Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Tleilaxu_Ghola 05-09-07, 08:48 PM	Here's the combo (sorry if this has been mentioned earlier): Brain Lock + Solicit Psi-Crystal + Energy Current How it works: Brain-lock the guy, he only gets to make 1 save... once he's locked, solicit psi-crystal. Then fire up your energy current (get it w/ a feat). Sit back an watch his HP go away. If all goes well (both saves fail), you spend 3 (BL) + 5 (SPC) + 9+ (EC) = 17 pp for 81d6+81 damage w/o a chance to retailate. Double the fun (damage) for 6 more pp with twin power. Now, where y'all come in... HOW DO YOU UP THE BRAIN LOCK DC??!! (That's the real key to making this trick viable at higher levels). Also possible: is there an equivalent ability? Ie is there another way to make your enemy just sit there and take it for a long time? Closest thing I can think of is an extended deja vu. That'd only buy 2 rounds tho... As far as I can tell there's no heighten power metapsionic feat. Furthermore, BL doesn't have a DC increasing augment. Best I got is using bend reality to manifest it.
Tempest Stormwind 05-09-07, 09:36 PM	A combo similar to this one has been used before, but it didn't include any of the DC tricks that would be required here. (I also recall Matter Agitation being suggested as an alternative to Energy Current: Lower damage, but it doesn't require a feat to get if you're using the telepath-only Brain Lock, unlike the kineticist-only Energy Current, and it costs 8 fewer power points.) Beyond Greater Psionic Endowment, there's not much in psionics to directly up the DC, particularly on non-augmenting powers. Let's see if I can free-associate an alternative. You already mentioned using the Wish-esque powers to emulate it; that's the simplest way but also expensive (XP cost). Ectoplasmic Cocoon also forces an enemy to sit there and do nothing -- the only thing they can do in such a cocoon is use purely mental actions that don't involve line of effect or line of sight to anything outside the cocoon, with the special stipulation that the cocoon blocks ethereal travel. In my experience, the easiest way to bust one is to deal enough damage to it to break it, usually through psychokinesis powers. It's easier to escape if you're dealing with a creature capable of getting out of it (note: NOT as big a group as people think unless we're dealing with outsiders or a high-psionics campaign), but A) it isn't mind-affecting and B) the DC can be amped. The mass version even lasts for hours, so duration isn't a factor if you're high enough level to pull it off. It's a mean power. ...Of course, after typing that, I just realized that Energy Current is *also* a targeted effect, which means that ectococoon is a moot approach since it prevents the creature from being targeted by ANYTHING. Mind you, I'm not entirely sure if this is necessarily a bad thing -- if, somehow, you hit them with Energy Current FIRST and THEN Ectococoon them, you could maintain concentration on the power despite the broken line of effect, in much the same way an illusionist can cast a Silent Image and then duck behind (real) cover while keeping it going (line of effect is only needed when establishing the effect, not to maintain it, unless the effect says so). The cocoon wouldn't be damaged by the arcing current since it targets creatures and the cocoon isn't a creature. Doing so would require something like Eberron's Action Surge feat or Synchronicity cheese... and I'm actually uncertain if you *can* manifest a power while concentrating on another. It seems like you shouldn't be able to in a commonsense fashion, but I'm unaware of any rule explicitly preventing it barring allowed actions (my personal houserule would be a Concentration check as if affected by the power you are attempting to manifest while concentrating on the other). If that works, that's your best bet. It limits the scope of who you can do it to (you won't be able to get it to work on any psionic manifester with a blasting power, nor will it work on anything that has a Dimension Door power or spell-like ability, but it will stop the dimension door SPELL and any of the short-range teleports that require line of sight or line of effect. Oh, and never try this in a group -- the allies can attack the cocoon and free your target), and cuts the duration (unless you're using Mass Ectoplasmic Cocoon)... but on the bright side, it looks like it'd work. Let's try some other effects -- reducing the Will save is fundamentally the same as increasing the DC for that particular effect. Mind Fog is one of the best ways I'm aware of to trash an enemy's will save, provided he can fail that individual first save (which makes it ideal to open a multi-Will-save combo). Sadly, a psion can't reliably use it without custom items -- with the exception of shapers with their Use Psionic Device skill (which is, essentially, Use Magic Device under virtually any DM allowing psionics; I know you prefer to stick exclusively to the RAW domain, TG, but there are times when delving into the practicality of an idea is worth considering. If this is for an actual proposed character approach, you can't neglect it.). I'm unaware of any easy psionic method of dealing Wisdom damage with powers, although I seem to recall something in Complete Psionic doing that (it was one of those "burn the enemy mind away" powers that you would use on enemy manifesters; I'm pretty sure it could target Int or Wis). I'm away from my books at the moment and can't verify. ....Does any of that help?
