Article-At-A-Glance
- The Ascended[1] build offers a blend of intrigue and power with its unique character concept.
- Provides strategies for a Psychic Build focused on mystery solving and transcendental themes.
- Encourages roleplaying that combines ancient wisdom with modern strands for a layered persona.
- Focuses on balancing human and draconic aspects while leveraging psychic abilities.
Click on the level for more information
At level 1, the Ascended[1] Psychic with the Formless Adept Archetype focuses on spellcasting capability with impressive Intelligence. High Intellect enhances spell effectiveness and skills like Spellcraft and Knowledge checks. Initiative is aided by the Reactionary trait. Toughness increases survival chances. Stealth is a class skill thanks to Silent Hunter.
Level 1 Stat Block
Ascended: male, human Formless Adept 1; CR 1/2; Medium humanoid (human); HD 1d8+1; hp 9; Init +4; Spd 30 ft.; AC 10, touch 10, flat-footed 10; Base Atk +0; Grp +0; Atk none (unarmed strike) or none; Full Atk none or none; SA Psychic Spells; SQ Phrenic Pool, Human Traits; AL N; SV Fort +2, Ref +2, Will +2; Str 7, Dex 10, Con 12, Int 20, Wis 10, Cha 10.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats
Spellcraft +9, Stealth +4, Perception +4; Toughness, Tenebrous Spell (Human Bonus). Psychic Spells: Daze, Telekinetic Projectile, Lullaby, Mage Hand, Sleep, Mind Thrust I.
Possessions
None yet required.
Master of mind affecting spells and battlefield control, with a good balance of offensive and defensive capabilities. The mix of high spell penetration, stealth, and special quality equipment provides versatility in combat.
Level 5 Stat Block
Ascended: male, human psychic (Formless Adept archetype) 5; CR 5; Medium humanoid (human); HD 5d8+10; hp 34; Init +1; Spd 30 ft.; AC 15, touch 11, flat-footed 14; Base Atk +2; Grp +2; Atk Telekinetic Projectile +4 ranged (1d6); Full Atk Telekinetic Projectile +4 ranged (1d6); SA Mind Thrust I, Daze, Sleep; SQ Incorporeality, Mirror Images, Improved Spell Penetration; AL neutral; SV Fort +4, Ref +2, Will +7; Str 7, Dex 10, Con 14, Int 20, Wis 10, Cha 10.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats
Spellcraft +13, Stealth +9, Perception +9, Knowledge (Arcana) +13; Toughness, Tenebrous Spell, Spell Penetration, Greater Spell Penetration.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Uses metamagic feats such as Extend Spell, enhancing spell duration.
Possessions
Chain Shirt (+4 AC, +4 Max Dex), Mithral Buckler (+1 AC, no penalty), other essential spellcasting materials.
The Ascended[1] level 10 Psychic focuses on powerful spellcasting and battlefield control while maintaining substantial defenses. Utilizing the Formless Adept Archetype, this human character places a premium on intelligence for spellcasting potency. The build supports a range of magic with spells like Mind Thrust III and potent Metamagic feats to increase spell effectiveness. The character balances offense and defense with skills in Spellcraft, Perception, and Stealth.
Stat Block
The Ascended[1]: male, human Psychic 10; CR 10; Medium humanoid (human); HD 10d6+10; hp 55; Init +5; Spd 30 ft.; AC 20, touch 15, flat-footed 15; Base Atk +5; Grp +4; Atk Mind Thrust III (mental attack) or Telekinetic Projectile (+10 ranged); Full Atk Mind Thrust III or Telekinetic Projectile (+10 ranged); SA Psychic Spells; SQ Phrenic Pool, Phrenic Amplifications (Will of the Dead, Undercast Surge), Mindcasting; AL Neutral; SV Fort +4, Ref +7, Will +11; Str 7, Dex 12, Con 12, Int 20, Wis 10, Cha 14.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats
Spellcraft +18, Stealth +10, Perception +13, Knowledge (Arcana) +18; Toughness, Tenebrous Spell, Spell Penetration, Greater Spell Penetration, Extend Spell.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Casts psychic spells without verbal or somatic components, improved spell penetration against resistances, increase effectiveness of spells through Metamagic feats.
Possessions
Mithral Buckler, various spell components, enchanted Chain Shirt.
The Ascended[1] build at level 15 maximizes spellcasting versatility and survivability. With an impressive array of metamagic feats and high Intelligence, it excels in controlling the battlefield. Key features include the ability to transform into a dragon, cast powerful Mind Thrust spells, and manipulate reality with spells like Elude Time and Teleport.
