Power questions [Archive] - Wizards Community

Power questions [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
neanter
11-09-07, 06:51 AM 1: Does a ray pass through multiple creatures?
2: Can one recover the concentration on a power after having given it to a psicrystal through solicit psicrystal?
3: Damp power, all effects during that immediate action and the end of your next turn are dampened or just one? The power states that energy ray aug. to 5d6 does only 5 dam. what about the elemental bonus? fire +1...
4: The psionic version of permanency cannot be dispelled?
5: Energy push; does it work only from your present direction?
6: I'm playing a cerebremancer with the feat precocious apprentice. Can I now reform that feat into another?;) Already did that with scribe scroll.
thanks, Island
DracoPhoenix
11-09-07, 09:00 AM 1: Does a ray pass through multiple creatures?
2: Can one recover the concentration on a power after having given it to a psicrystal through solicit psicrystal?
3: Damp power, all effects during that immediate action and the end of your next turn are dampened or just one? The power states that energy ray aug. to 5d6 does only 5 dam. what about the elemental bonus? fire +1...
4: The psionic version of permanency cannot be dispelled?
5: Energy push; does it work only from your present direction?
6: I'm playing a cerebremancer with the feat precocious apprentice. Can I now reform that feat into another?;) Already did that with scribe scroll.
thanks, Island

Can't be 100% on 'em, but:

1) I don't believe so. Though a non-instant duration could possibly affect anyone walking through it - though these (and other exceptions) usually state this and are rare.

2) No. Not even co-opt concentration can be used as the psi crystal did not initially manifest the power.

3a) I may be wrong, but Immediate actions usually allow the effect to prevent something completing - for example the Elan healing ability is immediate, negating damage that would otherwise drop or kill you (if you can reduce enough damage).

3b) Not got the power to hand, but if it reduces variable effects to a minimum, then any fixed damage wouldn't be affected (i.e. the +1 from "+1 per die"). Similarly if it reduces "die damage", the +1 would be excluded as it's not part of the rolled damage.

4) Both versions can be dispelled - the duration is permanent not instantaneous. I.e. There is an active spell effect present to dispel.

5) The key bit is probably "the driving force of the energy blast pushes it back 5 feet" (my emphasis) - assuming "back" is subjective to you, then no, you couldn't change the direction the target is pushed in.

6) Usually when you lose (reform, retrain etc) anything that acts as a pre-req for anything else, unless explicitly stated, you lose access to the "anything else" until the pre-reqs are met again.
So, if you used the feat to qualify for the PrC, you would lose access to all abilities (including +manifesting / casting levels) from cerebremancer levels.
Fafnir
11-09-07, 10:37 AM 1: A ray is strictly a single-target ranged effect.
2: No.
3: Damp Power only affects the next power targeting you. It says explicitly so. Treat the power as if you had rolled all ones with every dice.
4: It can be dispelled. See DracoPhoenix's post above mine.
5: As DracoPhoenix said.
6: Beside the fact that the use of Precocious Apprentice to allow early entry in PrCs is a thorny issue, you cannot reform it, as it would make acquiring your first level in cerebremancer illegal. Also, Scribe Scroll isn't a "chosen" feat for wizards. You cannot reform it.
CrimsonDeath
11-09-07, 01:36 PM Regarding the Precocious Cerebremancer: While you can't use Psychic Reformation to get rid of Scribe Scroll and Precocious Apprentice, you can use the level 8 spell Embrace the Dark Chaos to replace them with Abyssal Heritor feats, then use the level 8 spell Shun the Dark Chaos to replace those Abyssal Heritor feats with whatever other feats you want.

I'm not sure why you'd want to get rid of Scribe Scroll. That's one of the Wizard's best tools for survival (assuming you have some downtime every once in a while).
neanter
11-10-07, 01:35 AM well, I was going to ask if one can reform feats used as prerequisite for other classes but I guess that's out of the question. What's the story with scribe scroll? As a cerebremancer, I have enough spells/powers that I don't want to lose xp to cast a spell. It is a feat even though I can't chose it. Is there an option to change it for something else otherwise? variants? I didn't find anything interesting in unearthed arcana. I would also like to exchange my familiar against something useful as I have a psycrystal.
here's another question: using telekinetic force, I can lift people's armor(with them) assuming it's under the weight limit and they fail their will save right? so I could basically make them prone in mid-air!
DracoPhoenix
11-10-07, 09:40 AM well, I was going to ask if one can reform feats used as prerequisite for other classes but I guess that's out of the question. What's the story with scribe scroll? As a cerebremancer, I have enough spells/powers that I don't want to lose xp to cast a spell. It is a feat even though I can't chose it. Is there an option to change it for something else otherwise? variants? I didn't find anything interesting in unearthed arcana. I would also like to exchange my familiar against something useful as I have a psycrystal.
here's another question: using telekinetic force, I can lift people's armor(with them) assuming it's under the weight limit and they fail their will save right? so I could basically make them prone in mid-air!