Tleilaxu_Ghola 05-09-07, 10:29 PM	Excellent. Most Excellent. I like this line: The subject can still breathe but is otherwise helpless, unable to see outside the cocoon, speak, or take any physical actions. The subject’s nostrils are clear (air passes through the cocoon normally). The subject can execute purely mental actions (such as manifesting powers or casting spells with no verbal, somatic, or material components). Basically the ONLY way to break it is to have the following: Psionic powers that deal damage... Dimension Door or similar teleportation SPELL-LIKE ABILITIES. Even having a verbal component is still enough to cause it to fail. Having friends Dismiss ectoplasm ...Of course, after typing that, I just realized that Energy Current is *also* a targeted effect, which means that ectococoon is a moot approach since it prevents the creature from being targeted by ANYTHING. The problem with your analogy is that silent image is not targetted. My understanding of the rules is if you lose LoS, you lose the target and the spell ends. We could do something like this: 1. STD Action: Cocoon -> LINK -> Clairvoyant Sense (on target, as per RAW, RAI and CustServ clarification). Move Action: Refocus 2. No action: Clairvoyant Sense STD Action: Burrowing Energy Current Swift Action: Solicit Psi-crystal -> Maintain Energy Current Concentration Move Action: Refocus PP cost-break down: 1: Your full ML if ML = odd, ML-1 if even. Save REF DC = 13+(ML-8)/2+int 2: Full ML + 5. Save REF/FORT DC = 15+(ML-11)/2+int --- Total PP cost: 2xML+5 (or 2xML+4 for even ML). Total Damage Output: ML*(ML*1d6+1) (4.5 ML2 on average). Actions required to set up: 2 STD 1 Move Actions required to maintain: None, special: you must remain within close range of the target. Minimum Feats Required: 3 (if you are a shaper or kineticist, 4 if not. Recommended to be Kineticist to obtain as early as possible.) Minimum Level: 9 20th level numbers (for those of you who don't dig variables): 44 pp spent, 400*4.5 = 1800 damage Save DCs: 1xRef DC 19+int, 1xRef or Fort DC 19+int (gear will improve this) As a comparison, take the following fairly optimized trick: 1. Pain Affinity field -> share w/ psi-crystal, have psi-crystal exclude himself from his own field. 17 pp 2. Vigor -> Share w/ psi-crystal 20 pp 3. Energy Burst 20 pp ---- Total 57 pp, damage = 60d6+60 to all targets in 20' radius, requiring 1xRef or Fort save DC 13+(ML-5)/2+int (DC 20+int at 20th level) and 2x Fort DC 19+int. Average 20th level damage = 270 (you also suffer 170 damage from this...) I mean there are advantages and disadvantages to both methods... but in a 1v1 fight (which is really what this trick is for) the choice should be clear. You could solo dragons w/ this trick (low ref save ftw). GG
AntiDjinn 05-09-07, 10:51 PM	So the gist of the combos you are looking for is steady automatic damage + helplessness to keep the target from simply walking out of the area. Energy Current and Matter Agitation are good choices for the slow steady burn, with Matter Agitation being much cheaper. The damaging effect of Quintessence and Ectoplasmic Shambler (which also messes with vision and manifesting) are also invoked in such combos. Example: Manifest False Sensory Input (same basic efficiency as Brain Lock, cost is 2 points higher but DC is 1 higher), Solicit Psicrystal. Then (somehow) apply a glob of quintessence. As the subject begins to take damage use False Sensory Input to make him perceive the damage as coming from a different source. He could easily wipe the temporal goo off, but not if he never realizes it is there and thinks he is being injured by a rotting disease or an electrified floor. Example: Have a cow. Literally; bring an ox (or something else that has a high number of hit points but is dumb as a box of rocks and not particularly dangerous) to the dungeon. Manifest Fate Link on bossy the cow and your mark. Sure, Fate Link allows two Will saves, but bossy needs a natch 20 so it effectively hinges on one save. And the DC of Fate Link is augmentable. Now open fire on the cow. You could actually teleport away or otherwise move beyond where your subject has options to interfere; only initial distance matters. Use Energy Current or whatever else you like (use an ax if you want to save power points). If the cow looks like it might expire then apply healing; healing is not shared by Fate Link, only hurting is. The basic attack plan is: Link, depart (or hinder subject), blam, blam, heal, heal, blam, blam...... When the cow falls over with two negative levels you know the subject has expired and you can serve burgers. The party druid may want a word with you. Example: Ectoplasmic Cocoon followed by toss subject in a lake. He can't swim, but he can drown.
