Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Racinante 05-21-07, 10:58 AM	Coming up next, Sage Advice will focus on Complete Psionics and the Expanded Psionics Handbook. The News article announcing this is at [Sage Advice News Article] (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/news/20070521a)
Bacris 05-21-07, 11:12 AM	I have to admit, I'm a bit scared.
SlanderPanic 05-21-07, 11:14 AM	I'd bet money that at least one of them is an explanation of the PP/ML cap.
Batshido 05-21-07, 11:25 AM	I'd bet money that at least one of them is an explanation of the PP/ML cap. Am I a bad person for hoping that it leads with: "I'm DM'ing for a 3rd level Wilder, and he's doing 36d6 damage with Twinned, Empowered, Overchannel...." With the Sage cutting him off and saying "Read the damn book. Next?" ?
Tempest Stormwind 05-21-07, 11:47 AM	I'm glad he's focusing on psionics. With very few exceptions he's actually been reasonably accurate with the Sage Advice column so far. He's only made up rules twice, and both related to the Tome of Battle (one on what Iron Heart Surge could do and one on how to set save DCs). That said, if there's errors on his answers on psionics, I'd like to know where to post it.
awaken_D_M_golem 05-21-07, 04:28 PM	{ ... in game action ... } Me : "Detect Chaos" DM : "Overwhelming" Me : "then I pass out." DM : "You or your character?" Me : "BOTH" DM : "umm ... how is it that you are talking to me?" Me : Epic Time Hop Linked Time Regression ... snore
Tempest Stormwind 05-21-07, 04:36 PM	...ooooooooookay, buddy, that must've been the bad stash. (It helps if you make sense when you communicate.)
Xaxor 05-21-07, 06:00 PM	I bet this will be a fun week.
aotrscommander 05-21-07, 06:22 PM	Not wanting to sound cretinously stupid, but probably doing so anyway, but where are these Sage Advice online articles? Am I just being dense, looking for them under the Articles and Game Rules sections or something?
glacialcat 05-21-07, 06:24 PM	Not wanting to sound cretinously stupid, but probably doing so anyway, but where are these Sage Advice online articles? Am I just being dense, looking for them under the Articles and Game Rules sections or something? Bottom of the home page. http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/arch/ask
aotrscommander 05-21-07, 07:01 PM	Bottom of the home page. http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/arch/ask Ah. Thanks.
Lycanthromancer 05-22-07, 03:11 PM	I saw the title of this thread, and my first and immediate thought was, "Oh, no." But I suppose if he does a good job, and maybe brings some attention to the oft-neglected psionics system, then it's all good.
Tempest Stormwind 05-22-07, 03:14 PM	Let's figure out how to contact Sage Advice and flood it with things like "How do we get our psicrystal back if it dies?" or "how, exactly, does Metaconcert work?" -- you know, the things that should have been in Complete Psionic but weren't.
Lycanthromancer 05-22-07, 03:19 PM	Fine, then. Let's compile some questions. Complete Psionic...Why?! How do you get your psicrystal back once it dies? How do you use the Illithid Blast feat? Why was the Storm Disciple put in CPsi? How does Metaconcert work? What happens when you use Crystal Shard, Swarm of Crystals, and Hail of Crystals on someone in a Null Psionics Field? Why haven't we gotten any errata that we don't have to pay for? Why the hell was Astral Construct nerfed? What happens if you Feat Leech away numerous feats, such as Psicrystal Affinity, Illithid Heritage, and so on? What are the REAL prerequisites for the Anarchic Initiate? Why did we get so screwed over on Complete Psionic? The Metamind...Why? Any others?
SlanderPanic 05-22-07, 03:46 PM	Isn't Stephen "Stunt Sage" Radney-MacFarland going to be handling the Advice this week? He seems to know his stuff pretty well.
Wizard Random 05-22-07, 05:51 PM	What are the REAL prerequisites for the Anarchic Initiate? Oh man I spit out my drink on that one.
Red12 05-22-07, 06:27 PM	I saw the title of this thread, and my first and immediate thought was, "Oh, no." But I suppose if he does a good job, and maybe brings some attention to the oft-neglected psionics system, then it's all good. My thoughts on this matter exactly.
Second 05-22-07, 10:33 PM	Any others? These all have to do with the Complete Psionic. I simply can't come up with anything from XPH that hasn't already been mentioned: Concerning the power "Planar Embrace": -Do you actually gain the Half-fiend/Half-Celestial template for the duration of the power, similar to the psychoactive skins that use those respective powers? -If it is a level 6 power for the Good and Evil mantles, why does it cost 15 PP to manifest it? Should it not be 11? -Should not the save DC of 'Celestial Conduit' go up by 1 for every 2 PP spent, rather than for every 1? -The Synad's Multitask ability states that it allows one to take a single mental action, including manifesting a power, but does not state how long of an action one can take. What is the limit of the manifesting time one can use with Multitask? -Why do Erudites have to spend 20 XP per Erudite level to learn a power regardless of the power's level? -The Soulbow's Mind Arrow ability states that the enhancement bonuses it gains at third and seventh level improve their Soulknife base attack bonus. Is this true? -Do Elemental Envoys gain HP similar to psicrystals? -Do Ardents have a maximum power level known similar to other classes, or is it based strictly off of their manifester level? -Xeph Celerity states that a Xeph can spend one or more daily uses of their burst ability to gain an extra attack. Does this mean they can spend multiple uses to gain multiple extra attacks in a single full attack action? -If an Ardent takes the Tap Mantle feat, do the powers he gains from the tapped mantle count as secondary and thus be limited by the number of primary powers he has?
Tsuul 05-23-07, 12:14 AM	I think i had a Q about Empathic Transfer, Hostile. But my book is out; so I can't formulate it atm.
Boondoggle 05-23-07, 12:42 AM	Question for the Sage (or anyone) Does the Torc of Power Preservation allow a character to effectively get another 'point' of augmentation from a power for free, sort of like a wild surge? The wearer of a torc of power preservation manifests all powers by paying power points equal to the standard cost minus 1 (minimum of 1). The maximum number of points you can spend on a power (for any reason) is equal to your manifester level. I can see a strong argument for either side.
Lycanthromancer 05-23-07, 07:31 PM	Meh. I think we should just condense it to... 1. Please clarify Complete Psionic. 2. Please clarify the Expanded Psionics Handbook. ...Would that help?
