Pearl of Power (Psionic) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Pearl of Power (Psionic) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Orenmir
09-25-07, 02:11 PM I'm new to Psionics, and have some questions about using a Pearl of Power. I read the description from the DMG, and I'm assuming the Magic-to-Psionics transparency rule is what allows Psionic classes to use them.

My questions have to do with using the pearl to re-manifest an augmented power.

If you manifest the power first (using your own PPs) without augmentation, can you re-manifest the power with augmentation for free using the pearl? My common sense would say: no (just wanted to check).

If you manifest the power first (using your own PPs) with augmentation, can you re-manifest the power also with augmentation for free using the pearl?

Does the power level of the pear restrict you from augmenting at all?
nobodez
09-25-07, 02:27 PM Pearls of power, per the XPH:

Treat in all ways as a cognizance crystal with power point capacity appropriate to the equivalent power level.

So, yeah, I've seen this question dozens of times, and it really should go into the FAQ if it isn't already there.
Orenmir
09-25-07, 03:07 PM Ah, thanks for that. Although, I must confess, it confuses me further.

A Pearl of Power is to be treated in ALL WAYS as a Cog Crystal? So, in other words, they are the same?

I thought that Pearls regenerated their points back the next day (Cog Crystals don't -- you have to fill them from your own PP reserve). If they do, could you simply describe them as Cog Crystals that regenerate on their own? And if that's true, why in the world do they cost the same?
The_Ditto
09-25-07, 04:06 PM Ah, thanks for that. Although, I must confess, it confuses me further.

A Pearl of Power is to be treated in ALL WAYS as a Cog Crystal? So, in other words, they are the same?

Not quite ... it means the pearl of power acts IN ALL WAYS like a cog crystal FOR PSIONIC CHARACTERS.

I thought that Pearls regenerated their points back the next day (Cog Crystals don't -- you have to fill them from your own PP reserve). If they do, could you simply describe them as Cog Crystals that regenerate on their own? And if that's true, why in the world do they cost the same?

Correct - cog crystals do not regenerate .. therefore, a pearl of power does not regenerate the PP .. (in all ways ..) .. although it does regenerate the spell level ...

Because they didn't cover the option of it being used by BOTH arcane and psionic .. you're DM will have to address that on his own ..

Our group just said, one or the other in a day .. never both ...
.. and yeah, we said "screw the raw" pearl of power regenerated the PP ... ;)
Orenmir
09-25-07, 04:43 PM From what I'm reading, a Pearl of Power is exactly the same thing as a Cog Crystal - in the hands of a manifester (non-caster). Then, why have I read in others posts in this (Psioncs) forum that a Pearl of Power is greatly preferred over a Cog Crystal?
CrimsonDeath
09-25-07, 04:44 PM Hmm... I wonder if that means a spellcaster can use a Cognizance Crystal as a Pearl of Power.

From what I'm reading, a Pearl of Power is exactly the same thing as a Cog Crystal - in the hands of a manifester (non-caster). Then, why have I read in others posts in this (Psioncs) forum that a Pearl of Power is greatly preferred over a Cog Crystal?

Because the answer to the question I just asked is probably "no". Also, Pearls of power are created using the Craft Wonderous Item feat, which can be used to create a wide variety of other useful items, such as Headbands of Intellect, Cloaks of Charisma, and Periapts of Wisdom (all of which are also eminently useful to psionic characters). Furthermore, if one uses the crafting rules from the Magic Item Compendium, psionic characters may even be able to create Pearls of Power using the Craft Miscellaneous Psionic Item feat. Meanwhile, Cognizance Crystals can only be created using the Craft Cognizance Crystal feat, and that feat can only be used to craft Cognizance Crystals.
PhaedrusXY
09-25-07, 05:28 PM Some people feel that the Cognizance Crystal effect is totally separate from the normal function of a Pearl of Power. So you could use it as a Cognizance Crystal, and a party spellcaster could use it as a Pearl of Power, at the same time. Not everyone plays it this way, but if you do, then Pearls of Power are obviously much better.
Thomar_of_Uointer
09-27-07, 10:01 AM Yeah, it sucks that you can't use a pearl of power to regenerate pp, but there's a reason behind the madness.