Tempest Stormwind 05-09-07, 10:59 PM	I find no mention in the rules whatsoever of losing a power you are concentrating on by breaking line of effect. (I actually got into a serious argument (http://boards1.wizards.com/wotc_archive/index.php/t-716969) on this board a while ago about Brain Lock; I argued the same that you did and it was shown I was wrong. The silly part is, it was a troll thread -- the poster who put it up claimed to be open in some areas but was shown to be a VERY active ENworld psi-opponent.) Thus, you don't need clairvoyant sense at all -- you could link Ectoplasmic Cocoon to your Energy Current and get the same effect. (I forgot about Link Power in my earlier statement; I think there are too many mechanical problems with that feat, so I often neglect it (to the point of not even remembering CustServ's clarification on it!), but it does seem to be the way to go here.) Thus: 1) Energy Current LINK Ectoplasmic Cocoon = 14 power points, 9d6 opening damage. You *do* need two targets to set this off, due to Energy Current's odd target line (it doesn't say "one or two"), so you might need to zap yourself or your psicrystal with it as a secondary target. Move action: Refocus. 2) No action: Ectoplasmic Cocoon. IF: Save failed: Swift action: Solicit Psicrystal (5 power points) ELSE: Goto 1. 17 power points, one focus, available from level 12 if you have Overchannel. If you think they will fail the save against Ectoplasmic Cocoon, you don't even need Psychic Meditation.
Tleilaxu_Ghola 05-09-07, 11:18 PM	EDIT: These comments made in response to AntiDjinn's post. Well, really it's a matter of maintaining a high DPR (damage per round) and power point efficiency, while also keeping the target from hurting you or your party. What this combo does is take 1 target out of the picture and kill it with minimal resource drain. At an average of 4.5ML damage per round this is hardly a "slow burn". If you really want to up the DPR (for a target with massive HP... over 2000 HP at 20th level), you can slap on another energy current for a total of 9*ML DPR, though that will consume your full round actions each round. The advantage of this trick (at least the incarnation I provide above) over domination is that it works against mind-affecting immune monsters. Matter Agitation, though nice, requires too many actions (concentration) for its DPR (1d6 per round after warm up). As for your other crazy tricks... those are far too slow to appease the typical group. The trick I show is easily integrated into any group. All you have to do is say, "Lay off this guy, I got 'im" after you land the cocoon. I mean the party might be a little miffed when you stop all your actions and start break-dancing, as your psi-crystal is steadily roasting the mummified great-wyrm dragon that was supposed to be the end-boss. Chances are you'll never see the full damage potential of this trick. At 20th level you'd be able to kill a great wyrm silver dragon in seven rounds with little fear of taking damage (landing the initial cocoon with standard gear (+10 int and psionatrix) would have a 50% probability of success, as would the EC.) Actually, with mass cocoon, you could solo 2 great-wyrm silver dragons... in 7 rounds. (or 4 rounds if they're within 15' of eachother).
Enchanter_Tom 05-09-07, 11:25 PM	Assuming CPsi didn't ruin psionatrices, those give an additional +1 to the DC.
