2 Psionic questions [Archive] - Wizards Community

2 Psionic questions [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
VirusX999
11-09-07, 08:32 PM I'm a bit confused as to the PP per day system.

From levels 1-3 I have 17 intelligence. At the fourth level, I added a point to Intel, making it 18. I'm playing a Psion (human).

On one hand, the Psion goes from 11 to 17. (Table 2-3). But with the higher Int. score, the bonus throws me off (table 2-1).

How many power points do I have?

The second question I have regards the feat Maximize power. I'm a bit confused as to how many additional power points it needs to use certain powers, such as Mind Thrust.

If anyone could answer these two questions, it would be greatly appreciated.
CrimsonDeath
11-09-07, 08:49 PM I'm a bit confused as to the PP per day system.

From levels 1-3 I have 17 intelligence. At the fourth level, I added a point to Intel, making it 18. I'm playing a Psion (human).

On one hand, the Psion goes from 11 to 17. (Table 2-3). But with the higher Int. score, the bonus throws me off (table 2-1).

How many power points do I have?
A Psion's bonus PP are based on his current Intelligence modifier and current level. Just like with bonus HP due to a high Constitution, it doesn't matter what your Intelligence bonus was yesterday, only what it is today.

A level 3 Psion has 11 base PP (according to Table 2-3). A level 3 Psion with 17 Intelligence has 4 bonus PP (Table 2-1). So, a level 3 Psion with 17 Intelligence has a total of 11 + 4 = 15 PP.

A level 4 Psion has 17 base PP (according to Table 2-3). A level 4 Psion with 18 Intelligence has 8 base PP (Table 2-1). So, a level 4 Psion with 18 Intelligence has a total of 17 + 8 = 25 PP.

Unfortunately, there's no handy rule or formula for calculating your base PP, but your bonus PP is always (manifester level * primary ability score modifier) / 2 rounded down. It always checks your current ability score. It ignores bonuses from spells like Fox's Cunning and powers like Animal Affinity, but not items like a Headband of Intellect.

The second question I have regards the feat Maximize power. I'm a bit confused as to how many additional power points it needs to use certain powers, such as Mind Thrust.

Maximize Power increases the PP cost of a power by 4. A Maximized Mind Thrust would cost at least 5 PP and do 10 damage on a failed save. For each additional PP you spend, it'll do 10 more damage (20 damage at 6PP, 30 damage at 7PP, etc). Note that you still can't spend more PP on a power than your manifester level, so you must be at least level 5 in order to maximize a level 1 power, and you can't augment it at all until your manifester level is higher.
VirusX999
11-09-07, 08:53 PM Thank you, Crimson. That helps a lot.

At level 5, with no additional changes, I'll have 35 PP. Yeah, that makes sense.

Great work, Crimson.
Tempest Stormwind
11-09-07, 08:56 PM I'm a bit confused as to the PP per day system.

See the FAQ at the top of the forum. In addition to CrimsonDeath's responses.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
VirusX999 11-09-07, 08:32 PM	I'm a bit confused as to the PP per day system. From levels 1-3 I have 17 intelligence. At the fourth level, I added a point to Intel, making it 18. I'm playing a Psion (human). On one hand, the Psion goes from 11 to 17. (Table 2-3). But with the higher Int. score, the bonus throws me off (table 2-1). How many power points do I have? The second question I have regards the feat Maximize power. I'm a bit confused as to how many additional power points it needs to use certain powers, such as Mind Thrust. If anyone could answer these two questions, it would be greatly appreciated.
CrimsonDeath 11-09-07, 08:49 PM	I'm a bit confused as to the PP per day system. From levels 1-3 I have 17 intelligence. At the fourth level, I added a point to Intel, making it 18. I'm playing a Psion (human). On one hand, the Psion goes from 11 to 17. (Table 2-3). But with the higher Int. score, the bonus throws me off (table 2-1). How many power points do I have? A Psion's bonus PP are based on his current Intelligence modifier and current level. Just like with bonus HP due to a high Constitution, it doesn't matter what your Intelligence bonus was yesterday, only what it is today. A level 3 Psion has 11 base PP (according to Table 2-3). A level 3 Psion with 17 Intelligence has 4 bonus PP (Table 2-1). So, a level 3 Psion with 17 Intelligence has a total of 11 + 4 = 15 PP. A level 4 Psion has 17 base PP (according to Table 2-3). A level 4 Psion with 18 Intelligence has 8 base PP (Table 2-1). So, a level 4 Psion with 18 Intelligence has a total of 17 + 8 = 25 PP. Unfortunately, there's no handy rule or formula for calculating your base PP, but your bonus PP is always (manifester level * primary ability score modifier) / 2 rounded down. It always checks your current ability score. It ignores bonuses from spells like Fox's Cunning and powers like Animal Affinity, but not items like a Headband of Intellect. The second question I have regards the feat Maximize power. I'm a bit confused as to how many additional power points it needs to use certain powers, such as Mind Thrust. Maximize Power increases the PP cost of a power by 4. A Maximized Mind Thrust would cost at least 5 PP and do 10 damage on a failed save. For each additional PP you spend, it'll do 10 more damage (20 damage at 6PP, 30 damage at 7PP, etc). Note that you still can't spend more PP on a power than your manifester level, so you must be at least level 5 in order to maximize a level 1 power, and you can't augment it at all until your manifester level is higher.
VirusX999 11-09-07, 08:53 PM	Thank you, Crimson. That helps a lot. At level 5, with no additional changes, I'll have 35 PP. Yeah, that makes sense. Great work, Crimson.
Tempest Stormwind 11-09-07, 08:56 PM	I'm a bit confused as to the PP per day system. See the FAQ at the top of the forum. In addition to CrimsonDeath's responses.