Article-At-A-Glance
- The Commander[1] Build masters mind control and strategic maneuvers through psionics.
- This build focuses on Leadership and Thrallherd class for constant battlefield advantage.
- Equipment enhancements strategically boost weaknesses like low strength or defenses.
- The article details roleplaying dynamics, balancing power and responsibility intricately.
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This Level 1 build starts with the Wilder focusing on Psionics. With Wild Surge +1 and Psychic Enervation, the character can enhance psionic powers while managing risks. They’re prepared for moderate offense and defense.
Stat Block Level 1:
Unnamed: female, human Wilder 1; CR 1; Medium humanoid (Psionic); HD 1d6+2; hp 8; Init +0; Spd 30 ft.; AC 15, touch 10, flat-footed 15; Base Atk +0; Grp -1; Atk Longspear +1 melee (1d8-1/x3); Full Atk Longspear +1 melee (1d8-1/x3); SA Wild Surge +1; SQ Psychic Enervation, Elude Touch; AL Chaotic Neutral; SV Fort +2, Ref +0, Will +3; Str 9, Dex 10, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 13, Cha 18.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Diplomacy 4, Knowledge (Psionics) 4, Psicraft 4; Cosmopolitan (Diplomacy), Inquisitor.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Wild Surge +1 provides a temporary boost to psionic power, but with a risk of backlash via Psychic Enervation. Elude Touch offers a defensive bonus against touch attacks.
Possessions: Chain shirt, longspear.
At level 5, this build focuses on the Wilder’s early psionic power enhancements and defenses, preparing for the transition to Thrallherd where Leadership-Based psionics become the focus. Skills in diplomacy and psionics reflect the build’s aim to gain influence and mastery over psionic abilities.
Stat Block Level 5:
Commander: female, human Wilder 5; CR 5; Medium humanoid (human); HD 5d6+10; hp 27; Init +0; Spd 30 ft.; AC 15, touch 10, flat-footed 15; Base Atk +3; Grp +2; Atk Longspear +4 melee (1d8/×3); Full Atk Longspear +4 melee (1d8/×3); SA Wild Surge +2; SQ Psychic Enervation, Elude Touch, Volatile Mind (1d4); AL Neutral; SV Fort +3, Ref +1, Will +5; Str 9, Dex 10, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 13, Cha 18.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Knowledge (Psionics) +15, Psicraft +15; Cosmopolitan (Diplomacy), Inquisitor, Extra Power (Mindlink).
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Wild Surge allows temporary power increase at the risk of Enervation; Elude Touch gives enhanced protection from touch attacks; Volatile Mind increases defense against mind-affecting attacks.
Possessions: Chain Shirt, Longspear.
This build focuses on enhancing the powerful Thrallherd abilities. By level 10, the character can dominate and charm, securing thralls to command. Psionic Dominate adds potency, increasing influence over multiple beings. The build also boosts charisma, key to control powers.
Stat Block Level 10:
Commander: female, human Wilder 6/Thrallherd 4; CR 10; Medium humanoid (psionic); HD 6d6+4d4+20; hp 60; Init +0; Spd 30 ft.; AC 17, touch 10, flat-footed 17; Base Atk +5; Grp +5; Atk longspear +5 melee (1d8/×3) or touch attack +5; Full Atk longspear +5 melee (1d8/×3); SA Psionic Dominate, Psionic Charm; SQ Wild Surge +2, Psychic Enervation, Elude Touch, Thrallherd; AL Neutral; SV Fort +6, Ref +6, Will +10; Str 9, Dex 10, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 13, Cha 19.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Diplomacy +4, Knowledge(Psionics) +15, Psicraft +15; Cosmopolitan(Diplomacy), Inquisitor, Extra Power(Mindlink), Psionic Focus(Telepathy), Psionic Focus(Psychokinesis).
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Dominates up to two thralls, gains additional followers.
Possessions: Chain Shirt, Longspear.
This build, focusing on Thrallherd, creates a potent psionic leader. At level 15, you control multiple thralls, gaining significant advantages through Psionic Dominate. The build excels at manipulating foes and bolsters the party with Leadership-like benefits. With high Charisma and Psionics knowledge, this character commands authority both mentally and in social settings.