Tleilaxu_Ghola 05-09-07, 11:34 PM	Assuming CPsi didn't ruin psionatrices, those give an additional +1 to the DC. I mentioned this in the post above yours. It's not really a solution to the OP, even a partial one, because it doesn't scale with level. That's the primary concern -- making the trick work at any given level (beyond the minimum level). All the other DCs scale, so in interest of power and symmetry, it would be nice if all components scaled with level.
Tleilaxu_Ghola 05-09-07, 11:40 PM	PS... I just checked the EC text... I'm not seeing where it REQUIRES 2 targets. The actual text states that there is a primary target and that secondary targets who come into range after the primary target is affected are dealt half damage. You know, the more I read this power description the more BAD ASS I realize it is... when mixed with solicit psi-crystal. The spell DOES NOT END WHEN THE TARGET DIES PROVIDED THERE IS ANOTHER TARGET IN RANGE. OMFG?!! On a negative note... I've noticed that the save is proced each round... booo So that reduces the probability of success greatly. However, it doesn't end if they resist for that round, provided they're a valid target in range. So basically it just prolongs the burn. In the aforementioned case of soloing two CR 26 great-wyrm dragons at once... it would still work, but it might take the full 20 rounds, instead of 7. EDIT: To make the trick more air tight, open the combo with a quickened dimensional anchor. Increases pp expendature by 10 and requires bit of a shuffle with move actions, but it is still possible to pull it off with 1 round prep, the damage beginning on the second round. This limits the methods of escape to psionic powers and allies. Is there such a thing as counter-spelling in psionics? If so, that'd be the way to handle any escape attempts. Just ready a counter-spell in round 3 and any rounds after... provided they don't break out in the first 2 rounds.
Tempest Stormwind 05-10-07, 12:20 AM	PS... I just checked the EC text... I'm not seeing where it REQUIRES 2 targets. The actual text states that there is a primary target and that secondary targets who come into range after the primary target is affected are dealt half damage.True, but there are effects that specify limits in their Target line that aren't reflected in the text, typically involving a weight limit. Just to be safe, have some defenses (Share Pain, Intellect Fortress, Damp Power, Energy Adaptation) up to begin with and zap your psicrystal as the secondary. Or use a Bag of Tricks or a puppy. Everyone loves puppies.You know, the more I read this power description the more BAD ASS I realize it is... when mixed with solicit psi-crystal. The spell DOES NOT END WHEN THE TARGET DIES PROVIDED THERE IS ANOTHER TARGET IN RANGE. OMFG?!!That is one of the main reasons it's Kineticist-only. (Do note that your version of the 'trick' isn't so easy to just plop into an actual game since it relies on three discipline-specific powers, when it really should rely only on two. I remain unconvinced that maintaining concentration requires line of effect.)On a negative note... I've noticed that the save is proced each round... booo So that reduces the probability of success greatly. However, it doesn't end if they resist for that round, provided they're a valid target in range. So basically it just prolongs the burn. In the aforementioned case of soloing two CR 26 great-wyrm dragons at once... it would still work, but it might take the full 20 rounds, instead of 7.Better than if they made the save anyway. It just normalizes things.EDIT: To make the trick more air tight, open the combo with a quickened dimensional anchor. Increases pp expendature by 10 and requires bit of a shuffle with move actions, but it is still possible to pull it off with 1 round prep, the damage beginning on the second round. This limits the methods of escape to psionic powers and allies.Or, now that I think about it, silent, stilled spells that don't target creatures, with no material or focus components (barring Eschew Materials) except those already in hand. But that guy would be prepared for you, and I'd give him the victory just for taking that much of a hit to his overall capability (he's not likely to win in many other circumstances).Is there such a thing as counter-spelling in psionics? If so, that'd be the way to handle any escape attempts. Just ready a counter-spell in round 3 and any rounds after... provided they don't break out in the first 2 rounds.No. The closest you'd get is Anticipate Power in Hyperconscious, which does let you sort of "counter-spell". No one takes it (hell, how often have you seen counterspelling show up in an actual game even WITHOUT needing a feat?). The other way is using Dispel MAGIC, which has a counterspell option that works on powers through psionics-magic transparency. Do note that Dispel PSIONICS lacks this option and will not serve for this purpose. That said, if I'm going to have to ready my action to possibly disrupt my enemy's spellcasting, I'm not going to ready to counterspell. No, sir, you know what my idea of a psionic counterspell is? DISINTEGRATE. Try making THAT Concentration check! Won't help you here, though -- none of these, not even Anticipate Power, can reach past the ectoplasmic cocoon. If you ectococoon a mage who has a stilled, silent Disintegrate handy to destroy the cocoon, you couldn't even have your wizard buddy ready an action to counterspell since you can't see if the guy is casting a spell, nor can you interact with him thanks to the way that power works. (I've actually cocooned my ALLIES before, if they get in over their heads, since the cocoon makes an effective shelter. At the very least, it intercepts and negates at least one attack against him, and at best it deters enemies from striking what they see as a debilitated foe.) You MIGHT be able to do it by plopping one of these babies (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/items/universalItems.htm#crystalAnchor) down, specifically the Energy one, as that's the most likely effect they'll use. These activate automatically and don't use any action on your part after they're set up. I'm not certain if they'd clear the ectococoon, though I'd be willing to bet it wouldn't work since they can't be interacted with without destroying the cocoon. It's still the best option I'm aware of.
