good feats for a psi crystal? [Archive] - Wizards Community

good feats for a psi crystal? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Kanachi
03-12-07, 09:35 PM The title kind of says it all but i'm basically just interested in knowing what feats people recommend picking for a psi crystal (of 7th level, serving a scout/psion/elocator build).

Thanks!
Bacris
03-12-07, 09:39 PM Depends - what role does the psicrystal play?
Artector
03-12-07, 09:56 PM I agree with Bacris.

Skill Foci can be useful, and possibly wild talent and some psionic feats might be a nice buff.
Scion of Coldshard
03-12-07, 10:05 PM There are a few ideas in my sig.
Kanachi
03-13-07, 08:45 AM I'll probably use the psi crystal as a scout communications device but would like it to have some interesting abilities represented by its feats.

I was thinking of giving it open minded twice to gain a +10 craft (poison making) rank. and use it as a way of applying and creating poisons without risk (constructs are immune to poisons after all). Would this be a good idea?

I was also thinking about giving it the wild talent feat but it seems like there are very few psionic feats a psi crystal could actually use is it has no manifester levels of its own (or at least i asume not).

My other idea was perhaps trying to use the psicrystal as a power point storage device (wild talent + psionic talent), though i'm not sure if this would work.

anyway, any advice any of you can offer would be fantastic :D
Artector
03-13-07, 09:34 AM About the Poisonmaking, make sure it doesn't exceed the normal limits. Also its possible that it can't gain a benefit from open-minded, as this line dictates what Psi-crystal skill points are: "A psicrystal has the same skill ranks as its owner, except that it has a minimum of 4 ranks each in Spot, Listen, Move Silently, and Search. (Even if its owner has no ranks in these skills, a psicrystal has 4 ranks in each.) A psicrystal uses its own ability modifiers on skill checks."

You couldn't really use it as a storage device because those Power Points are its own. Thus you can't access them.

Wild Talent+Speed of Thought would mean its quicker.

For humor: Improved Unarmed Strike and Deflect Arrows. (I'm pretty sure it could actually be done too)
Scion of Coldshard
03-13-07, 09:37 AM As mentioned, open minded wont help.

You can get skill focus and similar skill boosters though and pick up ranks in craft(poisonmaking) yourself. Although the psicrystal might have difficultly manipulating components to actually use the skill.
Bacris
03-13-07, 09:49 AM Bah, it doesn't have the CHA for Hidden Talent.

It also doesn't have the Wis for Speed of Thought.

Stealthy could be a good one.

Track, as well.
Scion of Coldshard
03-13-07, 09:59 AM If you give it a +4 Belt of Magnificence it will qualify for a lot more feats......
crizhII
03-13-07, 10:59 AM Weapon Finesse is a pretty good investment. Improves its 'to-hit' by about 8 straight of the bat, useful for delivering touch attacks.

I've taken Skill Focus: Heal, which lets our little guy care of injured or diseased/poisoned party members. It stands a good chance of stabilising anyone that's dying. Not exactly super-powered but at our level its been more than a little useful.
Mesiolan
03-13-07, 11:21 AM My DM ruled that a destroyed crystal is replaced after 24 hours of meditation. This amount of time is not available in our campaign (Red Hand of Doom).

So I raised the DEX score of the crystal at Lv 4 for AC and REF save. Then it got Lightning Reflexes - we are fighting many beasts with breath weapons and it is rather difficult to repair.

Further it has Negotiator, to help with my sense motive skill and so on.

I use it as a skill booster (+2 to almost every knowledge skill check, and many other skill checks, since it can perform Aid Other, means my PC).

Another means is my heavy use of the power Solicit Psicrystal in conjunction with:
Control Flames, Far Hand, Matter Agitation, Id Insinuation and (really good): Control Sound and Telekinetic Force. The first lets you negate or dampen sonic dangers and spellcasting. The second adds an invisible disarming force to your party - one foe each round has to save or be disarmed.

