2 Psion feat questions. [Archive] - Wizards Community

2 Psion feat questions. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
VirusX999
12-11-07, 11:35 AM Greetings fellow Psions. I once again, a few questions to ask. So, without further ado;

Can someone explain to me how Power Penetration works? The book isn't as clear an explanation as I'd prefer. Does this lower saving throws, like will saves against Mind Thrust?

I'd also like to know how Scribe Tatoo works. Does it have a manifester cost for the power inscribed? What is the total cost if I want to inscribe Inertial Barrier as my tatoo?

I have one feat slot open from a level up, and I'm not certain of these two I want to take.

As always, thank you in advance, if you can answer these questions for me. It's always appreciated.
CrimsonDeath
12-11-07, 11:43 AM Greetings fellow Psions. I once again, a few questions to ask. So, without further ado;

Can someone explain to me how Power Penetration works? The book isn't as clear an explanation as I'd prefer. Does this lower saving throws, like will saves against Mind Thrust?
Power Penetration only affects manifester level checks to overcome a creature's Power Resistance (similar to Spell Resistance).

For example: Suppose a level 5 Psion is trying to manifest a power that allows power resistance on a creature with Power Resistance 15. The Psion rolls 1d20+5, and if he gets less than 15, the creature completely ignores the power. If he has Power Penetration, he can expend his psionic focus when he manifests the power, and instead rolls 1d20+9, still needing a result of 15 or better.

Some powers (like Crystal Shard) ignore Power Resistance.

I'd also like to know how Scribe Tatoo works. Does it have a manifester cost for the power inscribed? What is the total cost if I want to inscribe Inertial Barrier as my tatoo?

I have one feat slot open from a level up, and I'm not certain of these two I want to take.

As always, thank you in advance, if you can answer these questions for me. It's always appreciated.
A Psionic Tattoo is a one-use psionic item, similar to a potion. You can't scribe a tattoo of Inertial Barrier because it's a level 4 power, and you can only scribe tattoos of level 3 or lower powers. The process of creating or using a psionic tattoo is very similar to the process of creating or using a potion.
VirusX999
12-11-07, 11:49 AM A Psionic Tattoo is a one-use psionic item, similar to a potion. You can't scribe a tattoo of Inertial Barrier because it's a level 4 power, and you can only scribe tattoos of level 3 or lower powers. The process of creating or using a psionic tattoo is very similar to the process of creating or using a potion.
Aha. I understand the Power Penetration thing. Thank you.

Just to be a bit more clear on this, if I scribe Inertial Armor, a level 1 power, I can only use that tatoo once?
CrimsonDeath
12-11-07, 11:54 AM Just to be a bit more clear on this, if I scribe Inertial Armor, a level 1 power, I can only use that tatoo once?

That's right.
VirusX999
12-11-07, 11:59 AM That's right.
Wow. Ok, that's kind of a lack-luster feat then...

Thanks, Crimson. You're, as always, a great help.
seker
12-11-07, 12:47 PM yes but you can always scribe multiple tattoo's for those times when you are low on pp's... or scribe them on others. And tattoos once scribed can be transfered to others. (and if you are using the erudite version of the psion, power stones and tattoos are your best friends ever, as they get you around the number of unique powers you manifest per day.)

some usefull ones from the main book to have would be:
dispel psionics
body adjustment
danger sense
time hop
levitate
sustenance
concealing amorphia
biofeedback
energy adaptation, specified (take multiple for different energy types)
detect hostile intent
catfall

not to mention all the uses of all the discipline powers... especially for egoists... though a nomad with a astral caravan tattoo, and who has placed astral traveler tattoos on the rest of the party gives you an easy way to travel.
Bacris
12-11-07, 12:51 PM psionic tattoos = magic potions - single use, self-only.

If that makes it easier to understand. :)
VirusX999
12-11-07, 08:38 PM I see what you guys mean, but wouldn't I eventually run out of body space? I wouldn't want an identifiable mark on my face, like a Hitler mustache, just so I could use Body Adjustment, you know? :P
CrimsonDeath
12-11-07, 08:56 PM Good thing you can cause a psionic tattoo to move to a different part of your body (or even onto a willing person in physical contact with you) as a Move action, then.
Malcaor
12-11-07, 09:21 PM there's nothing in the rules that limits the number of tattoos that I remember. the limitation would mostly be up to your DM. If you think about the fact that the tattoos are able to move around, its reasonable they could all fit.
Bacris
12-11-07, 10:19 PM there's nothing in the rules that limits the number of tattoos that I remember. the limitation would mostly be up to your DM. If you think about the fact that the tattoos are able to move around, its reasonable they could all fit.

Actually, there is.

"Psionic tattoos can vary in size, but a creature can wear only a total of twenty tattoos at one time—attempting to add one more than this maximum causes all previously scribed tattoos to simultaneously activate. A psionic tattoo fades away after use."
The_Mess
12-11-07, 11:13 PM For more fun with psionic tattoos:

The Art of Mastering Psionic Tattoos (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/psm/20031225a): A Mind's Eye page with a feat to boost your psionic tattoing. Serious power boost to the concept, but be warned, it's built for 3.0 and needs a little adjustment.

Pattern Master: A prestige class from the Malhavoc Press supplement "Mindscapes: A Psion's Guide", which I'm not allowed to link to becaus of the no advertising rule (or am I misunderstanding that?).
InkBlot
12-11-07, 11:54 PM [List] The Art of Mastering Psionic Tattoos (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/psm/20031225a): A Mind's Eye page with a feat to boost your psionic tattoing.