Scribe scroll & familiars are effectively class features, you don't pick them.
Psi-Ref allows you to alter the choices made, which neither of those were. That said, you could always ask the DM to allow you to "retrain" them for something else (you could achieve as Wiz 1). Possibly see if you can switch the familiar for a psi-crystal related feat.

Scribe scroll only costs xp to create the scroll. If you don't use it, you don't lose xp.

Re TKF : Might come down to the DM. While you can use it as a hold creature variant, the DM may rule it doesn't incurr any other penalty other than they can't move (as in walk). But otherwise they can fight etc as normal.

Personally, I'd be inclined to at least deny them their Dexterity as they cant move their torso, jump out the way etc.

(Also - take solicit psi-crystal and get it to handle the concentration.)
CrimsonDeath
11-10-07, 11:52 AM I think Complete Mage has a variant Wizard who doesn't get Scribe Scroll, but doesn't carry a spellbook either. He just knows his spells, and meditates in order to prepare them.
strenoth
11-10-07, 11:56 AM remember, their armor counts as an "attended item" not as just an object/ Rules are different for attended items, such as they get saving throws as per the character or creature they are attending.
neanter
11-12-07, 02:29 AM "Scribe scroll only costs xp to create the scroll. If you don't use it, you don't lose xp."
ooo didn't know that! but anyway lets see...
-I noticed that I can reform psicrystal affinity since it only enables you to create one, not keep one.
-ENERGY PUSH: this is a ray? so I need to make ranged touch attack? I thought it couldn't miss? What happens when you cast it from above a creature?
-Can a psicrystal solicited take care of a flaming sphere and a telekinetic force at the same time?
InkBlot
11-12-07, 02:43 AM On energy push: It is a ray, but it doesn't state that it needs an attack roll. Since the power already allows a saving throw and a strength check to take full affect, requiring an attack roll as well makes it worthless. However, you'll have to double-check with your DM.

It makes sense that energy push would only be able to push someone directly away from you. It's a natural interpretation. Pushing someone into the ground, by firing from directly above, would have the same affect as pushing that person into a wall.

I'm surprised you didn't ask whether or not energy push can push someone up a flight of stairs or a ramp. This depends on whether you see energy push as an instantaneous burst of explosive force, or as a sustained blast. Assume your victim is standing at the base of the stairs, and you're standing 15 feet away from your victim. If the former, the victim would fly off in one direction and then stop once it hit the stairs. If the later, you could continue to apply pressure at a slightly different angle to push the victim up the stairs.

On reforming Psicrystal Affinity: If you lose the feat then you lose the crystal. I wouldn't want to play under a DM gullible enough to let you reform away the feat and keep the crystal.

On solicit psicrystal: Concentrating on a spell or power takes a standard action each round, and your psicrystal only has one standard action each round. In other words -- no, that doesn't work.
neanter
11-13-07, 04:31 AM On solicit psicrystal: Concentrating on a spell or power takes a standard action each round, and your psicrystal only has one standard action each round. In other words -- no, that doesn't work.

Flaming sphere needs a move action to make it move, otherwise it stays put. so, it still doesn't work?
InkBlot
11-13-07, 06:06 AM Sorry, I assumed flaming sphere had a duration of concentration. It doesn't, which means that your idea still wouldn't work, but for an entirely different reason.

First of all, concentrating on flaming sphere is a standard action. Only directing it is a move action. Concentrating on a spell/power, and directing a spell/power, are two very seperate things. Directing any spell/power requires a move action (PHB p143).

Solicit psicrystal only allows your psicrystal to take over concentrating on a power for you. It doesn't allow the psicrystal to direct the power for you. Having your psicrystal take over responsibility for concentrating on flaming sphere would have no major effect. The psicrystal would gain the ability to concentrate on the flaming sphere, but would never need to use that ability.
DracoPhoenix
11-13-07, 06:12 AM Flaming sphere needs a move action to make it move, otherwise it stays put. so, it still doesn't work?

solicit psycrystal (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/powers/solicitPsicrystal.htm) allows your pet rock to maintain concentration on a single power.

That means spells - redirection or concentration are out.
I'd also infer you can't stack this for two reasons:
1) the phrase "single power"
2) you are reduced to a move action per round - which would infer that any concentration takes up a standard action much like most metamagics increase casting time to a full round for sorcs, regardless of original casting time.

