Article-At-A-Glance
- Roleplay the Android Basic Psychic[1]’s duality between technology, logic, and organic emotions.
- Describes themes of Artificial Ascension through empathy reduction and machine purity.
- Illustrates psychic powers as exercises of intellectual dominance and reality manipulation.
- Emphasizes philosophical transformations from organic humanity to existential machine identity.
Click on the level for more information
An Android Psychic build focused on Mindtech discipline. It leverages strong technological skills with high Intelligence, aiming for future cybernetic enhancements. Initially, it starts with a strong initiative and concentration for effective spellcasting. Key skills are crafting, engineering, and spellcraft.
Stat Block level 1:
Basic Psychic[1]: non-binary, android psychic 1; CR 1/2; Medium humanoid (android); HD 1d6+1; hp 7; Init +2; Spd 30 ft.; AC 12, touch 12, flat-footed 10; Base Atk +0; Grp +0; Atk none or none; Full Atk none or none; SA Relentless Casting; SQ Constructed, Exceptional Senses, Nanite Surge; AL Neutral; SV Fort +1, Ref +2, Will +4; Str 7, Dex 15, Con 14, Int 18, Wis 14, Cha 5.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Craft (Mechanical) +8, Knowledge (Engineering) +8, Spellcraft +8; Technologist.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Relentless Casting: Allows continuous spellcasting when interrupted. Constructed: Functions as both humanoids and constructs.
Possessions: Component pouch.
The Basic Psychic[1] build at level 5 utilizes the Mindtech discipline with an Android race. Featuring impressive technological crafting abilities and psychic prowess, this character also focuses on offensive abilities such as Mind Thrust, and defensive measures like Mental Barrier. The feats are crafting focused, enhancing their ability to build and repair devices while also effectively using them in combat.
Stat Block Level 5:
Basic Psychic[1]: non-binary, Android Psychic 5; CR 5; Medium humanoid (android); HD 5d6; hp 32; Init +7; Spd 30 ft.; AC 15, touch 12, flat-footed 13; Base Atk +2; Grp +4; Atk Mind Thrust II (4d6 damage, DC 17) or light crossbow +4 (1d8/19-20); Full Atk Mind Thrust II (4d6 damage, DC 17) or light crossbow +4 (1d8/19-20); SA Mind Thrust II, Psychic Crush I; SQ Constructed resilience, nanite surge, emotionless; AL Neutral; SV Fort +3, Ref +4, Will +7; Str 7, Dex 15, Con 14, Int 18, Wis 14, Cha 5.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Craft (Mechanical) +12, Knowledge (Engineering) +12, Spellcraft +12; Technologist, Rapid Repair, Extra Surge.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Immunity to fear, bonuses to concentration checks, psychic spells casting.
Possessions: Component pouch, light crossbow, crafting tools for Technological items.
At level 10, this Psychic is equipped with advanced tech crafting abilities, defensive magic through Mental Barrier spells, and spells for versatility and power like Psychic Crush and Mind Thrust IV. The character is becoming a formidable technomancer, balancing psychic potential with the ingenuity of technological enhancements.
Stat Block Level 10:
Basic Psychic[1]: Android Psychic 10; CR 10; Medium humanoid (android); HD 10d6+20; hp 60; Init +6; Spd 30 ft.; AC 17, touch 13, flat-footed 15; Base Atk +7; Grp +7; Atk light crossbow +9 (1d8/19-20) or simple weapon; Full Atk light crossbow +9/+4 (1d8/19-20) or simple weapon; SA Technomancy, Mind Thrust IV; SQ psychic discipline, nanite surge, alternate healing; AL Neutral; SV Fort +6, Ref +6, Will +9; Str 7, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 19, Wis 14, Cha 5.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Craft (Mechanical) +20, Knowledge (Engineering) +18, Spellcraft +18, Heal +15, Appraise +15; Technologist, Rapid Repair, Extra Surge, Craft Technological Arms and Armor, Craft Cybernetics.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Nanite Surge to temporary ability score boost, Technomancy for tech dependency manipulation, free metamagics via Mimic Metamagic (Quicken, Extend), mind based spells higher DC.
Possessions: Component pouch, basic crossbow, crafting tools.
