Kineticist (Fire); Half-Orc

Self-Interested Preface: After looking through all the new Occult classes, the Kineticist is the only one that actually looked interesting.  After completing my first build (not this one), I started to notice its uncomfortable lack of versatility and its clear imbalance between elements and powers.  The kineticist has a ton of room for error- your severely-limited amount of powers means that if you pick a shitty one (for example, you have to be level TWELVE to get Speak With Plants- fucking bards only have to be ten and would only waste a known spell) it's sort of a severe handicap.  And there are a LOT of shitty kineticist talents and infusions.

Kineticists' talents and infusions use a resource called Burn, which is detailed near some tables underneath this build.  Burn counts as non-lethal damage that cannot be healed until resting, effectively lowering the kineticist's maximum hit points by making it easier to knock the kineticist out.  This build, however, gets Diehard at level 1 and goes down the Deathless feat chain in addition to having Wild Ferocity, an amazing trait that essentially counts as Deathless Master in a specific terrain.  If your entire campaign takes place in a city, your character essentially ignores non-death hitpoint unconsciousness for its entire existence.  This means Burn adds no risk of unconsciousness, allowing your character to act without impunity as a walking (after level 14, flying), flaming artillery cannon.

Okay, in bold for fucking emphasis: I was way-the-fuck-off re: how Diehard works in relation to non-lethal damage.   Diehard only applies if damage taken was lethal- for the purposes of unconsciousness, all lethal damage also counts as non-lethal, which actually means that if you knock an enemy with Diehard down to 0 or less hitpoints, you can deal just one point of non-lethal damage and it'll knock em out.

Verbatim from Paizo: "When your nonlethal damage equals your current hit points, you’re staggered, and when it exceeds your current hit points, you fall unconscious. It doesn’t matter whether the nonlethal damage equals or exceeds your current hit points because the nonlethal damage has gone up or because your current hit points have gone down."

As a workaround it makes Diehard fucking suck if your GM's aware of it.  However, if your character's a worshiper of Zon-Kuthon, there's instead the feat Flagellant, which is Diehard for non-lethal damage, which completely restores the validity of this build (and thank fucking god am I right?  Kineticists are terrible and need all the tricky bullshit they can get.).  Still gonna keep Diehard though, and Deathless Initiate, but only because they're useful and Kineticists don't have a ton of obvious relevant feats.  Bold emphasis rescinded.

Fire is meant to be the least versatile element, but the most damaging.  It's tempting to pick up the half-orc favored class bonus of an additional one-third of a point of fire damage per blast, but increasing this character's maximum hit points is much more of a priority.  As a half-orc, this character's eligible for the human feat Fast Learner, but this build and class are already very multiple-ability dependent and feat-intensive, so that's not worth it either.  This class is already built to hit hard, between Fire's Fury, Elemental Overflow, and a high CON bonus, and an extra +1 damage every three levels isn't going to make much of a difference.  Again, see one of the charts below for a by-level damage breakdown.

Unfortunately, the way the Kineticist abilities and talents are up on the D20PFSRD page, it's not very straightforward to research or link what I've typed out here.  I felt it while I was putting this character together.  It's a constant battle of scrolling and shit.  So, for your convenience, the main points to consider with this build are as follows:

• pretty good saves from 1st level- Will is weak but Iron Will and half-orc helps immensely
• through Diehard Flagellant and related feats, is far less affected by burn, especially in favored terrain
• hits touch AC
• does energy damage which can eventually break through and lower resistance
• has a reasonably-high DC for area effects
• can eventually use blasts to drain energy from fire-subtype creatures (5th level), attack a vertical column of enemies (7th level), blind (9th level), dispel magic (11th level), bend around enemies (13th level), create an explosion (15th level), and ignore spell resistance (17th level)
• can standard-action move as a 60' jet at 12th level and as a move-action at 14th, plus hover
• at 18th level (yeah, I know) can auto-resurrect in one round in exchange for 2 burn

The final thing I'd like to mention is Saturation, a special kind of quest added with Occult Realms which adds a Wild Talent to the pool.  Its description is this:
---
Fire Saturation

