I’ve been sitting on a build concept for a Green Lantern ever since I saw Thoughtform Summoning. I was really hoping with the proper release of psychic, we’d see a Wisdom-based subclass and while I still think it’s nutty that we haven’t, I decided to go through with it anyway. I specifically chose the one Lantern renowned less for his will and more his creativity. As always, this build is conceptualized entirely in a vacuum, with choices made in an attempt to fit the character. These choices might not hold up in a campaign with different themes and should be adjusted accordingly.
Let's get into the build for Green Lantern (Kyle Rayner) from DC Comics!
GREEN LANTERN
CHARACTER Kyle Rayner
SOURCE DC Comics
BUILD GOALS
o Kyle Rayner was a struggling but gifted freelance graphic artist was given a Green Lantern Ring by one of the Guardians, seemingly for simply for being in the right place at the right time
o While wielding the Green Lantern Ring, he is able to use his willpower to manifest constructs made of energy, such as force fields, fists, or more complex creations
o Among other Green Lanterns, he is known for elaborate constructs, drawing from his ability as an artist to sketch things into existence
o He also uses the ring to fly
o Like the Green Lantern preceding him, Kyle has been possessed by Parallax, the entity from which the fear-based Sinestro Corps draws their power
o On several occasions, he has wielded all the rings of the emotion spectrum simultaneously, granting him each of their different powers when he taps into the related emotion
o Aside from the Green Lantern Ring, he’s most proficient with the hope-based Blue Lantern Ring, which has healing powers, but struggles with the rage-fueled Red Lantern Ring
o For a time, he wielded god-like power as Ion after absorbing the energy of a sun. He could bend space, time, and reality but abandoned the powers to avoid losing his humanity
LEVEL 1
Ancestry & Heritage: Skilled Human
o Ability Boosts & Flaws: +Wisdom, +Charisma
o Ancestry Feat: Astrology
o Skill Increase: Diplomacy (trained)
Background: Artist
o Ability Boosts: +Charisma, +Wisdom
o Skill Increase: Crafting (trained), Art Lore (trained)
o Background Feat: Specialty Crafting – Artistry
Class & Subclass: Tangible Dream Psychic (Emotional Acceptance/Wandering Reverie)
o Class Ability Boost: +Charisma
o Skill Increase: Acrobatics (trained), Athletics (trained), Occultism (trained), Performance (trained)
o Spell Repertoire: Cantrips – dancing lights, guidance, imaginary weapon, mage hand, phase bolt, shield; 1st – color spray, kinetic ram
Details
o Ability Boosts: +Dexterity, +Constitution, +Wisdom, +Charisma (Str 10, Dex 12, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 18)
As one of the half dozen+ Green Lanterns from Earth, the build for Kyle Rayner starts with the human ancestry, using the Skilled heritage to net him an extra skill, using Diplomacy for his friendliness and ability as a mediator. Astrology (a setting agnostic version of Saoc Astrology) is mainly to reference the otherworldly origin of his ring and its powers. Artist was an obvious choice for his background though the Crafting skill it provides feels weird for his creativity-based art. Since the psychic class doesn’t provide Wisdom as a key ability score, Kyle seems more Charismatic than Intelligent, which limits his options to Wandering Reverie or Emotional Acceptance. The general description of Wandering Reverie fits better, but the action provided by Emotional Acceptance fits better, serving as a reference to the healing powers he had while wielding a Blue Lantern Ring. Either way, Tangible Dream is the obvious choice for his conscious mind, allowing him to create ‘sculptures of force and light,’ which sounds pretty spot-on. When it comes to spells, the build will be looking to pick up options that either create something, manifest as forceful effects, or generate prismatic effects to reference his time wielding all of the rings.