Other nice powers for Solicit Psicrystal are Control Object (adds a minor fighter to your team), Control Air, Control Body, and the various detection powers. Overwhelming auras won't bother you, but your crystal...
Kanachi
03-13-07, 12:19 PM but.. you cant give Solicit Psicrystal to a psicrystal that makes no sense unless the psi crystal itself has its own psicrystal (if you see my meaning). Solicit Psicrystal surely has to be something you take yourself as you are the "master" of the crystal not the crystal itself. This also rases the question, can you select feats like improved psi crystal as a psicrystals feat? because the psicrystal itself is not a manifester or an owner of a psicrystal "it is a psi crystal".

or am i just reading this all wrong? (being stupid?)

also can you give a psi crystal items? putting a +4 Belt of Magnificence on a psi crystal seems a little weird to me. i mean if you can its great but otherwise all feats that require any kind of good stats (bar dex are almost entirely out of the question).
Zumarai
03-13-07, 12:28 PM I wasn't aware that a psicrystal could take Feats?
Mesiolan
03-13-07, 12:32 PM but.. you cant give Solicit Psicrystal to a psicrystal that makes no sense unless the psi crystal itself has its own psicrystal (if you see my meaning). Solicit Psicrystal surely has to be something you take yourself as you are the "master" of the crystal not the crystal itself. This also rases the question, can you select feats like improved psi crystal as a psicrystals feat? because the psicrystal itself is not a manifester or an owner of a psicrystal "it is a psi crystal".

or am i just reading this all wrong? (being stupid?)

also can you give a psi crystal items? putting a +4 Belt of Magnificence on a psi crystal seems a little weird to me. i mean if you can its great but otherwise all feats that require any kind of good stats (bar dex are almost entirely out of the question).

Sorry, I use the POWER Solicit Psicrystal on my crystal. I know, it was not the answer to your question (FEATS), but I thought it would be helpful to show you what I use the crystal for (not only feats).

I don't know what kind of items a psicrystal may use. I don't think that any item worn on a specific body part can be worn by a crystal, for it lacks these body party. Except for ioun stones, or psychoctive skins, maybe. Talk to your DM.
Racinante
03-13-07, 01:24 PM I wasn't aware that a psicrystal could take Feats?

See the FAQ, please.
Zumarai
03-13-07, 01:54 PM See the FAQ, please.

I did, and it's house-rule shenanigans.

Familiars don't get Feats, and neither do psicrystals (I just checked it out).
Scion of Coldshard
03-13-07, 02:07 PM Familiars don't get Feats, and neither do psicrystals (I just checked it out).

You have access to errata that has not even been issued yet? You should share with us! ;)

I advise people who wish to use psicrystals to go to my sig. Possibly even comment and recommend additions if possible!
Zumarai
03-13-07, 02:21 PM You have access to errata that has not even been issued yet? You should share with us! ;)

No errata needed.

If people want to house-rule that psicrystals/familiars gain Feats, that's fine.

One of my players who is playing a drow seer has been asking me about this, so maybe I will house-rule it.
crizhII
03-13-07, 02:26 PM No errata needed.

If people want to house-rule that psicrystals/familiars gain Feats, that's fine.

One of my players who is playing a drow seer has been asking me about this, so maybe I will house-rule it.

Wow.

Do you want the five minute argument or the full half hour...
Kanachi
03-13-07, 02:28 PM No errata needed.

If people want to house-rule that psicrystals/familiars gain Feats, that's fine.

One of my players who is playing a drow seer has been asking me about this, so maybe I will house-rule it.

errrm... sorry dude but saying a psicrystal is a familiar is like saying a sword is a mace because they both can kill.

Nowhere (to my knowledge) does it say that a psicrystal is in a familiar and nowhere does it say they follow identical rules.

in fact to my knowedge everything in the faq is by the rules and NOT house rules. Indeed a house rule would be to say that psicrystals ARE familiars.
Scion of Coldshard
03-13-07, 02:29 PM Do you want the five minute argument or the full half hour...

I like the simple one myself.

How many hd do psicrystals have?
How many feats do creatures with that many hd normally have?
Is there a rule that says psicrystals do not gain feats like other intelligent creatures, if so where is it and what does it say?