Throughout the multiverse, there are places where hyperconcentrated pools of elemental energy seep through the very fabric of existence, saturating it with primal power. Such elemental saturations, as they are called, are as common on the Elemental Planes as seashells on a beach. On other planes, though, they are rare, often difficult to reach, and frequently defended by dangerous guardians or deadly hazards. Treacherous as these locations are, they are fonts of power for kineticists, who can use them to access elemental synergies in otherwise impossible ways.
A kineticist who finds an elemental saturation can attempt to attune herself to it. Finding such a place can be a quest in itself, though, and attunement might require a challenging ritual. The rewards are well worth it, as a kineticist who successfully attunes herself to an elemental saturation typically gains access to unique and wonderful powers. Usually, attunement grants the ability to learn a special wild talent, but each saturation is a unique convergence of elemental power, and the possibilities for dedicated kineticists are endless. The following lists locations of elemental saturations for each element, as well as a detailed description of one such saturation.

Attunement: A pyrokineticist must impress a mighty kami. This might involve an appropriate gift or a successful DC 30 Diplomacy check attempted by the kineticist or by an ally who speaks Ignan. If she impresses the kami, the kineticist is immediately affected as if using the purging flame wild talent and can learn that wild talent.

Element fire; Type utility (Sp); Level 6; Burn 1
You can purge yourself or another with flame, removing all impurities. This functions as break enchantment on a single target. The target must be willing and takes 2 points of fire damage per character level as well as 1 point of burn (you do not need to accept burn unless you are the target). You can use this ability even when affected by an effect that denies you actions, so long as this effect is one that break enchantment could remove. If you burn rare incense or igneous rocks worth 100 gp or 1,000 gp as part of using purging flame, your target also benefits from restoration, as if the spell were cast using diamonds of equal value as a material component.
---
Break Enchantment's a neat spell, but it's probably not worth a planar side quest and a wild talent (you only get ten if you don't spend any feats), especially since they also take damage, burn, and it can only affect one creature at a time instead of the 1 per level the spell effects.  The main benefit the talent gives over the spell is casting time (standard action rather than a full minute), but this character's role is damage-dealing and it's not worth the loss or postponement of flight or elemental creation or any of the other abilities it'd shuffle out of the way.

Build created in January of 2016 and fixed December of 2016.

Kineticist (Pyrokineticist), Level 20

[must worship Zon-Kuthon]

Race: Half-Orc, +2 CON (+1 Hit Point/+1 Skill Point/+1/3 point of fire damage to fire-dealing kinetic blasts)

Racial Traits

City-Raised [Proficient in longswords and whips, +2 Knowledge (Local)]

Shaman’s Apprentice (free Endurance feat)

Sacred Tattoo [+1 luck bonus to all saving throws (increased to +2 by Fate’s Favored trait)]

Orc Blood (counts as both human and orc for any effects tied to race)

Darkvision 60’

Character Traits/Drawbacks

Drawback: (Detriment, Circumstance)

Faith: Fate’s Favored (additional +1 to all luck bonuses)

Race: Wild Ferocity: Urban (do not take damage from actions taken during Die Hard in specific terrain)

Regional: Freed Slave (+1 to Will saves)

Class Skills: Acrobatics, Craft (Any), Escape Artist, Heal, Intimidate, Knowledge (Nature), Perception, Profession (Any), Stealth, and Use Magic Device.

Known Languages: Common, Orc

1: Kineticist (Pyrokineticist) 1, +1 Hit Point

            BAB: +0

            Base Saves: +8/+7/+6

New Feats: Simple, Longsword, and Whip Weapon Proficiency, Light Armor Proficiency, Burn, Gather Power, Kinetic Blast, Simple Blast: Fire Blast, Elemental Focus (Fire), Infusion: Burning Infusion, Wild Talent: Basic Pyrokinesis, [1^st Level Feat] Point-Blank Shot, [Anti-Hero] Iron Will

Skills(3): Escape Artist, Knowledge (Nature), Perception

2: Kineticist (Pyrokineticist) 2, +1 Hit Point

            BAB: +0

            Base Saves: +9/+8/+6

New Feats: Elemental Defense (Fire): Searing Flesh, Wild Talent (2nd): Heat Adaptation