Suldarr'essalar 05-24-07, 05:40 AM	Meh. I think we should just condense it to... 1. Please clarify Complete Psionic. 2. Please clarify the Expanded Psionics Handbook. ...Would that help? I'd change first into "Please rewrite Complete Psionic".
glacialcat 05-28-07, 12:35 AM	Well, the first of the questions is up now. Gotta say, kinda disappointed. Of all the stuff they could've answered like "wtf Illithid Blast?", "What happens when a Psicrystal Dies?", and "Why does the Storm Disciple exist?", they went with this one. At least they gave the right answer.
SlanderPanic 05-28-07, 01:36 AM	The Sage usually only answers questions that can be answered by the rules. Nobody honestly expected anything like the psicrystal death conundrum to be answered, did they?
Rusher 05-28-07, 02:40 AM	Psicrystal death and psicrystal feats would have to be the top ones for me.
calronmoonflower 05-28-07, 02:54 AM	The Sage usually only answers questions that can be answered by the rules. Nobody honestly expected anything like the psicrystal death conundrum to be answered, did they? I did. Instead it seems that they are going to skip the questions that are actually need to be answered and give advice that can be found in the psionic FAQ.
Kanachi 05-28-07, 05:35 AM	To be honest I fear that the sage will simply answer the less controversial/difficult questions, concentrating on the more generic questions that people new to the system will have. Or even worse that the sage will carry on where complete psionics left off and neft us all back into the stone age. MAGE: “Hello I’m a mage” PSIONIC: “Hello I’m a psionic” MAGE: “My casting system is supported by over 50 million splat books, each one offering me countless way of sundering the universe before hitting level 20.” PSIONIC: “My manifesting system is supported by a single book, with an original working title of: ‘The Complete psionic joke’. It was 90% errata which I had to pay for and made less sense than a short sighted sniper who eats onions for breakfast and beans for lunch”
Lycanthromancer 05-28-07, 02:54 PM	Quick! Everybody email the Sage, and ask all of our psionics questions! The email is on the Ask the Sage page, here! (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/arch/ask) Maybe if we ask something enough, and request errata...perhaps...perhaps we'll finally get some? Maybe ask (from Complete Psionic) where the psionic displacement power is found? After all, the original errata changed the thri-kreen's psi-like ability to concealing amorpha, and Complete Psionic changed it back. Why?
Kaiberon 05-28-07, 05:25 PM	omg. OMG. OM@#$^^&&^*^*@#$%#$G!!!!! I'm starting to lose it with the Comp Psi screw ups. And of all the things they could address about Psionics they answer questions that are answered in the friggin' book! W$&&&^(%$%^()&*(^*^&&%CK!?!
Lycanthromancer 05-28-07, 05:34 PM	Yeah. It's like answering the question, "A player in my game is spending 20 power points on a single power at level 6. How can psionics not be broken?" ... ... ...Duh.
AdventChild 05-28-07, 10:57 PM	I have a feeling none of our questions will be answered.
Rageheart 05-29-07, 01:48 AM	"Optimisum may brighten our days, ... but Pessimisum is more often correct." Quoth the Rageheart,... all you want. :)
Deekin 05-29-07, 02:26 AM	Ectopic Form??? You answer a question about Ectopic form? At least you confirm it's total suckieness.
AdventChild 05-29-07, 04:07 AM	Has anyone submitted any well formulated question to the sage, if not we should all formulate some questions and bombed with same questions over and over again.
Kanachi 05-29-07, 04:55 AM	I sent in some questions (mainly the classic ones listed here), but i doubt very much they will be answered. I think we all have to be realistic, WOTC aren’t going to answer any questions about the ineptness of the complete psionic as its one of there products. So asking any question like "why does this suck so much" or even asking about the payed for errata is quite obviously not going to be met with a response. we should instead all concentrate on game mechanics questions.
Rageheart 05-29-07, 09:45 AM	Has anyone submitted any well formulated question to the sage, if not we should all formulate some questions and bombed with same questions over and over again. yes,... yes I have. :P
AdventChild 05-29-07, 11:41 AM	I sent in some questions (mainly the classic ones listed here), but i doubt very much they will be answered. I think we all have to be realistic, WOTC aren’t going to answer any questions about the ineptness of the complete psionic as its one of there products. So asking any question like "why does this suck so much" or even asking about the payed for errata is quite obviously not going to be met with a response. we should instead all concentrate on game mechanics questions. Well i am bombing them and putting my friends to do it as well about what happens when a psicrystal is destroyed and how to gain a new one.
Mesiolan 05-29-07, 01:20 PM	Ditto.
Kanachi 05-29-07, 01:24 PM	thats what i've concentrated on as well, i have a feeling we wont get an answer however.
hovnarr 05-29-07, 03:48 PM	Is the Sage Advice available for free somewhere, or must you buy DM to benefit (I use the term loosely) from it?
Tempest Stormwind 05-29-07, 03:52 PM	Is the Sage Advice available for free somewhere, or must you buy DM to benefit (I use the term loosely) from it? We linked it on the first page of this topic...
4-armed kobold 05-29-07, 08:14 PM	Well, we could try asking a gazillion questions in the hopes, that a few of them will get to be answered by the sage correctly, or at least to our liking. The sage can pick the questions he would like to answer, at least 100% sure he knows the answer, from that list. :D Of course, if for the duration of the psionics week focus the sage happens to become a telepath and empath at the same time, he can try answering our questions before we frame them. That will save us the trouble of formulating them in the first place.
munin 05-30-07, 09:38 AM	I don't think there's any point to spamming the sage. The questions that are being answered this week were probably chosen weeks ago, and selected as questions that the common DnDer has been asking, not the psionic experts that populate this board.
Salla 05-30-07, 11:28 AM	I don't think there's any point to spamming the sage. The questions that are being answered this week were probably chosen weeks ago, and selected as questions that the common DnDer has been asking, not the psionic experts that populate this board. What Odin's raven said. :)
Rageheart 05-30-07, 11:45 AM	Quoth Odin's raven... Nevermore! :D
Red12 05-30-07, 01:16 PM	Well, the first installment left me a little dry. I don't think I've ever seen that asked. Do people really have issues with EK?
Bacris 05-30-07, 04:42 PM	Actually, that question has been asked before - even on these boards. The ruling there is the generally agreed ruling on it.
