A lot of Questions [Archive] - Wizards Community

A lot of Questions [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
protosswarrior
08-23-07, 06:23 PM This is my first time playing a psionic character, so have some question (I only need one person to respond to a question)

1: According to the EPH, metapsionic feats require you to expend your psionic focus to use them, does this mean i have to gain focus then expel it to use the feat, or can i use it any time i'm not focused?

2: Since armor and shields don't interfere with psionics, should i spend some feats to gain proficincy? (note that i'm planning on playing a psion, not a psychic warrior; and that i had to BEG my dm to allow psionics, so i doubt he'll let me multiclass)

3: Do psions have to specialize, or can they be general purpose like wizards?

4: If i have to specialize (see above), then i'd probobly choose kineticist, should i choose my other powers to be damage dealing abilities, or try to get powers of other types like psychometabolism?

5: which is a better race to play, humans (with bonus feats) or elans (with bonus power points)?

6: which psicrystal personality is best gameplaywise?

7: since choosing sonic damage for powers like energy ray reduces the damage done, is there a point in even chossing it? (i mean choosing sonic damage, not the power iteself)

I appriciate anyone who can help
Kri69
08-23-07, 06:40 PM i can anser #3 yes you have to specialize
Tempest Stormwind
08-23-07, 06:43 PM 1: According to the EPH, metapsionic feats require you to expend your psionic focus to use them, does this mean i have to gain focus then expel it to use the feat, or can i use it any time i'm not focused?

It means you have to expend your focus. This means you go from focused to unfocused -- it's not the same as being unfocused.

2: Since armor and shields don't interfere with psionics, should i spend some feats to gain proficincy? (note that i'm planning on playing a psion, not a psychic warrior; and that i had to BEG my dm to allow psionics, so i doubt he'll let me multiclass)

Not really; it's not all that critical. If you're desperate for armor, you can still wear 0-check-penalty armor (leather, masterwork studded leather, mithral chain shirts, etc) without a single drawback.

3: Do psions have to specialize, or can they be general purpose like wizards?

They don't have any specialization mechanics, actually. When you play a psion, you gain the Discipline class feature, which adds a few class skills and gives you access to a special sublist of powers. This is not the same as wizard specialization, where you give up all spells of particular schools. Colloquially, though, it's called specialization despite that.

There's no such thing as a psion without the discipline class feature, thus there's no such thing as a generalist psion. The closest you'd get is the variant psion known as the erudite, in Complete Psionic. It's rather difficult to play for a new player.

For more information, see the FAQ at the top of the forum.

4: If i have to specialize (see above), then i'd probobly choose kineticist, should i choose my other powers to be damage dealing abilities, or try to get powers of other types like psychometabolism?

Round yourself out; since powers only scale with power points, a 7pp energy power will always deal 7d6 damage (barring energy changes or metapsi feats); the biggest change is the area. Also, be advised that kineticists run low on power points very, very easily.

5: which is a better race to play, humans (with bonus feats) or elans (with bonus power points)?

Human is stronger than elan. Elan is usually taken by new players who don't understand the true cost of using the elan's special abilities, or by experienced players who like the RP.

6: which psicrystal personality is best gameplaywise?

Strongest is either Nimble or Single-Minded, depending on your character, but Hero can be useful as well. However, the choice of personality is minor and more of a nice benefit than anything else.

7: since choosing sonic damage for powers like energy ray reduces the damage done, is there a point in even chossing it? (i mean choosing sonic damage, not the power iteself)

Hell yes. It's perhaps the most useful, since it bypasses hardness. Typically, you use fire and cold against general foes, electricity on hard-to-hit or high-save foes, and sonic if you want tactical combat options. (Consider an energy wall (sonic) aimed at the foundation of a wall, for instance.)

For more information, see the FAQ at the top of the forum, including the links therein.
jbsaff
08-23-07, 06:54 PM 1. You have to expend your focus every time you want to use the metapsionic feat. You must then regain focus before you can expend it to power another metapsionic feat

2. You could. You might find it more advantageous to pick up a power or two (Inertial Armor or Force Screen come to mind). Those feats might be put to better use elsewhere.

