Quintessential Psion [Archive] - Wizards Community

Quintessential Psion [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Snazzomancer
07-10-07, 08:16 PM Greeting masters of the mind, it is a pleasure to meet you all! I would love to stay here longer however I did promise a certain chain-devil I would meet him within the hour. So let's keep things curt. As a lich I have had plenty of time to dabble in various forms of magic; abjuration, divination, enchantment (I was the Arch-Jazzomancer of the top school that specialzed in this branch of magic on the plane; That is until they discovered my undead derivation... But I'm sure you lot won't mind!), necromancy even some divine magics. I was quite sure I had a hand in all the pots until I discovered this new form of... manisfestation...

Role-playing aside :P I am creating my first psion and I'm kind of new to the system. I read over some of the rules and I think I have a basic gist of things. So here are some questions (There may be more coming)

Other Information: Race-Elan Class-Psion Level-3rd Sources-Psionic SRD Discipline-Kineticist Discipline Forsaken-Telepathy (Welcome to try and convince to give up a different discipline)

1) Power Points, how do you manage them?
2) What are some nifty psionic feats?
3) What are some nifty psionic manesfestations?
4) Can you suggest some possible backstory to help create a history for my character?
5) Tattoos- Can I use them the same way a wizard uses a scroll (Like use it's effect to add it to my powers list) and is there a limit on how many I can have?
6) Is there any way I can retreive used PP (Hehe) during the day without resting?

That's all for now, you're welcome to answer as many questions as you can and/or like.
Deekin
07-10-07, 08:26 PM 3.5

Other Information: Race-Elan Class-Psion Level-3rd Sources-Psionic SRD Discipline-Kineticist

You don't have to give up a Discipline, you just gain aces to the Discipline only power list .

1) Power Points, how do you manage them?

Take Total, divide by four, spend about that many per encounter

2) What are some nifty psionic feats?

Speed of thought helps keep you out of danger, and psionic body is better than toughness.

3) What are some nifty psionic manesfestations?

Powers, They are called powers. For low levels, vigor is awesome. Crystal Shard is great attack power that gets around SR and Saves. Don't over stalk on energy powers. One should be good, probably energy missile for now.

4) Can you suggest some possible backstory to help create a history for my character?

I can't, no. ;)

5)Tattoos- Can I use them the same way a wizard uses a scroll (Like use it's effect to add it to my powers list) and is there a limit on how many I can have?

No, the Powers Know chart is a hard cap. The only way to get more powers than that is the feat Expanded Knowledge.

Psionic Items Equvilients
Scroll = Power stone
Potion= tattoo
Wand= Djore
Staff= Psi-crown

And you are capped at 20 Tattoos

6) Is there any way I can retreive used PP (Hehe) during the day without resting?

No. The same way no Sorc can regain spells without resting.

Also, I suggest checking out the FAQ at the Top of the Forum.
Tempest Stormwind
07-10-07, 08:33 PM Before I begin, see the FAQ at the top of the forum, in particular the link for the New DM/Player's Guide to Psionics.

Other Information: Race-Elan Class-Psion Level-3rd Sources-Psionic SRD Discipline-Kineticist Discipline Forsaken-Telepathy (Welcome to try and convince to give up a different discipline)Mistake number one. Psions do not give up disciplines. All that "Discipline" (the class feature) does is add a few class skills and give you access to one of the six restricted discipline lists (oh, and a +2 bonus on Psicraft checks with that particular discipline). In other words, yes, a kineticist is perfectly capable of manifesting Attraction, which is a Psion/Wilder Telepathy power, although he can't manifest Mindlink, which is a Telepath power.1) Power Points, how do you manage them?I don't understand the question.2) What are some nifty psionic feats?There's a lot, depends what you want to do with your character. For a psion, the "niftiest" would probably be Psicrystal Affinity and Overchannel (without knowing anything else about your character, those are the first two I'd suggest).3) What are some nifty psionic manesfestations?The term is "power". "Manifest" is the equivalent of "cast", not "spell". See the FAQ at the top of the forum.

Really, pick whatever you think works well for your character. Actually read the book. I'm getting the impression you didn't read it, judging from your questions.

DO REMEMBER THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE OF PSIONICS: You cannot spend more power points than your manifester level on a single manifestation.4) Can you suggest some possible backstory to help create a history for my character?Elans are already dripping in background flavor. They were once human. Now they're not. Think of who you were, when you were transformed (elans have ludicrously long lifespans, and are actually immortal), why you were transformed...5) Tattoos- Can I use them the same way a wizard uses a scroll (Like use it's effect to add it to my powers list) and is there a limit on how many I can have?To the first part, no, you cannot learn new powers just by "copying" a tattoo, although you could learn one like that during level-ups. You're like a sorcerer in that regard.