Azzy 05-30-07, 04:53 PM	I don't think there's any point to spamming the sage. The questions that are being answered this week were probably chosen weeks ago, and selected as questions that the common DnDer has been asking, not the psionic experts that populate this board. Actually, I've sent some of the questions posted to this thread to the Sage and Ask Wizards before (on multiple occasions), much prior to this. So there may be a chance, however slim, that one of our questions does get answered. If not, we should just spam him in concert until he does. :) Ignoring us will not make us go away--it will just strengthen our resolve to annoy the urine out of you until you stop ignoring us.
Fleem 05-30-07, 09:18 PM	Meh. Or maybe the sage will swear off psionics forever, due to all the spam.
The Livewire 05-30-07, 10:38 PM	Meh. Or maybe the sage will swear off psionics forever, due to all the spam. Might be safer for all of us this way :D
Azzy 05-30-07, 11:20 PM	Meh. Or maybe the sage will swear off psionics forever, due to all the spam. We'd never know the difference if he did. :D
AdventChild 05-30-07, 11:59 PM	even so... never give up never surrender!!
Azzy 05-31-07, 08:00 PM	even so... never give up never surrender!! Bur, sir... we're French!
Tyroki 05-31-07, 08:38 PM	Bur, sir... we're French! "WE SURRENDER!" *Coughs* For anyone that ever played Armed and Dangerous ^^ Anyway. Lets get a show of hands for people that want to bop The Sage on the head for answering obvious and already answered stuff ? ^^
Azzy 05-31-07, 08:50 PM	Anyway. Lets get a show of hands for people that want to bop The Sage on the head for answering obvious and already answered stuff ? ^^ That may get expensive, considering the number of us here. (http://www.amazon.com/Show-Hands-Rush/dp/B000001ET1/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-2383429-6580802?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1180658908&sr=8-1) :hides:
BloodyChariot 06-01-07, 03:47 AM	That may get expensive, considering the number of us here. (http://www.amazon.com/Show-Hands-Rush/dp/B000001ET1/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-2383429-6580802?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1180658908&sr=8-1) :hides: I lol'd. Back on topic, I agree with Kanachi. They're not going point out any of their greater mistakes by correcting them. This isn't pessimism, it's business sense; showing everyone they messed up so sorely hurts their integrity, which in turn hurts sales. Granted, their product's integrity matters almost exclusively to us, and we're the ones who are complaining. But then again, we are still buying whatever they publish, bad or not, and they shouldn't even have to care to change it if they still get profit... EDIT: Venting aside, Sage could just be a glorified FAQ for people who don't look at the forums.
Jaid 06-01-07, 08:00 PM	Granted, their product's integrity matters almost exclusively to us, and we're the ones who are complaining. But then again, we are still buying whatever they publish, bad or not, and they shouldn't even have to care to change it if they still get profit... maybe you're buying their stuff, i'm not :P (other, third party companies, who shall remain nameless because people seem to always complain whenever they are mentioned, are getting my money when it comes to psionics)
Tyroki 06-01-07, 10:51 PM	That may get expensive, considering the number of us here. (http://www.amazon.com/Show-Hands-Rush/dp/B000001ET1/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-2383429-6580802?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1180658908&sr=8-1) :hides: Good call xD I shall remember to be more careful with my wording xD maybe you're buying their stuff, i'm not :P (other, third party companies, who shall remain nameless because people seem to always complain whenever they are mentioned, are getting my money when it comes to psionics) Oh oh oh! Do tell =3
BloodyChariot 06-01-07, 11:57 PM	<snip> Oh oh oh! Do tell =3 Probably something to do with this (http://dreamscarredpress.com/main/)? If so, I don't know where the complaining is coming from.
Bacris 06-02-07, 12:22 AM	If so, I don't know where the complaining is coming from. There have been a few instances where mentioning it has drawn some ire - part of the reason I've been less active on the boards, to be quite honest.
BloodyChariot 06-02-07, 12:35 AM	There have been a few instances where mentioning it has drawn some ire - part of the reason I've been less active on the boards, to be quite honest. I can't imagine why. Most of their mechanics are equal to or better than WotC material.
Tyroki 06-02-07, 06:26 AM	Oooooh. Interesting. Shiney. My DM refuses to allow third party stuff though T-T Infact, this weekend will be the first time he's let us go Psionics from level 1. >.> Last time, it wasn't till I was level 6. Ah well. I'm new to D&D >.> But I read alot... Heck, it's all I've had to do lately xD I only just scored a copy of the Complete Psionics recently. O.o I can see alot of it is trash. >.> Whats with the Synad. O.o Theres no age box... >.> Does that make them ageless? DAMN YOU SAGE!
Second 06-02-07, 11:40 AM	Whats with the Synad. O.o Theres no age box... >.> Does that make them ageless? Look here: http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/arch/ask Rather than actually answer the question, they simply say "Ask your DM."
Lycanthromancer 06-02-07, 01:00 PM	Q: Dear Sage, Can you use the Psionic Weapon feat with a thrown melee weapon? What about a soulknife that throws his mind blade? --Holli A: No. The Psionic Weapon feat only functions for melee attacks. A thrown melee weapon is a ranged attack. Um...duh? Yeah, this is just about as disappointing as I thought it would be.
hovnarr 06-02-07, 08:18 PM	What's the point of answering stupid questions that are already detailed in the rules? That question isn't about psionics, it's about understanding hard-to-grasp concepts such as "melee weapon". How about answering questions re: stuff that isn't already explained in the rules? Such as how you get back a destroyed psicrystal, or how powers like Metaconcert or Fusion really work. Sage advice implies there's something to advise about. If it's a clear cut text book example, there's no need for advice.
NoldorForce 06-08-07, 12:06 AM	And there's also just patent nonsense. Like this (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ask/20070608a):Q: Dear Sage, The list of lurk augments (Complete Psionic, 15) includes “Reach Attack,” but no definition of that augment exists. What does it do? --Michael A: The damage from armor spikes is dealt when you make a successful grapple check made for the purpose of dealing damage (the “Damage Your Opponent” option, PHB p156).
Tempest Stormwind 06-08-07, 12:10 AM	And there's also just patent nonsense. Like this (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ask/20070608a): :uh-huh: ...No, wait, the Sage just successfully demonstrated the Synaptic Disconnect augment on us.