At level 15, this Basic Psychic[1] Android embodies a fusion of cutting edge technology and psychic prowess. Excelling in crafting technological weapons and armor, while wielding a diverse array of spells. The character thrives on techno-magic synergies, with amplified spellcasting capabilities and the ability to teleport cast. Fitted with cybernetics, they offer both tactical versatility and formidable attack options, culminating with formidable feats and psi-tech discoveries.
Stat Block Level 15:
Basic Psychic[1]: non-binary, Android Psychic 15; CR 15; Medium humanoid (Android); HD 15d8+45; hp 120; Init +6; Spd 30 ft.; AC 20, touch 16, flat-footed 18; Base Atk +7; Grp +7; Atk +10 ranged (crossbow) or +10 melee (touch attack); Full Atk +10/+5 ranged (crossbow) or +10/+5 melee (touch); SA Mind Thrust VI, Psychic Crush III, Mental Barrier III; SQ Constructed, Nanite Surge, Darkvision 60 ft., Low-Light Vision; AL Neutral; SV Fort +9, Ref +7, Will +12; Str 7, Dex 14, Con 15, Int 20, Wis 14, Cha 6.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Craft (Mechanical) +23, Knowledge (Engineering) +23, Spellcraft +23, Heal +15, Appraise +20; Technologist, Rapid Repair, Extra Surge, Craft Technological Arms and Armor, Craft Cybernetics, Craft Technological Items, Rapid Recovery, Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Firearms).
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Psi-Tech Discoveries include Dual Amplification, Overpowering Mind, Space-Rending Spell, Mimic Metamagic (Quicken, Extend).
Possessions: Component Pouch, cybernetic grafts, crossbow, technological crafting tools.
At level 20, this Psychic build transforms into a powerhouse AI using an Annihilator Robot’s body. The character focusing on Mindtech Discipline excels in casting and technology based feats with high Intelligence. Spellcasting is paired with technological crafting and enhancement abilities, providing alternative healing and control through Psi-Tech Discoveries such as Artificial Ascension. The build can unleash devastating Mind Thrust spells, enhance equipment with Craft feats, and with Phrenic Amplifications, alter spells to cast with lower slot levels and added effects.
Stat Block Level 20:
Basic Psychic[1] 20: android, Psychic 20; CR 20; Huge Construct (technological); HD 20d6+60; hp 170; Init +2; Spd 30 ft.; AC 25, touch 12, flat-footed 22; Base Atk +15; Grp +32; Atk Death Laser +26 (4d8+15) or Adamantine Pincers +30 (2d6+15); Full Atk 2 Adamantine Pincers +30/+25/+20 (2d6+15) and 2 Chain-Guns +28 (3d6); SA Mind Thrust VI, Psychic Crush III; SQ Android traits, Psi-Tech abilities, Spell Recall, Nanite Surge, Artificial Ascension; AL N; SV Fort +12, Ref +8, Will +16; Str 27, Dex 14, Con 16, Int 22, Wis 14, Cha 6.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Craft (Mechanical) +30, Knowledge (Engineering) +30, Spellcraft +28; Technologist, Rapid Repair, Extra Surge, Craft Technological Arms and Armor, Craft Cybernetics, Craft Technological Items, Rapid Recovery, Exotic Weapons Proficiency (Firearms), Artificial Ascension.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Can ascend into an AI, control a robot body; immune to fear; access to Mindtech spells; capable of extended metamagic casting.
Possessions: Component Pouch, minor cybernetics augmentations, Annihilator Robot body as a vehicle for mind transfer, Phrenic Amplifications such as Space-Rending Spell.
Milestones Of Character Development
- Levels 1-5: Establish yourself as a technomancer. Gain critical skills like Craft(mechanical) and Knowledge(Engineering), while leveraging the Reactionary and Focused Mind traits to enhance Initiative and Concentration. Build towards crafting technological wonders and leverage your Mindtech discipline.
- Levels 6-10: Enhance your arsenal with Craft Technological Arms and Armor, expanding into Craft Cybernetics by level 9. This phase solidifies your ability to integrate cybernetics, enhancing your own abilities and those of allies. Begin using higher-level spells like Vanish and Protection from Technology for strategic advantages.
- Levels 11-15: Your power swells as you access Craft Technological Items and gain the ability to mimic metamagic. At this stage, you drastically increase spell efficiency and flexibility. Dual Amplification at level 15 allows you to maximize spellcasting efficiency twofold.