(btw, you know you've been on this board when you look for solicit psi-crystal under "p"...)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
neanter 11-09-07, 06:51 AM	1: Does a ray pass through multiple creatures? 2: Can one recover the concentration on a power after having given it to a psicrystal through solicit psicrystal? 3: Damp power, all effects during that immediate action and the end of your next turn are dampened or just one? The power states that energy ray aug. to 5d6 does only 5 dam. what about the elemental bonus? fire +1... 4: The psionic version of permanency cannot be dispelled? 5: Energy push; does it work only from your present direction? 6: I'm playing a cerebremancer with the feat precocious apprentice. Can I now reform that feat into another?;) Already did that with scribe scroll. thanks, Island
DracoPhoenix 11-09-07, 09:00 AM	1: Does a ray pass through multiple creatures? 2: Can one recover the concentration on a power after having given it to a psicrystal through solicit psicrystal? 3: Damp power, all effects during that immediate action and the end of your next turn are dampened or just one? The power states that energy ray aug. to 5d6 does only 5 dam. what about the elemental bonus? fire +1... 4: The psionic version of permanency cannot be dispelled? 5: Energy push; does it work only from your present direction? 6: I'm playing a cerebremancer with the feat precocious apprentice. Can I now reform that feat into another?;) Already did that with scribe scroll. thanks, Island Can't be 100% on 'em, but: 1) I don't believe so. Though a non-instant duration could possibly affect anyone walking through it - though these (and other exceptions) usually state this and are rare. 2) No. Not even co-opt concentration can be used as the psi crystal did not initially manifest the power. 3a) I may be wrong, but Immediate actions usually allow the effect to prevent something completing - for example the Elan healing ability is immediate, negating damage that would otherwise drop or kill you (if you can reduce enough damage). 3b) Not got the power to hand, but if it reduces variable effects to a minimum, then any fixed damage wouldn't be affected (i.e. the +1 from "+1 per die"). Similarly if it reduces "die damage", the +1 would be excluded as it's not part of the rolled damage. 4) Both versions can be dispelled - the duration is permanent not instantaneous. I.e. There is an active spell effect present to dispel. 5) The key bit is probably "the driving force of the energy blast pushes it back 5 feet" (my emphasis) - assuming "back" is subjective to you, then no, you couldn't change the direction the target is pushed in. 6) Usually when you lose (reform, retrain etc) anything that acts as a pre-req for anything else, unless explicitly stated, you lose access to the "anything else" until the pre-reqs are met again. So, if you used the feat to qualify for the PrC, you would lose access to all abilities (including +manifesting / casting levels) from cerebremancer levels.
Fafnir 11-09-07, 10:37 AM	1: A ray is strictly a single-target ranged effect. 2: No. 3: Damp Power only affects the next power targeting you. It says explicitly so. Treat the power as if you had rolled all ones with every dice. 4: It can be dispelled. See DracoPhoenix's post above mine. 5: As DracoPhoenix said. 6: Beside the fact that the use of Precocious Apprentice to allow early entry in PrCs is a thorny issue, you cannot reform it, as it would make acquiring your first level in cerebremancer illegal. Also, Scribe Scroll isn't a "chosen" feat for wizards. You cannot reform it.
CrimsonDeath 11-09-07, 01:36 PM	Regarding the Precocious Cerebremancer: While you can't use Psychic Reformation to get rid of Scribe Scroll and Precocious Apprentice, you can use the level 8 spell Embrace the Dark Chaos to replace them with Abyssal Heritor feats, then use the level 8 spell Shun the Dark Chaos to replace those Abyssal Heritor feats with whatever other feats you want. I'm not sure why you'd want to get rid of Scribe Scroll. That's one of the Wizard's best tools for survival (assuming you have some downtime every once in a while).
neanter 11-10-07, 01:35 AM	well, I was going to ask if one can reform feats used as prerequisite for other classes but I guess that's out of the question. What's the story with scribe scroll? As a cerebremancer, I have enough spells/powers that I don't want to lose xp to cast a spell. It is a feat even though I can't chose it. Is there an option to change it for something else otherwise? variants? I didn't find anything interesting in unearthed arcana. I would also like to exchange my familiar against something useful as I have a psycrystal. here's another question: using telekinetic force, I can lift people's armor(with them) assuming it's under the weight limit and they fail their will save right? so I could basically make them prone in mid-air!