3. Psions must choose a discipline. However, they may spend a feat on Expanded Knowledge to learn a power from another list. This power can come from any list (other discipline, psychic warrior, etc...) and must be at least one level lower then the highest level power you can manifest.

4. Given that I lack personal experience with a psion (I prefer the wilder myself), I'm going to let someone else field this one.

5. Again, I haven't played an elan, so I can't say for sure which is better. I believe general consesus would be human, but don't quote me on that.

6. The best personality will depend on how you want to use your psicrystal (and how your DM rules on psicrystals in regards to feats and the like - see the FAQ at the top of the psionic forum for more info). I've seen players use the traits for improving initiative and saves, and I've heard of situations where the skill check improvements helped. It will very much depend on style of play.

7. To break stuff. The sonic energy type on those powers ignores hardness. This can offer an odd, though effective, way of handling some doors and other obstacles.

I would suggest reading through the FAQ if you haven't already. This will help you to go into the game prepared for what can and cannot be done. Also, make sure you discuss with your DM the psicrystal. Finally, make sure both of you are familiar with the basic mechanics and limitations of the system. With luck, you'll help expand their gaming horizons.

EDIT: And ninja'd by one of the best on the boards... Oh well
Sleepwalker13666
08-23-07, 07:05 PM This is my first time playing a psionic character, so have some question (I only need one person to respond to a question)

Tempest pretty much coverered everything, but I'll throw my hat in the ring as well.

1: According to the EPH, metapsionic feats require you to expend your psionic focus to use them, does this mean i have to gain focus then expel it to use the feat, or can i use it any time i'm not focused?

As stated, you must focus, you might want to pick up the feat Psionic Meditation as soon as possible, it allows you to refocus as a move action which makes it more practical to refocus in combat. I forget the concentration dc to regain your focus but it is listed in the psionics handbook.

2: Since armor and shields don't interfere with psionics, should i spend some feats to gain proficincy? (note that i'm planning on playing a psion, not a psychic warrior; and that i had to BEG my dm to allow psionics, so i doubt he'll let me multiclass)

I wouldn't bother wearing anything heavier than studded leather, that will afford you some protection and probably has the most tolerable penalties of the light armor, plain leather will get you by with no penalties, but as long as the party works together and protects the caster/manifester, you really shouldn't consider anything more than leather or studded leather.

3: Do psions have to specialize, or can they be general purpose like wizards?

As mentioned they must choose a discipline, unless you have access to the eurodite, and I really wouldn't recommend them to even advanced players, they seem very underwhelming.

4: If i have to specialize (see above), then i'd probobly choose kineticist, should i choose my other powers to be damage dealing abilities, or try to get powers of other types like psychometabolism?

Because you can make a level one power deal the damage of a level 9 you should try to vary your powers as much as possible, try to get a few no save abilities if you can, but don't limit it yourself to new ways to hurt.

5: which is a better race to play, humans (with bonus feats) or elans (with bonus power points)?

Elans are a fun race, however their special abilities cost power points, and you can only use your level in power points a round, so each time you use a power, you are weakening your manifested power potential. You might want to try human first.

6: which psicrystal personality is best gameplaywise?

I only use psicrystals for the psicrystal capacity feat so I can expend two psionic focuses for psionic weapon/fist. For an actual manifester as opposed to warrior I would probably go with hero since fort is your low save.

7: since choosing sonic damage for powers like energy ray reduces the damage done, is there a point in even chossing it? (i mean choosing sonic damage, not the power iteself)

Most creatures do not have resistance to sonic, it is actually very rare for a critter to be immune or resistant to sonic damage and as pointed out by Tempest, sonic bypasses hardness better.

I appriciate anyone who can help

Hope it helps.
Tempest Stormwind
08-23-07, 07:16 PM As mentioned they must choose a discipline, unless you have access to the eurodite, and I really wouldn't recommend them to even advanced players, they seem very underwhelming.
Advanced players can be devastating with them, though. Hint: Power stones and psicrowns. Which, with the piles of powers known they have, erudites can craft easily.

Elans are a fun race, however their special abilities cost power points, and you can only use your level in power points a round, so each time you use a power, you are weakening your manifested power potential. You might want to try human first.