LEVEL 2
o Class Feat: Psi Burst
o Skill Feat: Additional Lore – Art
o Spell Repertoire: 1st – summon fey*
o Gear: ring of discretion
LEVEL 3
o General Feat: Toughness
o Skill Increase: Crafting (expert), Art Lore (expert)
o Spell Repertoire: 2nd – illusory creature*, mirror image
o Gear: +1 gauntlet, psychopomp mask, ring of discretion
LEVEL 4
o Class Feat: Thoughtform Summoning
o Skill Feat: No Cause for Alarm
o Spell Repertoire: 2nd – telekinetic maneuver
o Gear: bracelet of dashing, +1 gauntlet, brooch of shielding, ring of discretion
LEVEL 5
o Ability Boosts: +Dexterity, +Intelligence, +Wisdom, +Charisma (Str 10, Dex 14, Con 12, Int 12, Wis 18, Cha 19)
o Ancestry Feat: Haughty Obstinacy
o Skill Increase: Acrobatics (expert), Diplomacy (expert), Medicine (trained)
o Spell Repertoire: 3rd – heroism*, sea of thought
o Gear: +1 striking gauntlet, bracelet of dashing, bracers of missile deflection, brooch of shielding, psychopomp mask, ring of discretion
Psi Burst simply represents a basic burst of energy created by the ring and is mainly just to fill in a gap at 2nd level. However, this block also includes the feat that inspired this whole build concept – Thoughtform Summoning. This allows Kyle to manifest his imagination as constructs and it modifies summoning spells. This is a very flavorful and neat feat, but the only issue is the lack of summoning spells on the occult list, limited to summon fey, summon entity, and a few incarnate spells. On the skill side of things, Additional Lore is taken to add scaling on his Art Lore skill and also picks up No Cause for Alarm because it’s a perfect feat for the classic sort of hero. Crafting will help feed into some other skills feats, and the increase to Acrobatics will help him in his flight later in the build since Green Lanterns are often seen levitating around. Haughty Obstinacy is meant to represent his powerful will, which is necessary as a Green Lantern, but most effects to control a character are Will-based. With that being the case, this feat could be retrained at level 9, when the psychic gets its Wall of Wills ability. Again, most of Kyle’s spells focus on creating something, whether it be illusions or actual constructs, but heroism slips in because, well, he’s a superhero.
LEVEL 6
o Class Feat: Parallel Breakthrough – Telekinetic Projectile
o Skill Feat: Tattoo Artist
o Spell Repertoire: 3rd – magical fetters
o Gear: +1 explorer’s clothing, +1 striking gauntlet, bag of holding (type I), bracelet of dashing, brooch of shielding, dweomerweave robe
LEVEL 7
o General Feat: Fleet
o Skill Increase: Crafting (master)
o Spell Repertoire: 4th – phantasmal protagonist*, resilient sphere
o Gear: wand of shattering images, +1 explorer’s clothing, wand of manifold missiles (1st-level), +1 striking gauntlet, bracelet of dashing, bracers of missile deflection
LEVEL 8
o Class Feat: Dark Persona’s Presence
o Skill Feat: Group Impression
o Spell Repertoire: 4th – chromatic ray
o Gear: fearless sash, deck of illusions, wand of shattering images, +1 explorer’s clothing, +1 striking gauntlet, bag of holding (type I)
LEVEL 9
o Ancestry Feat: Aeromancer
o Skill Increase: Diplomacy (master)
o Spell Repertoire: 5th – etheric shards, summon entity*
o Gear: +1 resilient explorer’s clothing, boots of bounding, fearless sash, wand of shattering images, wand of manifold missiles (1st-level), +1 striking gauntlet
LEVEL 10
o Ability Boosts: +Dexterity, +Intelligence, +Wisdom, +Charisma (Str 10, Dex 16, Con 12, Int 14, Wis 19, Cha 20)
o Class Feat: Mental Static
o Skill Feat: Intimidating Glare
o Skill Increase: Intimidation (trained)
o Spell Repertoire: 5th – telekinetic haul
o Gear: wand of manifold missiles (3rd-level), +1 resilient explorer’s clothing, lightweave scarf, fearless sash, wand of shattering images, +1 striking gauntlet
With a dearth of class feats that otherwise fit the build at level 6, Kyle picks up Parallel Breakthrough for telekinetic projectile just to use his ring to lob stuff at people whereas Dark Persona’s Presence is a slightly more flavorful choice. It is based on Kyle’s possession by Parallax as well as some of the darker emotions that he has had to tap into to make use of the other rings. Mental Static gives him a reaction to make use of and is another good effect to represent his powerful will as a Green Lantern that pushes back those that try to tap into his mind. While he isn’t a Tattoo Artist specifically, it seemed like a solid feat in that it allowed him to make use of his artistic skill while also providing some actual benefits, especially with the release of Treasure Vault. The beginning investment in Intimidation again harkens back Parallax as well as Kyle learning to use the yellow ring. Aeromancer nets Kyle an innate casting of fly, which is handy for Green Lanterns who rarely seem to touch down while in costume.