Here's the 3.5 update for that. (http://forums.gleemax.com/wotc_archive/index.php/t-330627)

Bacris wrote it. It's mostly just a straight-forward translation into 3.5 terminology and mechanics, but it should at least save you a lot of work.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
VirusX999 12-11-07, 11:35 AM	Greetings fellow Psions. I once again, a few questions to ask. So, without further ado; Can someone explain to me how Power Penetration works? The book isn't as clear an explanation as I'd prefer. Does this lower saving throws, like will saves against Mind Thrust? I'd also like to know how Scribe Tatoo works. Does it have a manifester cost for the power inscribed? What is the total cost if I want to inscribe Inertial Barrier as my tatoo? I have one feat slot open from a level up, and I'm not certain of these two I want to take. As always, thank you in advance, if you can answer these questions for me. It's always appreciated.
CrimsonDeath 12-11-07, 11:43 AM	Greetings fellow Psions. I once again, a few questions to ask. So, without further ado; Can someone explain to me how Power Penetration works? The book isn't as clear an explanation as I'd prefer. Does this lower saving throws, like will saves against Mind Thrust? Power Penetration only affects manifester level checks to overcome a creature's Power Resistance (similar to Spell Resistance). For example: Suppose a level 5 Psion is trying to manifest a power that allows power resistance on a creature with Power Resistance 15. The Psion rolls 1d20+5, and if he gets less than 15, the creature completely ignores the power. If he has Power Penetration, he can expend his psionic focus when he manifests the power, and instead rolls 1d20+9, still needing a result of 15 or better. Some powers (like Crystal Shard) ignore Power Resistance. I'd also like to know how Scribe Tatoo works. Does it have a manifester cost for the power inscribed? What is the total cost if I want to inscribe Inertial Barrier as my tatoo? I have one feat slot open from a level up, and I'm not certain of these two I want to take. As always, thank you in advance, if you can answer these questions for me. It's always appreciated. A Psionic Tattoo is a one-use psionic item, similar to a potion. You can't scribe a tattoo of Inertial Barrier because it's a level 4 power, and you can only scribe tattoos of level 3 or lower powers. The process of creating or using a psionic tattoo is very similar to the process of creating or using a potion.
VirusX999 12-11-07, 11:49 AM	A Psionic Tattoo is a one-use psionic item, similar to a potion. You can't scribe a tattoo of Inertial Barrier because it's a level 4 power, and you can only scribe tattoos of level 3 or lower powers. The process of creating or using a psionic tattoo is very similar to the process of creating or using a potion. Aha. I understand the Power Penetration thing. Thank you. Just to be a bit more clear on this, if I scribe Inertial Armor, a level 1 power, I can only use that tatoo once?
CrimsonDeath 12-11-07, 11:54 AM	Just to be a bit more clear on this, if I scribe Inertial Armor, a level 1 power, I can only use that tatoo once? That's right.
VirusX999 12-11-07, 11:59 AM	That's right. Wow. Ok, that's kind of a lack-luster feat then... Thanks, Crimson. You're, as always, a great help.
seker 12-11-07, 12:47 PM	yes but you can always scribe multiple tattoo's for those times when you are low on pp's... or scribe them on others. And tattoos once scribed can be transfered to others. (and if you are using the erudite version of the psion, power stones and tattoos are your best friends ever, as they get you around the number of unique powers you manifest per day.) some usefull ones from the main book to have would be: dispel psionics body adjustment danger sense time hop levitate sustenance concealing amorphia biofeedback energy adaptation, specified (take multiple for different energy types) detect hostile intent catfall not to mention all the uses of all the discipline powers... especially for egoists... though a nomad with a astral caravan tattoo, and who has placed astral traveler tattoos on the rest of the party gives you an easy way to travel.
Bacris 12-11-07, 12:51 PM	psionic tattoos = magic potions - single use, self-only. If that makes it easier to understand. :)
VirusX999 12-11-07, 08:38 PM	I see what you guys mean, but wouldn't I eventually run out of body space? I wouldn't want an identifiable mark on my face, like a Hitler mustache, just so I could use Body Adjustment, you know? :P
CrimsonDeath 12-11-07, 08:56 PM	Good thing you can cause a psionic tattoo to move to a different part of your body (or even onto a willing person in physical contact with you) as a Move action, then.
Malcaor 12-11-07, 09:21 PM	there's nothing in the rules that limits the number of tattoos that I remember. the limitation would mostly be up to your DM. If you think about the fact that the tattoos are able to move around, its reasonable they could all fit.
Bacris 12-11-07, 10:19 PM	there's nothing in the rules that limits the number of tattoos that I remember. the limitation would mostly be up to your DM. If you think about the fact that the tattoos are able to move around, its reasonable they could all fit. Actually, there is. "Psionic tattoos can vary in size, but a creature can wear only a total of twenty tattoos at one time—attempting to add one more than this maximum causes all previously scribed tattoos to simultaneously activate. A psionic tattoo fades away after use."
The_Mess 12-11-07, 11:13 PM	For more fun with psionic tattoos: The Art of Mastering Psionic Tattoos (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/psm/20031225a): A Mind's Eye page with a feat to boost your psionic tattoing. Serious power boost to the concept, but be warned, it's built for 3.0 and needs a little adjustment. Pattern Master: A prestige class from the Malhavoc Press supplement "Mindscapes: A Psion's Guide", which I'm not allowed to link to becaus of the no advertising rule (or am I misunderstanding that?).
InkBlot 12-11-07, 11:54 PM	[List] The Art of Mastering Psionic Tattoos (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/psm/20031225a): A Mind's Eye page with a feat to boost your psionic tattoing. Here's the 3.5 update for that. (http://forums.gleemax.com/wotc_archive/index.php/t-330627) Bacris wrote it. It's mostly just a straight-forward translation into 3.5 terminology and mechanics, but it should at least save you a lot of work.