Stat Block
Ascended: male, human Formless Adept 15; CR 15; Medium humanoid (human); HD 15d6; hp 15d6+30 (82 HP); Init +4; Spd 30 ft.; AC 22, touch 13, flat-footed 19; Base Atk +7; Grp +7; Atk spell or light armor at will; Full Atk spell or light armor at will; SA Spellcasting, Phrenic Amplifications (Undercast Surge, Relentless Casting), Metamagic (Quicken Spell, Empower Spell); SQ Incorporeality, Fly, Dragon Transformation (limited), high DC spells, Contingency; AL neutral; SV Fort +7, Ref +8, Will +12; Str 7, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 20, Wis 10, Cha 14.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats
Spellcraft +23, Stealth +20, Perception +20, Knowledge (Arcana) +23; Toughness, Tenebrous Spell, Spell Penetration, Greater Spell Penetration, Extend Spell, Armor Proficiency (Light), Shield Proficiency.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Will of the Dead allows affecting undead with Mind-Affecting spells; powerful Mind Thrust spells; possession spells.
Possessions
Mithral Buckler, Chain Shirt with magical qualities.
At level 20, the Ascended[1] becomes an untouchable force on the battlefield. Specializing in defensive strategies, manipulating the battlefield, and a range of powerful offensive spells, this build enhances both survivability and versatility. Metamagic feats amplify spellcasting, while armor and shield proficiencies provide additional defenses. High Intelligence fuels a diverse repertoire of skills such as Stealth and Spellcraft, while Phrenic Amplifications like Will of the Dead and Overpowering Mind augment spell potency, particularly effective against undead.
Stat Block
Ascended: male, Human Psychic 20; CR 20; Medium humanoid (human); HD 20d6+40; hp 130; Init +4; Spd 30 ft.; AC 20, touch 13, flat-footed 17; Base Atk +10; Grp +7; Atk Mind Thrust VI (Damage); Full Atk Mind Thrust VI (Damage); SA Will of the Dead, Undercast Surge, Overpowering Mind; SQ Phrenic Pool (20 points), Metamagic Mastery; AL N; SV Fort +8, Ref +7, Will +17; Str 7, Dex 12, Con 14, Int 20, Wis 10, Cha 14.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats
Spellcraft+31, Stealth+27, Perception+25, Knowledge: Arcana+31, Knowledge: Psionics+31; Toughness, Tenebrous Spell, Spell Penetration, Greater Spell Penetration, Extend Spell, Armor Proficiency (Light), Shield Proficiency, Quicken Spell, Empower Spell, Maximize Spell, Ascendant Spell.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Incorporeality, Quickened Spells, Empowered and Maximized Spells, Immune to mind-affecting effects through Will of the Dead.
Possessions
Enchanted Mithral Chain Shirt, Mithral Buckler, Ring of Protection +3, Belt of Incredible Dexterity +4.
Milestones Of Character Development
- Levels 1-5: The foundation of the build is laid with feats like Toughness and Tenebrous Spell. Your spells, Daze, Telekinetic Projectile, and Sleep begin to define your role as a controller. Investing in Reactionary initiative trait gives you an edge in acting first.
- Levels 6-10: Your spell versatility expands with powerful options like Haste and Invisibility. Taking Greater Spell Penetration ensures your spells bypass resistances. The spell armor and phrenic amplification Will of the Dead heighten your adaptability.
- Levels 11-15: At this threshold, Quicken Spell and Contingency introduce tactical advantages. As you acquire Ghost Wolf and Possession, your control over combat expands. On top of offensive upgrades, you gain Light Armor and Shield Proficiency.
- Levels 16-20: With iconic spells like Wish and Reverse Gravity, your power peaks. Phrenic amplifications such as Overpowering Mind solidify unbeatable offensive capabilities. Your transformation into powerful forms, like Form of the Alien Dragon II, enhances resilience and versatility.
Core Abilities & Features
Intelligence is Your Guiding Light: At the heart of the Ascended[1] build is its emphasis on maximizing Intelligence. The human race selection adds a flexible +2 to this crucial stat, promoting superior spellcasting prowess. With an exceptional Intelligence score, you gain an impressive arsenal of spell slots and greater power behind your spells.
Metamagic Mastery: Equipped with an array of metamagic feats like Quicken, Empower, and Maximize Spell, the Ascended[1] build enhances its formidable spellcasting capabilities even further. Quicken Spell lets you cast spells in a fraction of the time, giving you a tactical edge in combat situations. Empower and Maximize Spell tweak your damage numbers sky high, turning minor confrontations into mere practice drills.
Phrenic Amplifications with a Punch: These psychic enhancements ramp up the punch of your magic with each level gain. Will of the Dead lets you challenge undead with mind-affecting spells, breaking a typically invulnerable defense. Overpowering Mind boosts your spell DC, ensuring your spells hit with unerring precision and can’t be easily shrugged off. Undercast Surge is perfect for improvisation in prolonged battles, ensuring your repertoire always remains fresh and dangerous.