False. It's per manifestation, not per round (my 7th level shaper could throw out a 7pp ectoplasmic coccoon, and then counter an incoming fireball with a 7pp intellect fortress in the same round). Furthermore, the elan abilities are NOT powers, they're supernatural abilities, so that doesn't even apply. See the FAQ.

Just clearing up a few mistakes.
Sleepwalker13666
08-23-07, 07:28 PM Advanced players can be devastating with them, though. Hint: Power stones and psicrowns. Which, with the piles of powers known they have, erudites can craft easily.

True, I didn't consider crafting because the first psion I played had many of the craft feats but I couldn't really do much with them (this was 3.0 however), but it's left a bad stain in my mouth and I haven't really wanted to test those waters again, but since you pointed that out I might reconsider :devil:

False. It's per manifestation, not per round (my 7th level shaper could throw out a 7pp ectoplasmic coccoon, and then counter an incoming fireball with a 7pp intellect fortress in the same round). Furthermore, the elan abilities are NOT powers, they're supernatural abilities, so that doesn't even apply. See the FAQ.

I'll have to double check that (I know your right, it just sets better when I check it myself), heads not quite on right today might be some of that 3.0 psionics leaking over. :D

Just clearing up a few mistakes.

By all means, I might seriously be screwing over some of my characters without clarification.
protosswarrior
08-23-07, 09:52 PM well, i would first like to thnk everyone who helped answer the questions, i'm prob going to list my powers soon so you guys can help revise it.
AntiDjinn
08-23-07, 10:01 PM 1: According to the EPH, metapsionic feats require you to expend your psionic focus to use them, does this mean i have to gain focus then expel it to use the feat, or can i use it any time i'm not focused?
You must be focused then expend as part of the action that calls for it. Note: Expending focus is never an action unto itself; it is always done as part of another action such as a concentration check or manifesting a power with a metapsionic feat.

2: Since armor and shields don't interfere with psionics, should i spend some feats to gain proficincy? (note that i'm planning on playing a psion, not a psychic warrior; and that i had to BEG my dm to allow psionics, so i doubt he'll let me multiclass)
Personal preference and depends how heavy your armor is. For light armor the penalties are not bad even without proficiency. For your first psionic character I wouldn't suggest multiclassing anyway.

3: Do psions have to specialize, or can they be general purpose like wizards?
You have to pick a primary discipline which determines a portion of your class skill list (often overlooked) and which discipline-specific powers you have readily available (your class discipline list + the general list = can be selected without a feat or research). Do look at the skill lists; if there is a skill you plan on using all the time don't gimp yourself by having to pay for it cross-class.

4: If i have to specialize (see above), then i'd probobly choose kineticist, should i choose my other powers to be damage dealing abilities, or try to get powers of other types like psychometabolism?
One-trick ponies tend to be easy to counter or even shut down. I encourage people to not only diversify, but to got out of their way to select at least one power that is so against their archetype that opponents will never expect it.

5: which is a better race to play, humans (with bonus feats) or elans (with bonus power points)?
Your call. They are both LA +0 races and are balanced against each other. You wont regret either choice.

6: which psicrystal personality is best gameplaywise?
Based on your game. My current psychic warrior would have been dead many times over if not for her Observant crystal because this DM calls for lots of Spot checks and often the penalty for missing one is being surprised. One feat doubled my Spot mod from +5 to +10. The DM roleplays my pet rock when I send it out to scout and it reports back or when it is on watch while I am asleep. I roleplay it at other times.

7: since choosing sonic damage for powers like energy ray reduces the damage done, is there a point in even chossing it? (i mean choosing sonic damage, not the power iteself)
Ignoring hardness makes it the best choice for property damage. Need to make a hole in a stone wall? Sonic damage (well, Fabricate, when you can get it). And to get a door out of the way, what to used? Sonic damage (no, make that Time Hop since it works better and puts the door back after you are done).
Tempest Stormwind
08-23-07, 10:17 PM A minor note as well, expanding on the property-damage aspect: Never forget that pillars support cielings, cielings support other floors, and floors often hold something from falling. Destroying any of those can cause far more damage than any one of your powers.

