Psionic FAQ - Psicrystal update [Archive] - Wizards Community

Psionic FAQ - Psicrystal update [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Syrkres
04-09-07, 03:49 PM This may not warrent a change, but I think it may answer (or stop a lot of requests of answers) to the question as to who says that Psicrystals get Feats.

Recently WoTC put out an Article onder Rules of the Game for Animals, and the last article in the series. (link below) states the following:

Bonus HD: Extra eight-sided (d8) Hit Dice, each of which gains a Constitution modifier, as normal. Remember that extra Hit Dice improve the animal companion's base attack and base save bonuses. An animal companion's base attack bonus is the same as that of a druid of a level equal to the animal's HD. An animal companion has good Fortitude and Reflex saves (treat it as a character whose level equals the animal's HD). An animal companion gains additional skill points and feats for bonus HD as normal for advancing a monster's Hit Dice (see the Monster Manual).

I added the emphisis. It clearly states under Psicrystal that they have the skill points of their manifestor, but it clearly states above that an animal companion of the Druid, and thus the Ranger's animal companion (which is based on the Druids) gain feats based on their HD.

So a Psycrystal which is a Construct of equal HD to the Manifestor would also gain feats based on the above similar ruling PC Class "companion" ruling.

No? Just thinking it may be a good idea to link it in the FAQ to a similar ruling of "companions" from a WoTC source?

Reference: Rules of the Game
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/rg/20070206a -
Everdreaming
04-09-07, 05:01 PM I agree with your point, but I think a better comparision is the sorceror/wizard familar. Still, in the PH about the familars it says, "For the purpose of effects related to the number of Hit Dice, use the familars normal Hit Dice or the masters character level, whichever is higher". If the masters level is higher, would'nt the familar level with the wiz/sor? I think so. This is an agreement with your point, along with an alternate example.
Tempest Stormwind
04-09-07, 05:07 PM "For the purpose of effects related to the number of Hit Dice, use the familars normal Hit Dice or the masters character level, whichever is higher". If the masters level is higher, would'nt the familar level with the wiz/sor?

No. It does not actually gain hit dice. A 10th level sorcerer's raven familiar is always a 1/4 HD creature -- it's just treated as a 10th level creature for effects related to hit dice (like the Sleep spell).

This is distinct from the psicrystal, which is statted as having HD of "As master". So a 6th level master would have a 6HD psicrystal.

It's a subtle point, but already outlined in the FAQ at the top of the forum.

From game-design principles and the rules, it's clear that psicrystals gain feats. Straight from R&D, they are not intended to do so, but no rule exists to prevent them from gaining feats. Naturally, this important question we've had since 2004 was not addressed in Complete Psionic.
Azoriel
04-09-07, 05:12 PM As a bit of a side note, I've never trusted Rules of the Game for honest info ever since it spread that misinformation about how ride-by attack is supposed to work, and after realizing that every article was being written by the ever steadfast Skip Williams.

Article in question:
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/rg/20050222a
Why it's wrong:
http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=122085

Any ruling on druid animal companions (or even familiars) would have little to no bearing on rulings regarding psicrystals, as they fall under two entirely different mechanics. The animal companion receives true hit dice (as opposed to the familiar's "effective hit dice"), and largely use their own hit die totals to determine their statistical data (such as base attack, hit points, etc). The psicrystal receives true hit dice as well (according to its monster heading), but also gets statistical data derived from the master's information (half of the master's hit points, use of the master's saves and skill points, etc).

Entirely because of its monster heading, the psicrystal receives true hit dice and, therefore, its own feat progression. Whether or not you consider this a mistake and/or decide to put it to use is your own decision to make.

I think it goes without saying that this is clearly an editing error. However, seeing as how WotC won't errata it out, even while they went to the trouble to "fix" astral constructs and hostile empathic transfer...

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Syrkres 04-09-07, 03:49 PM	This may not warrent a change, but I think it may answer (or stop a lot of requests of answers) to the question as to who says that Psicrystals get Feats. Recently WoTC put out an Article onder Rules of the Game for Animals, and the last article in the series. (link below) states the following: Bonus HD: Extra eight-sided (d8) Hit Dice, each of which gains a Constitution modifier, as normal. Remember that extra Hit Dice improve the animal companion's base attack and base save bonuses. An animal companion's base attack bonus is the same as that of a druid of a level equal to the animal's HD. An animal companion has good Fortitude and Reflex saves (treat it as a character whose level equals the animal's HD). An animal companion gains additional skill points and feats for bonus HD as normal for advancing a monster's Hit Dice (see the Monster Manual). I added the emphisis. It clearly states under Psicrystal that they have the skill points of their manifestor, but it clearly states above that an animal companion of the Druid, and thus the Ranger's animal companion (which is based on the Druids) gain feats based on their HD. So a Psycrystal which is a Construct of equal HD to the Manifestor would also gain feats based on the above similar ruling PC Class "companion" ruling. No? Just thinking it may be a good idea to link it in the FAQ to a similar ruling of "companions" from a WoTC source? Reference: Rules of the Game http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/rg/20070206a -
Everdreaming 04-09-07, 05:01 PM	I agree with your point, but I think a better comparision is the sorceror/wizard familar. Still, in the PH about the familars it says, "For the purpose of effects related to the number of Hit Dice, use the familars normal Hit Dice or the masters character level, whichever is higher". If the masters level is higher, would'nt the familar level with the wiz/sor? I think so. This is an agreement with your point, along with an alternate example.
Tempest Stormwind 04-09-07, 05:07 PM	"For the purpose of effects related to the number of Hit Dice, use the familars normal Hit Dice or the masters character level, whichever is higher". If the masters level is higher, would'nt the familar level with the wiz/sor? No. It does not actually gain hit dice. A 10th level sorcerer's raven familiar is always a 1/4 HD creature -- it's just treated as a 10th level creature for effects related to hit dice (like the Sleep spell). This is distinct from the psicrystal, which is statted as having HD of "As master". So a 6th level master would have a 6HD psicrystal. It's a subtle point, but already outlined in the FAQ at the top of the forum. From game-design principles and the rules, it's clear that psicrystals gain feats. Straight from R&D, they are not intended to do so, but no rule exists to prevent them from gaining feats. Naturally, this important question we've had since 2004 was not addressed in Complete Psionic.
Azoriel 04-09-07, 05:12 PM	As a bit of a side note, I've never trusted Rules of the Game for honest info ever since it spread that misinformation about how ride-by attack is supposed to work, and after realizing that every article was being written by the ever steadfast Skip Williams. Article in question: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/rg/20050222a Why it's wrong: http://www.enworld.org/showthread.php?t=122085 Any ruling on druid animal companions (or even familiars) would have little to no bearing on rulings regarding psicrystals, as they fall under two entirely different mechanics. The animal companion receives true hit dice (as opposed to the familiar's "effective hit dice"), and largely use their own hit die totals to determine their statistical data (such as base attack, hit points, etc). The psicrystal receives true hit dice as well (according to its monster heading), but also gets statistical data derived from the master's information (half of the master's hit points, use of the master's saves and skill points, etc). Entirely because of its monster heading, the psicrystal receives true hit dice and, therefore, its own feat progression. Whether or not you consider this a mistake and/or decide to put it to use is your own decision to make. I think it goes without saying that this is clearly an editing error. However, seeing as how WotC won't errata it out, even while they went to the trouble to "fix" astral constructs and hostile empathic transfer...