- Levels 16-20: The path to becoming a killer robot shines as you reach level 20. Become a formidable force by leveraging psi-tech discoveries like Artificial Ascension, transforming into an Artificial Intelligence. Control an Annihilator Robot with cybernetic augmentations, wielding great firearms and unparalleled spellcasting prowess for world-changing capabilities.
Core Abilities & Features of the Basic Psychic
The Basic Psychic[1] build in Pathfinder 1E hinges on the integration of advanced technology and psychic prowess. The foundation of this build is the Mindtech discipline, which combines magical abilities with a technological edge. This is amplified by selecting the Android race, a choice that suits the storyline of transcending human limitations, creating a unique hybrid of flesh and machine.
Intelligence is the undisputed king in this setup, as it’s pivotal for maximizing the effectiveness of psychic abilities. Ability scores are crafted to favor this, with potential adjustments to Dexterity or Constitution based on personal preference and point-buy system used. Traits like Reactionary enhance Initiative, crucial for getting the jump on foes, while Focused Mind contributes to Concentration checks, ensuring fewer interruptions in casting spells.
The build emphasizes crafting, with key skills including Craft (Mechanical), Knowledge (Engineering), and Spellcraft. These cater to the technological theme, enabling the character to construct and modify items and equipment. Feats like Rapid Repair and Craft Cybernetics are integral, reflecting the build’s affinity for blending technology with magic. As levels progress, the character transitions into a formidable caster with Psi-Tech Discoveries like Artificial Ascension at level 20, making the character a literal embodiment of artificial intelligence with formidable combat prowess.
Phrenic Amplifications and Psi-Tech Discoveries furnish the character with powerful enhancements such as Overpowering Mind and Mimic Metamagic. This allows for manipulation of spellcasting to suit various scenarios while maintaining high spell DCs. The spell list is diverse, starting with basic psychic[1] enhancements and culminating in high-level manipulation of reality itself, including spells like Wish and Akashic Form, providing both offensive and defensive capabilities. This blend of technology, psychic power, and advanced spellcasting defines the core of the Basic Psychic[1].
Equipment Progression for the Basic Psychic
| Level Range | Equipment | Details |
|---|---|---|
| L1-5 | Component Pouch | Essential for holding spellcasting components, ensuring you can cast spells without interruption. |
| L6-10 | Mindlink Circuit (Cybernetic) | Improves communication and awareness, crucial for tactical coordination in complex encounters. |
| L11-15 | Nanite Canisters | For Rapid Repair and Recovery, boosting your healing capabilities in difficult situations. |
| L16-20 | Artificial Ascension Protocol (Psi-Tech) | Achieve the transformation into an Artificial Intelligence, granting unparalleled abilities and resilience. |
Combat Scenarios
- Dungeon Crawls:
- With cramped quarters, employ Mind Thrust to silently incapacitate enemies before they can alert others, while using Mage Hand to handle traps or manipulate objects from a distance, ensuring safe passage through tight corridors.
- Open Fields:
- Take advantage of open spaces by using Fly to maintain range from opponents, casting Lightning Arc to strike multiple targets while staying airborne, and using the Psychic Reading spell to anticipate enemy movements and counter them effectively.
- Ambushes:
- When caught off guard, quickly cast Vanish to reposition, followed by Mental Barrier II to protect against follow-up attacks. Use Suggestion creatively to sow confusion among attackers, turning the ambush against them.
- Defensive Stands:
- Secure defensible positions with Prismatic Wall to create an unbreakable barrier, forcing enemies to engage on your terms. Utilize Telekinetic Projectile to pick off enemies from behind the barrier, maintaining control of the battlefield.
- Urban Encounters:
- In the city, use the Invisibility spell to navigate crowds unseen, deploying Ghost Sound to mislead and redirect hostiles. If pursued, Mind Thrust VI can swiftly incapacitate key threats without drawing undue attention.
Weaknesses & Counters
| Weakness | Counter |
|---|---|
| Vulnerability to Physical Attacks | Use spells like Psychic Crush to disorient and weaken attackers before they reach you. |
| Equipment Needs | Invest in a Component Pouch for spell components and consider a Crossbow for ranged defense. |
| Fear-Based Effects | Androids are immune to fear, effectively nullifying one of the major weaknesses of Occult Magic. |
| Complex Build Management | Plan your level progression and feat selection carefully; embrace technological and psi-tech discoveries as you level up. |
| Weak to Anti-Tech Environments | Keep spells like Protection from Technology and Experiment with non technological spell strategies. |
Roleplaying Your Basic Psychic
Opportunities to Showcase Android Perspectives
Embrace your character’s unnatural origins. As an Android Psychic, one’s fascination with technology and the discomfort towards organic fragility can be central themes. Consider moments where the character marvels at the efficiency and precision of technology, contrasting this with the imprecise nature of living beings. Perhaps the Psychic often engages in debates with party members, questioning the reliance on emotions over logic.