AdventChild 06-08-07, 12:13 AM	And there's also just patent nonsense. Like this (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ask/20070608a): haha it makes me laugh and cry at the same time...:weep:
Tyroki 06-08-07, 12:26 AM	Yeah, instead of ask The Sage, I'd rather ask the Psionics board -.- At least you get detailed answers on actually decent questions >.> Huzzah for the Psionics board!
Enchanter_Tom 06-08-07, 12:43 AM	"How many kittens am I going to have to kill before CPsi errata appears?" "Can you handle the weight of the deaths of that many kittens on your conscience?" "How can you sleep at night?"
Azzy 06-08-07, 12:57 AM	And there's also just patent nonsense. Like this (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ask/20070608a): Wow. I'd like to state, for the record, that the Sage is officially on crack.
AdventChild 06-08-07, 01:04 AM	Wow. I'd like to state, for the record, that the Sage is officially on crack. I second that motion.
Tsuul 06-08-07, 01:26 AM	Could be a Deja vu. I hope it's not the crack. Please not the crack.
calronmoonflower 06-08-07, 02:19 AM	And there's also just patent nonsense. Like this (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ask/20070608a): The right answer to the wrong question. The editor needs smacked on the head.
Tyroki 06-08-07, 05:06 AM	I thought the question and the answer looked like they were for two different things O.o Well, at least I've not gone bonkers xD
Slagger the Chuul 06-08-07, 05:38 AM	It was bad enough with the answer about psychic strike (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ask/20070606a), but now Sage Advice is just mocking us. For the record, unless mundane weapons normally deal mind-affecting damage, psychic strike is not just another variety of sneak attack. :yuck:
Artector 06-08-07, 08:07 AM	It was bad enough with the answer about psychic strike (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ask/20070606a), but now Sage Advice is just mocking us. For the record, unless mundane weapons normally deal mind-affecting damage, psychic strike is not just another variety of sneak attack. :yuck: Actually I looked it up in both the SRD and my XPH and they were silent... but for some reason I remember reading that it bypasses DR. And that most recent question (lurk, reach weapon) is the reason why you shouldn't have a bear answering rules questions for DND.
Slagger the Chuul 06-08-07, 08:34 AM	Actually I looked it up in both the SRD and my XPH and they were silent... but for some reason I remember reading that it bypasses DR. Apart from the heavy hint that it's not normal damage because it doesn't work on creatures immune to mind-affecting effects, psychic strike is a supernatural ability. According to the SRD description, damage reduction does not protect against energy attacks (even nonmagical ones), spells, spell-like abilities, or supernatural abilities.
Haruspex 06-08-07, 08:43 AM	And there's also just patent nonsense. Like this (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ask/20070608a): Since I don't have Complete Psionic, I thought the answer given must have some relevance somehow. Glad to see I wasn't imagining things.
Racinante 06-08-07, 10:33 AM	Apart from the heavy hint that it's not normal damage because it doesn't work on creatures immune to mind-affecting effects, psychic strike is a supernatural ability. According to the SRD description, damage reduction does not protect against energy attacks (even nonmagical ones), spells, spell-like abilities, or supernatural abilities. You can actually argue both sides. The supernatural effect adds to the mind blade (you cannot use psychic strike without the mind blade) and therefore augments the damage done by the mind blade. A better argument is that it acts just like a "bane", "holy", "unholy" or "merciful" ability of a weapon, however the damage is untyped. Either way, the damage would not bypass damage reduction.
Racinante 06-08-07, 10:41 AM	And there's also just patent nonsense. Like Q: Dear Sage, The list of lurk augments (Complete Psionic, 15) includes “Reach Attack,” but no definition of that augment exists. What does it do? --Michael A: The damage from armor spikes is dealt when you make a successful grapple check made for the purpose of dealing damage (the “Damage Your Opponent” option, PHB p156). this (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ask/20070608a): Is this a cut and paste from Dragon magazine? The question and answer look very familiar...
Fafnir 06-08-07, 10:53 AM	:OMG! Drugs and D&D do not mix. :nonono:
Lycanthromancer 06-08-07, 12:50 PM	And that most recent question (lurk, reach weapon) is the reason why you shouldn't have a bear answering rules questions for DND.Yeah. I'm getting a vision regarding a small, brown bear in a red shirt, sitting on a log, eyes shut tight, banging his forehead with a digitless hand, repeating to himself, "Think, think think. Oh, bother."
Nephlite 06-08-07, 01:51 PM	Yeah. I'm getting a vision regarding a small, brown bear in a red shirt, sitting on a log, eyes shut tight, banging his forehead with a digitless hand, repeating to himself, "Think, think think. Oh, bother." To be fair: it is a Panda... you have to give the beat some credit...he can type pretty well.
Racinante 06-08-07, 03:22 PM	Updated answer.... Q: Dear Sage, The list of lurk augments (Complete Psionic, 15) includes “Reach Attack,” but no definition of that augment exists. What does it do? --Michael A: No such augment exists. Ignore the reference on the list.
Diplominator 06-08-07, 04:46 PM	Updated answer.... Darn. For the one question that didn't have an obvious answer, he still isn't that helpful.
BloodSpill 06-09-07, 02:10 AM	Perfect! It doesn't exist! Let's use that from now on. Psicrystals don't exist. Linked Power doesn't exist. Flayerspawn psychics don't exist. Metaconcert doesn't exist. I feel better already!
Tyroki 06-09-07, 02:14 AM	Hahahaha xD
Slagger the Chuul 06-09-07, 02:26 AM	You can actually argue both sides. The supernatural effect adds to the mind blade (you cannot use psychic strike without the mind blade) and therefore augments the damage done by the mind blade. That's possible as a perspective, although the ability itself is dealing damage when the soulknife makes a successful melee attack. Psychic strike doesn't increase the damage of the mind blade itself, it just adds extra damage when a successful attack is made. By comparison, the mind blade enhancement has no direct effect on enemies; its only function is to add weapon abilities to the mind blade. In fact, this sort of exception also potentially applies to psionic feats (and other supernatural feats), so Psionic Weapon has the potential to bypass damage reduction (but other damage caused by the attack would still be affected). A better argument is that it acts just like a "bane", "holy", "unholy" or "merciful" ability of a weapon, however the damage is untyped. Those aren't supernatural abilities, they're weapon enhancements. While damage reduction does not offer any protection against energy damage or supernatural abilities like psychic strike, no such provision is made for weapon abilities (unless, of course, they deal energy damage). While this may sound like a bit of a rules niggle, it also reflects how much the ability is a part of the weapon making the attack.