See, PoPs are only 1000 gp apiece. A high-level psion could just carry around buckets of them, and use them between encounters to regain pp for his high-level powers, while a wizard doing the same would only be able to do this to keep using magic missiles. This makes them much more powerful items for psions than they are for wizards if you use direct transparency.

A tenable solution would be to limit the power point to only be usable on a level 1 power and not be augmentable. However, this now makes them worse for psions because a 1 pp power doesn't deal 5 dice of damage like a level 1 wizard spell does at higher levels.

Ultimately, the pearl of power uses a mechanic that simply does not translate well to psionics, and the cognizance crystal nerf is the best solution.
AntiDjinn
09-27-07, 01:41 PM A Pearl of Power's effect can't be broken up as a Cog Crystals points can. If you have a 7th level pearl, you can throw a 7th level spell (or power) but can't throw a 4th and a 3rd. You can cast a 4th level spell with a 3 level metamagic (if you had that spell memorized and already cast it). You can also use the slot to throw a single lower level spell (because you can always memorize a spell with a higher level slot, even if doing so provides no benefit).

If you have a 13 point crystal then you can use it to manifest a 7th level power, or a 5th augmented to 13 points, or a 4th and a 1st augmented to 5 points, or 13 separate unaugmented 1st level powers. This versatility is the advantage of using points instead of slots (plus the fact that pearls don't even allow multiple uses per day, so slots may be under-used, but not sub-divided). The problem is, the advantage is not strong enough to be worth the added cost plus an entire feat required to make them.
Scion of Coldshard
09-27-07, 02:43 PM See, PoPs are only 1000 gp apiece. A high-level psion could just carry around buckets of them, and use them between encounters to regain pp for his high-level powers

Transfer of pp is one way, a character can put pp in but they cannot pull them out and place them in their own pool.

Also, you can only use pp from a single source for any manifestation. So, if you have a cognizance crystal with 1 pp the only thing you can do with that is spend a single pp on a power. You may not add more in from your own pool or from other crystals.

So yes, cognizance crystals suck a lot. AntiDjinn brings up basically one of the only advantages of them, but it certainly isnt enough.

If the crystals prices were cut in half I still think they would be overpriced for what they do.
LarryLaffer
09-28-07, 06:48 PM I'd like to point out that pearls of power only work for character's that memorize spells. Therefore Sorcorers, warmages, favored souls, shujenga ect (spontainous casters) cannot make use of them. I would group Psionic Power Point users under the spontainous or non-memorizer catagory and say you cannot use pearls of power. That's why there are such things as cog crystals. same idea just implemented differntly for a different mechanic.
Orenmir
09-29-07, 11:07 PM I'd like to point out that pearls of power only work for character's that memorize spells. Therefore Sorcorers, warmages, favored souls, shujenga ect (spontainous casters) cannot make use of them. I would group Psionic Power Point users under the spontainous or non-memorizer catagory and say you cannot use pearls of power. That's why there are such things as cog crystals. same idea just implemented differntly for a different mechanic.

Well, that would be fine; except the XPH states manifesters can use Pearls -- they are treated as Cog Crystals (page 160. table 7-1).