BluePlayer 05-10-07, 12:22 AM	There are a couple of other options you may want to consider, although they may be somewhat situationally useful. First, the burrowing power metapsionic feat could probably be used to get through an ectoplasmic cocoon, although line of sight will still be a problem. You could still use link power to initiate the combo, but then you'd need Psicrystal Containment to use both link power and burrowing power on EC. The only reason I even mention this is that ectoplasmic cocoon states that "The creature within the cocoon is visible only as a vague shape (substantial enough to interrupt line of sight) and cannot be directly harmed or interacted with unless the cocoon is destroyed." While this doesn't explicitly say that the cocoon blocks line of effect, this still seems to be the sanest interpretation (the alternative being that, so long as the power lasts, the target is invulnerable). If I recall correctly, losing line of effect will end your concentration on a power, but burrowing power makes this a non-issue. The other idea that came to me was to suffocate the opponent. Using an extended ectoplasmic cocoon at the same level where the link power trick becomes viable, that's at least 28 rounds inside the cocoon. Most enemies that are small enough to succumb to the cocoon before serious augmentation don't have a 28 Constitution or better, so they'll have to start making checks to remain conscious. The cocoon may permit breathing, but who says that you have to let air in? Roll the hapless target into a lake, or shove his face into the dirt, or just put an airtight bag over his head. If it looks like he can outlast the cocoon, just use 10 rounds and psionic minor creation to make the nastiest, vegetable-based inhaled poison you can think of. This trick only works against breathing opponents of medium or smaller size with poor reflex saving throws, but it's very cost-effective: 7 pp and psionic focus (and extend power, just to be safe) for one dead opponent. Of course, for an enemy who isn't fire resistant, the 6 pp plus psionic focus and link power combination of ectoplasmic cocoon and matter agitation is better yet. Just hope that your enemy will expire before the cocoon does.
Tleilaxu_Ghola 05-10-07, 12:48 AM	<lots of good stuff> Dog, you realize that with the current set-up we have LoS and can burrow through the 'coon? I'd actually prep a burrowin' crystal shard... why? because... they're considered helpless (dex = 0). Hittin' their touch AC should not be a problem. Basically it's a ML*3.5 damage disrupt. At 20th level they'd need to make a DC 70+ concentration check. Good 'nuff for me. Oh and to really pimp this trick, we'd use synchronicity to prepare an arbitrary readied action. So if the dude DIDN'T try to pull a fast one, we could still use that action to contribute to the group. Unfff! psionic pwn4g3 4 teh winzorz!1!
AntiDjinn 05-10-07, 02:53 AM	One other way to kill creatures enshrouded in an Ectoplasmic Cocoon (depending on your DM's interpretation of the part about the subject's nostrils being clear) involves a funnel, a mallet, and a vial of acid (or sovereign glue).
