Focus as a swift action [Archive] - Wizards Community

Focus as a swift action [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
kalstrand
08-14-07, 11:23 PM What could be done if a Psion could refocus as a Swift Action?

I am asking because the DM in an overpowerd campaign I am playing is considering giving this to the Psion. I am asking because the only one that is extremely familiar with psionics is this player and it was requested by this player with some excuse as to why he wanted it. He has manipulated the rules to suit his needs in the past and I wondered exactly what he could do with this ability.
Tempest Stormwind
08-14-07, 11:29 PM He'd be able to throw metapsionic powers more often. He wouldn't be able to throw *more* metapsionics on one power (since you can't expend, refocus, and expend again as part of the same action, no matter how fast you can refocus; the focus cost is paid at exactly the same time you use the effect), but he could metapsi every round. If he bends the rules, he might try this; inform your DM of that beforehand.

If you're more familiar with Eberron, think of it this way. There's a feat that lets you refocus as a swift action. Using it costs you an action point. You only get a small number of these per level, and you cannot replenish them in any way.

I don't know what sort of character he's making; knowing that would be fairly important in answering this fully.
BloodSpill
08-14-07, 11:31 PM A Psion can already focus as a swift action with two feats: Psychic Meditation and Expanded Knowledge (Hustle).

(And I would have added more but TS posted already)
JulesCARV
08-14-07, 11:40 PM Well, it's the capstone power of my homebrew Path of Light paladin/psychic warrior prestige class. (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=803875)
Tempest Stormwind
08-14-07, 11:46 PM A Psion can already focus as a swift action with two feats: Psychic Meditation and Expanded Knowledge (Hustle).

(And I would have added more but TS posted already)

The feat cost is not insignificant, especially since not all psions have 13 Wisdom, and even with that it costs power points to use.

Basically, your psion gets improved stamina as well as improved speed. Just make sure he's not using it to recharge focuses in the middle of spending them.
AntiDjinn
08-15-07, 12:00 AM To spot potential abuses just look at his metapsionic and many of his psionic feats; other than taking 15 on a Concentration check powering feats is all a focus is good for.

Also note that for psionic feats that require you to maintain focus, expending then regaining focus as a swift or immediate action is still a lapse in focus. For example, if you are using Up the Walls and expend focus then you fall. If you then use an immediate action to refocus it just means you are focused when you hit the ground, not that you get to resume your move action where you left off. The feat specifies maintain focus and you didn't.
awaken_D_M_golem
08-15-07, 07:19 PM Mystic Focus [Psionic] - Issue 349

Blow a 1st level spell slot as a swift action, with this feat, gain Psi-focus and +1pp to be spent within one round or you lose the 1pp. Take 1 level of Sorc and Precocious Apprentice and qualify for Cerebremancer. Use the 1st level slots for this and get a Ring of Wizardry.

Q: I wonder if this could be made into a custom psionic item ?

Another way:
Get an Ardent 10+ with Dominant Ideal {why an Ardent wouldn't take this now}
applied to Natural World mantle; specifically Hustle.
Hustle Link Hustle and Twin, and put it on an Item.
2 extra move actions this round and next round - do it again.
munin
08-16-07, 10:06 AM A mid- to high-level psion can usually do more useful things with her swift action than her move action. Being required to use a swift action to refocus would improve her maneuverability, but reduce her output. If refocusing is a swift action, then she has to choose between refocusing or manifesting a quickened power, but if refocusing is a move action, she can do both (at the cost of maneuverability, potion drinking, etc.).

A psychic warrior (or other psionic fighter build) would probably find this more useful since they could expend their focus as part of a full attack and then refocus as a swift action (instead of standard/focus...standard/focus...).
Vengeful_Deity
08-16-07, 01:38 PM A mid- to high-level psion can usually do more useful things with her swift action than her move action. Being required to use a swift action to refocus would improve her maneuverability, but reduce her output. If refocusing is a swift action, then she has to choose between refocusing or manifesting a quickened power, but if refocusing is a move action, she can do both (at the cost of maneuverability, potion drinking, etc.).

A psychic warrior (or other psionic fighter build) would probably find this more useful since they could expend their focus as part of a full attack and then refocus as a swift action (instead of standard/focus...standard/focus...).

Pretty much. The only think a Psion would really benefit from is something that allowed them to focus as an Immediate or Free action.....and that just doesn't exist.