(Famously, in one old encounter, we were fighting a villain in a rickety warehouse in Sharn's cogs, poised over the magma pits. I blasted a sonic ray at the floor, causing it to give way under his feet. He made the ad-hoc reflex save to get out of the way, but only barely hung on, and one of the other players threw him into the pit. This was done around level 5. You can't count on the environment to be your weapon all the time, but hey, that's what the other energy types are for!)
AntiDjinn
08-23-07, 10:34 PM I have seen lots of environmental impact that was unintentional by PCs. Using fire where they really shouldn't have is most common, but sonic attacks can shake unexpected things loose. Once a wizard using a sonic cone spell (I forget the exact spell) in an alchemist's shop almost hosed the entire party. All those vials full of powders, potions, superglue, acid, and alchemist's fire (all of them unattended objects, since they were just lying on the shelves) had to save or shatter. The wizard player felt the DM was being unfair, the DM felt the wizard was not playing up to his Int for using that type of spell in that environment.

The biggest lesson I ever learned in 1st ed (and is still valuable now): Never disintegrate a hole through a wall if there might be thousands of gallons of lava surging against the other side.
protosswarrior
08-24-07, 09:07 PM ok, heres my list of powers, note that the ones in parenthesis are my discipline powers

� 1st= energy ray, control flames, control light (control object)
� 2nd= control sound, psionic identify, body equilibrium (control air, energy missile)
� 3rd= body adjustment, dispel psionics, energy bolt (energy cone)
� 4th= death urge, aura sight, energy adaptation (control body, energy ball, inertial barrier)
� 5th= adapt body, ectoplamic shambler, psychic crush (energy current, fiery disoperation)
� 6th= retrieve, mass cloud mind, psionic disintegration (dispelling buffer, null psionics field)
� 7th= decebrate, energy conversion, psionic moment of prescience (reddopsi)
� 8th= recall death, true metabolism, matter manipulation (psionic telekinetic sphere)
� 9th= psionic etherealness, reality revision, microcosm (tornado blast)

if anyone has comments, let me know (also, instead of energy bolt, i was considering black dragon breath, did i make the right choice?)
Jaid
08-24-07, 10:00 PM are you sure you're choosing your powers correctly? i just can't see how you're ending up with 3 first, 5 second, 3 third, 6 fourth, 5 fifth, 5 sixth, 4 seventh, 4 8th, 4 9th?

also, are you starting at level 17 or something?
AntiDjinn
08-25-07, 04:32 AM I am counting 41 powers on your list. At 20th level a psion will know 36 powers (see table on page 20) so unless you put 5 feats into Expanded Knowledge, or someone was kind enough to give you additional powers with Psychic Chiurgery (translation: Unless the DM gave you additional powers beyond your normal max) you have too many selected.

There are no bonus power slots for having a high stat, only bonus power points.

You don't get bonus power slots from your discipline. All your chosen discipline does is allow you a certain selection of powers and class skills. For example, if your psion is a Shaper you get the Shaper set of class skills in addition to those common to all psions. When you select your powers choose from a list that combines the general psion/wilder list (all the powers, regardless of discipline) and the Shaper list. So at first level you might start with Mind Thrust (telepathic power, but on the general list) and Minor Creation (on the Shaper list). The number and maximum level of powers you may select at each level is as listed on the psion table (p. 20). Once you learn a power it is yours forever unless you choose to trade it out with Psychic Reformation, Retraining (you can only exchange one power and only while leveling up), or someone zaps it with Apopsi.
protosswarrior
08-25-07, 11:36 AM note that these are the powers i'll know at 20th lvl, but i'm starting at lvl 1 (i like to plan stuff like this ahead)
protosswarrior
08-25-07, 11:38 AM You don't get bonus power slots from your discipline.