Skills(3): Perception, +2 others [probably Knowledge (Planes) and Knowledge (Local)]

3: Kineticist (Pyrokineticist) 3, +1 Hit Point

            BAB: +2

            Base Saves: +9/+8/+7

New Feats: Elemental Overflow (3rd), Infusion: Extended Range, [3rd Level Feat] Precise Shot

Skills(3): Perception, +2 others [probably Knowledge (Planes) and Knowledge (Local)]

4: Kineticist (Pyrokineticist) 4, +1 Hit Point

            BAB: +3

            Ability Score Increase: CON +1 (19)

            Base Saves: +10/+9/+7

New Feats: Wild Talent: Fire’s Fury

Skills(3): Perception, +2 others [probably Knowledge (Planes) and Knowledge (Local)]

5: Kineticist (Pyrokineticist) 5, +1 Hit Point

            BAB: +3

            Base Saves: +10/+9/+7

New Feats: Infusion Specialization 1, Metakinesis (5th), Infusion: Draining Infusion, [5th Level Feat] Diehard

Skills(3): Perception, +2 others [probably Knowledge (Planes) and Knowledge (Local)]

6: Kineticist (Pyrokineticist) 6, +1 Hit Point

            BAB: +4

            Base Saves: +11/+10/+8

New Feats: Elemental Overflow (6th), Internal Buffer (6th), Wild Talent: Firesight

Skills(3): Perception, +2 others [probably Knowledge (Planes) and Knowledge (Local)]

7: Kineticist (Pyrokineticist) 7, +1 Hit Point

            BAB: +5

            Base Saves: +11/+10/+8

New Feats: Expanded Element: Fire, Composite Blast: Blue Flame Blast, Infusion: Eruption, [7th Level Feat] Flagellant

Skills(3): Perception, +2 others [probably Knowledge (Planes) and Knowledge (Local)]

8: Kineticist (Pyrokineticist) 8, +1 Hit Point

            BAB: +6/+1

Ability Score Increase: CON +1 (20)

            Base Saves: +13/+11/+8

New Feats: Infusion Specialization 2, Wild Talent: Searing Flame

Skills(3): Perception, +2 others [probably Knowledge (Planes) and Knowledge (Local)]

9: Kineticist (Pyrokineticist) 9, +1 Hit Point

            BAB: +6/+1

            Base Saves: +14/+11/+9

New Feats: Elemental Overflow (9th), Metakinesis (9th), Infusion: Flash Infusion, [9th Level Feat] Deathless Initiate

Skills(3): Perception, +2 others [probably Knowledge (Planes) and Knowledge (Local)]

10: Kineticist (Pyrokineticist) 10, +1 Hit Point

            BAB: +7/+2

            Base Saves: +14/+12/+9

New Feats: Wild Talent: Flame Shield

Skills(3): Perception, +2 others [probably Knowledge (Planes) and Knowledge (Local)]

11: Kineticist (Pyrokineticist) 11, +1 Hit Point

            BAB: +8/+3

            Base Saves: +14/+12/+9

New Feats: Infusion Specialization 3, Internal Buffer (11th), Supercharge, Infusion: Unraveling Infusion, [11th Level Feat] Improved Critical (Kinetic Blast)

Skills(3): Perception, +2 others [probably Knowledge (Planes) and Knowledge (Local)]

12: Kineticist (Pyrokineticist) 12, +1 Hit Point

            BAB: +8/+3

Ability Score Increase: CON +1 (21)

            Base Saves: +15/+13/+10

New Feats: Elemental Overflow (12^th), Wild Talent: Flame Jet

Skills(3): Perception, Use Magic Device, +2 others

13: Kineticist (Pyrokineticist) 13, +1 Hit Point

            BAB: +9/+4

            Base Saves: +15/+13/+10

New Feats: Metakinesis (13^th), Infusion: Snake, [13^th Level Feat] Spell Penetration

Skills(3): Perception, +2 others [probably Knowledge (Planes) and Knowledge (Local)]