Mimicry of Powers Otherwise Unachievable: The spell selection captures the essence of versatility. Whether you choose sleep spells early on or unleash the devastating Mind Thrust sequences available across various levels, there’s a spell for every occasion. By level 20, Wish and Transformation into enigmatic Alien Dragons are within your grasp. You embrace the ultimate strategy, a combination of the unkillable, the unpredictable, and the awe inspiring.
Equipment Progression
| Level Range | Equipment | Details |
|---|---|---|
| L1-5 | Amulet of Natural Armor +1 | Minor boost to AC aiding early game survivability. |
| L6-10 | Chain Shirt +1 | Enchanted for additional protection without hampering spellcasting. |
| L11-15 | Cloak of Resistance +3 | Improves saving throws to resist magical and physical effects. |
| L16-20 | Greater Ring of Invisibility | Facilitates stealth and escape, granting long-lasting invisibility. |
Combat Scenarios
- Dungeon Crawls:
- In tight spaces, rely on spells like Maze and Dimension Door to control enemy movement. Use Mirror Image to absorb initial attacks and maintain stealth with Silent Hunter for surprise engagements.
- Open Fields:
- Employ Fly for superior positioning. Cast Reverse Gravity to disrupt grounded foes and leverage Mind Thrust spells for targeted takedowns from a safe distance.
- Ambushes:
- Prepare Contingency beforehand to mitigate surprise attacks. Use Invisibility to reposition and Shadow Trap to immobilize key threats quickly.
- Defensive Stands:
- Enhance your resilience with Mithral Buckler and Chain Shirt. Use Form of the Alien Dragon for intimidation and powerful strikes, protecting allies with strategic casting of Murderous Command.
- Urban Encounters:
- Utilize Akashic Form for an incorporeal state, making excellent escapes. Telekinetic Maneuver assists in crowd control, ensuring you can handle densely populated areas without causing collateral damage.
Weaknesses & Counters
| Weakness | Counter |
|---|---|
| Low Armor Class (AC) and Physical Defense | Invest in a Mithral Buckler (no armor check penalty, +1 AC) and a Chain Shirt with magical qualities like ‘Fortification’ to reduce critical hits. |
| Vulnerability to Will Saves | Utilize ‘Overpowering Mind’ Phrenic Amplification to increase DC of Mind-Affecting spells and protect against Will-based attacks. |
| Susceptibility to Physical Threats | Use spells like ‘Mirror Image’ and ‘Fly’ to evade physical attacks, and ‘Ghost Wolf’ for mobility and escape options. |
| Spell Resistance (SR) of Enemies | Acquire ‘Spell Penetration’ and ‘Greater Spell Penetration’ feats to bypass enemy SR more effectively. |
| Low Initiative Scores | Select ‘Reactionary’ trait to boost initiative, ensuring quicker action in combat. |
Roleplaying
Ascend beyond ordinary mortal concerns with clarity, methodically immersing yourself into a character that has touched the sublime. You are a scholar of the ether, an intellectual rivaling the finest. Your journey is one of evolving into something grander than human. The world is a distraction but a necessary means to ascend further.
Embrace opportunities that allow you to showcase your Formless Adept’s versatility. Play up the notion of a ‘psychic detective,’ quietly unraveling mysteries with Telekinetic Projectiles and Scrying, emphasizing your intelligence. Another layer of intrigue is your dual nature: the mere mortal and the would-be dragon—a balance between human frailty and draconic power. Make your character curious about ancient secrets, with a tendency to view life as a series of puzzles to solve.
Delve into themes of transcendence and enlightenment, crafting a narrative arc of understanding and control over one’s mental faculties. Keep a stoic demeanor in discussions, reflecting the calm of a person with access to alien knowledge far beyond earthly comprehension. Your character might hum quietly to themselves, whispering ancient mantras under their breath as a focus technique.
Interact with comrades as the group’s oracle, offering strategic foresight with a hint of cryptic advice. Use your Intellect to finely craft moments of accidental humor, breaking tension at moments least expected. Your struggle to maintain human connections provides a narrative tension, will you allow yourself to become removed or forge ties through shared quests and trials?
FAQ
How does the Ascended[1] maintain balance between human and draconic qualities?
Maintaining equilibrium requires the character to remain rooted in human experiences while embracing draconic aspirations. These dualities manifest in decision making and spell casting. It’s important to leverage human intelligence with dragon like might, choosing actions reflecting both elements.
What are the most essential spells for a Psychic Ascended?