That usually works ;)
crizhII
03-13-07, 02:43 PM I like the simple one myself.

How many hd do psicrystals have?
How many feats do creatures with that many hd normally have?
Is there a rule that says psicrystals do not gain feats like other intelligent creatures, if so where is it and what does it say?

That usually works ;)

I think the copy/paste of the familiar rules is more conclusive.

You copy/paste the familiar rules, you find/replace the word familiar with the word Psicrystal.

You then tweak the resulting text to create the differences that you envision between the two.

What is not there is far more telling than what is.

The section about virtual HD and having the same BAB as your owner has been DELIBERATELY EXCISED!!!

Why does it not need to have its BAB explained?

Because it doesn't have 'virtual HD' and therefore it works out its BAB the same way everyone else does.

Which of course boils down to...

What he said.
Lokiyn
03-13-07, 04:09 PM Psicry Lev Feat
Level 01 Wild Talent
Level 03 Illithid Heratige
Level 06 Illithid Skin
Level 09 Illithid Grapple
Level 12 Illithid Grapple
Level 15 Illithid Grapple
Level 18 Illithid Grapple
Level 21 Illithid Extraction

Is always a fun option, although dispise the feats, the idea of a tiny rock that leaps up with tiny tentacles and rips brains out of commoners is fun.

(yes i know it defies common sence, but technically the crystal can meet the prerequisites)
edwardsobel
03-13-07, 10:01 PM errrm... sorry dude but saying a psicrystal is a familiar is like saying a sword is a mace because they both can kill.

Nowhere (to my knowledge) does it say that a psicrystal is in a familiar and nowhere does it say they follow identical rules.

in fact to my knowedge everything in the faq is by the rules and NOT house rules. Indeed a house rule would be to say that psicrystals ARE familiars.

I am not taking sides on this issue but i do recall a debate some time ago about how superior familiars were over psicrystals. and my contention was that in fact psicrystals are way better.

why bring this up? well if they are different then we should stop comparing the two (similar to my idea to stop comparing a psion to wizard after all they are different classes)
Millenia
03-13-07, 10:32 PM Feats.... I would suggest the following:

Point Blank Shot and Precise Shot, for making ranged touch attacks (Energy Ray, Crystal Shard, Disintegrate) impossible to avoid. You'll have to wait for a long time to take Improved Precise Shot, but have your psicrystal take it as well. There might be other feats that can help with avoiding concealment and cover, but I can't think of any.

Mindsight (from Lords of Madness), if you can have your DM count Telepathic Speech as a variation on Telepathy....

Improved Flight is also good, if you want your Psicrystal to take potshots from up in the sky. :B

I can't think of anything else, but I hope those help.
Artector
03-13-07, 10:39 PM Ooooh! I remember an evil trick!

Get 1 rank in Ride. Thus your Psicrystal has 1 rank in ride. Have it take Mounted Combat and have the Psicrystal ride you. You can get its Ride check as your AC.
Zumarai
03-14-07, 08:35 AM Even Bruce Cordell has admitted that psicrystals were never intended to gain Feats as a normal monster.

Sorry – house-rule away, people.

…I might.
Bacris
03-14-07, 08:55 AM Again, rules as intended and rules as written are two very different things.

Like it or not, disagree with it or not, change it however you want, by the way the psicrystals are written, they gain feats - at least until a formal errata is issued.

Do I have psicrystals have feats in my games? That's irrelevant - the wording is pretty clear, regardless of your opinion.
Zumarai
03-14-07, 09:03 AM Again, rules as intended and rules as written are two very different things.

Like it or not, disagree with it or not, change it however you want, by the way the psicrystals are written, they gain feats - at least until a formal errata is issued.

Do I have psicrystals have feats in my games? That's irrelevant - the wording is pretty clear, regardless of your opinion.

Okay, but does intention/spirit (especially from the original author) mean anything to you, or do you slavishly follow RAW?
Bacris
03-14-07, 09:13 AM Oh, absolutely - but there's a reason formal errata exists. The fact is that this question has been around for a very long time and while Bruce or CustServ can answer any which way til Sunday, the rules in both the XPH and the SRD on psicrystals clearly grant psicrystals feats.

