shield "active" outside of combat as it only takes a move action to activate it.

You are reloading the crossbow and holding the tower shield how?

If you initiative is +1, then your crossbowing is +1. That's pathetic.

[Particle_Man]

If you are an elf, you could fire a short bow (later long bow when you can afford it) instead of a crossbow. You could also use a longsword or rapier if you were somehow stuck in meelee.

Leather armour has no penalties.

Can you hire people as guards (like npc warriors)? Might be worthwhile.

[Elkad]

Entangle it and shoot it with your longbow (elf, possibly grey), kiting as needed.

You've got 4 power points. Not a lot, but enough.
+2 to hit, and -4 to the target's dexterity is a net +4 to hit, not terrible.
Of course if it happens late in the day, you may not have a power point. Or it might be Large (not sure what you would be fighting - maybe an angry Mule? Large Centipede?), so Entangling Ectoplasm won't work. In which case you just run away.

[Tamior]

You are reloading the crossbow and holding the tower shield how?

Basically you start combat with a shield in one hand and crossbow in the other. Depending on the situation, you drop one (free action) and ready the other.

If you initiative is +1, then your crossbowing is +1. That's pathetic.

You don't really have much of a choice at level 1 with 28 point buy, I'm afraid. I mean, you can probably bump it to +2, but that will come at the cost of some other stat.

[Tamior]

Entangle it and shoot it with your longbow (elf, possibly grey), kiting as needed.

You've got 4 power points. Not a lot, but enough.
+2 to hit, and -4 to the target's dexterity is a net +4 to hit, not terrible.
Of course if it happens late in the day, you may not have a power point. Or it might be Large (not sure what you would be fighting - maybe an angry Mule? Large Centipede?), so Entangling Ectoplasm won't work. In which case you just run away.

Entangling Ectoplasm vs Deceleration is actually something I'm not entirety sure about.
You don't really have enough power slots to have both. While getting the target entangled is superior overall, Deceleration has better chance to stick (reflex save at DC 15 is more likely to land than a ranged touch attack at BAB +0, in general), and on top of that Deceleration lasts longer, potentially MUCH longer if you go [talented + over-channel].

[Anthrowhale]

Going into mind thrust range vs goblin — when you have a crossbow — just does not sound right.
Heck, a smart goblin will literally ready a javelin to try and hit you as you attempt to manifest your mind thrust, forcing a concentration check.
And if that goblin makes that 20% save he will just whack you in the face on his action via a charge, likely one-shotting an elf.

I'm used to dungeons where range is not particularly relevant. There, if you run around a corner and ready an action to attack which misses, the goblin gets a chance to attack. In this situation, being able to hit decisively is important.

Skate would be potent for the "run away" strategy except it's standard instead of swift action. An alternative is Speed of Thought which is slightly slower but effectively always on.

Thinking about it more deeply:

1. Matter agitation seems potent in a boss situation (party distracts while you roast), as a distraction, and in attacking objects.
2. Psionic Charm seems potent for gathering information and splitting enemies. It ages much better than Charm Person.
3. For a third power, Vigor (double your hp when you have warning), Skate (run away when you have warning), and Demoralize (fear stack with someone else in your party to create a mass save-or-lose) seem plausible.

Racewise, Elan (Resilience, PP+2, and not-a-human) or Xeph (Darkvision, PP+1, Burst) both seem tempting.

[Malphegor]

honestly it sounds like really low level psions are like wizards then- you have a few good spells effectively, but you can't beat the stopping power of a reliable Burleigh And Stronginthearm- a crossbow might have more reliable ranged damage output for the time being whilst you grow your psionic potential.

[Tamior]

honestly it sounds like really low level psions are like wizards then- you have a few good spells effectively, but you can't beat the stopping power of a reliable Burleigh And Stronginthearm- a crossbow might have more reliable ranged damage output for the time being whilst you grow your psionic potential.

Well, an ability to add +15 to your speed for minute+ alone can make an otherwise "ok" ranged character effectively unstoppable (or, rather, un-catchable).
And while it might feel like an inferior version of Expeditious Retreat, there is a number of important differences. To name a few: psion has no arcane armor penalties AND psion does not need to prepare this, but rather can call it "on demand".
So I still feel there is quite some potential for optimization and shenanigans.

[Tamior]

After some optimization, best builds I've come up with at 28 point buy:

Gray Elven psion: Gray Elf Psion 1 (any type); Medium Humanoid (elf); HD 1d4+1; hp 5; Init +3; Spd 30 ft.; AC 15 (10 +3 dex +2 Leather armor), touch 13, flat-footed 12; Base Atk +0; melee -2, ranged +3 SV Fort +1, Ref +3, Will +3; Str 7, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 18, Wis 13, Cha 8.
Feats: Psicrystal Affinity, Enlarge Power [Metapsionic]
Skills: Concentration 4, + whatever else you like
Powers: 4 pp/day, Skate, Matter Agitation, + one more you like.
Equipment (75 gp on average): Leather Armor (10gp), Explorer’s outfit (free), Light Crossbow (35 gp) or Shortbow (30), 25 gp for a dog. 5-10 gp left for utilities and ammunition.
Good stats overall, but most importantly can use Matter Agitation at 55 ft of range, which, combined with some clever use of ready movement actions, can basically keep the power going for 2-3 turns before 30ft speed enemy even gets into melee range.
Swap Enlarge Power [Metapsionic] for Speed Of Thought if you want to go full archery/crossbow build and simply keep your powers for utility and backup.

