Is there a way to always be psionically focused? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Is there a way to always be psionically focused? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
celestialkin
04-13-08, 07:44 PM I need some help guys,

I love my psionics and psions, but I have always avoided anything that had to do with psionic focuses. Rereading all the feats I just noticed that I have been limiting myself. So, is there a way to remain permanently focused, or to not need to make checks?

And yes, I know at mid-high levels it is barely an issue due to a high concentration score and psionics meditation. The thing is that I suffer from short term memory issues, so I just tend to always forget about it until it is too late.

Thanks in advance for any and all help!
mod5000
04-13-08, 08:00 PM Once you enter focus, you are focused until 1. You fall unconscious (/asleep), or 2. You expend it on a feat or something else that requires you to do so.

I'm sure there are a few other things that make you lose focus (such as stun maybe), but in theory you don't have to do anything to just retain focus.
CrimsonDeath
04-13-08, 08:00 PM There's a feat in a third-party book called Hyperconscious called Permanent Focus. When you select it, you can choose one feat that requires you to maintain psionic focus (like Up the Walls). For the purposes of using that feat, you're always considered focused, whether you are or not. It has no effect on other feats or class features, and it can't be used with feats that require you to expend focus (like Psionic Shot).

Keep in mind that once you're focused, you remain focused until you fall unconscious or run out of PP. It shouldn't be too troublesome to just take 20 on a Concentration check first thing after you wake up and refresh your PP, and then just stay focused the rest of the day. That way, instead of keeping track of "Am I focused?" you're keeping track of "Have I lost my focus?", a much less frequent occurrence. If you think you'd have trouble with that, you could take a note card and right "FOCUSED" on one side and "UNFOCUSED" on the other, and then flip it over when your state changes. The biggest problem there would be remembering that you lose focus when you're knocked unconscious.
celestialkin
04-13-08, 08:53 PM Thank you for reminding me about that guys. I forgot that part. However, being permanently focused can help me out in another way, since I am looking for more than a single boost a day.

I own Hyperconcious (Love that book so much, even though the author...), so I was going to use Permanent Focus as you suggested CrimsonDeath, but I recently learned in another thread that it does not apply to what I was trying to do (Psionic Endowment).

You see, I wish to make a very dominating version of my favorite psion. This version (I so far have played him in one game in error) is going to be very big on Dominate: Psionic, and is currently very big on Charm: Psionic and Suggestion: Psionic. I wanted to use Endowment and Permanent Focus to have a permanent +2 to those save DCs. Therefore, I wanted to be able to do it multiple times in a single battle, but keeping track of if I am focused each round or not and when/if I get focus is what gets me (adds to what I already have to keep track of). Do any of you know of another way of doing this?

Thank you all for the help so far. Much appreciated.
Fatalis_902
04-13-08, 09:05 PM Well, you can always refocus each round when you expend your focus. With Psionic Meditation, you can expend your focus on Psionic Endowment, then use your move action that round to refocus, then repeat next round, etc.

Now, if you want to use multiple focuses, such as expend on endowment, then still be focused for some other purpose, look into Psicrystal Containment. It's a feat that allows your psicrystal to hold a psionic focus for you, perfect for expending on feats.
CrimsonDeath
04-14-08, 02:18 AM And if you do go with Psicrystal Containment, choosing Single-Minded for your psicrystal's personality trait will help you get focused (since it gives a +3 to Concentration checks).
mod5000
04-14-08, 02:51 AM Slight derail--does anyone know a way to stop taking AoOs when gaining psionic focus?
zuul88
04-14-08, 03:22 AM Slight derail--does anyone know a way to stop taking AoOs when gaining psionic focus?

There is a feat in UTP(on the laptop not desktop right now...so does that count as "away from computer") That makes gaining focus a swift action, swift action dont garner AoO cause they are using less then a second of the six in the round or at least thats my belief.

Respect
Nathan
CrimsonDeath
04-14-08, 03:26 AM Slight derail--does anyone know a way to stop taking AoOs when gaining psionic focus?

Technically, you can make a DC 15 Concentration check to avoid taking AOOs when making a skill check that would normally provoke them.

A lot of people rule that you can't do that when regaining psionic focus because it's kind of silly. But some don't.
mod5000
04-14-08, 04:17 AM zuul88: Could you find the feat by any chance? (Familiar with the ToB one, but IIRC that's 3/day.)

