Post/Author/DateTime	Post
flamepheonix182 12-01-07, 04:16 PM	Basically whats in the title. I can't decide if the reliability and spread of the swarm is better than the chance to do con damage. any help would be appreciated
Zathress 12-02-07, 12:06 AM	It can depend on your build. My 6th level telepath for example has psionic endowment and greater psionic endowment. Thus he can get a DC 19 on her save. Really nice at her level. You could split ray crystal storm. Doubling the damage for 2 P.P Netting you 4d4 slashing damage and possibly 2d4 points of con. Then of course any augmentation you can or want to thrown in is effectively doubled as well. Think about swarm of crystals when facing multiple foes. (when you'd be able to hit them) Do you actually want to be standing THAT close to them. Close enough so you can hit them with that short range cone. And if you are that close what are the chances a party member is there?
hovnarr 12-02-07, 10:20 AM	Neither! Now, I'm very much in favor of having a crystal power in your repertoire, but what I want to point out is how to look at these powers. You shouldn't choose one based on power, but on applicability. Let's be honest - the psion typically has MANY more effective options of handling foes. Astral Construct, Energy Missiles, Ectoplasmic Cocoon, Metamorphosis, Dominate, Telekinetic Maneuver - the list can be made long. You whip out Crystal powers when Nothing Else Works. They are always a fall back. From that point of view, I'd recommend Swarm of Crystals. Here's why: *No save, no PR/SR: This means it's good to use when saves/PR/SR is to high for our more effective options to work. *Instantaneous creation effect: The hallmark of all crystal effects means that they bypass Anti Magic Field/Null Psionics Field which otherwise shuts down ALL your other options. (Incidentally, the 15' range of Swarm > th 10' emanation of AMF/NPF). *Area effect: This is important when fighting swarms where rays, save-or-dies, astral construct, metamorphosis etc. are of no use. You need an area effect in your repertoire and Swarm of Crystals covers this need too. *Not a ray: Getting hit by Swarm of Crystals is unavoidable. No roll, no nothing. What if the target has high touch AC? Then you don't want your fall back option to rely on hitting that touch AC. Swarm is the safest bet. You may only need to use Swarm of Crystals 5-10% of all encounters, but when you need to, you know it will work where anything else might have failed.
Lycanthromancer 12-02-07, 03:57 PM	I had a The Big Guy is With Me build where I used metamorphosis and lots of Improved Psicrystal feats to turn my little crystal buddy into a 20 HD tank at 11th level. While it's meleeing it up, I'm channeling powers through it from a half-mile away, including body adjustment and, yes, swarm of crystals. Getting unavoidable damage is NICE, don'tchaknow. And since I was the party's tank, direct damage was my forte. :)
flamepheonix182 12-02-07, 04:09 PM	Thanks for the advice. oh and how did you get you psicrystal that high? I couldnt find any feats for that.
InkBlot 12-02-07, 04:17 PM	Improved Psicrystal in the Expanded Psionics Handbook adds another personality to your psicryastal and increases your manifester level for the purpose of determining your psicrystal's abilities. It's debatable whether or not this would increase the HD your psicrystal has. But I'm not going to debate it, because your manifester level doesn't determine the abilities of your psicrystal. The rules on psicrystals are so messed up.