There are DMs who adhere to RAW and don't care what board members, CustServ, or even the author say about something - whatever the rule says, that's the rule. Logic be damned. Thankfully, I have rarely encountered such DMs, but they do exist. Personally, I don't think it's unbalancing either way if psicrystals gain feats or not. I consider it lack of follow-through that the entry currently allows them if that's not intended.

If WotC et al want psicrystals to not gain feats, the psicrystal entry needs to be changed.
Witch
03-14-07, 09:22 AM Oh, absolutely - but there's a reason formal errata exists. The fact is that this question has been around for a very long time and while Bruce or CustServ can answer any which way til Sunday, the rules in both the XPH and the SRD on psicrystals clearly grant psicrystals feats.
To be fair, no errata have been issued for over half a year.
Zumarai
03-14-07, 09:25 AM If WotC et al want psicrystals to not gain feats, the psicrystal entry needs to be changed.

Agreed.

I personally feel that psicrytals should not gain Feats.

…But that's just me (and Bruce).
crizhII
03-14-07, 09:35 AM Agreed.

I personally feel that psicrytals should not gain Feats.

…But that's just me (and Bruce).

Did he explain to you why he excised the paragraph on virtual HD and BAB?

Thought not.

Bear in mind that authors are human. I've seen several examples in the past where the original intent was very clear from the way the text was written and edited and yet the author flat denied that this was so. Pride and I think a culture of not disagreeing with official Wizards policy in public are to blame.

As I recall what Bruce actually said was very brief, not 100% about what we're talking about here and he's never said another word about it despite being pestered to elaborate.
Ninetails Demon
03-16-07, 08:41 PM Dreamscarred Press just issued a new thing for Psicrystals. You could look find more feats for your psion to take, and then expand upon those with your psicrystal's feats.
FrostWolf
03-16-07, 09:40 PM wild talent, a level of wilder, then psicrystal affinity.:D :P ;) :)
Racinante
03-17-07, 09:10 PM wild talent, a level of wilder, then psicrystal affinity.:D :P ;) :)

Of course nothing currently allows psicrystals to take class levels.
FrostWolf
03-18-07, 10:09 AM Of course nothing currently allows psicrystals to take class levels.

I know. But the thought of any pet having it's own pet makes me chuckle.:)
awaken_D_M_golem
03-18-07, 04:15 PM Feats :

Lokiyn above posted a great idea.
The Psicrystal doesn't have good stats - a five letter conundrum.

Dex 15 goes away under various circumstances.
Int 13 comes on somewhat late.
Get CHA boosted to 11 , you could take Hidden Talent , but 1st level powers don't do much then.

Whatever you choose , don't take Leadership.
But if you take Leadership , don't take too many Improved Psicrystals.
But if ... don't let the next take Leadership ... etc.

If you get you Psicrystal up to 21st level , you get a power up to 8th level , just no XP cost-ers.
Here , Psionic Talent and Expanded Knowledge make for minor nuisance fun.

I'd concentrate on feats that work with the Share Powers ability ,
that is if you don't like what Lokiyn posted.
Kanachi
03-19-07, 02:12 PM Feats :
I'd concentrate on feats that work with the Share Powers ability

can you give recommendations?
Scion of Coldshard
03-19-07, 02:23 PM I would really like to use fusion on it. Have the psicrystal pick feats that compliment my own, fuse with it, get lots of cool abilities and have fun.