LEVEL 11
o General Feat: Incredible Initiative
o Skill Increase: Acrobatics (master)
o Spell Repertoire: 6th – blade barrier, forceful hand*
o Gear: +2 striking gauntlet, bravery baldric (haste), wand of manifold missiles (3rd-level), +1 resilient explorer’s clothing, boots of bounding, fearless sash
LEVEL 12
o Class Feat: No!!!
o Skill Feat: Kip Up
o Spell Repertoire: 6th – wall of force
o Gear: +2 resilient explorer’s clothing, +2 striking gauntlet, wand of chromatic burst (4th-level), wand of manifold missiles (3rd-level), wand of reaching (3rd-level), lightweave scarf
LEVEL 13
o Ancestry Feat: Aerialist
o Skill Increase: Medicine (expert)
o Spell Repertoire: 7th – duplicate foe*, project image
o Gear: +2 greater striking gauntlet, +2 resilient explorer’s clothing, wand of refracting rays (4th-level), wand of chromatic burst (4th-level), bravery baldric (haste), wand of manifold missiles (3rd-level)
LEVEL 14
o Class Feat: Conscious Spell Specialization
o Skill Feat: Chromotherapy
o Spell Repertoire: 7th – haste
o Gear: greater ring of the ram, +2 greater striking gauntlet, ghost lantern, +2 resilient explorer’s clothing, winged boots, wand of chromatic burst (4th-level)
LEVEL 15
o Ability Boosts: +Dexterity, +Constitution, +Wisdom, +Charisma (Str 10, Dex 18, Con 14, Int 14, Wis 20, Cha 21)
o General Feat: Eyes of the City
o Skill Increase: Diplomacy (legendary)
o Spell Repertoire: 8th – scintillating pattern, summon irii
o Gear: +2 greater resilient explorer’s clothing, greater ring of the ram, boots of speed, +2 greater striking gauntlet, mind’s light circlet, wand of refracting rays (4th-level)
Picking up No!!! and Conscious Spell Specialization are less character-based and more just generally useful since no other feats particularly stand out at this point. No!!! is pretty handy because if Kyle’s psyche is unleashed, he can immediately Restore the Mind to heal up the fallen ally but otherwise, if one of his allies gets fridge, it immediately allows him to Unleash Psyche. Aerialist increases Kyle’s maneuverability and speed in flight, and honestly fits Hal Jordan a little better but a preference for flight is common among all the Lanterns. The investment in Medicine is reflective of Kyle’s natural inclination towards the Blue Lantern Ring and Chromotherapy both makes use of that and represents, again, his use of the full Emotional Spectrum. Eyes of the City is a fun choice for a superhero, especially given their association with cities, and works well with Kyle being more personable than other Green Lanterns.