Doesn't this make the Craft Cog Crystal feat kind of useless? Why would any manifester grab that feat instead of Craft Universal Item? With the latter, he can make Pearls which are essetially Cog Crystals to him (plus, he can make a ton of other stuff).
Lycanthromancer
10-01-07, 06:40 PM That's pretty much what we've been saying the whole time.
AntiDjinn
10-01-07, 07:50 PM Doesn't this make the Craft Cog Crystal feat kind of useless?
No, Craft Cog Crystal was already fairly useless before this issue was raised. This was just the last nail in the coffin.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Orenmir 09-25-07, 02:11 PM	I'm new to Psionics, and have some questions about using a Pearl of Power. I read the description from the DMG, and I'm assuming the Magic-to-Psionics transparency rule is what allows Psionic classes to use them. My questions have to do with using the pearl to re-manifest an augmented power. If you manifest the power first (using your own PPs) without augmentation, can you re-manifest the power with augmentation for free using the pearl? My common sense would say: no (just wanted to check). If you manifest the power first (using your own PPs) with augmentation, can you re-manifest the power also with augmentation for free using the pearl? Does the power level of the pear restrict you from augmenting at all?
nobodez 09-25-07, 02:27 PM	Pearls of power, per the XPH: Treat in all ways as a cognizance crystal with power point capacity appropriate to the equivalent power level. So, yeah, I've seen this question dozens of times, and it really should go into the FAQ if it isn't already there.
Orenmir 09-25-07, 03:07 PM	Ah, thanks for that. Although, I must confess, it confuses me further. A Pearl of Power is to be treated in ALL WAYS as a Cog Crystal? So, in other words, they are the same? I thought that Pearls regenerated their points back the next day (Cog Crystals don't -- you have to fill them from your own PP reserve). If they do, could you simply describe them as Cog Crystals that regenerate on their own? And if that's true, why in the world do they cost the same?
The_Ditto 09-25-07, 04:06 PM	Ah, thanks for that. Although, I must confess, it confuses me further. A Pearl of Power is to be treated in ALL WAYS as a Cog Crystal? So, in other words, they are the same? Not quite ... it means the pearl of power acts IN ALL WAYS like a cog crystal FOR PSIONIC CHARACTERS. I thought that Pearls regenerated their points back the next day (Cog Crystals don't -- you have to fill them from your own PP reserve). If they do, could you simply describe them as Cog Crystals that regenerate on their own? And if that's true, why in the world do they cost the same? Correct - cog crystals do not regenerate .. therefore, a pearl of power does not regenerate the PP .. (in all ways ..) .. although it does regenerate the spell level ... Because they didn't cover the option of it being used by BOTH arcane and psionic .. you're DM will have to address that on his own .. Our group just said, one or the other in a day .. never both ... .. and yeah, we said "screw the raw" pearl of power regenerated the PP ... ;)
Orenmir 09-25-07, 04:43 PM	From what I'm reading, a Pearl of Power is exactly the same thing as a Cog Crystal - in the hands of a manifester (non-caster). Then, why have I read in others posts in this (Psioncs) forum that a Pearl of Power is greatly preferred over a Cog Crystal?
CrimsonDeath 09-25-07, 04:44 PM	Hmm... I wonder if that means a spellcaster can use a Cognizance Crystal as a Pearl of Power. From what I'm reading, a Pearl of Power is exactly the same thing as a Cog Crystal - in the hands of a manifester (non-caster). Then, why have I read in others posts in this (Psioncs) forum that a Pearl of Power is greatly preferred over a Cog Crystal? Because the answer to the question I just asked is probably "no". Also, Pearls of power are created using the Craft Wonderous Item feat, which can be used to create a wide variety of other useful items, such as Headbands of Intellect, Cloaks of Charisma, and Periapts of Wisdom (all of which are also eminently useful to psionic characters). Furthermore, if one uses the crafting rules from the Magic Item Compendium, psionic characters may even be able to create Pearls of Power using the Craft Miscellaneous Psionic Item feat. Meanwhile, Cognizance Crystals can only be created using the Craft Cognizance Crystal feat, and that feat can only be used to craft Cognizance Crystals.
