Adapting "Tainted Scholar" to Psionic Mechanics [Archive] - Wizards Community

Adapting "Tainted Scholar" to Psionic Mechanics [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Khatoblepas
09-28-07, 03:08 PM (Foreward: In my campaign, and the character I am thinking of using this for, Psionics is Magic. There might be a flavor clash if you go by the books, but since I'm using a different flavor, there's no need to say that psionics doesn't fit. Also, don't worry, no necropolitan cheese here)

I'm trying to adapt Tainted Scholar to the Psionic mechanics, but I'm running into a little trouble transposing a couple of it's abilities.

Blooded Metamagic: (pay con damage instead of increasing level of spells) is it fair to say that 1 Con damage == 1pp for the purposes of applying metapsionic feats? Or is that too strong compared to the original?

Forbidden Arcana: This secret grants you the ability to use one additional 1st-level spell per day, as if gained through having a high ability or depravity score.

Greater Forbidden Arcana: This secret grants you the ability to use one additional 2nd-level spell per day, as if gained through having a high ability or depravity score.

Should this give bonus PP? 1pp seems a little weak for an exchange (unaugmented 1st level power), but I don't want to give them too much.

If there a general guide when converting vancian spellcasting classes to Psionics? I know that some classes might be pretty much impossible to convert, but Tainted Scholar isn't that bad.
jbsaff
09-28-07, 03:26 PM Blooded Metamagic: (pay con damage instead of increasing level of spells) is it fair to say that 1 Con damage == 1pp for the purposes of applying metapsionic feats? Or is that too strong compared to the original?

Assuming it's a 1:1 ratio of spell level increase to CON damage, then a psionic trade might be better set at 2pp : 1 CON damage. Increasing power levels adds 2 pp per level (1pp at level 1, 3 at level 2, etc...).

Others may have more information. I'm not familiar with the abilities you are referring to; just pointing out the current mechanic similarity.
InkBlot
09-28-07, 03:35 PM Perhaps you could make it so that you take Con damage instead of expending your psionic focus. Focus is the sticky widget for any psion using meta feats. It would be a great temptation to use it.

You should also probably use burn instead of damage. Ability burn is much more difficult to heal. That way anybody using this ability can't cheese their way around it's downside.

For example,
Blood Focus: When you use a metapsionic feat you can choose to take 1d4 points of Constitution burn instead of expending your psionic focus.

Also keep in mind the Body Fuel feat in the XPH.
BODY FUEL [PSIONIC]
You can expand your power point total at the expense of your health.
Benefit: You can recover 2 power points by taking 1 point of ability burn damage to each of your three ability scores: Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution.

You can recover additional power points for a proportional cost to Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution. These recovered points are added to your power point reserve as if you had gained them by resting overnight.

Special: Only living creatures can use this feat. You can take advantage of this feat only while in your own body.
Deekin
09-28-07, 03:36 PM You mean something like the Subverted Psion (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/psm/20051125a)?
Khatoblepas
09-28-07, 03:51 PM You mean something like the Subverted Psion (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/psm/20051125a)?

Kinda, but the Subverted Psion isn't exactly what I'm looking for. I want to keep the flavor of the lore in the class, and she needs to be 15-16th level rather than 20th. Gaining bonus PP equal to taint score is perfect for Greater Forbidden Arcana, though.

(the character itself is based off of Pandora's Box, but with Pandora herself being the receptacle for evil, hence the need for her power to be based off of the taint of evil - so she is tempted to keep the evil inside of her. She's a BBEG, not a player character :) )

Taking 1d4 points of Constitution burn damage seems a little steep for just the ability to expend the focus. 1 or 2 Con burn damage seems a little fairer, especially if it can't be healed naturally.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Khatoblepas 09-28-07, 03:08 PM	(Foreward: In my campaign, and the character I am thinking of using this for, Psionics is Magic. There might be a flavor clash if you go by the books, but since I'm using a different flavor, there's no need to say that psionics doesn't fit. Also, don't worry, no necropolitan cheese here) I'm trying to adapt Tainted Scholar to the Psionic mechanics, but I'm running into a little trouble transposing a couple of it's abilities. Blooded Metamagic: (pay con damage instead of increasing level of spells) is it fair to say that 1 Con damage == 1pp for the purposes of applying metapsionic feats? Or is that too strong compared to the original? Forbidden Arcana: This secret grants you the ability to use one additional 1st-level spell per day, as if gained through having a high ability or depravity score. Greater Forbidden Arcana: This secret grants you the ability to use one additional 2nd-level spell per day, as if gained through having a high ability or depravity score. Should this give bonus PP? 1pp seems a little weak for an exchange (unaugmented 1st level power), but I don't want to give them too much. If there a general guide when converting vancian spellcasting classes to Psionics? I know that some classes might be pretty much impossible to convert, but Tainted Scholar isn't that bad.
jbsaff 09-28-07, 03:26 PM	Blooded Metamagic: (pay con damage instead of increasing level of spells) is it fair to say that 1 Con damage == 1pp for the purposes of applying metapsionic feats? Or is that too strong compared to the original? Assuming it's a 1:1 ratio of spell level increase to CON damage, then a psionic trade might be better set at 2pp : 1 CON damage. Increasing power levels adds 2 pp per level (1pp at level 1, 3 at level 2, etc...). Others may have more information. I'm not familiar with the abilities you are referring to; just pointing out the current mechanic similarity.
InkBlot 09-28-07, 03:35 PM	Perhaps you could make it so that you take Con damage instead of expending your psionic focus. Focus is the sticky widget for any psion using meta feats. It would be a great temptation to use it. You should also probably use burn instead of damage. Ability burn is much more difficult to heal. That way anybody using this ability can't cheese their way around it's downside. For example, Blood Focus: When you use a metapsionic feat you can choose to take 1d4 points of Constitution burn instead of expending your psionic focus. Also keep in mind the Body Fuel feat in the XPH. BODY FUEL [PSIONIC] You can expand your power point total at the expense of your health. Benefit: You can recover 2 power points by taking 1 point of ability burn damage to each of your three ability scores: Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution. You can recover additional power points for a proportional cost to Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution. These recovered points are added to your power point reserve as if you had gained them by resting overnight. Special: Only living creatures can use this feat. You can take advantage of this feat only while in your own body.
Deekin 09-28-07, 03:36 PM	You mean something like the Subverted Psion (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/psm/20051125a)?
Khatoblepas 09-28-07, 03:51 PM	You mean something like the Subverted Psion (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/psm/20051125a)? Kinda, but the Subverted Psion isn't exactly what I'm looking for. I want to keep the flavor of the lore in the class, and she needs to be 15-16th level rather than 20th. Gaining bonus PP equal to taint score is perfect for Greater Forbidden Arcana, though. (the character itself is based off of Pandora's Box, but with Pandora herself being the receptacle for evil, hence the need for her power to be based off of the taint of evil - so she is tempted to keep the evil inside of her. She's a BBEG, not a player character :) ) Taking 1d4 points of Constitution burn damage seems a little steep for just the ability to expend the focus. 1 or 2 Con burn damage seems a little fairer, especially if it can't be healed naturally.