Pathfinder Kineticist Class Analysis

[@kingogames16]

I play a geokineticist in pathfinder society. Level 11 just fought rune lord krune. I was doing an average of 60 damage a round with metal blast. By the end of the fight i was the only one still alive or conscious , did 99 damage with an empowered metal Blast for the KO which left me with an effective 13hp

[@TheHighfist]

thats pretty awesome!

[@nick1wasd]

One of my friends in one of my games is an Undine Water kineticist, her nickname is "the executioner" since her damage is SO HIGH! And she always somehow gets the last hit on enemies. This class is definitely one of my favorites since you can do so much with it. I do agree with chat/commentors that you should really just go Dex since Blasts ARE "light" weapons for the sake of Weapon Finesse, and Blast damage is strictly Con based no matter the form infusion.

[@CeroToTheFace]

Really excellent guide! I had to look for a while before I found one for pathfinder 1e. Thanks for the tips! this is my first forray into Kineticist and im really looking forward to it.

[@d6damage93]

Good luck. It's a great class. Enjoy unleashing your psychic might.

[@ollywright]

Interesting. I'd never even looked at Kineticists. They sound like they could also be accurately called Elementalists.

[@goolabbolshevish1t651]

He forgot to cover the kinetic knight, they use heavy armor and operate in a similar way to a magus except they conjure their own blade out of their chosen element. Their range goes down but in close range combat are a beast

[@McFatson]

Nice video. It's always a treat to see one of my favorite classes covered! I'll keep it on tab in case I need to link someone to an explanation. Humble suggestion for feat advice, though... Physical blasters should get Point Blank Shot and Precise Shot ASAP. Without them, you'll miss way too many shots. Energy blasters should get Spell Penetration and its Greater version by mid levels. Many creatures have spell resistance. PBS and Precise are still good. Melee Kineticists are much better off staying DeX based. It helps your ranged AND melee if you take Weapon Finesse and it's far less taxing in point buy.

[@d6damage93]

Thanks for the suggestions. Those are all great options for making an effective kineticist

[@ymmijx6061]

kineticists are really cool. it's just too bad they aren't that good. they really need an expanded platform of base abilities based on their element along with some slightly better recovery mechanics.

[@TheHighfist]

is your advice for a normal kineticists or the archetype elemental annihilator?

[@Lemiwinks55]

I decided to play a Kineticist for game my group is doing after Christmas and this video was the first recommendation on learning the class! Thanks a bunch.

[@steamtasticvagabond474]

It may seem weird, but I’ve built an Archetype for the Kineticist called the Elemental Injector which is entirely based on Bioshock. You lose quite a few of the class features in exchange for Elemental Elixirs (Eve hypos) which you can use to remove burn, heal, and eventually use to gain burn to change your kinetic blast and even eventually your element entirely.

[@hellraiserzaneriss]

I've got an ifrit pyrokineticist with elemental whispers 2 giving her a fire wysp familiar. Its a protector archetype which is able to boost my character's AC and the familiar can split damage 50/50 if they're touching my character effectively giving her 50% more health. On top of that the resonance and servitor passives of the wysp stack with bodyguard and quick reflexes, allowing the wysp to buff her AC by a whopping 4. This +4 also goes for aiding another in melee combat which along with constantly being burned thrice and soaking the damage with the familiar, let the character take a physical blast type and still consistently hit since her attack bonus sits around +16 and goes up to +21 max. She's level 6. I love this build.

[@lastresort1plays]

For a melee Kineticist the Kinetic Knight subclass is a must

[@rebeccamclaughlin3384]

I've got a undine water kineticist, who uses her blasts to heal allies. One of my party members is a fire kineticist as well.

[@raptordaraptor7861]

I've asked for this and here it is, very nice.

[@brightboar4421]

Been looking at building a Duergar Geokineticist. Either ARG or DSP chassis. Thanks for the vid D6!

[@persimmonplays2399]

I'm working on a Wyvaran kinetic lancer and being new to pathfinder I'm struggling a little bit

[@d6damage93]

Hopefully the video helps you with your kineticist. Good luck and enjoy your time.

[@Thurmanator]

can you cover mesmerist next?