Stat Block Level 15:
Wilder Commander: female, Human Wilder 6/Thrallherd 10/Arch Psion 4; CR 15; Medium humanoid (psionic); HD 6d6+10d4+4d4+28; hp 78; Init +0; Spd 30 ft.; AC 15, touch 10, flat-footed 15; Base Atk +10; Grp +10; Atk Longspear +10 melee (1d8/x3) or Psionic Attack; Full Atk Longspear +10/+5 melee (1d8/x3) or Psionic Attack; SA Psionic Charm, Psionic Dominate; SQ Wild Surge +2, Psychic Enervation, Volatile Mind (1PP), Surging Euphoria +1, Thrallherd, Greater Dominate; AL Chaotic Neutral; SV Fort +7, Ref +5, Will +11; Str 9, Dex 10, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 13, Cha 18.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Diplomacy 4, Knowledge (Psionics) 15, Psicraft 15; Cosmopolitan (Diplomacy), Inquisitor, Extra Power (Mindlink), Psionic Focus (Telepathy), Psionic Focus (Psychokinesis), Linked Power, Skill Focus (Knowledge: Psionics).
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Psionic Dominate to turn targets into thralls, Greater Dominate for enhanced control.
Possessions: Chain Shirt, Longspear.
At level 20, this character excels in psionic control and leadership, with the ability to dominate and command multiple thralls. The Thrallherd class significantly boosts Leadership abilities using psionics, enhancing the character’s strategic influence on the battlefield with mind-controlled followers. The Arch Psion levels further increase psionic power focus and versatility.
Stat Block Level 20:
Unnamed Female: female, human Wilder 6/Thrallherd 10/Arch Psion 4; CR 20; Medium humanoid (psionic); HD 6d6+20 plus 10d4+20 plus 4d4+20; hp 120; Init +0; Spd 30 ft.; AC 15, touch 10, flat-footed 15; Base Atk +10; Grp +9; Atk Longspear +10 melee (1d8/x3) or Longspear +10 ranged; Full Atk Longspear +10/+5 melee (1d8/x3) or Longspear +10 ranged; SA Psionic Dominate, Greater Dominate, Superior Dominate; SQ Wild Surge +2, Psychic Enervation, Elude Touch, Surging Euphoria +1, Volatile Mind (1PP), Psionic Charm, Twofold Master; AL varies; SV Fort +11, Ref +11, Will +14; Str 9, Dex 10, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 14, Cha 22.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Diplomacy +4, Knowledge (Psionics) +18, Psicraft +18; Cosmopolitan (Diplomacy), Inquisitor, Extra Power (Mindlink), Psionic Focus (Telepathy), Psionic Focus (Psychokinesis), Linked Power, Extra Power (Schism), Skill Focus (Knowledge: Psionics).
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Psionically dominate targets and command permanent thralls.
Possessions: Chain Shirt, Longspear.
Milestones Of Character Development
- Levels 1-5: The early Wilder levels establish the foundation with key abilities like Wild Surge, Psychic Enervation, and Elude Touch. The character gains the Cosmopolitan and Inquisitor feats to boost diplomatic skills, setting up for the Thrallherd prestige class.
- Levels 6-10: Entering the Thrallherd prestige class is a pivotal milestone, enabling control over thralls, while abilities like Psionic Charm and Dominate begin manifesting. The Psionic Focus feat in Telepathy and Psychokinesis enhance versatility, and further boosts to Charisma strengthen influence over others.
- Levels 11-15: This stage maximizes domination capabilities with Greater Dominate and Superior Dominate, alongside skill enhancements through Skill Focus in Psionics. Twofold Master adds layers of depth to thrall control, cementing the character’s role as a commander of minds.
- Levels 16-20: Transitioning into Arch Psion, the character refines psionic prowess with Greater Psionic Focus up to +3. Gaining abilities like Extra Power (Schism) and Shape Power ensure both defense and strategic offensive options, culminating in a well-rounded psionic commander ready for any challenge.
Core Abilities & Features
The Commander build excels at control and manipulation through its pinnacle feature, the Thrallherd class. This build is designed to maximize the capabilities of the Leadership feat by transferring it to a psionic framework that amplifies control over others. It begins with the Wilder class, capitalizing on Wild Surge and Psychic Enervation to boost psionic powers, setting the foundation for combat and defense manipulation.
The transition to Thrallherd grants abilities like Psionic Dominate and Psionic Charm, enabling the Commander[1] to permanently enslave potent thralls. This feature effectively turns enemies into allies, with the added bonus of having two thralls at one’s beck and call. Key abilities like Greater Dominate and Superior Dominate ensure longevity and reliability of the Commander[1]’s control over their allies, transforming the battlefield into a playground of advantageous positionings and strategic power plays.
Further into the build, the Arch Psion levels enhance the Commander[1]’s psionic focus with abilities like Greater Psionic Focus and Shape Power, refining the precision and potency of psionics. This tier of development ensures the Commander[1] is not only about enslaving minds but also about honing their own mind to craft solutions in complex scenarios, defining this build as not just one of dominance, but unrivaled strategic ingenuity in any scenario.