Tleilaxu_Ghola 05-10-07, 03:21 AM	Consider using Schism to "monitor" the target with a readied interupt: 1. Astral Construct -> Distract target's friends Quicken Schism -> spend focus 1. Move Action: regain focus Swift action: Quicken clairsentience -> spend focus Schism Action: Ready damaging burrowing power on target to disrupt escape attempts. Prepare to use psi-crystal's focus (requires psi-crystal containment) STD Action: 'coon, preferably overchanneled to improve DC. 2. Move: Refocus STD: Burrowing Energy Channel Swift: Solicit Psi-crystal Schism Action: Re-ready damaging spell 3. Move: refocus . . . That's about as air-tight as it gets, barring assistance from the target's friend or a freaky concentration optimized monster... use crystal shard to bypass SR/Saves.
CrimsonDeath 05-10-07, 04:03 AM	I'm not really sure you could solo dragons with the Ectoplasmic Coccoon variety of this trick. Ectoplasmic Coccoon states that the target can breathe normally, and just about any True Dragon that can breathe has a damage-dealing Supernatural ability: the breath weapon. In 20 rounds, a dragon can use its breath weapon a minimum of five times, which is probably enough to bust that coccoon.
Tleilaxu_Ghola 05-10-07, 04:37 AM	Oh snap... that's a tight reading of the RAW. Another possible reading would stipulate that since it's an Su ability it does not require components and thus would be purely mental... but that doesn't really make a whole lot of sense... Problem: you can't interupt Su abilities. So that is a hole in this trick, a big hole if you plan on soloing great wyrms. Hmmm.... any ideas on fixing that? EDIT: Best solution I have would be to put the dragon inside a telekenetic sphere, then continue from there. But escape from a sphere, for a full caster like a great wyrm, is a piece of cake...
Mesiolan 05-10-07, 04:47 AM	Quote: Consider using Schism to "monitor" the target with a readied interupt: 1. Astral Construct -> Distract target's friends Quicken Schism -> spend focus 1. Move Action: regain focus Swift action: Quicken clairsentience -> spend focus Schism Action: Ready damaging burrowing power on target to disrupt escape attempts. Prepare to use psi-crystal's focus (requires psi-crystal containment) STD Action: 'coon, preferably overchanneled to improve DC. 2. Move: Refocus STD: Burrowing Energy Channel Swift: Solicit Psi-crystal Schism Action: Re-ready damaging spell 3. Move: refocus . /Quote End. That tactic requires a huge number of feats: At least four of the powers are discipline powers (Astral Construct, Cocoon, Schism, Energy Current), so you need at least two feats for them alone, if you are a shaper. Add Quicken, Burrow, Psicrystal, Psicrystal Containment, Psionic Meditation, and perhaps Overchannel. You will have no feats left for your Astral Construct spamming. Sound like one-trick-pony shaper to me.
Tleilaxu_Ghola 05-10-07, 06:19 AM	Sounds like you don't know what you're talking about. EK(Schism): A common feat for almost all psion builds, excluding telepaths (of course) EK (Astral Construct): Again, a feat providing a great deal of utility. EK (Energy Current): As shown here, this power is not trivial. EK ('coon): Perhaps the weakest feat required, admittedly Link Power: Powerful, common in many psion builds Quicken Power: Powerful, fairly common Psionic meditation: almost all psion builds involving metapsionics are required to take this feat anyhow... not a particularly special requirement of this trick. Overchannel: I rarely see any psion build without this Burrow: A feat fairly specific to this trick, admittedly EK (Clairsentience): A feat fairly specific to this trick Psicrystal affinity: common, handy, almost all psions take this Psicrystal containment: common in metapsionic psion builds So, a shaper would only have two "trick specific" feat. A kineticist would have 3. Not a huge feat investment if you ask me, given the power of the trick. The other feats are all fairly common psion feats, that have broad application. Even EK (Clairsentience) has other applications besides this -- scouting for example. And as for not having enough feats... again you don't know what you're talking about. Count up the feats I show above. There are 12 of them. A 20th level psion has... 12 feats, not including racial bonus feats. A shaper would have 2 free feats, a kineticist 1 free feat, a telepath 1, a seer 1, ... A human shaper would have 3 whole feats outside the ones mentioned. An Erudite would have something like 5 free feats, IIRC. And the stripped down version really doesn't require that many feats: you can drop quicken, EK schism, astral construct, and psicrystal containment, leaving you with 9 feats required. Lets see minimum level for this trick is 9... (1,3,6,9+1,5,10,+1) a human kinetist 10 could perform the trick. Just add the bells and whistles later. Min level for a shaper is 12 anyways, and they could cram in all those feats with 1 or 2 to spare by 12th level.