FriendlyBiscuit 06-10-07, 05:14 AM	My DM refuses to allow third party stuff though T-T Infact, this weekend will be the first time he's let us go Psionics from level 1. >.> Last time, it wasn't till I was level 6. Ah well. When you're more experienced, offer to run a game, or better yet a one-shot. Allow and encourage psionics in it. Use NPCs with time hop and expansion and hustle and all sorts of other fun things that non-psi folks don't get to do very often. Grapple their psion, society mind, or wilder, and when they start getting worried remind them that they can still manifest. Explain how the use of their power points is completely under their control, and not bound by artificial demarcations such as spell slots. Then see what they think.
Tyroki 06-10-07, 05:19 AM	When you're more experienced, offer to run a game, or better yet a one-shot. Allow and encourage psionics in it. Use NPCs with time hop and expansion and hustle and all sorts of other fun things that non-psi folks don't get to do very often. Grapple their psion, society mind, or wilder, and when they start getting worried remind them that they can still manifest. Explain how the use of their power points is completely under their control, and not bound by artificial demarcations such as spell slots. Then see what they think. That could be alot of fun ^^ Yeah, when I'm more experienced.
Deekin 06-12-07, 02:54 PM	Q: Dear Sage, Does the scorn earth class feature of the elocator prestige class (Expanded Psionics Handbook 142) allow her to avoid taking damage from a fall? --Matthias A: Actually, the character wouldn’t fall at all. An elocator is effectively in a constant state of levitation (as the psionic levitate power). An elocator could walk out over an open pit without falling (though her speed would be reduced to 10 feet per round). Even a trap door opening beneath her feet wouldn’t drop her -- she’d just hang in space, levitating as if she’d intentionally stepped out over the pit. The class feature suggests strongly that its effect is created voluntarily: “she can float a foot above the ground” (EPH 143, italics added). Thus, if for some reason she didn’t have this effect active, she’d be as vulnerable to falling as anyone else. As a supernatural ability, it requires a standard action to activate scorn earth, so she probably wouldn’t have time to save herself from a (short) fall. A logical answer that clears up unknowns factors! Will wonders never cease?
Rageheart 06-12-07, 03:45 PM	I thought Scorn earth was not controlable, and was always active... AntiPsi Feilds aside.
CrimsonDeath 06-12-07, 03:59 PM	Apart from the heavy hint that it's not normal damage because it doesn't work on creatures immune to mind-affecting effects, psychic strike is a supernatural ability. According to the SRD description, damage reduction does not protect against energy attacks (even nonmagical ones), spells, spell-like abilities, or supernatural abilities. Unfortunately, thanks to CPsi, there are now powers that are subject to DR, so psionic supernatural abilities (pseudonatural abilities?) that are subject to DR wouldn't be a huge mental leap. I thought Scorn earth was not controlable, and was always active... AntiPsi Feilds aside. Well, according to the Sage, it's possible to turn it off-- something that might be necessary if the Elocator is the only person in the party who can reach a pressure plate that needs to be stepped on, for example. But in general, there's no reason to turn it off, so the fact that it would take a standard action to activate doesn't really matter that much.
Orion Polaris 06-12-07, 05:46 PM	Perfect! It doesn't exist! Let's use that from now on. Psicrystals don't exist. Linked Power doesn't exist. Flayerspawn psychics don't exist. Metaconcert doesn't exist. I feel better already! Can I act like Complete Psionics in general doesn't exist? Can I pretend that I have my money back for it?
Harbin_Dunewalker 06-12-07, 05:53 PM	You CAN pretend that it doesn't exist. In fact, that's what quite a lot of people do already. Unfortunately, you cannot pretend to get your money back for it, as that would involve WotC pretending to give you your money back, and that's something that they would never do :P
FriendlyBiscuit 06-13-07, 06:51 AM	Unfortunately, you cannot pretend to get your money back for it, as that would involve WotC pretending to give you your money back, and that's something that they would never do :PActually, I returned it! :D Why didn't y'all?
The_Shaman 06-13-07, 08:05 AM	You CAN pretend that it doesn't exist. In fact, that's what quite a lot of people do already. Unfortunately, you cannot pretend to get your money back for it, as that would involve WotC pretending to give you your money back, and that's something that they would never do :P Actually, you can pretend to have your money back. Now you just have not to notice a conspicuous absence in your wallet. Unfortunately, in RL it's not always easy to voluntarily fail a spot check, and bluffing along the lines of "This is a fifty-dollar bill, not a twenty-dollar one" is notoriously difficult.
Slagger the Chuul 06-13-07, 08:24 AM	Unfortunately, thanks to CPsi, there are now powers that are subject to DR, so psionic supernatural abilities (pseudonatural abilities?) that are subject to DR wouldn't be a huge mental leap. It's not a Mental Leap I'd expend my focus to make; the information in Complete Psionic refers specifically to powers, specifically to the metacreativity discipline, and specifically to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage (other effects are safe for now :) ). My personal argument would be that damage reduction should apply to physical damage (bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing) regardless of source; it would save a lot of confusion. Actually, you can pretend to have your money back. Now you just have not to notice a conspicuous absence in your wallet. Unfortunately, in RL it's not always easy to voluntarily fail a spot check. Another reason to lament the conspicuous absence of false sensory input and modify memory in our world.
The_Shaman 06-13-07, 09:18 AM	Or psionics/magic in general. " These aren't the twenty bucks you're looking for ;) "
Tyroki 06-13-07, 09:22 AM	I could swear The Sage is just reading the books, making up questions, when adding names to the questions to make it look like someone asked them. Any smart person would come to the Psionics board to ask proper question. From what I've gathered, the customer support is notoriously terrible.
SlanderPanic 06-13-07, 11:32 AM	I'm just happy to see psionics mentioned on the front page every day, rather than once a month (or not at all. Thank you for coming back, Mark!)
