Augmenting [Archive] - Wizards Community - Pages Merged by Solauren

Augmenting [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Stule
06-11-07, 11:14 PM Hey,

My player is going to play a Psion. I have never really handled Psionics before, but I figure, what the hell. Anyway, it says at the bottom of the Psionic Power descriptions that you can Augment some of the powers. Powers such as Energy Ray that does 1d6 damage says that for an additional Power Point, they can do an extra 1d6. Now I am still reading the rules, but can someone tell me how high this damage can go?

If my player is a 1st Psion and has 2 Power Points, can he do 2d6 damage?

At 2nd level when he has 6 Power Points, can he do 6d6?

I am thinking it is limited to your Manifestor Level, so at 2nd level he could only do 2d6 damage.

Am I right?
Soahc
06-11-07, 11:17 PM You are completely right! It's limited to his manifesting level, so only 2D6 at level 2.
Stule
06-11-07, 11:20 PM Wooot!

He shoots!!

He SCORES!!

Thanks!
Salla
06-11-07, 11:28 PM Arguably THE most important rule governing the psion, and yet it's the one everybody misses. I kept thinking that the XPH would have a gigantic two-page spread with 'You can't spend more power points on any one manifestation than your manifester level' in BIG RED LETTERS because so many people missed it. :)
Soahc
06-11-07, 11:28 PM Any time:cool:
Tempest Stormwind
06-12-07, 12:58 AM Incidentally, this was the very first question answered in the general psionics section of the FAQ at the top of the forum, and it's also Myth 1 in the Myth thread at the top of the forum.

I don't mean to sound rude, but I thought it was common practice to check stickies before a new thread...?

Still, in any case, the FAQ in particular should answer any questions you have on psionics, even after only a cursory read. I should call particular attention to the New DM/Player's Guide to Psionics, linked in the FAQ.
Stule
06-12-07, 01:23 AM Note to self....

Buy Forum Rules for Dummies.

:P

Sorry about that. I will check out the FAQ next time. I'm a little slow when it comes to all this fancy web stuff (I really miss my abacus).

Now I know.

And knowing is half the battle!

GI JOE!!!!!

:D
Tyroki
06-12-07, 08:48 AM It's not really a forum rule, it's just something you do as a 'smart action'... Hehehe ^^

Stickies tend to have rules. The stickies here have FAQ's instead, which will explain most things to you =D Theres even a wonderful topic to throw at DM's who think Psionics is overpowered.
AntiDjinn
06-12-07, 10:41 AM Like most game rules, there are exceptions. The feat Overchannel is one of them (most feats are, at some level, a personal exemption from a game rule) because it lets you exceed your manifester level by a specific amount, but does some hit point damage to you. If you also have the feat Talented you can avoid this damage if you Overchannel on a power of 3rd level or lower and expend your psionic focus as part of the manifestation. Another exception is Wild Surge, the Wilder's major class feature, that lets you choose to exceed your manifester level but run the risk of being dazed and loosing your next action. Practiced Manifester doesn't let you exceed your manifester cap, but it raises the cap by up to four, subject to your total character level limit.

Also note: No matter how many points you spend to augment a power, its level does not change. A first level power augmented to the cost of a ninth remains first level. The only exemption to this rule is when applying power level limits and figuring costs of item crafting.
Ricktur63
06-12-07, 10:59 AM Sorry to butt in here but 'Overchannel' does not require you to expend your psionic focus.
AntiDjinn
06-12-07, 11:01 AM But Talented does.
Scion of Coldshard
06-12-07, 12:57 PM Like most game rules, there are exceptions. The feat Overchannel is one of them (most feats are, at some level, a personal exemption from a game rule) because it lets you exceed your manifester level by a specific amount, but does some hit point damage to you. If you also have the feat Talented you can avoid this damage if you Overchannel on a power of 3rd level or lower and expend your psionic focus as part of the manifestation. Another exception is Wild Surge, the Wilder's major class feature, that lets you choose to exceed your manifester level but run the risk of being dazed and loosing your next action. Practiced Manifester doesn't let you exceed your manifester cap, but it raises the cap by up to four, subject to your total character level limit.

I usually let this go but it has been bothering me more lately.

None of those examples break the rule. Overchannel, wild surge, and practiced manifester all follow the rule perfectly well.

Each of those actually changes your manifester level which is why you are able to put more into them. Practiced manifester is continuous while the other two are for the current power being manifested only, but they are all still raising your manifester level so the rule is not being violated at all.

Since they are increasing your manifester level you also gain other benefits such as increased range, duration, and ability to penetrate SR/PR (each of these bonuses as appropriate for the particular power).

It isnt a huge deal but I think it is important enough to be noted, especially since the effect of raising your manifester level impacts a large amount of things.
Tyroki
06-12-07, 06:48 PM I usually let this go but it has been bothering me more lately.

None of those examples break the rule. Overchannel, wild surge, and practiced manifester all follow the rule perfectly well.

Each of those actually changes your manifester level which is why you are able to put more into them. Practiced manifester is continuous while the other two are for the current power being manifested only, but they are all still raising your manifester level so the rule is not being violated at all.

Since they are increasing your manifester level you also gain other benefits such as increased range, duration, and ability to penetrate SR/PR (each of these bonuses as appropriate for the particular power).

It isnt a huge deal but I think it is important enough to be noted, especially since the effect of raising your manifester level impacts a large amount of things.