To the second one, yes -- you can have no more than twenty at a time. It's right there in the XPH on the description of tattoos.6) Is there any way I can retreive used PP (Hehe) during the day without resting?No. It's not a video game. See the sidebar in the XPH.

There are a few items, feats, and class features which reduce power point costs, which is essentially the same thing. Interestingly, the elan racial feat in Untapped Potential restores some power points (amongst other things), but it's restricted in its use.That's all for now, you're welcome to answer as many questions as you can and/or like.And you're welcome. Please read the FAQ at the top of the forum (several of these are answered there). Also read the XPH completely; it's clear you haven't.
Soel Griffin
07-10-07, 08:48 PM I thought this was going to be about Mongoose's book, Quintessential Psion. (which has some interesting ideas, but clunky as hell mechanics to back them up.)
Tempest Stormwind
07-10-07, 08:50 PM I thought this was going to be about Mongoose's book, Quintessential Psion. (which has some interesting ideas, but clunky as hell mechanics to back them up.)

Add in a small number of *bad* ideas, and occasionally extremely bad mechanics (both rarer than the things you mentioned, I should add, but they do exist) and you've just described every single Mongoose book ever.
Snazzomancer
07-10-07, 09:10 PM Mongoose Books? Never heard of them. Anyhow, thanks for the nice, quick responses. I did read the FAQ just now (Can't remeber the last I read one) and it was quite informative.
Psionx
07-10-07, 10:26 PM 1> Fission+Affinity field on each+Bestow power
2> Speed of Mind as mentioned before and psionic meditation as well as psionic body
3> Powers, in ye olde times there were 0 level ones called talents FYI. Astral Construct is pure awesomesauce, if you are creative go with minor creation too. Later on go with metamorphosis. Probably try out Swarm of Crystals: No save, No Touch Attack, No Resistance, Not even damage reduction, just pure damage as long as the opponent is 15 feet away or less.
4>Try something about discovering the talent in some interesting way in your youth if you aren't an Elan.
5>mentioned earlier
6>A feat called body fuel

Body Fuel [Psionic]

You can expand your power point total at the expense of your health.
Benefit

You can recover 2 power points by taking 1 point of ability burn damage to each of your three ability scores: Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution.

You can recover additional power points for a proportional cost to Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution. These recovered points are added to your power point reserve as if you had gained them by resting overnight.
Special

Only living creatures can use this feat. You can take advantage of this feat only while in your own body.

Cognizance Crystals kinda work with power points

I've heard some stuff about rings of wizardry and ioun stones doing stuff too.

