A new monster type: the psionic beast [Archive] - Wizards Community

A new monster type: the psionic beast [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
RavinRay
04-01-07, 12:34 AM With the 3.5 psionics rules, psionic spell-like abilites are labelled as "psi-like abilities" and psionic-wielding monsters have the psionic subtype. But why not go a step further and separate psionic magical beasts as a new monster type, the psionic beast?

Psionic Beast Type: Magical beasts are similar to animals but can have Intelligence scores higher than 2. Psionic beasts always psionic or psi-like abilities.
Features: A psionic beast has the following features.
Psionic subtype
10-sided Hit Dice.
Base attack bonus equal to total Hit Dice (as fighter).
Good Fortitude and Reflex saves.
Skill points equal to (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) per Hit Die, with quadruple skill points for the first Hit Die. Psionic beasts never choose magic-related skills, instead they choose psionic-related ones.
Traits: A psionic beast possesses the following traits (unless otherwise noted in a creature’s entry).
Darkvision out to 60 feet and low-light vision.
Proficient with its natural weapons only.
Proficient with no armor.
Psionic beasts eat, sleep, and breathe.
Psionic beasts never have spell resistance, instead they have power resistance. Effects that specifically affect magical beasts do not work against psionic beasts. (Conversely, effects that specifically affect psionic beasts do not work against magical beasts.)
Resistant to magical effects that target creatures in general. In most cases, this results in a bonus to saving throws.
Psionic beasts never have spell-like abilities, instead they have psi-like abilities. Even if a psi-like ability emulates a spell, it is considered manifested psionically.
Psionic beasts never choose magic-related feats, instead they choose psionic-related ones.
Thus, creatures like the brain mole, gray glutton, puppeteer, and su-monster now have the psionic beast subtype.
Thomar_of_Uointer
04-01-07, 01:25 AM Three words:

"Magic-psionics transparency". :P

No, it looks fine. It might tick off a ranger if he can't take down a brain mole, but I don't really see a glaring problem with adding this.
Angelflesh
04-01-07, 03:31 AM Been wanting this, good job. I don't use transparency, so a "Psionic Beast" creature type is totally in order for me.
mythSSK
04-01-07, 04:14 AM I just changed "Magical Beast" to "Wondrous Beast" and called it a night.

Made it easier... that way you don't need to create an "Incarnum Beast" and any other number of different creature types when new supplements with new magic systems come out.
Angelflesh
04-01-07, 10:04 PM Since Incarnum is a form of magic the Magical Beast type is apropriate with the Incarnum subtype for those creatures. But, a Psionic Beast seems apropriate since psionic creatures are just that, psionic, and not magical.
mythSSK
04-01-07, 10:06 PM Since Incarnum is a form of magic the Magical Beast type is apropriate with the Incarnum subtype for those creatures. But, a Psionic Beast seems apropriate since psionic creatures are just that, psionic, and not magical.That was just an example. Can you explain why making a second type, completely identical to the first in all but name, is better than just renaming Magical Beast to Wondrous Beast?
RavinRay
04-02-07, 12:55 AM Time to snap out of it. The psionic suggestion power has just ended, and you shake off the last vestiges of that vivid imagination.

Oh, by Olidammara, is it that time of the year again?! You mean it wasn't real, just a prank played by a divine mind of the Laughing Rogue?! A lame April Fool's prank?! :uh-huh:
Angelflesh
04-02-07, 01:22 AM Can you explain why making a second type, completely identical to the first in all but name, is better than just renaming Magical Beast to Wondrous Beast?

I don't see why i would have to, i never claimed one was better than the other.
Thomar_of_Uointer
04-02-07, 01:57 AM Time to snap out of it. The psionic suggestion power has just ended, and you shake off the last vestiges of that vivid imagination.