Though I do suggest you sink some money into a Belt of Battle. 3 Extra move actions per day, isn't it?
The_Shaman
08-17-07, 03:46 AM I always thought it would be cute if high-level psywarriors could get access to better feats. A feature allowing them to focus as a swift action in the late teen levels would not be too much imo - right now there are a few PrCs with near-full manifesting and full BAB that might seem almost too appealing.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
kalstrand 08-14-07, 11:23 PM	What could be done if a Psion could refocus as a Swift Action? I am asking because the DM in an overpowerd campaign I am playing is considering giving this to the Psion. I am asking because the only one that is extremely familiar with psionics is this player and it was requested by this player with some excuse as to why he wanted it. He has manipulated the rules to suit his needs in the past and I wondered exactly what he could do with this ability.
Tempest Stormwind 08-14-07, 11:29 PM	He'd be able to throw metapsionic powers more often. He wouldn't be able to throw more metapsionics on one power (since you can't expend, refocus, and expend again as part of the same action, no matter how fast you can refocus; the focus cost is paid at exactly the same time you use the effect), but he could metapsi every round. If he bends the rules, he might try this; inform your DM of that beforehand. If you're more familiar with Eberron, think of it this way. There's a feat that lets you refocus as a swift action. Using it costs you an action point. You only get a small number of these per level, and you cannot replenish them in any way. I don't know what sort of character he's making; knowing that would be fairly important in answering this fully.
BloodSpill 08-14-07, 11:31 PM	A Psion can already focus as a swift action with two feats: Psychic Meditation and Expanded Knowledge (Hustle). (And I would have added more but TS posted already)
JulesCARV 08-14-07, 11:40 PM	Well, it's the capstone power of my homebrew Path of Light paladin/psychic warrior prestige class. (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=803875)
Tempest Stormwind 08-14-07, 11:46 PM	A Psion can already focus as a swift action with two feats: Psychic Meditation and Expanded Knowledge (Hustle). (And I would have added more but TS posted already) The feat cost is not insignificant, especially since not all psions have 13 Wisdom, and even with that it costs power points to use. Basically, your psion gets improved stamina as well as improved speed. Just make sure he's not using it to recharge focuses in the middle of spending them.
AntiDjinn 08-15-07, 12:00 AM	To spot potential abuses just look at his metapsionic and many of his psionic feats; other than taking 15 on a Concentration check powering feats is all a focus is good for. Also note that for psionic feats that require you to maintain focus, expending then regaining focus as a swift or immediate action is still a lapse in focus. For example, if you are using Up the Walls and expend focus then you fall. If you then use an immediate action to refocus it just means you are focused when you hit the ground, not that you get to resume your move action where you left off. The feat specifies maintain focus and you didn't.
awaken_D_M_golem 08-15-07, 07:19 PM	Mystic Focus [Psionic] - Issue 349 Blow a 1st level spell slot as a swift action, with this feat, gain Psi-focus and +1pp to be spent within one round or you lose the 1pp. Take 1 level of Sorc and Precocious Apprentice and qualify for Cerebremancer. Use the 1st level slots for this and get a Ring of Wizardry. Q: I wonder if this could be made into a custom psionic item ? Another way: Get an Ardent 10+ with Dominant Ideal {why an Ardent wouldn't take this now} applied to Natural World mantle; specifically Hustle. Hustle Link Hustle and Twin, and put it on an Item. 2 extra move actions this round and next round - do it again.
munin 08-16-07, 10:06 AM	A mid- to high-level psion can usually do more useful things with her swift action than her move action. Being required to use a swift action to refocus would improve her maneuverability, but reduce her output. If refocusing is a swift action, then she has to choose between refocusing or manifesting a quickened power, but if refocusing is a move action, she can do both (at the cost of maneuverability, potion drinking, etc.). A psychic warrior (or other psionic fighter build) would probably find this more useful since they could expend their focus as part of a full attack and then refocus as a swift action (instead of standard/focus...standard/focus...).
Vengeful_Deity 08-16-07, 01:38 PM	A mid- to high-level psion can usually do more useful things with her swift action than her move action. Being required to use a swift action to refocus would improve her maneuverability, but reduce her output. If refocusing is a swift action, then she has to choose between refocusing or manifesting a quickened power, but if refocusing is a move action, she can do both (at the cost of maneuverability, potion drinking, etc.). A psychic warrior (or other psionic fighter build) would probably find this more useful since they could expend their focus as part of a full attack and then refocus as a swift action (instead of standard/focus...standard/focus...). Pretty much. The only think a Psion would really benefit from is something that allowed them to focus as an Immediate or Free action.....and that just doesn't exist. Though I do suggest you sink some money into a Belt of Battle. 3 Extra move actions per day, isn't it?
The_Shaman 08-17-07, 03:46 AM	I always thought it would be cute if high-level psywarriors could get access to better feats. A feature allowing them to focus as a swift action in the late teen levels would not be too much imo - right now there are a few PrCs with near-full manifesting and full BAB that might seem almost too appealing.