Dnjscott 06-13-07, 12:13 PM	Actually, I returned it! :D Why didn't y'all? The Lurk and the Elan racial feats, mostly. The Ardent has some appeal, as well. I need to play a Hellspawn Ardent and finally use those opposing alignment powers... The soulknife coverage was nice, too, though the Class Act and Races of Eberron had better stuff. Rest of the book was ass, more or less, but I liked that stuff pretty well.
hovnarr 06-13-07, 04:39 PM	I'm just happy to see psionics mentioned on the front page every day, rather than once a month (or not at all. Thank you for coming back, Mark!) Couldn't agree more. The good that will come of this is not that tough psionic rules conundrums will finally get answered - it's that psionics will get a wee bit of prime time, its well deserved 5 minutes of fame.
Tyroki 06-13-07, 07:11 PM	5 minutes? Hasn't it been about two weeks so far? XD
brothersutek 06-13-07, 07:21 PM	+++ I still have the question, " do psicrystals gain feats or not?" but hey thats my :twocents: sadly I have to agree with the statement "probably only going to answer questions that are already covered in a faq or in the book itself" why actually answer some of the real screwy problems they put in the psionic rulebooks! :rant: :banghead: :headexplo why solve problems! Its kinda of a question of "if we ignore the psionic problem it should go away" I mean psionics are broken anyway right? :hides:
Grimmsfeld 06-14-07, 04:59 AM	I also like the dubious answer given to the Sweeping Strike question. Yeah, we know we only apply flanking modifiers to only flanked targets. I understood the question to be asking whether or not we only make one attack roll and check it vs both ACs, and the answer...well...didn't help.
MrCelsius 06-14-07, 03:29 PM	I'm genuinely curious as to what reviewing, proofreading, and editing process is involved in getting these Sage Advice articles to print. If the end results are any indication, I suspect it's all orchestrated by a learning-impaired chimp named Beppo. Andy! Seriously! Would it have been so hard to preface your little jaunt down Obvious Lane with a 'yes' or a 'no'? In all technicality, you didn't answer the question, since you said nothing about the actual die roll! Beppo! Punish him! :rant:
Lycanthromancer 06-14-07, 07:18 PM	Looks like he changed his answer. I guess they're reading what we're posting. At least, we can hope. If so, can we have the answers to some of our other questions, Mr. Andy? Like, how you get a psicrytal back when it dies, what size category do you use when using telekinetic maneuver, can you clarify all of Complete Psionic, what happens when multiple affinity fields overlap, do thri-kreen get psionic displacement (which doesn't exist, and yet was re-re-errata'd to be so in CPsi) or concealing amorpha, what is the actual duration of compression and expansion, and what happens when you manifest crystal shard, hail of crystals, or swarm of crystals into a null psionics field? Oh, and how does the elocator's Scorn Earth ability sync with psionic grease and skate? Also, it's obvious (but since you've answered so many obvious questions anyway, you shouldn't mind one bit), but could you also answer the question, "How many power points can a manifester use in a round? How about per manifestation?" That way, maybe some of these psi-haters will SEE that they've missed that part, and will quit complaining about psionics being broken because a 1st level psion can do 6d6 points of damage in a single shot. Thank you, Mr. Andy.
MrCelsius 06-15-07, 03:47 AM	Looks like he changed his answer. Good job, Beppo! Who's a smart monkey-editor? Yes, you are! Have a cookie! :cookie:
Tyroki 06-15-07, 10:19 AM	Hey Andy, can you re-write the Complete Psionics book for us? Include all of out questions in rule form with full clarifications. Do it. NOW! Beppo, theres a good widdle moonkeeeey. "Whats that hanging out of her nose?" "Complete Psionics!" "Oh s**t, there goes the planet"
The_Ditto 06-15-07, 10:56 AM	Hey Andy, can you re-write the Complete Psionics book for us? Include all of out questions in rule form with full clarifications. Do it. NOW! If we did that, we wouldn't have a book, we'd have a small pamphlet ... :tiphat:
The Livewire 06-18-07, 07:16 AM	Is it a sign of the end times that a) He actually answered a not so obivious question and b) it's one I agree with, RE Damp Power? And I'd guess that means an Empowered+Maximised fireball does 65 points of damage (60 points for 10d6 maximised. Empowered does 50% of 10d6, lowered to 10 by damp power, so effectively 5)
Archangel62 06-18-07, 07:34 AM	Actually, you can pretend to have your money back. Now you just have not to notice a conspicuous absence in your wallet. Unfortunately, in RL it's not always easy to voluntarily fail a spot check, and bluffing along the lines of "This is a fifty-dollar bill, not a twenty-dollar one" is notoriously difficult. You can voluntarily fail your sense motive check.
The_Shaman 06-18-07, 08:36 AM	Call me capricious, but I would rather the rest of the world failed theirs, and I think you need special training to do that in RL. Every time I try to imagine I have more money than I really do, I get a headache. Well, considering that reality revision is a lvl 9 power, I think I have a long way to go :(
Tyroki 06-18-07, 08:48 AM	I'm sorry, just offtopic for a moment but... O.o http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ask/20070602a Ask the DM eh? XD Hey DM, can the Synad have a lifespan like an Elan? XD
Racinante 06-18-07, 10:00 AM	Is it a sign of the end times that a) He actually answered a not so obivious question and b) it's one I agree with, RE Damp Power? And I'd guess that means an Empowered+Maximised fireball does 65 points of damage (60 points for 10d6 maximised. Empowered does 50% of 10d6, lowered to 10 by damp power, so effectively 5) Yep.
FriendlyBiscuit 06-19-07, 05:04 PM	He actually answered a not so obivious questionIt was great! It wasn't something I'd actually given thought to yet, but good to know.
AdventChild 06-27-07, 04:50 AM	And the sage has moved on and still our questions were not answered...
Lycanthromancer 06-27-07, 04:47 PM	And the sage has moved on and still our questions were not answered... And you're SURPRISED by this? I figured it'd be this way from the beginning.
Rageheart 06-27-07, 05:24 PM	Call me capricious, OK, Capricious. I'm sorry, just offtopic for a moment but... O.o http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ask/20070602a Ask the DM eh? XD Hey DM, can the Synad have a lifespan like an Elan? XD Ohhhh... no can it have a lifespan like an Aboleth? they're both abberations!
AdventChild 06-27-07, 07:24 PM	And you're SURPRISED by this? I figured it'd be this way from the beginning. Nope just giving it a proper ending to that chapter in psionic history since no one did. interpret it as a voice over as the camera slowly fades away from the sage's home and the credits start rolling.
