Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Fleem 06-28-07, 05:54 PM	I suspect some of this has been answered elsewhere, but I couldn't find it. From the SRD: Independent Research: A psion also can research a power independently, duplicating an existing power or creating an entirely new one. If characters are allowed to develop new powers, use these guidelines to handle the situation. Any kind of manifester can create a new power. The research involved requires access to a retreat conducive to uninterrupted meditation. Research involves an expenditure of 200 XP per week and takes one week per level of the power. At the end of that time, the character makes a Psicraft check (DC 10 + spell level). If that check succeeds, the character learns the new power if her research produced a viable power. If the check fails, the character must go through the research process again if she wants to keep trying. Since a researched power takes up one of your known powers slots and you gain new powers when you gain a level, how exactly does this work? Do you perform research, then wait until your next level before acquiring the power? Do you need to perform the research immediately upon leveling up? Do you level up, then hold an empty "power known" slot until you've had time to finish your research? Do you pick a power, then replace it with the researched one at some later date? I understand that making up a new power is negotiated between you and the DM, but what are the limitations on "duplicating an existing power?" Could a Kineticist use it to learn Metamorphosis? Pick up a Psychic Warrior-only Power? Pick up a Psion 3 power as a Psion 2 power because it's second level on someone else's list? Or is it a variant on "creating a new power", where your DM might agree that a non-Egoist could research Animalistic Power, but as a 3rd level power because it's outside his specialty? I know some of this cheese is done with Expanded Knowledge, but I'm not sure how much of it, if any, applies for Independent Research.
Lycanthromancer 06-28-07, 07:43 PM	Generally, you research a power and that power is now on your class's power list. You don't actually know the power until you have a power slot available to learn it. Wonky, yes, but then, so is the d20 D&D system. Erudites have the best way to do it, as they can manifest any power available to them (a la 'wizard'), and need not have an open 'slot' for it. As far as the powers you can research, you can make unique powers (like that sucky hoover maneuver power mentioned in another thread), or any of those options you mentioned before. Pretty much any of those go. New powers, existing powers at a lower level, powers outside your discipline, or even powers not normally accessible to your class (an ardent-only power for a psion, for example). Anything you can get with the Expanded Knowledge feat you can get with research - but the feat gives you an additional power known, whereas research just allows you to put it on your class list. Note, however, that you can use dorjes and power stones with that power. Quite useful at times.
Fleem 06-29-07, 09:34 AM	Good to know. Thanks for the info.
Nom 07-01-07, 01:46 AM	Independent research = "here are some baseline mechanics for creating a new power". Once a power has been researched, the only difference between it and any other power on your class list is that it's on your list only (unless you share it with others). As a general rule, the DM should be very leery of letting characters research existing powers onto their class list, or minor variations of existing powers. Good "independent research" creates a power (or spell) that is thematically consistent with existing powers but does something novel and different.