[@stockvillain]

Oddly enough, my barbarian just died and I was thinking about rolling up a kinetic knight to replace him. Been giving the kineticist a closer look and I like what I see.

[@v1v10rnitier]

Stock Villain I have an aquakinetic knight. She is rediculous and has a reach attacking up to 45 feet at lvl 8-10, and for healing she has a touch range of 25 feet. She is a wacky wavy inflatable flailing arm flailing death machine. When you have the chance immediately look into kinetic invocation. Some of them are absolutely ridiculous.

[@McFatson]

Kinetic Knights have amazing mobility powers to overcome the staggering handicap of wearing plate armor. Water Dancer is a really neat power, but nothing quite beats Air's always on fly spell (still 40 ft in plate!) for getting around. Water/Wood gives you enormous AC potential while ice/wood blasts give you a rad winter theme.

[@PsykotikDragon]

Same here, except it was my ranged cleric in the Iron Gods AP...thinking of going kineticist but stuck on the particular element I should play.

[@gordonmcinnes8328]

Human - dual talent - you can go +2 dex and con at the same time. Hobgoblin have the same but are probably not a good option socially in most games. Air is the best for movement options and lightning is the least resisted element, earth is a close second plus you have defensive options. The issue is that your playstyle is pretty much the same regardless of level, in other words, they can be boring to play after a while. A possible dip to benefit the class is 1 level in Urban Barbarian/Invulnerable Rager Barbarian, why? Because the Urban Barbarian can control their rage allowing you to do your kineticist stuff AND the Invulnerable Rager gets damage reduction. Take extra rage as a feat and use judiciously. Another option is to boost charisma to 15 and take Skill Focus (Diplomacy) and Eldritch Heritage + Improved Eldritch Heritage (Pit Touched) - this will boost your Con score at high levels. You could do some alchemist dips too.

[@tuloong3807]

You forgot to talk about the Supercharge, Composite Specialization, Metakinetic Master, & Omnikinesis (which allows you to use every element at the cost of 1 burn either per use of a blast or to change any wild talent (Infusion or Utility) into any other wild talent of the same category) abilities in the Kineticist class. Though most of them change or reduce the cost of certain previous abilities, Omnikinesis should’ve been in the video for sure since it’s an original ability & doesn’t change or reduce burn cost of previous abilities.

[@samtheactualkenku6205]

They also didn't mention the other elements that the Kineticist has access to Void, Wood and Universal. Also, I have no idea if they all come in the same book or if D6 is only covering the base version of the class from Occult Adventures but it seems he has left some useful info out (but he did mention Water, the best Kineticist element, which is awesome), but that kinda confirms that he is only using the Occult Adventures book and not any other books that add new material to the class.

[@sinisterthoughts2896]

@@samtheactualkenku6205 definitely only covering base kineticists from occult.

[@Crim_Zen]

Doesn't weapon finesse apply to the energy blasts? They are ranged touch attacks, and touch is considered a "light weapon." The physical is always a ranged attack, needing dex... I'm mostly thinking in terms of conductive weapons.

[@aceofspade2120]

I would have mentioned Oversoul Kineticist. It's my favorite archtype. A Halfling Aether Kineticist with a feat focus on Diplomacy has been a blast to play, and at seventh level I can now become invisible whenever I choose to

[@JeremySmith-ve2ur]

Would be interesting to introduce a chance of possession or soul corruption or just a psychotic rage state for a character that regularly pushes their limits with how high their burn can go.

[@d6damage93]

Think about using the corruption system from horror adventures.

[@maskedfallen1331]

As some advice if you wanted to make. Lich or vampire go with overwhelming soul archetype makes con based into character based.

[@d6damage93]

Yeah, I don't see a problem with that for undead. Thanks.