Scion of Coldshard 06-28-07, 01:06 PM	Nope just giving it a proper ending to that chapter in psionic history since no one did. interpret it as a voice over as the camera slowly fades away from the sage's home and the credits start rolling. Stupid french films.
Azzy 06-28-07, 01:24 PM	Thank you, guys--you really made me chuckle. :)
Zarreth_Nessad 06-28-07, 02:39 PM	Is it a sign of the end times that a) He actually answered a not so obivious question and b) it's one I agree with, RE Damp Power? And I'd guess that means an Empowered+Maximised fireball does 65 points of damage (60 points for 10d6 maximised. Empowered does 50% of 10d6, lowered to 10 by damp power, so effectively 5) No, it would be 90. Since it is maximized, the empowerment is maxed as well, thus not subject to the Damp Power because it is no longer a variable at the time of manifesting.
Tempest Stormwind 06-28-07, 02:45 PM	No, it would be 90. Since it is maximized, the empowerment is maxed as well, thus not subject to the Damp Power because it is no longer a variable at the time of manifesting. Someone needs to read how Empower and Maximize interact. While this *is* how it works by overall rules (that is, the order you apply metamagic doesn't matter and there's no such thing as a "base spell" in 3.5), Empower and Maximize have exceptions printed in them that call out how they, and they alone, interact. I can't access the SRD from work, but IIRC it is something like "An empowered, maximized spell deals maximum normal damage plus half of the normally rolled result." An empowered, maximized fireball deals: Max(10d6)+0.5*(10d6) = 60+0.5*(10d6). If this is then Damped, it deals: 60+0.5*(Min(10d6)) = 60+0.5*(10) = 65.
Bacris 06-28-07, 02:56 PM	SRD source: An empowered and maximized power gains the separate benefits of each feat: the maximum result plus one-half the normally rolled result.
Zarreth_Nessad 06-28-07, 05:59 PM	Just goes to show even when I know the rules I should look them up for specifics before posting. Thanks, Tempest & Bacris. My apologies for my mistake.
axenome 06-28-07, 06:21 PM	Ectopic Form feats = complete horse$#!%. Agile Loper level 9: Speed 70, mobility, trample. Equal to: Mobility(Menu a) + 2 times Celerity(Also menu a) + Trample (Menu b). If you split a menu C all the way down, you get: 4 menu A selections. A level 9 Astral Construct has 2 menu C selections WITHOUT Boost Construct. By my math, to be even in power with a level 9 base construct, he's missing a Menu A selection and a Menu B selection. And since the Ectopic form loses its menu selections, the Construct is castrated further if you have the Boost Construct feat. Alabaster Aerial: Fly 20' (Average) = Menu A, Deflection = Menu A, Heavy Deflection(Level 4+) = Menu B. Fly speed 30 ft for level 4-6, 40 ft 7-9. 7-9 poison touch = menu B. STILL missing a Menu B selection for level 9, or a menu B for 4-8 with Boost Construct. I can keep going, but you all see where this is going. My question: Why would anyone take a feat to WEAKEN their Astral Constructs? (Expected answer: Complete Mind#*%& (Complete Psi II), p. whatever: Astral Construct Power: Your astral Construct receives No menu selections. You may only have One Astral Construct in play at a time, and may only manifest Astral Construct one time per day. This power may no longer be augmented.)
MrCelsius 06-30-07, 01:07 AM	Q: Dear Sage My dwarf character fell into a pit of alchemist fire. Although he survived, the fire burned his beard away. Does dwarf facial hair re-grow at the same rate at human facial hair? --Oliver A: While a dwarf’s facial hair grows at roughly the same rate as human facial hair, a dwarf’s beard is cultivated from the time a young dwarf’s first facial hail sprouts on his chin. It may take a decade or more of careful care and grooming for a beard to feel (or be recognized by other dwarves) as full as it once was. Can someone tell me which board full of players and DMs was desperately clamoring to know how fast a dwarf regrows singed chin pubes? Because apparently this fluff crap is more important than any of the answers we begged for. :ahem: ... :nonono: ... :tantrum: ... :rant: ... :banghead: ... :hoppingma ... :headexplo ... ... okay, I'm done. ... ... :pbbbtt:
AdventChild 06-30-07, 01:22 AM	Can someone tell me which board full of players and DMs was desperately clamoring to know how fast a dwarf regrows singed chin pubes? Because apparently this fluff crap is more important than any of the answers we begged for. :ahem: ... :nonono: ... :tantrum: ... :rant: ... :banghead: ... :hoppingma ... :headexplo ... ... okay, I'm done. ... ... :pbbbtt: I doubt that they read any questions submitted... or they just roll dices and select questions randomly... which would explain why such question was answered. Those responsible for errata are very irresponsible... and its not that they hate psionics... we are simply a small community... and as a small community they toss alot of &%$# at us (sometimes good stuff like the ardent) expecting us to just conform with what they toss at us... not knowing that perhaps we are a community with high expectations and good sense of quality there for we use one of the most balanced and coolest system in dnd... Psionics... and that shouldnt be taken lightly... perhaps we should gaze into the eye that gives us hope (Minds Eye) instead of gazing into the eyes of... well... that thing... called... sage?
The Livewire 07-01-07, 10:17 AM	now in defense of the Sage (and I can't believe I'm doing this) this question (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ask/20061018a) was asked by me, and answered. so they do take questions. Why the dwarf beard answer was chosen I don't know though
Calain80 07-09-07, 07:27 AM	There is a new (and good) one up now: Q: Dear Sage What classes contribute toward a psicrystal’s abilities? What about monsters with psi-like abilities—do their racial HD count too? --Andy A: Any class or prestige class that grants the ability to manifest psionic powers contributes its level for the purpose of determining a psicrystal’s abilities, unless the class states otherwise. Racial Hit Dice don’t contribute toward this purpose, even if the creature has a power point reserve or psi-like abilities. I hope to see more of them! :D The only thing is, that Soulknife levels do not count due to this answer. But as a pure Soulknife could not even take the feat, I'm ok with this constraint.
Kanachi 07-09-07, 08:05 AM	While this was the general ruling i had always used its nice to see it turned semi-official by the sage. I made a custom feat for any Soulknife that wanted to pursue such a path (which by and large is a small portion of Soulknife builds). This feat basically allowed the Soulknife to apply their class levels to a psicrystal. I'm sure you could also make a similar feat for any monsters or whatever else you wanted as well. While i'm not sure how breakable such feats would be i've never personaly encountered any problem with them.
