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Pen & Paper Roleplaying Central => Pen and Paper Roleplaying Games (RPGs) Discussion => Topic started by: Sobek on March 06, 2006, 02:59:03 PM

Title: What's so great about the Soulknife?
Post by: Sobek on March 06, 2006, 02:59:03 PM
With the "Complete Psionics Handbook" about to hit shelves, I'm looking at psionics again.  I use 'em in my game and rather like 'em.  The only base class I've hedged on is the Soulknife.
 
Don't get me wrong; Psylocke is a fine comic character, and I like that the concept is possible in D&D.  Still, is there anything else that this class does, or is it "all Psylocke, all the time"?  What warrants the Soulknife as a base class?
Title: What's so great about the Soulknife?
Post by: Aelfinn on March 06, 2006, 03:21:10 PM
I think i'm honestly with you on this one Sobek. the soulknife seems really underpowered when compared to a lot of other classes honestly.
Title: What's so great about the Soulknife?
Post by: Vermicious Knid on March 06, 2006, 03:40:15 PM
There are many fan rebuilds of soulknife floating around the interweb; never a good sign. I think the soulknife is poorly constructed and doesn't really fill a niche. If it had full BAB I could see it as a psionic fighter equivalent. As it is it would be best if it was turned back into a prestige class.
Title: What's so great about the Soulknife?
Post by: Aelfinn on March 06, 2006, 03:46:08 PM
Quote from: Vermicious Knid
There are many fan rebuilds of soulknife floating around the interweb; never a good sign. I think the soulknife is poorly constructed and doesn't really fill a niche. If it had full BAB I could see it as a psionic fighter equivalent. As it is it would be best if it was turned back into a prestige class.


I would agree that it's the lack of BaB that really turns this one into a class that I don't find worth my time.

However, I think it would be interesting if someone created a kind of psionic-rogue skill focused base class.
Title: What's so great about the Soulknife?
Post by: Berger King on March 06, 2006, 04:07:47 PM
The akhashic from Arcana Evolved is a psionically themed roguelike character. It doesn't use psionic rules, though, more of a spell-like abilities as psionics system. I'd like to see a similar concept fleshed out to use the regular psionic system.
Title: What's so great about the Soulknife?
Post by: Aelfinn on March 06, 2006, 05:05:01 PM
Yes, the Akashic is a really interesting class, and I like it a lot - but I think that, flavor-wise, the AE classes don't quite fit in with most of the stadards of D&D.
Title: What's so great about the Soulknife?
Post by: obryn on March 06, 2006, 07:04:59 PM
Quote from: Aelfinn
Yes, the Akashic is a really interesting class, and I like it a lot - but I think that, flavor-wise, the AE classes don't quite fit in with most of the stadards of D&D.

By and large, I agree.

The Akashic in particular is much more effective than a Rogue in almost all aspects except for sneak attack damage.

-O
Title: What's so great about the Soulknife?
Post by: Vermicious Knid on March 06, 2006, 07:10:03 PM
Quote from: Aelfinn
Yes, the Akashic is a really interesting class, and I like it a lot - but I think that, flavor-wise, the AE classes don't quite fit in with most of the stadards of D&D.


I think the AE classes work fine if you scrape the serial numbers off. Unfettered works fine in any fantasy setting, as does totem warrior. Oathsworn might be a stretch to move to another setting...but oathsworn suck and nobody plays them anyway. :D
Title: What's so great about the Soulknife?
Post by: kryyst on March 07, 2006, 08:06:43 AM
I've always looked at the Soulknife as the second class to a DC build.  On it's own it's ability isn't strong enough to make up for it's lack in other areas.  It's real true ability ultimately is that you won't be disarmed.

I'm fine with leaving their BAB the way it is but I think they should get more skills or more feats.