14: Kineticist (Pyrokineticist) 14, +1 Hit Point

            BAB: +10/+5

            Base Saves: +16/+14/+10

New Feats: Infusion Specialization 4, Wild Talent: Greater Flame Jet

Skills(3): Perception, +2 others [probably Knowledge (Planes) and Knowledge (Local)]

15: Kineticist (Pyrokineticist) 15, +1 Hit Point

            BAB: +11/+6/+1

            Base Saves: +16/+14/+11

New Feats: Expanded Element (Fire), Elemental Overflow (15^th), Infusion: Explosion, [15^th Level Feat] Greater Spell Penetration

Skills(3): Perception, +2 others [probably Knowledge (Planes) and Knowledge (Local)]

16: Kineticist (Pyrokineticist) 16, +1 Hit Point

            BAB: +12/+7/+2

Ability Score Increase: CON +1 (22)

            Base Saves: +18/+15/+11

New Feats: Composite Specialization, Internal Buffer (16^th), Wild Talent: Spark Of Life

Skills(3): Perception, +2 others [probably Knowledge (Planes) and Knowledge (Local)]

17: Kineticist (Pyrokineticist) 17, +1 Hit Point

            BAB: +12/+7/+2

            Base Saves: +18/+15/+11

New Feats: Infusion Specialization 5, Metakinesis (17^th), Infusion: Pure-Flame Infusion, [17^th Level Feat] Toughness

Skills(3): Perception, +2 others [probably Knowledge (Planes) and Knowledge (Local)]

18: Kineticist (Pyrokineticist) 18, +1 Hit Point

            BAB: +13/+8/+3

            Base Saves: +19/+16/+12

New Feats: Elemental Overflow (18^th), Wild Talent: From The Ashes

Skills(3): Perception, +2 others [probably Knowledge (Planes) and Knowledge (Local)]

19: Kineticist (Pyrokineticist) 19, +1 Hit Point

            BAB: +14/+9/+4

            Base Saves: +19/+16/+12

New Feats: Metakinetic Master, Infusion: Kinetic Blade, [19^th Level Feat] Parting Blast

Skills(3): Perception, +2 others [probably Knowledge (Planes) and Knowledge (Local)]

20: Kineticist (Pyrokineticist) 20, +1 Hit Point

            BAB: +15/+10/+5

Ability Score Increase: WIS +1 (14)

            Base Saves: +20/+17/+13

New Feats: Infusion Specialization 6, Omnikinesis, Wild Talent: Trail Of Flames

            Skills(3): Perception, +2 others [probably Knowledge (Planes) and Knowledge (Local)]

Fire and Blue Flame Kinetic Blast Attack (against touch AC)

BAB + DEX mod. + 1 (if within 30 feet after level 2) + burn (up to 1 per 3 levels) + d20

  