EDIT: Earth power+torc of power preservation+bestow power = 2 for 1

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Snazzomancer 07-10-07, 08:16 PM	Greeting masters of the mind, it is a pleasure to meet you all! I would love to stay here longer however I did promise a certain chain-devil I would meet him within the hour. So let's keep things curt. As a lich I have had plenty of time to dabble in various forms of magic; abjuration, divination, enchantment (I was the Arch-Jazzomancer of the top school that specialzed in this branch of magic on the plane; That is until they discovered my undead derivation... But I'm sure you lot won't mind!), necromancy even some divine magics. I was quite sure I had a hand in all the pots until I discovered this new form of... manisfestation... Role-playing aside :P I am creating my first psion and I'm kind of new to the system. I read over some of the rules and I think I have a basic gist of things. So here are some questions (There may be more coming) Other Information: Race-Elan Class-Psion Level-3rd Sources-Psionic SRD Discipline-Kineticist Discipline Forsaken-Telepathy (Welcome to try and convince to give up a different discipline) 1) Power Points, how do you manage them? 2) What are some nifty psionic feats? 3) What are some nifty psionic manesfestations? 4) Can you suggest some possible backstory to help create a history for my character? 5) Tattoos- Can I use them the same way a wizard uses a scroll (Like use it's effect to add it to my powers list) and is there a limit on how many I can have? 6) Is there any way I can retreive used PP (Hehe) during the day without resting? That's all for now, you're welcome to answer as many questions as you can and/or like.
Deekin 07-10-07, 08:26 PM	3.5 Other Information: Race-Elan Class-Psion Level-3rd Sources-Psionic SRD Discipline-Kineticist You don't have to give up a Discipline, you just gain aces to the Discipline only power list . 1) Power Points, how do you manage them? Take Total, divide by four, spend about that many per encounter 2) What are some nifty psionic feats? Speed of thought helps keep you out of danger, and psionic body is better than toughness. 3) What are some nifty psionic manesfestations? Powers, They are called powers. For low levels, vigor is awesome. Crystal Shard is great attack power that gets around SR and Saves. Don't over stalk on energy powers. One should be good, probably energy missile for now. 4) Can you suggest some possible backstory to help create a history for my character? I can't, no. ;) 5)Tattoos- Can I use them the same way a wizard uses a scroll (Like use it's effect to add it to my powers list) and is there a limit on how many I can have? No, the Powers Know chart is a hard cap. The only way to get more powers than that is the feat Expanded Knowledge. Psionic Items Equvilients Scroll = Power stone Potion= tattoo Wand= Djore Staff= Psi-crown And you are capped at 20 Tattoos 6) Is there any way I can retreive used PP (Hehe) during the day without resting? No. The same way no Sorc can regain spells without resting. Also, I suggest checking out the FAQ at the Top of the Forum.
Tempest Stormwind 07-10-07, 08:33 PM	Before I begin, see the FAQ at the top of the forum, in particular the link for the New DM/Player's Guide to Psionics. Other Information: Race-Elan Class-Psion Level-3rd Sources-Psionic SRD Discipline-Kineticist Discipline Forsaken-Telepathy (Welcome to try and convince to give up a different discipline)Mistake number one. Psions do not give up disciplines. All that "Discipline" (the class feature) does is add a few class skills and give you access to one of the six restricted discipline lists (oh, and a +2 bonus on Psicraft checks with that particular discipline). In other words, yes, a kineticist is perfectly capable of manifesting Attraction, which is a Psion/Wilder Telepathy power, although he can't manifest Mindlink, which is a Telepath power.1) Power Points, how do you manage them?I don't understand the question.2) What are some nifty psionic feats?There's a lot, depends what you want to do with your character. For a psion, the "niftiest" would probably be Psicrystal Affinity and Overchannel (without knowing anything else about your character, those are the first two I'd suggest).3) What are some nifty psionic manesfestations?The term is "power". "Manifest" is the equivalent of "cast", not "spell". See the FAQ at the top of the forum. Really, pick whatever you think works well for your character. Actually read the book. I'm getting the impression you didn't read it, judging from your questions. DO REMEMBER THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE OF PSIONICS: You cannot spend more power points than your manifester level on a single manifestation.4) Can you suggest some possible backstory to help create a history for my character?Elans are already dripping in background flavor. They were once human. Now they're not. Think of who you were, when you were transformed (elans have ludicrously long lifespans, and are actually immortal), why you were transformed...5) Tattoos- Can I use them the same way a wizard uses a scroll (Like use it's effect to add it to my powers list) and is there a limit on how many I can have?To the first part, no, you cannot learn new powers just by "copying" a tattoo, although you could learn one like that during level-ups. You're like a sorcerer in that regard. To the second one, yes -- you can have no more than twenty at a time. It's right there in the XPH on the description of tattoos.6) Is there any way I can retreive used PP (Hehe) during the day without resting?No. It's not a video game. See the sidebar in the XPH. There are a few items, feats, and class features which reduce power point costs, which is essentially the same thing. Interestingly, the elan racial feat in Untapped Potential restores some power points (amongst other things), but it's restricted in its use.That's all for now, you're welcome to answer as many questions as you can and/or like.And you're welcome. Please read the FAQ at the top of the forum (several of these are answered there). Also read the XPH completely; it's clear you haven't.
Soel Griffin 07-10-07, 08:48 PM	I thought this was going to be about Mongoose's book, Quintessential Psion. (which has some interesting ideas, but clunky as hell mechanics to back them up.)
Tempest Stormwind 07-10-07, 08:50 PM	I thought this was going to be about Mongoose's book, Quintessential Psion. (which has some interesting ideas, but clunky as hell mechanics to back them up.) Add in a small number of bad ideas, and occasionally extremely bad mechanics (both rarer than the things you mentioned, I should add, but they do exist) and you've just described every single Mongoose book ever.
Snazzomancer 07-10-07, 09:10 PM	Mongoose Books? Never heard of them. Anyhow, thanks for the nice, quick responses. I did read the FAQ just now (Can't remeber the last I read one) and it was quite informative.
Psionx 07-10-07, 10:26 PM	1> Fission+Affinity field on each+Bestow power 2> Speed of Mind as mentioned before and psionic meditation as well as psionic body 3> Powers, in ye olde times there were 0 level ones called talents FYI. Astral Construct is pure awesomesauce, if you are creative go with minor creation too. Later on go with metamorphosis. Probably try out Swarm of Crystals: No save, No Touch Attack, No Resistance, Not even damage reduction, just pure damage as long as the opponent is 15 feet away or less. 4>Try something about discovering the talent in some interesting way in your youth if you aren't an Elan. 5>mentioned earlier 6>A feat called body fuel Body Fuel [Psionic] You can expand your power point total at the expense of your health. Benefit You can recover 2 power points by taking 1 point of ability burn damage to each of your three ability scores: Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution. You can recover additional power points for a proportional cost to Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution. These recovered points are added to your power point reserve as if you had gained them by resting overnight. Special Only living creatures can use this feat. You can take advantage of this feat only while in your own body. Cognizance Crystals kinda work with power points I've heard some stuff about rings of wizardry and ioun stones doing stuff too. EDIT: Earth power+torc of power preservation+bestow power = 2 for 1