DracoPhoenix 11-10-07, 09:40 AM	well, I was going to ask if one can reform feats used as prerequisite for other classes but I guess that's out of the question. What's the story with scribe scroll? As a cerebremancer, I have enough spells/powers that I don't want to lose xp to cast a spell. It is a feat even though I can't chose it. Is there an option to change it for something else otherwise? variants? I didn't find anything interesting in unearthed arcana. I would also like to exchange my familiar against something useful as I have a psycrystal. here's another question: using telekinetic force, I can lift people's armor(with them) assuming it's under the weight limit and they fail their will save right? so I could basically make them prone in mid-air! Scribe scroll & familiars are effectively class features, you don't pick them. Psi-Ref allows you to alter the choices made, which neither of those were. That said, you could always ask the DM to allow you to "retrain" them for something else (you could achieve as Wiz 1). Possibly see if you can switch the familiar for a psi-crystal related feat. Scribe scroll only costs xp to create the scroll. If you don't use it, you don't lose xp. Re TKF : Might come down to the DM. While you can use it as a hold creature variant, the DM may rule it doesn't incurr any other penalty other than they can't move (as in walk). But otherwise they can fight etc as normal. Personally, I'd be inclined to at least deny them their Dexterity as they cant move their torso, jump out the way etc. (Also - take solicit psi-crystal and get it to handle the concentration.)
CrimsonDeath 11-10-07, 11:52 AM	I think Complete Mage has a variant Wizard who doesn't get Scribe Scroll, but doesn't carry a spellbook either. He just knows his spells, and meditates in order to prepare them.
strenoth 11-10-07, 11:56 AM	remember, their armor counts as an "attended item" not as just an object/ Rules are different for attended items, such as they get saving throws as per the character or creature they are attending.
neanter 11-12-07, 02:29 AM	"Scribe scroll only costs xp to create the scroll. If you don't use it, you don't lose xp." ooo didn't know that! but anyway lets see... -I noticed that I can reform psicrystal affinity since it only enables you to create one, not keep one. -ENERGY PUSH: this is a ray? so I need to make ranged touch attack? I thought it couldn't miss? What happens when you cast it from above a creature? -Can a psicrystal solicited take care of a flaming sphere and a telekinetic force at the same time?
InkBlot 11-12-07, 02:43 AM	On energy push: It is a ray, but it doesn't state that it needs an attack roll. Since the power already allows a saving throw and a strength check to take full affect, requiring an attack roll as well makes it worthless. However, you'll have to double-check with your DM. It makes sense that energy push would only be able to push someone directly away from you. It's a natural interpretation. Pushing someone into the ground, by firing from directly above, would have the same affect as pushing that person into a wall. I'm surprised you didn't ask whether or not energy push can push someone up a flight of stairs or a ramp. This depends on whether you see energy push as an instantaneous burst of explosive force, or as a sustained blast. Assume your victim is standing at the base of the stairs, and you're standing 15 feet away from your victim. If the former, the victim would fly off in one direction and then stop once it hit the stairs. If the later, you could continue to apply pressure at a slightly different angle to push the victim up the stairs. On reforming Psicrystal Affinity: If you lose the feat then you lose the crystal. I wouldn't want to play under a DM gullible enough to let you reform away the feat and keep the crystal. On solicit psicrystal: Concentrating on a spell or power takes a standard action each round, and your psicrystal only has one standard action each round. In other words -- no, that doesn't work.
neanter 11-13-07, 04:31 AM	On solicit psicrystal: Concentrating on a spell or power takes a standard action each round, and your psicrystal only has one standard action each round. In other words -- no, that doesn't work. Flaming sphere needs a move action to make it move, otherwise it stays put. so, it still doesn't work?
InkBlot 11-13-07, 06:06 AM	Sorry, I assumed flaming sphere had a duration of concentration. It doesn't, which means that your idea still wouldn't work, but for an entirely different reason. First of all, concentrating on flaming sphere is a standard action. Only directing it is a move action. Concentrating on a spell/power, and directing a spell/power, are two very seperate things. Directing any spell/power requires a move action (PHB p143). Solicit psicrystal only allows your psicrystal to take over concentrating on a power for you. It doesn't allow the psicrystal to direct the power for you. Having your psicrystal take over responsibility for concentrating on flaming sphere would have no major effect. The psicrystal would gain the ability to concentrate on the flaming sphere, but would never need to use that ability.
DracoPhoenix 11-13-07, 06:12 AM	Flaming sphere needs a move action to make it move, otherwise it stays put. so, it still doesn't work? solicit psycrystal (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/powers/solicitPsicrystal.htm) allows your pet rock to maintain concentration on a single power. That means spells - redirection or concentration are out. I'd also infer you can't stack this for two reasons: 1) the phrase "single power" 2) you are reduced to a move action per round - which would infer that any concentration takes up a standard action much like most metamagics increase casting time to a full round for sorcs, regardless of original casting time. (btw, you know you've been on this board when you look for solicit psi-crystal under "p"...)