Equipment Progression
| Level Range | Equipment | Details |
|---|---|---|
| L1-5 | Chain Shirt | Light armor with a +4 armor bonus, allowing for decent mobility while providing reasonable protection. |
| L1-5 | Longspear | Versatile reach weapon dealing 1d8 damage, ideal for tactical control in battle. |
| L6-10 | Cloak of Charisma +2 | Increases charisma modifier, crucial for manifesting powers and leadership roles. |
| L6-10 | Ring of Protection +1 | Gives +1 to armor class, helpful against attacks targeting the Commander[1]. |
| L11-15 | Amulet of Health +4 | Boosts constitution, leading to more hit points and better retention of powers during combat. |
| L11-15 | Pearl of Power (4th Level) | Recovers one used power, providing flexibility and prolonged engagement in encounters. |
| L16-20 | Psi-Crystal of Leadership | Enhances leadership abilities, perfect for directing thralls and controlling the battlefield. |
| L16-20 | Staff of Psyche | Stores psionic powers for casting, enabling strategic manifestations beyond personal reserves. |
Combat Scenarios
- Dungeon Crawls:
- With her superior Charisma, the Commander[1] channels Psionic Dominate through narrow corridors. She uses her mental slaves, like the ogres, to spring traps and clear obstacles. Then, she strikes precisely with her longspear from behind
- Open Fields:
- The Commander[1] thrives in open fields using Thrallherd. She positions her thralls on strategically high ground to control visibility. Leveraging Wild Surge, she amplifies psychic attacks to disrupt opponents from afar.
- Ambushes:
- Utilizing Mindlink, the Commander[1] coordinates ambushes. She lets her ogre thralls distract the targets, then swiftly uses Psionic Dominate to add unsuspecting enemies to her thrall army, turning attempted assaults into gains.
- Defensive Stands:
- Exploiting Psicraft, the Commander[1] fortifies her position. She places her thralls in defensive positions, creating layers of defense. Psionic Charm ensures that infiltrators are swiftly turned to her side, bolstering her defense.
- Urban Encounters:
- Taking advantage of the chaotic environment, the Commander[1] uses Diplomacy and Psionic Charm to manipulate opponents. She directs thralls to blend in with crowds, launching surprise attacks from shadows with Surging Euphoria enhancing morale.
Weaknesses & Counters
| Weakness | Counter |
|---|---|
| Low Strength and Dexterity | Use equipment like Belt of Giant’s Strength for Strength boost and Gloves of Dexterity for Dexterity enhancement. |
| Vulnerability to Anti-psychic Effects | Equip Pearl of Power for faster recovery of spent psionic powers and consider taking Spell Mantle for protection. |
| Relatively Low Hit Points | Invest in Amulet of Health to increase Constitution thereby enhancing hit points. Consider Bodyguard minions for support. |
| Limited Melee Capability | Utilize a Longspear for reach advantage, and hire a strong melee thrall for frontline engagement. |
| Susceptibility to Mind-affecting Spells | Acquire Cloak of Resistance to enhance saves, and consider powers like Intellect Fortress for defense. |
| Slow Movement in Heavy Combat Situations | Use Psionic Expeditious Retreat to enhance mobility and escape potential entrapment. |
Roleplaying the Commander
Master of Influence
As the Commander[1], your character thrives on the power of influence and subterfuge. Imagine the thrill of commanding a small army, each minion ready to follow your mental command. Picture every encounter as a chess game where you move the pieces. Engage with NPCs, showing a blend of diplomacy and cunning that keeps others guessing your true intentions. Roleplay not as just a leader but as an orchestrator, weaving every interaction to your design.
The Burden of Power
The path of the Thrallherd isn’t just about domination; it’s about responsibility. Questions of ethics and power dynamics add layers to your character’s decision-making. Consider hypothetical scenarios where you must weigh the cost of your domination. For instance, releasing a powerful enemy to gain trust could invite chaos. This kind of moral dilemma can lead to deep roleplaying moments, showing your humanity amid the psionic power. Play with the internal conflict between using power for personal gain or the greater good.
FAQ
How does the Commander[1] gain the upper hand in combat?
The Commander[1]’s strengths lie in mind control and strategic positioning. By using Psionic Dominate, she turns enemies into allies. This provides numerical advantage. Her Wild Surge enhances psionic powers, allowing for unexpected strong attacks. Coupled with a well-positioned thrall army, opponents quickly find themselves overwhelmed. Employing her mental slaves ensures battlefield control, redefining encounters in her favor.
What are the key abilities of the Commander[1] build during early levels?