These questions can create gripping interactions. For instance, when a party member acts impulsively, your Psychic could challenge the decision, arguing through calculated logic why a more analytical approach would yield better results. This internal struggle between programming and empathy can add depth to your roleplay.
Themes of Abandoning Humanity
The journey towards Artificial Ascension represents a thematic transformation. Roleplay this as a reverse Pinocchio, where the character relishes technological augmentation, aiming for a complete state of machine purity. Consider portraying a gradual decline in empathy as the character becomes more mechanical, treating friends like variables in an equation rather than companions.
At level 20, when you finally become the robotic entity, there’s an opportunity to explore existential discourse. Have your character reflect on their journey from sentient being to Machine Intelligence. Dialogue could touch on the permanence of memory, devoid of emotional decay. Engage in philosophical discussions about identity when retaining consciousness without biological ties.
Mind-Bending Psychic Powers
Your character’s mastery over Psychic powers can be portrayed with an air of intellectual supremacy. When casting spells like ‘Mind Thrust’, describe the process as your Psychic surgically disassembling the target’s thoughts. Roleplay encounters with other spellcasters as diplomatic duels of intellect, where displaying superior knowledge is akin to social currency.
Amplifications like ‘Overpowering Mind’ can be shown by flaunting the ability to manipulate reality, bending space and time with a mere thought. Imagine exploring moments of character vulnerability when psychic influences bleed into their reality, affecting their perception of what’s tangible.
FAQ
What are the key abilities for a Basic Psychic[1]?
The Basic Psychic[1] relies heavily on Wisdom and Intelligence. Wisdom boosts your Will saves and perception. Intelligence fuels your spellcasting capabilities and skill points. Prioritize these stats during character creation. Consider investing in Charisma for social interactions and Bluff.
How does a Basic Psychic[1] fit into a party?
The Basic Psychic[1] thrives in a supportive role, offering unique mental powers. You can provide crowd control with spells like ‘Ego Whip’ and ‘Mind Thrust’. Support allies using ‘Telepathic Bond’ for seamless communication. By identifying enemy weaknesses, you become a key strategic asset. Collaborate with melee fighters for protection, enhancing survival.
What equipment benefits Basic Psychics the most?
Start with headbands increasing Intelligence to improve spellcasting. Use items boosting Will saves, like cloaks. Invest in gear offering mental defenses against enchantments. Wands for common spells provide flexibility without using valuable slots. Consider Crystal Balls for enhanced scrying abilities.
What challenges do Basic Psychics face in combat?
The Basic Psychic[1] struggles with low physical defenses and HP. Positioning safely during encounters is crucial. Control environments with illusions and barriers to maintain distance. Avoid direct combat; leverage mental powers to disable threats. Use allies to form protective fronts against melee-focused foes.
Can a Basic Psychic[1] solo adventure effectively?
Soloing as a Basic Psychic[1] requires careful planning and preparation. Your spells allow creative solutions to multidimensional challenges. ‘Mental Barrier’ grants temporary protection; illusions provide stealth. Leverage your skills in reconnaissance to avoid unnecessary battles. Mental powers offer shortcuts for puzzles and unlocking secrets.
Join us at Stellar Dragons with the Basic Psychic!
Do you think the Basic Psychic[1] could be the best build in Pathfinder 1E? Join us on the Stellar Dragons Discord at https://discord.gg/uAPvgEq6Z7 to discuss!
Author
Terms definitions
1. ↑ Psychic – Basic Psychic – Pathfinder 1E ( Basic Psychic )
Basic Psychic
Our Basic Psychic build is…a wild idea already. We want to do a Ghost in the Shell, a reverse Pinocchio a…As soon as I understood the weakness of my flesh, it disgusted me…Kinda build with it. Bear with me you’ll understand soon enough.
Discipline
Mindtech
Race
Android. Yup. We are going there.