Unfortunately there is a type issue and that stupid exp cost! ;/
InkBlot
03-19-07, 02:33 PM A warforged could fuse with his psicrystal. Both are constructs. Still have to put up with the XP cost though.
Scion of Coldshard
03-19-07, 02:51 PM Basically the only viable solution so far yeah ;/ I dont want to play another warforged anytime soon though, I've already played several. Not that it matters though, with that exp cost I would never do it. The penalty outweighs the benefit way too much!
Kanachi
03-19-07, 05:03 PM yer it seems like there arn't really that many feats atall which your psicrystal can use (and which are useful/good)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Kanachi 03-12-07, 09:35 PM	The title kind of says it all but i'm basically just interested in knowing what feats people recommend picking for a psi crystal (of 7th level, serving a scout/psion/elocator build). Thanks!
Bacris 03-12-07, 09:39 PM	Depends - what role does the psicrystal play?
Artector 03-12-07, 09:56 PM	I agree with Bacris. Skill Foci can be useful, and possibly wild talent and some psionic feats might be a nice buff.
Scion of Coldshard 03-12-07, 10:05 PM	There are a few ideas in my sig.
Kanachi 03-13-07, 08:45 AM	I'll probably use the psi crystal as a scout communications device but would like it to have some interesting abilities represented by its feats. I was thinking of giving it open minded twice to gain a +10 craft (poison making) rank. and use it as a way of applying and creating poisons without risk (constructs are immune to poisons after all). Would this be a good idea? I was also thinking about giving it the wild talent feat but it seems like there are very few psionic feats a psi crystal could actually use is it has no manifester levels of its own (or at least i asume not). My other idea was perhaps trying to use the psicrystal as a power point storage device (wild talent + psionic talent), though i'm not sure if this would work. anyway, any advice any of you can offer would be fantastic :D
Artector 03-13-07, 09:34 AM	About the Poisonmaking, make sure it doesn't exceed the normal limits. Also its possible that it can't gain a benefit from open-minded, as this line dictates what Psi-crystal skill points are: "A psicrystal has the same skill ranks as its owner, except that it has a minimum of 4 ranks each in Spot, Listen, Move Silently, and Search. (Even if its owner has no ranks in these skills, a psicrystal has 4 ranks in each.) A psicrystal uses its own ability modifiers on skill checks." You couldn't really use it as a storage device because those Power Points are its own. Thus you can't access them. Wild Talent+Speed of Thought would mean its quicker. For humor: Improved Unarmed Strike and Deflect Arrows. (I'm pretty sure it could actually be done too)
Scion of Coldshard 03-13-07, 09:37 AM	As mentioned, open minded wont help. You can get skill focus and similar skill boosters though and pick up ranks in craft(poisonmaking) yourself. Although the psicrystal might have difficultly manipulating components to actually use the skill.
Bacris 03-13-07, 09:49 AM	Bah, it doesn't have the CHA for Hidden Talent. It also doesn't have the Wis for Speed of Thought. Stealthy could be a good one. Track, as well.
Scion of Coldshard 03-13-07, 09:59 AM	If you give it a +4 Belt of Magnificence it will qualify for a lot more feats......
crizhII 03-13-07, 10:59 AM	Weapon Finesse is a pretty good investment. Improves its 'to-hit' by about 8 straight of the bat, useful for delivering touch attacks. I've taken Skill Focus: Heal, which lets our little guy care of injured or diseased/poisoned party members. It stands a good chance of stabilising anyone that's dying. Not exactly super-powered but at our level its been more than a little useful.
Mesiolan 03-13-07, 11:21 AM	My DM ruled that a destroyed crystal is replaced after 24 hours of meditation. This amount of time is not available in our campaign (Red Hand of Doom). So I raised the DEX score of the crystal at Lv 4 for AC and REF save. Then it got Lightning Reflexes - we are fighting many beasts with breath weapons and it is rather difficult to repair. Further it has Negotiator, to help with my sense motive skill and so on. I use it as a skill booster (+2 to almost every knowledge skill check, and many other skill checks, since it can perform Aid Other, means my PC). Another means is my heavy use of the power Solicit Psicrystal in conjunction with: Control Flames, Far Hand, Matter Agitation, Id Insinuation and (really good): Control Sound and Telekinetic Force. The first lets you negate or dampen sonic dangers and spellcasting. The second adds an invisible disarming force to your party - one foe each round has to save or be disarmed. Other nice powers for Solicit Psicrystal are Control Object (adds a minor fighter to your team), Control Air, Control Body, and the various detection powers. Overwhelming auras won't bother you, but your crystal...