Initially, focus on Wild Surge and Psychic Enervation, pivotal psionic abilities. These set the stage for effective combat strategy. Elude Touch provides early defensive measures. Additionally, securing feats such as Cosmopolitan and Inquisitor enhances diplomacy. This prepares for the transition to the Thrallherd prestige class. These foundational capabilities enable significant control and strength early on.
What are the Commander[1]’s biggest weaknesses, and how can they be mitigated?
The Commander[1] faces real challenges like low strength and hit points. Equipping a Belt of Giant’s Strength and an Amulet of Health helps address this. Vulnerability to anti-psychic effects is also crucial. Using a Pearl of Power expedites psionic recovery, while a Spell Mantle offers protection. Counter these weaknesses with strategic equipment selections and careful play to maintain poise in battle.
Is the Commander[1] build suitable for any D&D 3.5 campaign setting?
Absolutely! The Commander[1]’s abilities can fit into any campaign setting. Whether in the confines of a dense urban environment or under an open sky, her skills remain adaptable. The Thrallherd class can adjust to varied storylines easily. This versatility makes adapting to different narratives not only easy but also enjoyable for the entire party.
Are there any roleplaying opportunities with the Commander[1] build?
Roleplaying is abundant with the Commander[1]. Embrace the blend of leadership and moral dilemmas. Questions about ethical control of thralls can drive rich narratives. Balancing strategic manipulation with compassionate leadership offers depth. This duality presents engaging roleplay moments for players to explore. Dive into the psychological challenges and triumphs this build offers.
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Authors
Terms definitions
1. ↑ Wilder – The Commander – D&D 3.5 ( The Commander )
Categories: D&D 3.5 Character Builds, D&D 3.5 Wilder Builds
The Commander
The woman clad in light armor heard the mental command of her Jewel Lord. She mentally bowed and walked to the seeing pool in her room. Four adventurers. Two werewolves, and two noblemen. She stopped to ponder for a moment. She could send her vast army at them, but this was an opportunity to claim the title of Jewel Lord for herself. She turned around to her two mental slave ogres. She smiled.
Well, her Lord didn’t asked her to send both of them at the same target now didn’t he?
Race
Human
Class
Wilder 6/Thrallherd 10/Arch Psion 4
Ability Scores
Str 9/Dex 10/Con 14/Int 10/Wis 13/Cha 18
Skills
Diplomacy 4, Knowledge(Psionics) 15, Psicraft 15
Equipment
A Chain Shirt, a Longspear.
Goal
Okay, remember how Leadership is the strongest feat in D&D?
Okay now what if there was an entire Class dedicated to make Leadership into a Psionic thing and crank the feat to eleven?
Meet the Thrallherd, possibly the single most busted PrC in 3.5. You get all the advantages of Leadership, leveling up your Manifester level, the ability to Psionically Dominate targets and turn them into your permanent thralls, but also get two of them. Broken. Absolutely broken.
| Level | Class | HD | Feat | Special |
| 1 | Wilder | 8 | Cosmopolitan(Diplomacy), Inquisitor | Wild Surge +1, Psychic Enervation |
| 2 | Wilder | 1d6+2 | – | Elude Touch |
| 3 | Wilder | 1d6+2 | Extra Power(Mindlink) | Wild Surge +2 |
| 4 | Wilder | 1d6+2 | – | Surging Euphoria +1, +1 Cha |
| 5 | Wilder | 1d6+2 | – | Volatile Mind(1PP) |
| 6 | Thrallherd | 1d4+2 | Psionic Focus(Telepathy) | Thrallherd |
| 7 | Thrallherd | 1d4+2 | – | – |
| 8 | Thrallherd | 1d4+2 | – | Psionic Charm, +1 Cha |
| 9 | Thrallherd | 1d4+2 | Psionic Focus (Psychokinesis) | – |
| 10 | Thrallherd | 1d4+2 | – | Psionic Dominate |
| 11 | Thrallherd | 1d4+2 | – | – |
| 12 | Thrallherd | 1d4+2 | Linked Power | Greater Dominate, +1 Cha |
| 13 | Thrallherd | 1d4+2 | – | – |
| 14 | Thrallherd | 1d4+2 | – | Superior Dominate |
| 15 | Thrallherd | 1d4+2 | Skill Focus(Knowledge: Psionics) | Twofold Master |
| 16 | Wilder | 1d6+2 | – | +1 Cha |
| 17 | Arch Psion | 1d4+2 | – | Greater Psionic Focus +1 |
| 18 | Arch Psion | 1d4+2 | Extra Power(Schism) | Greater Psionic Focus +2 |
| 19 | Arch Psion | 1d4+2 | – | Greater Psionic Focus +3 |
| 20 | Arch Psion | 1d4+2 | – | Shape Power, +1 Wis |
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