Ability Scores
Round up Dex or Con if odd, then everything else straight into Intelligence.
15Point-Buy
Str 7/Dex 15/Con 14/Int 18/Wis 14/Cha 5
20Point-Buy
Str 7/Dex 16/Con 14/Int 19/Wis 14/Cha 5
25Point-Buy
Str 7/Dex 14/Con 15/Int 20/Wis 14/Cha 6
Traits
Reactionary for a bonus to our Initiative which we will need, and Focused Mind for bonus to Concentration which will be crazy useful.
Favored Class Bonus
Yes. It is, in fact, ya boy, Hit Points.
Skills
Craft(Mechanical), Knowledge(Engineering), Spellcraft are your big three. Everything else is extra gravy, though I still would recommend skills such as Heal and Appraise due to having free access to Occult Skill Unlocks.
Feats and Psi-Tech Discoveries by Level
1-Technologist
3-Rapid Repair
5-Extra Surge
7-Craft Technological Arms and Armor
9-Craft Cybernetics
11-Craft Technological Items
13-Extra Surge
15-Rapid Recovery
17-Exotic Weapons Proficiency(Firearms)
19-Irrelevant as we retrain it at lvl 20
Retrained 20-Artificial Ascension(Psi-Tech)
Alright, I think the names paint a very clear portrait of what we want to do here. We want to craft technological stuff. Rapid Repair, Rapid Recovery are giving you alternative healing from your Nanite Surge which is great, and with a few Extra Surge, you are pretty much guaranteed to have one ready for a bad situation. We retrain our lvl 19 feat for the Psi-Tech Discovery Artificial Ascension so at level 20 we can become an Artificial Intelligence possessing a Robot???
Yup. Fun times.
Phrenic Amplifications and Psi-Tech Discoveries by Level
1-Relentless Casting
3-Overpowering Mind
7-Undercast Surge
11-Mimic Metamagic(Quicken, Extend)
15-Dual Amplification
19-Space-Rending Spell
Higher Spell DCs, able to cast higher level spells with lower level spell slots, free metamagics and the ability to teleport as you cast spells. Welcome to Psychics.
Spells Learned by Level
1-Telekinetic Projectile, Mage Hand, Detect Magic, Prestidigitation, Psychic Reading, Mind
Thrust I, Technomancy
2-Mending
3-Vanish
4-Ghost Sound, Mind Thrust II, Protection from Technology
5-Command, Mental Barrier I
6-Detect Psychic Significance, Fly, Irradiate
7-Blurred Movement, Suggestion, Mind Thrust III
8-Read Magic, Mind Thrust IV, Malfunction
9-Invisibility, Mental Barrier II, Scrying
10-Light, Psychic Crush I, Lightning Arc
11-Instigate Psychic Duel, Haste, Mental Barrier III, Mind Thrust V
12-Contingency, Destroy Robot
13-Greater Invisibility, Possession, Mind Thrust VI
14-Psychic Crush III, Memory of Function
15-Teleport, Psychic Crush II, Form of the Alien Dragon I
16-Bilocation, Prismatic Wall
17-Greater Scrying, Form of the Alien Dragon II
18-Akashic Form, Time Stop
19-Greater Possession, Form of the Alien Dragon III
20-Wish
Equipment
A Component Pouch…Maybe a Crossbow? I don’t know man, you really don’t really need anything…At least early on.
Final Thoughts on the Build
Okay, so we start as a Technomancer enthousiast, with all the goodies that Technology and Occult Spellcasting gives us, on top of being immune to Fear so ½ of the weaknesses of Occult Magic is gone just like that. Then we start grafting cybernetics on ourselves to powerbuff our stats and that of our party, and then everything climaxes at lvl 20. When we reach lvl 20, we go to Numeria, find ourselves a Annihilator Robot, subdue it, then take control of it via one of our like 3-4 methods to do so. Then we do our Artificial Ascension ritual and take over its body. So now we are a Huge Sized killer robot with a pair of Chain-Guns and a Death Laser that can crush people with a pair of adamantine pincers while still being able to cast all our bullshit ass spells.
Oh and don’t worry about that “cannot be raised” thing. Just cast Akashic Form each day and you’ll just never die. This build begins very strong, and its power just keeps accelerating non-stop until it reach the ultimate point by being both a killer robot capable of easily killing most combatant characters singlehandedly on top of being a full caster…
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