Yay, someone finally said it xD

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Stule 06-11-07, 11:14 PM	Hey, My player is going to play a Psion. I have never really handled Psionics before, but I figure, what the hell. Anyway, it says at the bottom of the Psionic Power descriptions that you can Augment some of the powers. Powers such as Energy Ray that does 1d6 damage says that for an additional Power Point, they can do an extra 1d6. Now I am still reading the rules, but can someone tell me how high this damage can go? If my player is a 1st Psion and has 2 Power Points, can he do 2d6 damage? At 2nd level when he has 6 Power Points, can he do 6d6? I am thinking it is limited to your Manifestor Level, so at 2nd level he could only do 2d6 damage. Am I right?
Soahc 06-11-07, 11:17 PM	You are completely right! It's limited to his manifesting level, so only 2D6 at level 2.
Stule 06-11-07, 11:20 PM	Wooot! He shoots!! He SCORES!! Thanks!
Salla 06-11-07, 11:28 PM	Arguably THE most important rule governing the psion, and yet it's the one everybody misses. I kept thinking that the XPH would have a gigantic two-page spread with 'You can't spend more power points on any one manifestation than your manifester level' in BIG RED LETTERS because so many people missed it. :)
Soahc 06-11-07, 11:28 PM	Any time:cool:
Tempest Stormwind 06-12-07, 12:58 AM	Incidentally, this was the very first question answered in the general psionics section of the FAQ at the top of the forum, and it's also Myth 1 in the Myth thread at the top of the forum. I don't mean to sound rude, but I thought it was common practice to check stickies before a new thread...? Still, in any case, the FAQ in particular should answer any questions you have on psionics, even after only a cursory read. I should call particular attention to the New DM/Player's Guide to Psionics, linked in the FAQ.
Stule 06-12-07, 01:23 AM	Note to self.... Buy Forum Rules for Dummies. :P Sorry about that. I will check out the FAQ next time. I'm a little slow when it comes to all this fancy web stuff (I really miss my abacus). Now I know. And knowing is half the battle! GI JOE!!!!! :D
Tyroki 06-12-07, 08:48 AM	It's not really a forum rule, it's just something you do as a 'smart action'... Hehehe ^^ Stickies tend to have rules. The stickies here have FAQ's instead, which will explain most things to you =D Theres even a wonderful topic to throw at DM's who think Psionics is overpowered.
AntiDjinn 06-12-07, 10:41 AM	Like most game rules, there are exceptions. The feat Overchannel is one of them (most feats are, at some level, a personal exemption from a game rule) because it lets you exceed your manifester level by a specific amount, but does some hit point damage to you. If you also have the feat Talented you can avoid this damage if you Overchannel on a power of 3rd level or lower and expend your psionic focus as part of the manifestation. Another exception is Wild Surge, the Wilder's major class feature, that lets you choose to exceed your manifester level but run the risk of being dazed and loosing your next action. Practiced Manifester doesn't let you exceed your manifester cap, but it raises the cap by up to four, subject to your total character level limit. Also note: No matter how many points you spend to augment a power, its level does not change. A first level power augmented to the cost of a ninth remains first level. The only exemption to this rule is when applying power level limits and figuring costs of item crafting.
Ricktur63 06-12-07, 10:59 AM	Sorry to butt in here but 'Overchannel' does not require you to expend your psionic focus.
AntiDjinn 06-12-07, 11:01 AM	But Talented does.
Scion of Coldshard 06-12-07, 12:57 PM	Like most game rules, there are exceptions. The feat Overchannel is one of them (most feats are, at some level, a personal exemption from a game rule) because it lets you exceed your manifester level by a specific amount, but does some hit point damage to you. If you also have the feat Talented you can avoid this damage if you Overchannel on a power of 3rd level or lower and expend your psionic focus as part of the manifestation. Another exception is Wild Surge, the Wilder's major class feature, that lets you choose to exceed your manifester level but run the risk of being dazed and loosing your next action. Practiced Manifester doesn't let you exceed your manifester cap, but it raises the cap by up to four, subject to your total character level limit. I usually let this go but it has been bothering me more lately. None of those examples break the rule. Overchannel, wild surge, and practiced manifester all follow the rule perfectly well. Each of those actually changes your manifester level which is why you are able to put more into them. Practiced manifester is continuous while the other two are for the current power being manifested only, but they are all still raising your manifester level so the rule is not being violated at all. Since they are increasing your manifester level you also gain other benefits such as increased range, duration, and ability to penetrate SR/PR (each of these bonuses as appropriate for the particular power). It isnt a huge deal but I think it is important enough to be noted, especially since the effect of raising your manifester level impacts a large amount of things.
Tyroki 06-12-07, 06:48 PM	I usually let this go but it has been bothering me more lately. None of those examples break the rule. Overchannel, wild surge, and practiced manifester all follow the rule perfectly well. Each of those actually changes your manifester level which is why you are able to put more into them. Practiced manifester is continuous while the other two are for the current power being manifested only, but they are all still raising your manifester level so the rule is not being violated at all. Since they are increasing your manifester level you also gain other benefits such as increased range, duration, and ability to penetrate SR/PR (each of these bonuses as appropriate for the particular power). It isnt a huge deal but I think it is important enough to be noted, especially since the effect of raising your manifester level impacts a large amount of things. Yay, someone finally said it xD