...didn't know that...
(i'll put up a correct one soon)
InkBlot
08-25-07, 11:39 AM never mind
protosswarrior
08-29-07, 09:08 PM No one has repyled to this column in a week, so i'm putting this message up so it will be back on pg 1 (i think)
Tempest Stormwind
08-29-07, 09:10 PM That's because we answered everything and pointed out that your progression was illegal, and you said you'd revise it.
protosswarrior
08-30-07, 05:11 PM actually, i made the changes 5 minutes after the post when i said i'd change them, and i'm making a new thread for them called ALOTG2: Powers ( it is supposed to be ALOQ2, but i made a typo)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
protosswarrior 08-23-07, 06:23 PM	This is my first time playing a psionic character, so have some question (I only need one person to respond to a question) 1: According to the EPH, metapsionic feats require you to expend your psionic focus to use them, does this mean i have to gain focus then expel it to use the feat, or can i use it any time i'm not focused? 2: Since armor and shields don't interfere with psionics, should i spend some feats to gain proficincy? (note that i'm planning on playing a psion, not a psychic warrior; and that i had to BEG my dm to allow psionics, so i doubt he'll let me multiclass) 3: Do psions have to specialize, or can they be general purpose like wizards? 4: If i have to specialize (see above), then i'd probobly choose kineticist, should i choose my other powers to be damage dealing abilities, or try to get powers of other types like psychometabolism? 5: which is a better race to play, humans (with bonus feats) or elans (with bonus power points)? 6: which psicrystal personality is best gameplaywise? 7: since choosing sonic damage for powers like energy ray reduces the damage done, is there a point in even chossing it? (i mean choosing sonic damage, not the power iteself) I appriciate anyone who can help
Kri69 08-23-07, 06:40 PM	i can anser #3 yes you have to specialize
Tempest Stormwind 08-23-07, 06:43 PM	1: According to the EPH, metapsionic feats require you to expend your psionic focus to use them, does this mean i have to gain focus then expel it to use the feat, or can i use it any time i'm not focused? It means you have to expend your focus. This means you go from focused to unfocused -- it's not the same as being unfocused. 2: Since armor and shields don't interfere with psionics, should i spend some feats to gain proficincy? (note that i'm planning on playing a psion, not a psychic warrior; and that i had to BEG my dm to allow psionics, so i doubt he'll let me multiclass) Not really; it's not all that critical. If you're desperate for armor, you can still wear 0-check-penalty armor (leather, masterwork studded leather, mithral chain shirts, etc) without a single drawback. 3: Do psions have to specialize, or can they be general purpose like wizards? They don't have any specialization mechanics, actually. When you play a psion, you gain the Discipline class feature, which adds a few class skills and gives you access to a special sublist of powers. This is not the same as wizard specialization, where you give up all spells of particular schools. Colloquially, though, it's called specialization despite that. There's no such thing as a psion without the discipline class feature, thus there's no such thing as a generalist psion. The closest you'd get is the variant psion known as the erudite, in Complete Psionic. It's rather difficult to play for a new player. For more information, see the FAQ at the top of the forum. 4: If i have to specialize (see above), then i'd probobly choose kineticist, should i choose my other powers to be damage dealing abilities, or try to get powers of other types like psychometabolism? Round yourself out; since powers only scale with power points, a 7pp energy power will always deal 7d6 damage (barring energy changes or metapsi feats); the biggest change is the area. Also, be advised that kineticists run low on power points very, very easily. 5: which is a better race to play, humans (with bonus feats) or elans (with bonus power points)? Human is stronger than elan. Elan is usually taken by new players who don't understand the true cost of using the elan's special abilities, or by experienced players who like the RP. 6: which psicrystal personality is best gameplaywise? Strongest is either Nimble or Single-Minded, depending on your character, but Hero can be useful as well. However, the choice of personality is minor and more of a nice benefit than anything else. 7: since choosing sonic damage for powers like energy ray reduces the damage done, is there a point in even chossing it? (i mean choosing sonic damage, not the power iteself) Hell yes. It's perhaps the most useful, since it bypasses hardness. Typically, you use fire and cold against general foes, electricity on hard-to-hit or high-save foes, and sonic if you want tactical combat options. (Consider an energy wall (sonic) aimed at the foundation of a wall, for instance.) For more information, see the FAQ at the top of the forum, including the links therein.
