Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Crimson_Concerto 02-28-08, 12:57 AM	While doing a site search for Warforged, I came upon the following page: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/pc/20050420a I couldn't help but think to myself, "How silly, a Kalashtar Cleric or Druid. It's like playing a Half-Orc Rogue. You're not completely nerfed, but you're still missing out on the main benefit of the race." I was, of course, referring to the fact that one of the the main racial feature of the Kalashtar is its bonus 1 PP per level. If a Kalashtar plays anything other than a psionic class, it seems it completely misses out on making use of this racial benefit. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that this is a problem for all races that receive bonus power points. If they choose not to be a psionic class, much of their appeal is wasted. So I guess here is my question: If a character of a race that grants bonus PP has no levels in a manifesting class, then how is he to make use of these bonus PP? I have two answers so far: A) He qualifies for psionic feats. Yes, I realize this is a fun benefit, but there is one major reason I want to avoid discussing this one: You only need 1 PP to do this and many races offer much more than just one, such as the aforementioned Kalashtar. Rather, I'm more looking for what I can actually spend the PP on. B) After much searching, I finally found a feat "Psychic Renewal" in the Tome of Battle which allows a character to recover a maneuver as a swift action by spending an amount of PP equal to the maneuver's level. Cool! This feat means Kalashtars can make good Crusaders, Swordsages, and Warblades, especially interesting to me because I feel that the Diamond Mind discipline fits them so well. If you know of anything else you can spend your PP on without needing levels in a manifesting class, please post your contribution! :)
InkBlot 02-28-08, 01:09 AM	Deep Crystal weaponry. 2pp for 2d6 extra damage. Charging your buddy's cognizance crystal. Fueling expanded psionic tattoos (http://forums.gleemax.com/wotc_archive/index.php/t-330627) (that's an update to this Mind's Eye article (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/psm/20031225a)). Feeding your pet brain mole. There are some items in the MIC that run on power points, but I don't want to have to go digging through their at the moment. Manifesting the one power you learned via Hidden Talent (p67 XPH).
starkreality 02-28-08, 02:24 AM	Between Hidden Talent, Up the Walls, and the Swordsage class, I think a non-psionic psionic race is pretty well set! :p I want to play one now!
JulesCARV 02-28-08, 02:31 AM	Bear in mind that in Eberron, the iconic wizard belongs to a race with a -2 intelligence penalty.
CrimsonDeath 02-28-08, 03:10 AM	It's like playing a Half-Orc Rogue. Half-orcs actually make pretty good rogues. They're the only PHB race with Darkvision and a 30' speed, making them good scouts at low levels. (The only other Core races that can boast this at +0 LA are the Goblin and Kobold; among the three, the Goblin makes the best Rogue, which makes sense as that's their favored class.) The half-orc's Intelligence penalty is mitigated by the Rogue's high skill points, and further mitigated (ironically) by the Charisma penalty, which removes the temptation to try to be the trap monkey, mobility expert, and party face. Finally, the Strength bonus helps in combat at low levels. As for psionic races playing nonpsionic classes, I like the idea of a Maenad Warblade (with Power Attack, Greater Psionic Weapon, Deep Impact, Psionic Meditation, and plenty of Diamond Mind maneuvers). Come to think of it, though, a Kalashtar Warblade would work well too (wielding a Deep Crystal weapon with three Martial Discipline enhancements, for use with Stance Mastery).
kelvinaw273 02-28-08, 03:12 AM	A Kalashtar monk can spend those psionic points on their wholeness of body ability, each power point adding one hit point to those they can heal. Hidden Talent feat gives you two more bonus points and the ability to manifest a single power at 1st level manifester.
InkBlot 02-28-08, 06:46 PM	Using Hidden Talent to nab inertial armor is pretty nice for a Kalashtar Monk. At 1st level they can be armored up for 3 hours of the day. At 10th level they can have their inertial armor up from dawn to dusk. Bracers Of Armor only go up to +5, and inertial armor doesn't take up an item slot. Hidden Talent for dimension hop can be used in conjunction with the Sun School tactical feat in Complete Warrior. One of the options of that feat gives you a free attack with no penalty every time you 'port. So, in effect, you get free attacks as swift actions for 1pp each. You also get to 'port 10 feet at the same time.
JulesCARV 02-28-08, 07:20 PM	Bracers of Armor go up to +8, even if they're a bit pricey.
InkBlot 02-28-08, 08:20 PM	Oh, sorry. You're absolutely right. Anyway, Hidden Talent (inertial armor) is much better than the Bracers Of Armor you can afford for about half your career. And if you're really worried about stacking you can take force screen instead. Hammer is great for pumping up your unarmed strikes. Just make sure you use the errata. Grip of iron is great for anybody who grapples. However, Psychic Warrior is already one of the best grappling classes there is, so you might as well just take psywar levels instead. There's a few interesting utility powers like call to mind, know direction and location, and minor creation. Deflection field, 1st level swift action +4 deflection bonus, is an interesting option. You wouldn't have to waste any time buffing, but it wouldn't last very long either. You can concentrate on it to extend the duration, basically turning it into a slightly improved version of Full Defense. I would never take Hidden Talent (psionic protection from evil), just on principal, but it is an extremely potent power. Touch of health is no cure light wounds, but it would let you heal at a better rate than the Kalashtar Monk substitution level. Chameleon gives you a rather hefty bonus to hide checks for 10 minutes. Way better than Skill Focus (hide). Urban strider could be worth it in an urban campaign (like one set in Sharn). Extend range is better than Far Shot for a bow. Of course, Far Shot doesn't cost a power point or a swift action. A 20th level Kalashtar could only use this for twenty two rounds before running out of steam. Inspire mount is fantastic for any Kalashtar who rides a mount. It makes your mount faster and gives you a +10 to Ride checks made to use Mounted Combat if you have the feat, and gives you the feat if you don't. Fantastic! Mighty spring is great. Swift action, +10 to your jump checks, stacks with most other things. Couple this with Leap Of The Heavens (available at 1st level) and a good move speed for crazy jumping action! Just a note: I'm assuming Kalashtar race when judging these powers for Hidden Talent. So I'm assuming that you'll have more uses as you level up, thanks to the Kalashtar's amazing 1pp/hd racial bonus.
AtsuiShoto 03-01-08, 01:49 PM	I recommend the Reach Gauntlets in the Magic Item Compendium. They are a nice, cheap option for putting those PP to use.
RadicalTaoist 03-01-08, 03:00 PM	Warblades and Swordsages are by far the best option, and not just because of Instant Clarity, Psychic Renewal, and psionic feats. You know how you can blow your psionic focus for a 'take 15' on Concentration checks? Take a look at the Diamond Mind discipline again.