[@rbrannon]

I've been playing around with several builds of this class for the past week and I got to say...I want my current character to die. Lol Going Geo, picking up Earth Glide and take fire/air/aether as your second to get what is basically fly or actual fly. Then take "Shot on the Run" feat and come out of the earth, unload onto your target(s) and then sink back into the earth afterwards so they can't even target you. I the idea of flying up to the roof of a cave and just Earth Gliding into it is just awesome to me. Disclaimer: Your GM is likely to be pissed he can't hit you and you'll come across an enemy that can hard counter you when you go into the earth. Like kill you instantly if done right. Or he might magically enchant the walls to where they can't be used in that manner, a mimic wall, or just straight metal walls. (Consider getting Void and getting the talent that allows you to live without needing to take a breath.) Also, there is an option to still do sick damage and heal like a freaking beast. Imagine your damage + 1d6 as a heal that other people in your party can take the burn for you. You're looking at 5d6+20ish per touch at level 7....and that doesn't include the burst healing(acts like channel energy) that you get at level 8. Which can take that healing(half if you don't have the wood blast) and apply it to everyone(and damage all undead or heal enemies that aren't undead). Really sick class...I'm looking forward to it. After typing this...my warpriest tomorrow might be a little more reckless than normal.

[@daltonslayton6766]

Was this made before the Wood kinesticist came out? That one is over powered on the Skulls and Shackles story.

[@hibye8158]

i just want to know roll to see if say fire blast lands or not because honestly its 1 in the morning and im lost

[@TrayolLyrics]

Interesting. I may have to finally try out the Kineticist.

[@downwithvoldemort96]

D6, Would you be opposed to doing a video on rangers? They're one ofbt he classes that has a bit going on with eml, especially if you go with an animal companion, and I'd like to hear your take.

[@WinglessAngelic]

love this and your guides are fucking awesome. I just got into Pathfinder and this has me happy af

[@d6damage93]

I'm glad you enjoy my videos. Thanks for watching.

[@hizzilitis]

Seriously, when Kelikke joined up I was CLUELESS. What the frakk is a kineticist? Thanks OP for making it clear that kineticists = Korra/Aang. Ok. So I’ve been leveling those girls wrong. Time to respec.

[@Hudraxinator]

Ice Blast is not a Touch Attack, it is a Physical Composit Blast , half piercing, half cold damage.

[@nick1wasd]

I think he meant "Cold blast" in that part

[@Hudraxinator]

@@nick1wasd it is the second time i have heard about the ice blast is a range touch attack. Here it is in the description of the expanded element so i am confused about this. Maybe something from pre Erata ?

[@veysel7056]

Hey i have a problem that i dont know what an associatet blast is and i want to use the Thundering Infusion but dont know what they mean by electric, thunderstorm and sorry for bad english

[@d6damage93]

Associated blast means that the Thundering Infusion can only be applied to electric or thunderstorm blasts. As an example, you couldn't use that infusion with fire or water blasts.

[@veysel7056]

@@d6damage93 Thx Dude btw You Should Open a discord Or teamspeack where Fans Can talk to You and some Stuff like that

[@d6damage93]

I already have a discord, it's a great way to communicate with other players discord.gg/eK9zkeX

[@elzeelfaust7938]

Do a video like this for the Psychic class please!

[@justinc882]

Such an underrated class. Its not super high tier but damn is it fun

[@chazzwozzio]

I'm playing a dwarf earth kineticist in kingmaker rn. It feels soo goooood

[@colinsmith1495]

Pretty much a pure DPR class, which in Pathfinder makes it not top-tier, but gosh is that a LOT of DPR.

[@justinc882]

@@colinsmith1495 Yup, they get some fun tricks. I just finished a campaign where by the last half of the campaign the only players left were a fighter,inquisitor and a monk. The main baddie was a Kineticist and none of my players had the occult mystery book. Made for one hell of a final battle

[@Stormfin]

Do you take requests? I'm wondering if you know how to make a workable White Haired Witch, or a pre-errata Scarred Witch Doctor.

[@d6damage93]

That's a tough request. The witch is a notoriously finicky class and the archetypes aren't necessarily good for making really strong characters. For the scarred witch doctor, I would recommend going with a human who has the racial heritage feat for orc. That way you don't have to worry about the -2 to int that orcs get. For the white haired witch you might think about just dipping into witch for the hair attacks and mostly going rogue.

[@Stormfin]

Why not a half-orc?

[@d6damage93]

That would work fine as well. I don't build test characters using half-orc that often, so I don't know their stats very well. That would solve the intelligence problem.

[@DHTheAlaskan]

Very informing episode, will you be covering 2nd edition pathfinder stuff when it launches?

[@d6damage93]

Absolutely!