Lvl.	Simple Energy Damage Calculation	Composite Energy Damage Calculation	E.O. Max.		Fire’s Fury Max. (Damage)
			Attack	Damage
1	1d6 + ½CON	-	-	-	-
2	1d6 + ½CON	-	-	-	-
3	2d6 + ½CON + Elemental Overflow	-	+1	+2	-
4	2d6 + ½CON + Elemental Overflow + Fire’s Fury	-	+1	+2	+1
5	3d6 + ½CON + Elemental Overflow + Fire’s Fury	-	+1	+2	+1
6	3d6 + ½CON + Elemental Overflow + Fire’s Fury	-	+2	+4	+2
7	4d6 + ½CON + Elemental Overflow + Fire’s Fury	8d6 + ½CON + Elemental Overflow + Fire’s Fury	+2	+4	+2
8	4d6 + ½CON + Elemental Overflow + Fire’s Fury	8d6 + ½CON + Elemental Overflow + Fire’s Fury	+2	+4	+2
9	5d6 + ½CON + Elemental Overflow + Fire’s Fury	10d6 + ½CON + Elemental Overflow + Fire’s Fury	+3	+6	+3
10	5d6 + ½CON + Elemental Overflow + Fire’s Fury	10d6 + ½CON + Elemental Overflow + Fire’s Fury	+3	+6	+3
11	6d6 + ½CON + Elemental Overflow + Fire’s Fury	12d6 + ½CON + Elemental Overflow + Fire’s Fury	+3	+6	+3
12	6d6 + ½CON + Elemental Overflow + Fire’s Fury	12d6 + ½CON + Elemental Overflow + Fire’s Fury	+4	+8	+4
13	7d6 + ½CON + Elemental Overflow + Fire’s Fury	14d6 + ½CON + Elemental Overflow + Fire’s Fury	+4	+8	+4
14	7d6 + ½CON + Elemental Overflow + Fire’s Fury	14d6 + ½CON + Elemental Overflow + Fire’s Fury	+4	+8	+4
15	8d6 + ½CON + Elemental Overflow + Fire’s Fury + Expanded Element	16d6 + ½CON + Elemental Overflow + Fire’s Fury + Exp. Element	+5	+10	+5
16	8d6 + ½CON + Elemental Overflow + Fire’s Fury + Expanded Element	16d6 + ½CON + Elemental Overflow + Fire’s Fury + Expanded Element	+5	+10	+5
17	9d6 + ½CON + Elemental Overflow + Fire’s Fury + Expanded Element	18d6 + ½CON + Elemental Overflow + Fire’s Fury + Expanded Element	+5	+10	+5
18	9d6 + ½CON + Elemental Overflow + Fire’s Fury + Expanded Element	18d6 + ½CON + Elemental Overflow + Fire’s Fury + Expanded Element	+6	+12	+6
19	10d6 + ½CON + Elemental Overflow + Fire’s Fury + Expanded Element	20d6 + ½CON + Elemental Overflow + Fire’s Fury + Expanded Element	+6	+12	+6
20	10d6 + ½CON + Elemental Overflow + Fire’s Fury + Expanded Element	20d6 + ½CON + Elemental Overflow + Fire’s Fury + Expanded Element	+6	+12	+6

Elemental Overflow only applies when burn is applied equal to or less than the maximum at a particular level.
Fire’s Fury only applies when Elemental Overflow is applicable, and to fire kinetic blasts only.

Burn And Related Modifiers By Level

Lvl.	Base HP Range	Nonlethal Damage per Burn	Max. Burn /Round	Base Max. Total Burn Willingly Acceptable	Max. Internal Buffer	Gather Power Move/Full-Round/Both	Infusion Special.	Comp. Special.
1	(1d8+4+1) 6-13	1	1	(CON + 3) 7	-	-1/-2/-3	-	-
2	(2d8+8+2) 12-26	2	1	(CON + 3) 7	-	-1/-2/-3	-	-
3	(3d8+12+3) 18-39	3	1	(CON + 3) 7	-	-1/-2/-3	-	-
4	(4d8+16+4) 24-52	4	1	(CON + 3) 7	-	-1/-2/-3	-	-
5	(5d8+20+5) 30-65	5	1	(CON + 3) 7	-	-1/-2/-3	-1	-
6	(6d8+24+6) 36-78	6	2	(CON + 3) 7	1	-1/-2/-3	-1	-
7	(7d8+28+7) 42-91	7	2	(CON + 3) 7	1	-1/-2/-3	-1	-
8	(8d8+40+8) 56-112	8	2	(CON + 3) 8	1	-1/-2/-3	-2	-
9	(9d8+45+9) 63-126	9	3	(CON + 3) 8	1	-1/-2/-3	-2	-
10	(10d8+50+10) 70-140	10	3	(CON + 3) 8	1	-1/-2/-3	-2	-
11	(11d8+55+11) 77-154	11	3	(CON + 3) 8	2	-2/-3/not listed	-3	-
12	(12d8+60+12) 84-168	12	4	(CON + 3) 8	2	-2/-3/not listed	-3	-
13	(13d8+65+13) 91-182	13	4	(CON + 3) 8	2	-2/-3/not listed	-3	-
14	(14d8+70+14) 98-196	14	4	(CON + 3) 8	2	-2/-3/not listed	-4	-
15	(15d8+75+15) 105-210	15	5	(CON + 3) 8	2	-2/-3/not listed	-4	-
16	(16d8+96+16) 128-240	16	5	(CON + 3) 9	3	-2/-3/not listed	-4	-1
17	(17d8+102+34) 153-272	17	5	(CON + 3) 9	3	-2/-3/not listed	-5	-1
18	(18d8+108+36) 162-288	18	6	(CON + 3) 9	3	-2/-3/not listed	-5	-1
19	(19d8+114+38) 171-304	19	6	(CON + 3) 9	3	-2/-3/not listed	-5	-1
20	(20d8+120+40) 180-320	20	6	(CON + 3) 9	3	-2/-3/not listed	-6	-1