jbsaff 08-23-07, 06:54 PM	1. You have to expend your focus every time you want to use the metapsionic feat. You must then regain focus before you can expend it to power another metapsionic feat 2. You could. You might find it more advantageous to pick up a power or two (Inertial Armor or Force Screen come to mind). Those feats might be put to better use elsewhere. 3. Psions must choose a discipline. However, they may spend a feat on Expanded Knowledge to learn a power from another list. This power can come from any list (other discipline, psychic warrior, etc...) and must be at least one level lower then the highest level power you can manifest. 4. Given that I lack personal experience with a psion (I prefer the wilder myself), I'm going to let someone else field this one. 5. Again, I haven't played an elan, so I can't say for sure which is better. I believe general consesus would be human, but don't quote me on that. 6. The best personality will depend on how you want to use your psicrystal (and how your DM rules on psicrystals in regards to feats and the like - see the FAQ at the top of the psionic forum for more info). I've seen players use the traits for improving initiative and saves, and I've heard of situations where the skill check improvements helped. It will very much depend on style of play. 7. To break stuff. The sonic energy type on those powers ignores hardness. This can offer an odd, though effective, way of handling some doors and other obstacles. I would suggest reading through the FAQ if you haven't already. This will help you to go into the game prepared for what can and cannot be done. Also, make sure you discuss with your DM the psicrystal. Finally, make sure both of you are familiar with the basic mechanics and limitations of the system. With luck, you'll help expand their gaming horizons. EDIT: And ninja'd by one of the best on the boards... Oh well
Sleepwalker13666 08-23-07, 07:05 PM	This is my first time playing a psionic character, so have some question (I only need one person to respond to a question) Tempest pretty much coverered everything, but I'll throw my hat in the ring as well. 1: According to the EPH, metapsionic feats require you to expend your psionic focus to use them, does this mean i have to gain focus then expel it to use the feat, or can i use it any time i'm not focused? As stated, you must focus, you might want to pick up the feat Psionic Meditation as soon as possible, it allows you to refocus as a move action which makes it more practical to refocus in combat. I forget the concentration dc to regain your focus but it is listed in the psionics handbook. 2: Since armor and shields don't interfere with psionics, should i spend some feats to gain proficincy? (note that i'm planning on playing a psion, not a psychic warrior; and that i had to BEG my dm to allow psionics, so i doubt he'll let me multiclass) I wouldn't bother wearing anything heavier than studded leather, that will afford you some protection and probably has the most tolerable penalties of the light armor, plain leather will get you by with no penalties, but as long as the party works together and protects the caster/manifester, you really shouldn't consider anything more than leather or studded leather. 3: Do psions have to specialize, or can they be general purpose like wizards? As mentioned they must choose a discipline, unless you have access to the eurodite, and I really wouldn't recommend them to even advanced players, they seem very underwhelming. 4: If i have to specialize (see above), then i'd probobly choose kineticist, should i choose my other powers to be damage dealing abilities, or try to get powers of other types like psychometabolism? Because you can make a level one power deal the damage of a level 9 you should try to vary your powers as much as possible, try to get a few no save abilities if you can, but don't limit it yourself to new ways to hurt. 5: which is a better race to play, humans (with bonus feats) or elans (with bonus power points)? Elans are a fun race, however their special abilities cost power points, and you can only use your level in power points a round, so each time you use a power, you are weakening your manifested power potential. You might want to try human first. 6: which psicrystal personality is best gameplaywise? I only use psicrystals for the psicrystal capacity feat so I can expend two psionic focuses for psionic weapon/fist. For an actual manifester as opposed to warrior I would probably go with hero since fort is your low save. 7: since choosing sonic damage for powers like energy ray reduces the damage done, is there a point in even chossing it? (i mean choosing sonic damage, not the power iteself) Most creatures do not have resistance to sonic, it is actually very rare for a critter to be immune or resistant to sonic damage and as pointed out by Tempest, sonic bypasses hardness better. I appriciate anyone who can help Hope it helps.