Telekinetic Projectiles and Scrying are your go to spells. Telekinetic Projectiles helps manipulate environments and gives combat advantage. Scrying aids in investigation, revealing unseen threats. Prioritize spells that enhance mental control, like Mind Thrust, for direct psychic attacks. Subtle spells improve versatility and strategic options.
Can the Ascended[1] work well in a party or prefers solitary adventures?
The Ascended[1] thrives in both solo and group settings. In a party, they assume a crucial role as a strategic mage, offering vision and foresight. You are the oracle guiding teammates with cryptic yet insightful advice. However, solitary quests deepen personal narratives and the connection with mental faculties.
How should an Ascended role-play ancient knowledge convincingly?
Channel ancient wisdom by keeping a calm demeanor and staying stoic. Use cryptic phrases, perhaps inspired by forgotten lore, to hint at your character’s deep history. Let the cadence of your voice reflect gravitas. Occasionally, whisper mantras as an anchor to otherworldly knowledge.
What equipment benefits an Ascended the most in early levels?
Focus on enhancing your mystical prowess and defense. A Headband of Alluring Charisma boosts casting potential, while a Ring of Protection increases survivability. Seek out items enhancing psychic resonance like a Crystalline Focus. These choices solidify your role as a stalwart cerebral force.
Join us at Stellar Dragons with the Ascended Build!
Consider incorporating an Ascended in your next game session. Are they the ultimate build in Pathfinder 1E? Join the debate on our Discord server at https://discord.gg/uAPvgEq6Z7 and share your insights!
Author
Terms definitions
1. ↑ Psychic – The Ascended – Pathfinder 1E ( The Ascended )
The Ascended
And then comes the inevitable transcendental build one would expect from this class. The “I am enlightened and will be transcending” build.
We’re taking the Formless Adept Archetype all the way to level 20 with this one.
Class
Formless Adept 20
Discipline
Replaced by Formless Adept
Race
Human, put that floating +2 into Intelligence.
Ability Scores
Put everything into Int.
15Point-Buy
Str 7/Dex 10/Con 12/Int 20/Wis 10/Cha 10
20Point-Buy
Str 7/Dex 10/Con 12/Int 20/Wis 10/Cha 14
25Point-Buy
Str 7/Dex 12/Con 14/Int 20/Wis 10/Cha 14
Traits
Reactionary for more Initiative which we are sorely lacking, and Silent Hunter for Stealth as a class skill
Favored Class Bonus
You’ve guessed it. It is, in fact, HP
Skills
Spellcraft, Stealth, Perception and various Knowledge skills will be your go to.
Feats by Level
1-Toughness
Human Bonus-Tenebrous Spell
3-Spell Penetration
5-Greater Spell Penetration
7-Extend Spell
9-Armor Proficiency(Light)
11-Shield Proficiency
13-Quicken Spell
15-Empower Spell
17-Maximize Spell
19-Ascendent Spell
Okay, so we got some of the best Metamagic Spells out there, and we still get a small degree of armored protection (which will be useful less for its AC bonus but more for all the special qualities we can put on it).
Phrenic Amplifications
3-Will of the Dead
7-Undercast Surge
11-Relentless Casting
19-Overpowering Mind
Undercasting shenanigans, higher spell save DCs, and the ability to affect undeads with Mind Affecting spells. How fun!
Spells Learned by Level
1-Daze, Telekinetic Projectile, Lullaby, Mage Hand, Sleep, Mind Thrust I
2-Prestidigitation
3-Command
4-Detect Magic, Haunting Mists
5-Murderous Command, Invisibility
6-Detect Psychic Significance, Haste
7-Shadow Trap, Mind Thrust II, Fly
8-Read Magic, Dimension Door
9-Mirror Image, Mind Thrust III, Mind Thrust IV
10-Arcane Mark, Lesser Astral Projection
11-Oneiric Horror, Telekinetic Maneuver, Scrying, Mind Thrust V
12-Contingency13-Ghost Wolf, Possession, Mind Thrust VI
14-Form of the Alien Dragon I
15-Teleport, Sonic Form, Elude Time
16-Bilocation
17-Reverse Gravity, Form of the Alien Dragon II
18-Akashic Form
19-Maze, Form of the Alien Dragon II
20-Wish
Equipment
At first you don’t really need anything, but eventually investing in a Chain Shirt enchanted with some fun magic qualities will prove useful, and a Mithral Buckler will provide a fun bonus to AC with zero penalty.
Final Thoughts on the Build
You can be ridiculously hard to kill between your Incorporeality, Mirror Images, Fly and your various other shenanigans including, once again, transforming into a Dragon and safety spells like Contingency. On top of being fairly resilient, stealthy, and offensively capable on top of being an excellent battlefield controller makes you a well rounded and powerful addition to any team.
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