PhaedrusXY 09-25-07, 05:28 PM	Some people feel that the Cognizance Crystal effect is totally separate from the normal function of a Pearl of Power. So you could use it as a Cognizance Crystal, and a party spellcaster could use it as a Pearl of Power, at the same time. Not everyone plays it this way, but if you do, then Pearls of Power are obviously much better.
Thomar_of_Uointer 09-27-07, 10:01 AM	Yeah, it sucks that you can't use a pearl of power to regenerate pp, but there's a reason behind the madness. See, PoPs are only 1000 gp apiece. A high-level psion could just carry around buckets of them, and use them between encounters to regain pp for his high-level powers, while a wizard doing the same would only be able to do this to keep using magic missiles. This makes them much more powerful items for psions than they are for wizards if you use direct transparency. A tenable solution would be to limit the power point to only be usable on a level 1 power and not be augmentable. However, this now makes them worse for psions because a 1 pp power doesn't deal 5 dice of damage like a level 1 wizard spell does at higher levels. Ultimately, the pearl of power uses a mechanic that simply does not translate well to psionics, and the cognizance crystal nerf is the best solution.
AntiDjinn 09-27-07, 01:41 PM	A Pearl of Power's effect can't be broken up as a Cog Crystals points can. If you have a 7th level pearl, you can throw a 7th level spell (or power) but can't throw a 4th and a 3rd. You can cast a 4th level spell with a 3 level metamagic (if you had that spell memorized and already cast it). You can also use the slot to throw a single lower level spell (because you can always memorize a spell with a higher level slot, even if doing so provides no benefit). If you have a 13 point crystal then you can use it to manifest a 7th level power, or a 5th augmented to 13 points, or a 4th and a 1st augmented to 5 points, or 13 separate unaugmented 1st level powers. This versatility is the advantage of using points instead of slots (plus the fact that pearls don't even allow multiple uses per day, so slots may be under-used, but not sub-divided). The problem is, the advantage is not strong enough to be worth the added cost plus an entire feat required to make them.
Scion of Coldshard 09-27-07, 02:43 PM	See, PoPs are only 1000 gp apiece. A high-level psion could just carry around buckets of them, and use them between encounters to regain pp for his high-level powers Transfer of pp is one way, a character can put pp in but they cannot pull them out and place them in their own pool. Also, you can only use pp from a single source for any manifestation. So, if you have a cognizance crystal with 1 pp the only thing you can do with that is spend a single pp on a power. You may not add more in from your own pool or from other crystals. So yes, cognizance crystals suck a lot. AntiDjinn brings up basically one of the only advantages of them, but it certainly isnt enough. If the crystals prices were cut in half I still think they would be overpriced for what they do.
LarryLaffer 09-28-07, 06:48 PM	I'd like to point out that pearls of power only work for character's that memorize spells. Therefore Sorcorers, warmages, favored souls, shujenga ect (spontainous casters) cannot make use of them. I would group Psionic Power Point users under the spontainous or non-memorizer catagory and say you cannot use pearls of power. That's why there are such things as cog crystals. same idea just implemented differntly for a different mechanic.
Orenmir 09-29-07, 11:07 PM	I'd like to point out that pearls of power only work for character's that memorize spells. Therefore Sorcorers, warmages, favored souls, shujenga ect (spontainous casters) cannot make use of them. I would group Psionic Power Point users under the spontainous or non-memorizer catagory and say you cannot use pearls of power. That's why there are such things as cog crystals. same idea just implemented differntly for a different mechanic. Well, that would be fine; except the XPH states manifesters can use Pearls -- they are treated as Cog Crystals (page 160. table 7-1). Doesn't this make the Craft Cog Crystal feat kind of useless? Why would any manifester grab that feat instead of Craft Universal Item? With the latter, he can make Pearls which are essetially Cog Crystals to him (plus, he can make a ton of other stuff).
Lycanthromancer 10-01-07, 06:40 PM	That's pretty much what we've been saying the whole time.
AntiDjinn 10-01-07, 07:50 PM	Doesn't this make the Craft Cog Crystal feat kind of useless? No, Craft Cog Crystal was already fairly useless before this issue was raised. This was just the last nail in the coffin.