Tempest Stormwind 08-23-07, 07:16 PM	As mentioned they must choose a discipline, unless you have access to the eurodite, and I really wouldn't recommend them to even advanced players, they seem very underwhelming. Advanced players can be devastating with them, though. Hint: Power stones and psicrowns. Which, with the piles of powers known they have, erudites can craft easily. Elans are a fun race, however their special abilities cost power points, and you can only use your level in power points a round, so each time you use a power, you are weakening your manifested power potential. You might want to try human first. False. It's per manifestation, not per round (my 7th level shaper could throw out a 7pp ectoplasmic coccoon, and then counter an incoming fireball with a 7pp intellect fortress in the same round). Furthermore, the elan abilities are NOT powers, they're supernatural abilities, so that doesn't even apply. See the FAQ. Just clearing up a few mistakes.
Sleepwalker13666 08-23-07, 07:28 PM	Advanced players can be devastating with them, though. Hint: Power stones and psicrowns. Which, with the piles of powers known they have, erudites can craft easily. True, I didn't consider crafting because the first psion I played had many of the craft feats but I couldn't really do much with them (this was 3.0 however), but it's left a bad stain in my mouth and I haven't really wanted to test those waters again, but since you pointed that out I might reconsider :devil: False. It's per manifestation, not per round (my 7th level shaper could throw out a 7pp ectoplasmic coccoon, and then counter an incoming fireball with a 7pp intellect fortress in the same round). Furthermore, the elan abilities are NOT powers, they're supernatural abilities, so that doesn't even apply. See the FAQ. I'll have to double check that (I know your right, it just sets better when I check it myself), heads not quite on right today might be some of that 3.0 psionics leaking over. :D Just clearing up a few mistakes. By all means, I might seriously be screwing over some of my characters without clarification.
protosswarrior 08-23-07, 09:52 PM	well, i would first like to thnk everyone who helped answer the questions, i'm prob going to list my powers soon so you guys can help revise it.
AntiDjinn 08-23-07, 10:01 PM	1: According to the EPH, metapsionic feats require you to expend your psionic focus to use them, does this mean i have to gain focus then expel it to use the feat, or can i use it any time i'm not focused? You must be focused then expend as part of the action that calls for it. Note: Expending focus is never an action unto itself; it is always done as part of another action such as a concentration check or manifesting a power with a metapsionic feat. 2: Since armor and shields don't interfere with psionics, should i spend some feats to gain proficincy? (note that i'm planning on playing a psion, not a psychic warrior; and that i had to BEG my dm to allow psionics, so i doubt he'll let me multiclass) Personal preference and depends how heavy your armor is. For light armor the penalties are not bad even without proficiency. For your first psionic character I wouldn't suggest multiclassing anyway. 3: Do psions have to specialize, or can they be general purpose like wizards? You have to pick a primary discipline which determines a portion of your class skill list (often overlooked) and which discipline-specific powers you have readily available (your class discipline list + the general list = can be selected without a feat or research). Do look at the skill lists; if there is a skill you plan on using all the time don't gimp yourself by having to pay for it cross-class. 4: If i have to specialize (see above), then i'd probobly choose kineticist, should i choose my other powers to be damage dealing abilities, or try to get powers of other types like psychometabolism? One-trick ponies tend to be easy to counter or even shut down. I encourage people to not only diversify, but to got out of their way to select at least one power that is so against their archetype that opponents will never expect it. 5: which is a better race to play, humans (with bonus feats) or elans (with bonus power points)? Your call. They are both LA +0 races and are balanced against each other. You wont regret either choice. 6: which psicrystal personality is best gameplaywise? Based on your game. My current psychic warrior would have been dead many times over if not for her Observant crystal because this DM calls for lots of Spot checks and often the penalty for missing one is being surprised. One feat doubled my Spot mod from +5 to +10. The DM roleplays my pet rock when I send it out to scout and it reports back or when it is on watch while I am asleep. I roleplay it at other times. 7: since choosing sonic damage for powers like energy ray reduces the damage done, is there a point in even chossing it? (i mean choosing sonic damage, not the power iteself) Ignoring hardness makes it the best choice for property damage. Need to make a hole in a stone wall? Sonic damage (well, Fabricate, when you can get it). And to get a door out of the way, what to used? Sonic damage (no, make that Time Hop since it works better and puts the door back after you are done).