Mesiolan 05-10-07, 08:22 AM	I agree, most of the feats are pretty valuable, even out of this powerful combo. I'm playing a psion (kinetic) right now, and my main problem is the shortage of feats. Of 'course I could Reform next level to meet the feat requirements, but... there are some feats I really like, and which I will not put away. Not even for the presented combo. - Favored Energy - Psychic Meditation (Mind's Eye) - and Empower Power. Esp. Empower is not on your list and a MUST HAVE for each psion at level 9. Edit: A quickened Schism can only be done with Overchannel at before 11th level. And would you solo Great Wyrms, if you know you have only 30-50% chance of success (=survival)? Few PCs would.
Tleilaxu_Ghola 05-10-07, 09:08 AM	The probability of success for one dragon is around 70% with a fully geared and tricked out 20th level character. Using additional safe-guards like astral projection, I'd say that "YES, I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE AN ENTIRE EPIC CR DRAGON'S HORDE". Of course, there's the annoying problem of their breath weapon, which I have yet to properly address. As for empower... like I said, you could throw that in there. Quickened schism is what I would consider a "bell and/or whistle" for the trick. If you want to get into the nitty gritty details of how to make this in a build, that's a better question for the CO board. I'm just developing the trick itself, refining it before I start making a build that can peform it. Builds are very specific and must be predicated with an overall purpose, optimization constraints, and other selective criterion. Tricks are general, making it easier to discuss their merit in a multitude of possible builds.
InkBlot 05-10-07, 01:16 PM	... and I'm actually uncertain if you *can* manifest a power while concentrating on another. It seems like you shouldn't be able to in a commonsense fashion, but I'm unaware of any rule explicitly preventing it barring allowed actions (my personal houserule would be a Concentration check as if affected by the power you are attempting to manifest while concentrating on the other). It's not just a matter of having enough actions. You can't manifest a power while concentrating on another one. Sorry if somebody mentioned this already. Too many numbers for me to read through, although I did love the Fate Link + Cow trick.
Tleilaxu_Ghola 05-10-07, 01:20 PM	Yea, that's why the psi-crystal is doin' the concentrating for me... which allows me to cast other spells.
Tempest Stormwind 05-10-07, 01:46 PM	It's not just a matter of having enough actions. Sorry if somebody mentioned this already. Too many numbers for me to read through, although I did love the Fate Link + Cow trick. THAT'S where I saw it! Thanks! ...Of course, I assume that Solicit Psicrystal has text that allows it to be used while concentrating on another power, or else it'd be worthless. (I'm at work and can't access d20SRD.org.) Even assuming you don't go (Current + Solicit)-(Ectococoon), you can still pull it off with Link Power. ...I'll see if I can figure out a way to deal with the breath weapon during my breaks. Nothing immediately comes to mind unless there's some obscure anti-breath-weapon spell in the Draconomicon (lots of anti-dragon effects) or Spell Compendium (which has a spell for freakin' everything whether it needed a spell or not, regardless of balance or world thematics, often upgrading the spell if it's divine as well), unless you want to use Miasma (or whatever that effect is that suffocates a creature, but if that's what you're doing, why bother with Energy Current on creatures that breathe?).
PhaedrusXY 05-10-07, 02:10 PM	Edit: Nevermind... Was thinking Brain Lock paralyzed the target, instead of dazing it.
Lycanthromancer 05-10-07, 03:32 PM	There are other ways to get incredible damage-dealing efficiency, you know. My oft-vaunted favorite is the Wall of Energy + (shared with psicrystal) Energy Conversion + Split Psionic Ray + Chain Power + Greater Psionic Shot + Schism. You, your secondary mind, and your psicrystal can all blast, blast, blast all day long using the energy you soaked up from Wall of Energy (or even the torch you're holding wrong-way-up). Then again, you could get a portable hole, coat the inside with Quintessence, drop some summonables or some dominated nasties into the hole, then close it up. Time within the hole should be stopped until you open the bag again, and you can let out a virtual army the next time a critter gives you guff.