CrimsonDeath: Any text that supports that you can make skill checks and the like accompanied with a DC 15 concentration check to not take AoOs?
Asurya
04-14-08, 06:10 AM depending on how you interpret this:
quote SRD on Concentration:
Special: You can use Concentration to cast a spell, use a spell-like ability, or use a skill defensively, so as to avoid attacks of opportunity altogether. This doesn't apply to other actions that might provoke attacks of opportunity.

The DC of the check is 15 (plus the spell's level, if casting a spell or using a spell-like ability defensively).

a DC15 Concentration check would enable you to use Concentration defensively (the DC20 refocusing that is)

it could be argued that the Concentration check is only a part and as such does not grant the special use under using a skill though.
Fatalis_902
04-14-08, 07:00 AM RAW, you are using the Concentration skill to become Psionically Focused, so it works. Whether it makes any sense, however, is debatable. But it is RAW.
DracoPhoenix
04-14-08, 07:09 AM As to the short term memory problem, two options:

1) Post-it note on the character sheet with "Refocus" in capitals.
2) Have a standing action with you DM that if you don't move (/move action) you automatically refocus. Unfortunately this would require at least level 5 for psi-meditation.

I use #2, it's a lot easier than rolling "anything - even a one" every round. The problem then becomes remembering if you do it before or after you manifest once you've actually moved...
InkBlot
04-14-08, 12:25 PM One of my friends made a headband with the word FOCUS on it in two-inch-tall letters. When his character is focused, he puts it on, and he takes it off when he expends focus.
The_Mess
04-14-08, 01:11 PM I just used a flat rock with "Focused!" on one side and "Awk! Must... get... focused..." on the other.
Xeraph
04-14-08, 02:05 PM One of my friends made a headband with the word FOCUS on it in two-inch-tall letters. When his character is focused, he puts it on, and he takes it off when he expends focus.

Love it! :D
Zenbu
04-14-08, 02:20 PM The Ascetic Psion feat in the Eberron Campaign book allows you to focus without provoking AoOs. I'd assume taking psionic meditation after having that feat would allow you to focus as a move action without provoking AoOs as well.
DracoPhoenix
04-15-08, 06:18 AM One of my friends made a headband with the word FOCUS on it in two-inch-tall letters. When his character is focused, he puts it on, and he takes it off when he expends focus.

Does it be come divine when the cleric puts it on?