Tempest Stormwind 08-23-07, 10:17 PM	A minor note as well, expanding on the property-damage aspect: Never forget that pillars support cielings, cielings support other floors, and floors often hold something from falling. Destroying any of those can cause far more damage than any one of your powers. (Famously, in one old encounter, we were fighting a villain in a rickety warehouse in Sharn's cogs, poised over the magma pits. I blasted a sonic ray at the floor, causing it to give way under his feet. He made the ad-hoc reflex save to get out of the way, but only barely hung on, and one of the other players threw him into the pit. This was done around level 5. You can't count on the environment to be your weapon all the time, but hey, that's what the other energy types are for!)
AntiDjinn 08-23-07, 10:34 PM	I have seen lots of environmental impact that was unintentional by PCs. Using fire where they really shouldn't have is most common, but sonic attacks can shake unexpected things loose. Once a wizard using a sonic cone spell (I forget the exact spell) in an alchemist's shop almost hosed the entire party. All those vials full of powders, potions, superglue, acid, and alchemist's fire (all of them unattended objects, since they were just lying on the shelves) had to save or shatter. The wizard player felt the DM was being unfair, the DM felt the wizard was not playing up to his Int for using that type of spell in that environment. The biggest lesson I ever learned in 1st ed (and is still valuable now): Never disintegrate a hole through a wall if there might be thousands of gallons of lava surging against the other side.
protosswarrior 08-24-07, 09:07 PM	ok, heres my list of powers, note that the ones in parenthesis are my discipline powers � 1st= energy ray, control flames, control light (control object) � 2nd= control sound, psionic identify, body equilibrium (control air, energy missile) � 3rd= body adjustment, dispel psionics, energy bolt (energy cone) � 4th= death urge, aura sight, energy adaptation (control body, energy ball, inertial barrier) � 5th= adapt body, ectoplamic shambler, psychic crush (energy current, fiery disoperation) � 6th= retrieve, mass cloud mind, psionic disintegration (dispelling buffer, null psionics field) � 7th= decebrate, energy conversion, psionic moment of prescience (reddopsi) � 8th= recall death, true metabolism, matter manipulation (psionic telekinetic sphere) � 9th= psionic etherealness, reality revision, microcosm (tornado blast) if anyone has comments, let me know (also, instead of energy bolt, i was considering black dragon breath, did i make the right choice?)
Jaid 08-24-07, 10:00 PM	are you sure you're choosing your powers correctly? i just can't see how you're ending up with 3 first, 5 second, 3 third, 6 fourth, 5 fifth, 5 sixth, 4 seventh, 4 8th, 4 9th? also, are you starting at level 17 or something?
AntiDjinn 08-25-07, 04:32 AM	I am counting 41 powers on your list. At 20th level a psion will know 36 powers (see table on page 20) so unless you put 5 feats into Expanded Knowledge, or someone was kind enough to give you additional powers with Psychic Chiurgery (translation: Unless the DM gave you additional powers beyond your normal max) you have too many selected. There are no bonus power slots for having a high stat, only bonus power points. You don't get bonus power slots from your discipline. All your chosen discipline does is allow you a certain selection of powers and class skills. For example, if your psion is a Shaper you get the Shaper set of class skills in addition to those common to all psions. When you select your powers choose from a list that combines the general psion/wilder list (all the powers, regardless of discipline) and the Shaper list. So at first level you might start with Mind Thrust (telepathic power, but on the general list) and Minor Creation (on the Shaper list). The number and maximum level of powers you may select at each level is as listed on the psion table (p. 20). Once you learn a power it is yours forever unless you choose to trade it out with Psychic Reformation, Retraining (you can only exchange one power and only while leveling up), or someone zaps it with Apopsi.
protosswarrior 08-25-07, 11:36 AM	note that these are the powers i'll know at 20th lvl, but i'm starting at lvl 1 (i like to plan stuff like this ahead)
protosswarrior 08-25-07, 11:38 AM	You don't get bonus power slots from your discipline. ...didn't know that... (i'll put up a correct one soon)
InkBlot 08-25-07, 11:39 AM	never mind
protosswarrior 08-29-07, 09:08 PM	No one has repyled to this column in a week, so i'm putting this message up so it will be back on pg 1 (i think)
Tempest Stormwind 08-29-07, 09:10 PM	That's because we answered everything and pointed out that your progression was illegal, and you said you'd revise it.
protosswarrior 08-30-07, 05:11 PM	actually, i made the changes 5 minutes after the post when i said i'd change them, and i'm making a new thread for them called ALOTG2: Powers ( it is supposed to be ALOQ2, but i made a typo)