Human psion: Human Psion 1 (any type); Medium Humanoid (Human); HD 1d4+2; hp 6; Init +1; Spd 30 ft.; AC 13 (10 +1 dex +2 Leather armor,), touch 11, flat-footed 12; Base Atk +0; melee -1, ranged +1 SV Fort +2, Ref +1, Will +2; Str 8, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 18, Wis 10, Cha 8.
Feats: Psicrystal Affinity, Overchannel, Talented.
Skills: Concentration 4, + whatever else you like
Powers: 4 pp/day, Matter Agitation, + two more you like.
Equipment (75 gp on average): Leather Armor (10gp), Explorer’s outfit (free), Light Crossbow (35 gp), 25 gp for a dog. 5 gp left for utilities and ammunition.
Can overchannel without taking damage. Thus noticeably better at psionics IF others can protect him/her. Worse than an elf in pretty much every other way.

I've tried making something with Elan, but it kind of feels "neither here nor there". I guess it can be an even BETTER "dedicated back-line psion" because of extra PP and an ability to massively boost SV's, but at that point you really-really have to rely on others to keep the monster away.

[gkathellar]

The best thing for a telepath to do at level 1 is to be a shaper.

Seconded. Astral Construct is a big deal.

[Tamior]

Seconded. Astral Construct is a big deal.

It sure is, the problem is, however, that it lasts:
Duration: 1 round/level (D)
So at level one it will last exactly one round.

Edit: Also, manifesting Astral Construct is a full-round action. That comes with all kinds of problems, you instantly becoming a primary target for any intelligent monster being one of them.

[Tamior]

Would you be able to retrain later? I would suggest Psionic Body + two times Psionic Talent for the human psion.. that's a lot of health and power points if you are going to stay level 1 for a long time.

By RAW psions pretty much retrain automatically by reaching level 7. Psychic Reformation. Afaik few DM's outright ban Psychic Reformation.
The thing is, going Psionic Body + two psionic feats = 6 extra HP, with no clear way to recover them faster than normal.
Going Elan = 2 extra HP per PP you want to spend per day, and Elans start with extra 2 max PP to begin with. And Elans ALSO get pretty juicy boost to SV.

[Anthrowhale]

I've tried making something with Elan, but it kind of feels "neither here nor there". I guess it can be an even BETTER "dedicated back-line psion" because of extra PP and an ability to massively boost SV's, but at that point you really-really have to rely on others to keep the monster away.

I'm kind of puzzled by this. Resilience is pretty good, because it means that your effective number of hit points is essentially the nominal number + 2*PP making an Elan Psion 1 beefy like a Barbarian 1. You lack martial weapons and rage, but you can make up for that reasonably well via force screen and psionic weapon.

[Tamior]

I'm kind of puzzled by this. Resilience is pretty good, because it means that your effective number of hit points is essentially the nominal number + 2*PP making an Elan Psion 1 beefy like a Barbarian 1. You lack martial weapons and rage, but you can make up for that reasonably well via force screen and psionic weapon.

Compared to the Elf build above, it still can't do much outside of using psionics (because it has even lower abilities than human). Elf with +3 initiative and +3 ranged and (power-independed) AC 15 can actually be a decent ranged combatant even without taking any powers into account.
Compared to human above, it loses either safe overchannel or psicrystal. Without save overchannel, you have to burn 1 extra PP and action to get vigor up before overchanneling, thus making it almost pointless (you can just use the power TWICE instead of overchanneling at that point). Without psicrystal, you HAVE to rely one others to provide even the most basic support/scouting.
Basically while Elan looks pretty strong in general, I just haven't figure out what exactly an Elan can do that an elf/human can't do better.

P.S. As compared to barbarian, while an Elan can maybe be just as "beefy" by blowing all his PP, he has nowhere near the melee damage/accuracy. Well, unless I'm overlooking something pretty obvious.

[Anthrowhale]

Compared to the Elf build above, it still can't do much outside of using psionics (because it has even lower abilities than human). Elf with +3 initiative and +3 ranged and (power-independed) AC 15 can actually be a decent ranged combatant even without taking any powers into account.

Compare:
Elf: AC 15, Init+3, Ranged+3, damage 4.5, HP 5
Elan: AC 14, Init+2, Ranged+2, damage 4.5, HP 16

The elf has a minor chance of going first and is somewhat better at hitting and not being hit, but the sheer number of hit points that the Elan can bring to bear is impressive. I'm estimating that the Elan wins.

Another thought: What if you take Psionic Shot with Energy Ray? That provides a 3d6+1 ranged touch attack in an encounter.

[Tamior]

Compare:
Elf: AC 15, Init+3, Ranged+3, damage 4.5, HP 5
Elan: AC 14, Init+2, Ranged+2, damage 4.5, HP 16

The elf has a minor chance of going first and is somewhat better at hitting and not being hit, but the sheer number of hit points that the Elan can bring to bear is impressive. I'm estimating that the Elan wins.

Another thought: What if you take Psionic Shot with Energy Ray? That provides a 3d6+1 ranged touch attack in an encounter.

Can you, please, show me the rest of the ability scores for Elan? I'm not sure where you are getting points for 14 dex on an Elan.

[Anthrowhale]

Can you, please, show me the rest of the abilities for Elan? I'm not sure where you are getting points for 14 dex on an Elan.

I was just substituting racial modifiers from your Gray Elf build for an Elan, so: Str 9, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 13, Cha 6.

[Tamior]

I was just substituting racial modifiers from your Gray Elf build for an Elan, so: Str 9, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 13, Cha 6.

Well, that's an Int 16 build. A tiny bit questionable in and of itself.
I mean, human can do the same and get 16 HP for 2 PP by overchanneling the Vigor.
And he will still get 1 PP left after that, unlike Elan. One PP he can still overchannel safely.