LEVEL 16
o Class Feat: Constant Levitation
o Skill Feat: Cat Fall
o Spell Repertoire: 8th – prismatic wall
o Gear: wand of refracting rays (6th-level), +2 greater resilient explorer’s clothing, greater midday lantern, greater ring of the ram, +2 greater striking gauntlet, ghost lantern
LEVEL 17
o Ancestry Feat: Heroic Presence
o Skill Increase: Acrobatics (legendary)
o Spell Repertoire: 9th – overwhelming presence, prismatic sphere
o Gear: +3 greater striking gauntlet, dragonscale amulet, wand of refracting rays (6th-level), +2 greater resilient explorer’s clothing, greater ring of the ram, boots of speed
LEVEL 18
o Class Feat: Deepest Wellspring
o Skill Feat: Legendary Tattoo Artist
o Spell Repertoire: 9th – prismatic shield
o Gear: troubadour’s cap, +3 greater striking gauntlet, radiant prism, wand of refracting rays (6th-level), +2 greater resilient explorer’s clothing, greater midday lantern
LEVEL 19
o General Feat: Fast Recovery
o Skill Increase: Medicine (master)
o Spell Repertoire: 10th – alter reality, time stop
o Gear: +3 greater resilient explorer’s clothing, troubadour’s cap, chronomancer staff, +3 greater striking gauntlet, dragonscale amulet, wand of refracting rays (6th-level)
LEVEL 20
o Ability Boosts: +Strength, +Constitution, +Intelligence, +Charisma (Str 12, Dex 18, Con 16, Int 16, Wis 20, Cha 22)
o Class Feat: Mind Over Matter
o Skill Feat: Legendary Professional
o Skill Increase: Deception (trained)
o Gear: wand of spiritual warfare (8th-level), +3 greater resilient explorer’s clothing, major midday lantern, troubadour’s cap, +3 greater striking gauntlet, radiant prism
Constant Levitation finally nets Kyle a permanent fly speed, Deepest Wellspring allows him more freely use his amps, and Mind Over Matter grants him an extra tenth level spell slot, befitting his temporary role as Ion and the god-like power he wielded as such (particularly with alter reality and time stop). On the chance that Kyle gets knocked out of the air, hopefully Cat Fall will help protect him from the fall. Legendary Tattoo Artist increases the efficacy of tattoos that Kyle crafts and also frees up a skill increase whereas Legendary Professional will help him find work as an artist. Heroic Presence is an obvious choice for a superhero and I like envisioning it as Kyle creating armor surrounding his allies.
FREE ARCHETYPE SUGGESTIONS: Few archetypes immediately stick out for this build, but since Thoughtform Summoning applies to any summoning spells that Kyle casts, a caster archetype to gain access to some additional summoning spells could be handy. If going this route, temper expectations because these summoning spells are going to be a few levels behind you and won’t be the most effective choices. Going sorcerer for an arcane spell list does open up some additional options for summoning while also keeping his spells at least Charisma-based if he wants to switch things up a bit. A more flavorful option is going Soulforger Dedication, likely for some explorer’s clothing with the Heroic heart or Planar Bond essence power.
BUILD CONCLUSION
The artist background fits perfectly with Kyle Rayner’s career as a graphic artist and is further explored through feats such as Tattoo Artist and Legendary Tattoo Artist. The psychic class, despite lacking a Wisdom option for some reason, works well to represent a Green Lantern’s powers, particularly with Thoughtform Summoning allowing him to create mental constructs. Wandering Reverie reinforces this concept, allowing him to make weapons out of thin air with imaginary weapon or form force fields around his allies with an amped shield. Aeromancer gets him some earlier flight capabilities that are reinforced by Aerialist and then made slightly obsolete by Constant Levitation. Dark Persona’s Presence and his slight investment in Intimidation reflects the time that Kyle was possessed by Parallax though he has wielded all the rings of the emotional spectrum. Many of these have overlapping powers but given his preference for the Blue Lantern Ring and its healing powers, Kyle invests in Medicine a bit and also uses his Emotional Acceptance conscious mind’s action to heal his companions. The many prismatic spells added to his spell list, such as color spray, prismatic spray, and prismatic sphere play into his use of all the rings at numerous points throughout his career whereas there is a brief shoutout to his time as Ion with Mind Over Matter granting him additional castings of spells such as alter reality and time stop.
Lemme know what you think and what other builds you would like to see!
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Have a fantastic Friday!
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