Kanachi 03-13-07, 12:19 PM	but.. you cant give Solicit Psicrystal to a psicrystal that makes no sense unless the psi crystal itself has its own psicrystal (if you see my meaning). Solicit Psicrystal surely has to be something you take yourself as you are the "master" of the crystal not the crystal itself. This also rases the question, can you select feats like improved psi crystal as a psicrystals feat? because the psicrystal itself is not a manifester or an owner of a psicrystal "it is a psi crystal". or am i just reading this all wrong? (being stupid?) also can you give a psi crystal items? putting a +4 Belt of Magnificence on a psi crystal seems a little weird to me. i mean if you can its great but otherwise all feats that require any kind of good stats (bar dex are almost entirely out of the question).
Zumarai 03-13-07, 12:28 PM	I wasn't aware that a psicrystal could take Feats?
Mesiolan 03-13-07, 12:32 PM	but.. you cant give Solicit Psicrystal to a psicrystal that makes no sense unless the psi crystal itself has its own psicrystal (if you see my meaning). Solicit Psicrystal surely has to be something you take yourself as you are the "master" of the crystal not the crystal itself. This also rases the question, can you select feats like improved psi crystal as a psicrystals feat? because the psicrystal itself is not a manifester or an owner of a psicrystal "it is a psi crystal". or am i just reading this all wrong? (being stupid?) also can you give a psi crystal items? putting a +4 Belt of Magnificence on a psi crystal seems a little weird to me. i mean if you can its great but otherwise all feats that require any kind of good stats (bar dex are almost entirely out of the question). Sorry, I use the POWER Solicit Psicrystal on my crystal. I know, it was not the answer to your question (FEATS), but I thought it would be helpful to show you what I use the crystal for (not only feats). I don't know what kind of items a psicrystal may use. I don't think that any item worn on a specific body part can be worn by a crystal, for it lacks these body party. Except for ioun stones, or psychoctive skins, maybe. Talk to your DM.
Racinante 03-13-07, 01:24 PM	I wasn't aware that a psicrystal could take Feats? See the FAQ, please.
Zumarai 03-13-07, 01:54 PM	See the FAQ, please. I did, and it's house-rule shenanigans. Familiars don't get Feats, and neither do psicrystals (I just checked it out).
Scion of Coldshard 03-13-07, 02:07 PM	Familiars don't get Feats, and neither do psicrystals (I just checked it out). You have access to errata that has not even been issued yet? You should share with us! ;) I advise people who wish to use psicrystals to go to my sig. Possibly even comment and recommend additions if possible!
Zumarai 03-13-07, 02:21 PM	You have access to errata that has not even been issued yet? You should share with us! ;) No errata needed. If people want to house-rule that psicrystals/familiars gain Feats, that's fine. One of my players who is playing a drow seer has been asking me about this, so maybe I will house-rule it.
crizhII 03-13-07, 02:26 PM	No errata needed. If people want to house-rule that psicrystals/familiars gain Feats, that's fine. One of my players who is playing a drow seer has been asking me about this, so maybe I will house-rule it. Wow. Do you want the five minute argument or the full half hour...
Kanachi 03-13-07, 02:28 PM	No errata needed. If people want to house-rule that psicrystals/familiars gain Feats, that's fine. One of my players who is playing a drow seer has been asking me about this, so maybe I will house-rule it. errrm... sorry dude but saying a psicrystal is a familiar is like saying a sword is a mace because they both can kill. Nowhere (to my knowledge) does it say that a psicrystal is in a familiar and nowhere does it say they follow identical rules. in fact to my knowedge everything in the faq is by the rules and NOT house rules. Indeed a house rule would be to say that psicrystals ARE familiars.