[@RoundRobin0]

DGHavoc907 only necessary if the game actually GETS printed it barely started beta. Personally I will ignore any copy people bring to my table and suggest they burn it.

[@logannichols2605]

I played one. Everyone kept pointing at rules in the book that seem to counter each other. This was walk through cleats a lot of that up and if I get to play more often I would like to play one again

[@d6damage93]

I'm glad the walk through was helpful

[@cutedream6956]

As much as I appreciate you giving the Kineticist some much deserved love, you literally just read the class out of the book. You could have gone into the pros and cons of different elements/blasts/talents...

[@d6damage93]

The Kineticist, like most of the occult classes, is pretty complicated. So for this introductory video, I thought it would be a good idea to focus on core class features and how they're used. I think a more in depth discussion of the wild talents and blasts is a topic more deserving of its own video.

[@McFatson]

Yeah the class is pretty thick. I've toyed with the idea of making an instructional video, but in order to make it easier to understand I would need a ton of custom animated pixel art. Either that or I steal a ton of footage from My Hero Academia, which happens to mirror the class' mechanics quite nicely.

[@tiguidi6583]

So I've seen in numerous forums and discussions that the Kineticist isn't a really good class to pick due to having only a d8 Hit Die, 2/3 BAB, etc... These discussions date from many years ago, however, probably before the Kineticist received updates or adjustments. Would anyone still recommend picking this class over other choices? I really love the concept but I don't want to be behind the other players number-wise and be useless.

[@sinisterthoughts2896]

The kineticist was and still is incredibly powerful. The D8 argumentvis moot since they have high con and boost it when burning, the have crazy damage output and powerful special abilities, including serious healing capabilities (depending on element).

[@WinglessAngelic]

you guys should do ninja next

[@davidcdun8896]

Kineticist, the best hidden weapon. I would suggest Gunslinger/Kineticist multiclass combo. If your gun or guns are taken away... 😉 Surprise!!!

[@ahomestucker]

did wood and void just not exist yet when this came out?

[@TheIoPC]

Nice. Does this mean there is a kineticist build video in the works? 🙄😁 ~ Adam

[@d6damage93]

Maybe

[@shahamut5009]

Why has no one tried to build megaman with this class??? Am I really the only one? Gathering Power's flavor text just screams Megaman X to me XDXD

[@Palaschurk]

str? not even sure if kinet knight uses str

[@colinsmith1495]

It would by default, but the kinetic blade counts as a 'light weapon' for weapon finesse, so it's optional. Str or spend a feat to use Dex. Damage is based on Con either way.

[@1sonictheghog]

...did they not talk about void or wood?

[@jacobduty28]

Still no ranger analysis? Sadness

[@rudragirik745]

I am currently working on a class that is a combination of Fighter, Brawler, Monk & Kineticist, and yes, it's as unbalanced and overpowered as it possibly could be 👍

[@nicholi8933]

It seems really cool, just not for me. Great video.

[@Jacelinswow]

Doing the math is atrocious for these guys unfortunately, you are far far to squishy. By 20th level persay with a +10 to con you can accept 13 burn points which gives you essentially a -260 to HP (It might as well be if you still go unconcious when brought to that threshold. So for using your resources you are brought to 100 effective HP at 20th level? Are you kidding me? Some cr10s can deal 100 hp in a single round. You are built like you are supposed to be a sniper far far far far away from combat because if you use your resources you are given to do something actually cool instead of just a flat smack em a time or so. You are punished by -20 health per burn point? Absolutely rediculous. They do not deal nearly the damage necessary to be that bad of a glass cannon. For example a wizard with a 0 in con that retrained all their d6's to max has 120 hp. And a flat bare wizard has much more damage potential with just bare bones spells past what maybe 5th level? Frustrating to me that its so difficult to make this class even average as per raw. TLDR: im butthurt.

[@TamOBanterAndHisMagicDecanter]

Every person I've played with that tried kineticist has regretted it. The lack of a role play identity compared to other classes made them very bland.

[@JetstreamKage]

toughness doesn't give you additional burn, wtf are you talking about

[@leviangel97]

Burn does 1 damage per level, so you can take 1 extra burn without noticing

[@sinisterthoughts2896]

You seriously can't figure out what he meant? Extra hit point per level equals extra hit points you can afford to burn. It's not complicated.