:D

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
celestialkin 04-13-08, 07:44 PM	I need some help guys, I love my psionics and psions, but I have always avoided anything that had to do with psionic focuses. Rereading all the feats I just noticed that I have been limiting myself. So, is there a way to remain permanently focused, or to not need to make checks? And yes, I know at mid-high levels it is barely an issue due to a high concentration score and psionics meditation. The thing is that I suffer from short term memory issues, so I just tend to always forget about it until it is too late. Thanks in advance for any and all help!
mod5000 04-13-08, 08:00 PM	Once you enter focus, you are focused until 1. You fall unconscious (/asleep), or 2. You expend it on a feat or something else that requires you to do so. I'm sure there are a few other things that make you lose focus (such as stun maybe), but in theory you don't have to do anything to just retain focus.
CrimsonDeath 04-13-08, 08:00 PM	There's a feat in a third-party book called Hyperconscious called Permanent Focus. When you select it, you can choose one feat that requires you to maintain psionic focus (like Up the Walls). For the purposes of using that feat, you're always considered focused, whether you are or not. It has no effect on other feats or class features, and it can't be used with feats that require you to expend focus (like Psionic Shot). Keep in mind that once you're focused, you remain focused until you fall unconscious or run out of PP. It shouldn't be too troublesome to just take 20 on a Concentration check first thing after you wake up and refresh your PP, and then just stay focused the rest of the day. That way, instead of keeping track of "Am I focused?" you're keeping track of "Have I lost my focus?", a much less frequent occurrence. If you think you'd have trouble with that, you could take a note card and right "FOCUSED" on one side and "UNFOCUSED" on the other, and then flip it over when your state changes. The biggest problem there would be remembering that you lose focus when you're knocked unconscious.
celestialkin 04-13-08, 08:53 PM	Thank you for reminding me about that guys. I forgot that part. However, being permanently focused can help me out in another way, since I am looking for more than a single boost a day. I own Hyperconcious (Love that book so much, even though the author...), so I was going to use Permanent Focus as you suggested CrimsonDeath, but I recently learned in another thread that it does not apply to what I was trying to do (Psionic Endowment). You see, I wish to make a very dominating version of my favorite psion. This version (I so far have played him in one game in error) is going to be very big on Dominate: Psionic, and is currently very big on Charm: Psionic and Suggestion: Psionic. I wanted to use Endowment and Permanent Focus to have a permanent +2 to those save DCs. Therefore, I wanted to be able to do it multiple times in a single battle, but keeping track of if I am focused each round or not and when/if I get focus is what gets me (adds to what I already have to keep track of). Do any of you know of another way of doing this? Thank you all for the help so far. Much appreciated.
Fatalis_902 04-13-08, 09:05 PM	Well, you can always refocus each round when you expend your focus. With Psionic Meditation, you can expend your focus on Psionic Endowment, then use your move action that round to refocus, then repeat next round, etc. Now, if you want to use multiple focuses, such as expend on endowment, then still be focused for some other purpose, look into Psicrystal Containment. It's a feat that allows your psicrystal to hold a psionic focus for you, perfect for expending on feats.
CrimsonDeath 04-14-08, 02:18 AM	And if you do go with Psicrystal Containment, choosing Single-Minded for your psicrystal's personality trait will help you get focused (since it gives a +3 to Concentration checks).
mod5000 04-14-08, 02:51 AM	Slight derail--does anyone know a way to stop taking AoOs when gaining psionic focus?
zuul88 04-14-08, 03:22 AM	Slight derail--does anyone know a way to stop taking AoOs when gaining psionic focus? There is a feat in UTP(on the laptop not desktop right now...so does that count as "away from computer") That makes gaining focus a swift action, swift action dont garner AoO cause they are using less then a second of the six in the round or at least thats my belief. Respect Nathan
CrimsonDeath 04-14-08, 03:26 AM	Slight derail--does anyone know a way to stop taking AoOs when gaining psionic focus? Technically, you can make a DC 15 Concentration check to avoid taking AOOs when making a skill check that would normally provoke them. A lot of people rule that you can't do that when regaining psionic focus because it's kind of silly. But some don't.
mod5000 04-14-08, 04:17 AM	zuul88: Could you find the feat by any chance? (Familiar with the ToB one, but IIRC that's 3/day.) CrimsonDeath: Any text that supports that you can make skill checks and the like accompanied with a DC 15 concentration check to not take AoOs?
Asurya 04-14-08, 06:10 AM	depending on how you interpret this: quote SRD on Concentration: Special: You can use Concentration to cast a spell, use a spell-like ability, or use a skill defensively, so as to avoid attacks of opportunity altogether. This doesn't apply to other actions that might provoke attacks of opportunity. The DC of the check is 15 (plus the spell's level, if casting a spell or using a spell-like ability defensively). a DC15 Concentration check would enable you to use Concentration defensively (the DC20 refocusing that is) it could be argued that the Concentration check is only a part and as such does not grant the special use under using a skill though.
Fatalis_902 04-14-08, 07:00 AM	RAW, you are using the Concentration skill to become Psionically Focused, so it works. Whether it makes any sense, however, is debatable. But it is RAW.
DracoPhoenix 04-14-08, 07:09 AM	As to the short term memory problem, two options: 1) Post-it note on the character sheet with "Refocus" in capitals. 2) Have a standing action with you DM that if you don't move (/move action) you automatically refocus. Unfortunately this would require at least level 5 for psi-meditation. I use #2, it's a lot easier than rolling "anything - even a one" every round. The problem then becomes remembering if you do it before or after you manifest once you've actually moved...
InkBlot 04-14-08, 12:25 PM	One of my friends made a headband with the word FOCUS on it in two-inch-tall letters. When his character is focused, he puts it on, and he takes it off when he expends focus.
The_Mess 04-14-08, 01:11 PM	I just used a flat rock with "Focused!" on one side and "Awk! Must... get... focused..." on the other.
Xeraph 04-14-08, 02:05 PM	One of my friends made a headband with the word FOCUS on it in two-inch-tall letters. When his character is focused, he puts it on, and he takes it off when he expends focus. Love it! :D
Zenbu 04-14-08, 02:20 PM	The Ascetic Psion feat in the Eberron Campaign book allows you to focus without provoking AoOs. I'd assume taking psionic meditation after having that feat would allow you to focus as a move action without provoking AoOs as well.
DracoPhoenix 04-15-08, 06:18 AM	One of my friends made a headband with the word FOCUS on it in two-inch-tall letters. When his character is focused, he puts it on, and he takes it off when he expends focus. Does it be come divine when the cleric puts it on? :D