Scion of Coldshard 03-13-07, 02:29 PM	Do you want the five minute argument or the full half hour... I like the simple one myself. How many hd do psicrystals have? How many feats do creatures with that many hd normally have? Is there a rule that says psicrystals do not gain feats like other intelligent creatures, if so where is it and what does it say? That usually works ;)
crizhII 03-13-07, 02:43 PM	I like the simple one myself. How many hd do psicrystals have? How many feats do creatures with that many hd normally have? Is there a rule that says psicrystals do not gain feats like other intelligent creatures, if so where is it and what does it say? That usually works ;) I think the copy/paste of the familiar rules is more conclusive. You copy/paste the familiar rules, you find/replace the word familiar with the word Psicrystal. You then tweak the resulting text to create the differences that you envision between the two. What is not there is far more telling than what is. The section about virtual HD and having the same BAB as your owner has been DELIBERATELY EXCISED!!! Why does it not need to have its BAB explained? Because it doesn't have 'virtual HD' and therefore it works out its BAB the same way everyone else does. Which of course boils down to... What he said.
Lokiyn 03-13-07, 04:09 PM	Psicry Lev Feat Level 01 Wild Talent Level 03 Illithid Heratige Level 06 Illithid Skin Level 09 Illithid Grapple Level 12 Illithid Grapple Level 15 Illithid Grapple Level 18 Illithid Grapple Level 21 Illithid Extraction Is always a fun option, although dispise the feats, the idea of a tiny rock that leaps up with tiny tentacles and rips brains out of commoners is fun. (yes i know it defies common sence, but technically the crystal can meet the prerequisites)
edwardsobel 03-13-07, 10:01 PM	errrm... sorry dude but saying a psicrystal is a familiar is like saying a sword is a mace because they both can kill. Nowhere (to my knowledge) does it say that a psicrystal is in a familiar and nowhere does it say they follow identical rules. in fact to my knowedge everything in the faq is by the rules and NOT house rules. Indeed a house rule would be to say that psicrystals ARE familiars. I am not taking sides on this issue but i do recall a debate some time ago about how superior familiars were over psicrystals. and my contention was that in fact psicrystals are way better. why bring this up? well if they are different then we should stop comparing the two (similar to my idea to stop comparing a psion to wizard after all they are different classes)
Millenia 03-13-07, 10:32 PM	Feats.... I would suggest the following: Point Blank Shot and Precise Shot, for making ranged touch attacks (Energy Ray, Crystal Shard, Disintegrate) impossible to avoid. You'll have to wait for a long time to take Improved Precise Shot, but have your psicrystal take it as well. There might be other feats that can help with avoiding concealment and cover, but I can't think of any. Mindsight (from Lords of Madness), if you can have your DM count Telepathic Speech as a variation on Telepathy.... Improved Flight is also good, if you want your Psicrystal to take potshots from up in the sky. :B I can't think of anything else, but I hope those help.
Artector 03-13-07, 10:39 PM	Ooooh! I remember an evil trick! Get 1 rank in Ride. Thus your Psicrystal has 1 rank in ride. Have it take Mounted Combat and have the Psicrystal ride you. You can get its Ride check as your AC.
Zumarai 03-14-07, 08:35 AM	Even Bruce Cordell has admitted that psicrystals were never intended to gain Feats as a normal monster. Sorry – house-rule away, people. …I might.
Bacris 03-14-07, 08:55 AM	Again, rules as intended and rules as written are two very different things. Like it or not, disagree with it or not, change it however you want, by the way the psicrystals are written, they gain feats - at least until a formal errata is issued. Do I have psicrystals have feats in my games? That's irrelevant - the wording is pretty clear, regardless of your opinion.
Zumarai 03-14-07, 09:03 AM	Again, rules as intended and rules as written are two very different things. Like it or not, disagree with it or not, change it however you want, by the way the psicrystals are written, they gain feats - at least until a formal errata is issued. Do I have psicrystals have feats in my games? That's irrelevant - the wording is pretty clear, regardless of your opinion. Okay, but does intention/spirit (especially from the original author) mean anything to you, or do you slavishly follow RAW?