Oh, by Olidammara, is it that time of the year again?! You mean it wasn't real, just a prank played by a divine mind of the Laughing Rogue?! A lame April Fool's prank?! :uh-huh:

Gah! Nice one, though in my defense, you posted it in March. :D
PhaedrusXY
04-02-07, 11:20 AM Inspired by the "Avenger", I'd guess? :D

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
RavinRay 04-01-07, 12:34 AM	With the 3.5 psionics rules, psionic spell-like abilites are labelled as "psi-like abilities" and psionic-wielding monsters have the psionic subtype. But why not go a step further and separate psionic magical beasts as a new monster type, the psionic beast? Psionic Beast Type: Magical beasts are similar to animals but can have Intelligence scores higher than 2. Psionic beasts always psionic or psi-like abilities. Features: A psionic beast has the following features. Psionic subtype 10-sided Hit Dice. Base attack bonus equal to total Hit Dice (as fighter). Good Fortitude and Reflex saves. Skill points equal to (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1) per Hit Die, with quadruple skill points for the first Hit Die. Psionic beasts never choose magic-related skills, instead they choose psionic-related ones. Traits: A psionic beast possesses the following traits (unless otherwise noted in a creature’s entry). Darkvision out to 60 feet and low-light vision. Proficient with its natural weapons only. Proficient with no armor. Psionic beasts eat, sleep, and breathe. Psionic beasts never have spell resistance, instead they have power resistance. Effects that specifically affect magical beasts do not work against psionic beasts. (Conversely, effects that specifically affect psionic beasts do not work against magical beasts.) Resistant to magical effects that target creatures in general. In most cases, this results in a bonus to saving throws. Psionic beasts never have spell-like abilities, instead they have psi-like abilities. Even if a psi-like ability emulates a spell, it is considered manifested psionically. Psionic beasts never choose magic-related feats, instead they choose psionic-related ones. Thus, creatures like the brain mole, gray glutton, puppeteer, and su-monster now have the psionic beast subtype.
Thomar_of_Uointer 04-01-07, 01:25 AM	Three words: "Magic-psionics transparency". :P No, it looks fine. It might tick off a ranger if he can't take down a brain mole, but I don't really see a glaring problem with adding this.
Angelflesh 04-01-07, 03:31 AM	Been wanting this, good job. I don't use transparency, so a "Psionic Beast" creature type is totally in order for me.
mythSSK 04-01-07, 04:14 AM	I just changed "Magical Beast" to "Wondrous Beast" and called it a night. Made it easier... that way you don't need to create an "Incarnum Beast" and any other number of different creature types when new supplements with new magic systems come out.
Angelflesh 04-01-07, 10:04 PM	Since Incarnum is a form of magic the Magical Beast type is apropriate with the Incarnum subtype for those creatures. But, a Psionic Beast seems apropriate since psionic creatures are just that, psionic, and not magical.
mythSSK 04-01-07, 10:06 PM	Since Incarnum is a form of magic the Magical Beast type is apropriate with the Incarnum subtype for those creatures. But, a Psionic Beast seems apropriate since psionic creatures are just that, psionic, and not magical.That was just an example. Can you explain why making a second type, completely identical to the first in all but name, is better than just renaming Magical Beast to Wondrous Beast?
RavinRay 04-02-07, 12:55 AM	Time to snap out of it. The psionic suggestion power has just ended, and you shake off the last vestiges of that vivid imagination. Oh, by Olidammara, is it that time of the year again?! You mean it wasn't real, just a prank played by a divine mind of the Laughing Rogue?! A lame April Fool's prank?! :uh-huh:
Angelflesh 04-02-07, 01:22 AM	Can you explain why making a second type, completely identical to the first in all but name, is better than just renaming Magical Beast to Wondrous Beast? I don't see why i would have to, i never claimed one was better than the other.
Thomar_of_Uointer 04-02-07, 01:57 AM	Time to snap out of it. The psionic suggestion power has just ended, and you shake off the last vestiges of that vivid imagination. Oh, by Olidammara, is it that time of the year again?! You mean it wasn't real, just a prank played by a divine mind of the Laughing Rogue?! A lame April Fool's prank?! :uh-huh: Gah! Nice one, though in my defense, you posted it in March. :D
PhaedrusXY 04-02-07, 11:20 AM	Inspired by the "Avenger", I'd guess? :D