Non-lethal damage taken equal to current hit points normally creates staggered condition; non-lethal damage taken in excess of current hit points creates unconscious condition.  Flagellant keeps character from falling unconscious due to non-lethal damage.  Die Hard allows for extended disabled condition, forcing one extra point of damage per strenuous action taken.  Wild Ferocity negates this extra damage in a favored terrain.  Deathless Initiate allows for non-disabled condition when using Die Hard.

Elemental Overflow Effects From Burn Per Level

Lvl.	Attack Bonus Max.	Bonus Damage Max.	Ability Size  Mod.		Fortification
			Req. Burn	Bonus
1	-	-	-	-	-
2	-	-	-	-	-
3	1/1 burn	2/1 burn	-	-	5% per burn point
4	1/1 burn	2/1 burn	-	-	5% per burn point
5	1/1 burn	2/1 burn	-	-	5% per burn point
6	2/2 burn	4/2 burn	3	+2, +2	5% per burn point
7	2/2 burn	4/2 burn	3	+2, +2	5% per burn point
8	2/2 burn	4/2 burn	3	+2, +2	5% per burn point
9	3/3 burn	6/3 burn	3	+2, +2	5% per burn point
10	3/3 burn	6/3 burn	3	+2, +2	5% per burn point
11	3/3 burn	6/3 burn	5	+4, +2	5% per burn point
12	4/4 burn	8/4 burn	5	+4, +2	5% per burn point
13	4/4 burn	8/4 burn	5	+4, +2	5% per burn point
14	4/4 burn	8/4 burn	5	+4, +2	5% per burn point
15	5/5 burn	10/5 burn	5	+4, +2	5% per burn point
16	5/5 burn	10/5 burn	7	+6, +4, +2	5% per burn point
17	5/5 burn	10/5 burn	7	+6, +4, +2	5% per burn point
18	6/6 burn	12/6 burn	7	+6, +4, +2	5% per burn point
19	6/6 burn	12/6 burn	7	+6, +4, +2	5% per burn point
20	6/6 burn	12/6 burn	7	+6, +4, +2	5% per burn point

Elemental Overflow (Ex)

At 3rd level, a kineticist's body surges with energy from their chosen element whenever they accepts burn, causing them to experience some thematic effect. They receive a bonus on attack rolls with kinetic blasts equal to the total number of points of burn they currently have, to a maximum bonus of +1 for every 3 kineticist levels they possess. They also receive a bonus on damage rolls with her kinetic blast equal to double the bonus on attack rolls. The kineticist can suppress the visual effects of elemental overflow by concentrating for 1 full round, but doing so suppresses all of this ability's other benefits, as well. The next time the kineticist uses any wild talent, the visual effects and benefits return instantly.
Starting at 6th level, whenever they have at least 3 points of burn, the kineticist gains a +2 size bonus to two physical ability scores of her choice. They also gain a chance to ignore the effects of a critical hit or sneak attack equal to 5% × their current number of points of burn. At 11th level, whenever the kineticist has at least 5 points of burn, these bonuses increase to a +4 size bonus to one physical ability score of their choice and a +2 size bonus to each of their other two physical ability scores.

At 16th level, whenever the kineticist has at least 7 points of burn, these bonuses increase to a +6 size bonus to one physical ability score of their choice, a +4 size bonus to a second physical ability score of their choice, and a +2 size bonus to the remaining physical ability score.