Bacris 03-14-07, 09:13 AM	Oh, absolutely - but there's a reason formal errata exists. The fact is that this question has been around for a very long time and while Bruce or CustServ can answer any which way til Sunday, the rules in both the XPH and the SRD on psicrystals clearly grant psicrystals feats. There are DMs who adhere to RAW and don't care what board members, CustServ, or even the author say about something - whatever the rule says, that's the rule. Logic be damned. Thankfully, I have rarely encountered such DMs, but they do exist. Personally, I don't think it's unbalancing either way if psicrystals gain feats or not. I consider it lack of follow-through that the entry currently allows them if that's not intended. If WotC et al want psicrystals to not gain feats, the psicrystal entry needs to be changed.
Witch 03-14-07, 09:22 AM	Oh, absolutely - but there's a reason formal errata exists. The fact is that this question has been around for a very long time and while Bruce or CustServ can answer any which way til Sunday, the rules in both the XPH and the SRD on psicrystals clearly grant psicrystals feats. To be fair, no errata have been issued for over half a year.
Zumarai 03-14-07, 09:25 AM	If WotC et al want psicrystals to not gain feats, the psicrystal entry needs to be changed. Agreed. I personally feel that psicrytals should not gain Feats. …But that's just me (and Bruce).
crizhII 03-14-07, 09:35 AM	Agreed. I personally feel that psicrytals should not gain Feats. …But that's just me (and Bruce). Did he explain to you why he excised the paragraph on virtual HD and BAB? Thought not. Bear in mind that authors are human. I've seen several examples in the past where the original intent was very clear from the way the text was written and edited and yet the author flat denied that this was so. Pride and I think a culture of not disagreeing with official Wizards policy in public are to blame. As I recall what Bruce actually said was very brief, not 100% about what we're talking about here and he's never said another word about it despite being pestered to elaborate.
Ninetails Demon 03-16-07, 08:41 PM	Dreamscarred Press just issued a new thing for Psicrystals. You could look find more feats for your psion to take, and then expand upon those with your psicrystal's feats.
FrostWolf 03-16-07, 09:40 PM	wild talent, a level of wilder, then psicrystal affinity.:D :P ;) :)
Racinante 03-17-07, 09:10 PM	wild talent, a level of wilder, then psicrystal affinity.:D :P ;) :) Of course nothing currently allows psicrystals to take class levels.
FrostWolf 03-18-07, 10:09 AM	Of course nothing currently allows psicrystals to take class levels. I know. But the thought of any pet having it's own pet makes me chuckle.:)
awaken_D_M_golem 03-18-07, 04:15 PM	Feats : Lokiyn above posted a great idea. The Psicrystal doesn't have good stats - a five letter conundrum. Dex 15 goes away under various circumstances. Int 13 comes on somewhat late. Get CHA boosted to 11 , you could take Hidden Talent , but 1st level powers don't do much then. Whatever you choose , don't take Leadership. But if you take Leadership , don't take too many Improved Psicrystals. But if ... don't let the next take Leadership ... etc. If you get you Psicrystal up to 21st level , you get a power up to 8th level , just no XP cost-ers. Here , Psionic Talent and Expanded Knowledge make for minor nuisance fun. I'd concentrate on feats that work with the Share Powers ability , that is if you don't like what Lokiyn posted.
Kanachi 03-19-07, 02:12 PM	Feats : I'd concentrate on feats that work with the Share Powers ability can you give recommendations?
Scion of Coldshard 03-19-07, 02:23 PM	I would really like to use fusion on it. Have the psicrystal pick feats that compliment my own, fuse with it, get lots of cool abilities and have fun. Unfortunately there is a type issue and that stupid exp cost! ;/
InkBlot 03-19-07, 02:33 PM	A warforged could fuse with his psicrystal. Both are constructs. Still have to put up with the XP cost though.
Scion of Coldshard 03-19-07, 02:51 PM	Basically the only viable solution so far yeah ;/ I dont want to play another warforged anytime soon though, I've already played several. Not that it matters though, with that exp cost I would never do it. The penalty outweighs the benefit way too much!
Kanachi 03-19-07, 05:03 PM	yer it seems like there arn't really that many feats atall which your psicrystal can use (and which are useful/good)