Azzy 07-09-07, 12:43 PM	While this was the general ruling i had always used its nice to see it turned semi-official by the sage. I made a custom feat for any Soulknife that wanted to pursue such a path (which by and large is a small portion of Soulknife builds). This feat basically allowed the Soulknife to apply their class levels to a psicrystal. I'm sure you could also make a similar feat for any monsters or whatever else you wanted as well. While i'm not sure how breakable such feats would be i've never personaly encountered any problem with them. If you take the Hidden Talent soulknife (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/psm/20070214a) variant from the Mind's Eye, you are considered a manifester, so you could have a psicrystal as your manifester level would be equal to however many times you took the Hidden Talent feat. Nevermind.
InkBlot 07-09-07, 01:05 PM	No. That's not how that works. Hidden Talent specifically states that it does not give you a manifester level. Furthermore, nothing about Hidden Talent or that variant soulknife even hints at increasing your effective manifester level for taking Hidden Talent multiple times.
Sarlax 07-09-07, 01:12 PM	The four psionic classes, in the order they’re presented in this chapter, are as follows. Psion: A seeker after psionic secrets; a master of the mind and the thoughts of others. Psychic Warrior: A warrior who combines combat skill with psionic powers. Soulknife: A warrior who fights with an idealized blade of personal mental energy. Wilder: A passionate, reckless talent who wields uncontrolled psionic power. MANIFESTER LEVEL The variables of a power’s effect often depend on its manifester level, which is equal to your psionic class level. Soulknives have manifester levels.
SilentOne 07-09-07, 01:34 PM	Doesn't the Divine Mind only have half-manifester progression, contrary to that bit you just quoted? Something to remember is that the soulknife is only made psionic because they get Wild Talent, otherwise, they wouldn't be at all. I think that's what the first quote is referring to.
Azzy 07-09-07, 01:42 PM	No. That's not how that works. Hidden Talent specifically states that it does not give you a manifester level. Ah, my bad--I got caught on this and didn't skim further: If you have no psionic class levels, you are considered a 1st-level manifester when manifesting this power.
Enchanter_Tom 07-09-07, 03:21 PM	Doesn't the Divine Mind only have half-manifester progression, contrary to that bit you just quoted? Something to remember is that the soulknife is only made psionic because they get Wild Talent, otherwise, they wouldn't be at all. I think that's what the first quote is referring to. It has manifester level -4. It ought to have half manifester levels, as that's how the ranger/paladin work, but, whatever...
Scion of Coldshard 07-09-07, 03:34 PM	It has manifester level -4. It ought to have half manifester levels, as that's how the ranger/paladin work, but, whatever... Actually, the penalty that doesnt scale makes a whole lot more sense from a game perspective. As such, the ranger and paladin should be changed (I already houseruled them to be an apropriate, non-scaling penalty a very long time ago now).
Enchanter_Tom 07-09-07, 03:39 PM	Why do you think it makes more sense?
Nephlite 07-09-07, 04:19 PM	Why do you think it makes more sense? At level 20, manifester 16 is more balanced than caster 10 like a paladin. It is weak for them to be so low.
Azzy 07-09-07, 04:46 PM	Doesn't the -4 caster/manifester level mesh better with Practised Caster/Manifester, also?
AdventChild 07-09-07, 06:30 PM	At level 20, manifester 16 is more balanced than caster 10 like a paladin. It is weak for them to be so low. Paladins and Rangers are secondary casters, not primary, they focus on combat not casting, the casting is a little extra as the paladin has a divine focus for goodness and the ranger an affinity for nature. The half caster level is good as it is.
Scion of Coldshard 07-09-07, 06:36 PM	Paladins and Rangers are secondary casters, not primary, they focus on combat not casting, the casting is a little extra as the paladin has a divine focus for goodness and the ranger an affinity for nature. The half caster level is good as it is. It really isnt good enough as is. Caster level just does too much. Being behind by a bit to represent not being as specialized in it is fine, but being behind by enough that you might as well not even bother a good portion of the time? No good! Over many levels the difference isnt all that big but making the abilities just a little bit more useful while not actually increasing their real power level is simply a good thing in my eyes. I've been in the 'half caster level' shoes before and on occasion it really hurt and I simply do not see the reason for it to be that way. An extra couple of caster levels, while still being behind the pure casters in a lot of ways, simply isnt going to cause any problems.. it simply makes certain abilities a bit more useful.
Enchanter_Tom 07-09-07, 07:20 PM	Yes, level -4 works for feats like Practiced Spellcaster. However, the divine mind and paladin are both pretty terrible, so I don't think it much matters.
Rhonin the Big 07-10-07, 12:13 AM	The Sage is a mammal classified in the bear family, Ursidae, native to central and southern China. Debate continues as to whether he is truly a bear or more related to the raccoon rather than the bear, or perhaps in a family of his own. When not eating bamboo and answering rules questions, he works under the nom de plume of Andy Collins as an RPG developer in Wizards of the Coast R&D, where his development credits include Complete Mage, Dragon Magic, and the Player's Handbook v.3.5. He can be easily recognized by his large, distinctive black patches around the eyes, ears and on his rotund body. No wonder nobody respects the sage: Apparently Heihachi Mishima taught Kuma how to not only type, but create the books responsible for arcane spellsurge, arcane fusion, residual magic, the abjurant champion, the draconic totemist soulmelds and the most hated classes in d&d known as the fighter and paladin. Hey Sage, answer this question: Q: How can you guys make fourth edition d&d successful? A: OMGWTFBBQ!!!!!!!!onehundredandeleven! I jus g0t teh fiured! 0h N0es!
Tempest Stormwind 07-10-07, 03:31 AM	Good news: He's back answering psi questions. Bad news: He's wrong.Q: Dear Sage When attempting to regain your psionic focus, does the check automatically fail if you take damage? Can you make the check “defensively” to avoid opportunity attacks? --Eric A: No and no.The first part is right, since there's nothing in the text about failing if you take damage (or succeeding if you don't, for that matter). The second is wrong:You can use Concentration to cast a spell, use a spell-like ability, or use a skill defensively, so as to avoid attacks of opportunity altogether. This doesn’t apply to other actions that might provoke attacks of opportunity. The DC of the check is 15 (plus the spell’s level, if casting a spell or using a spell-like ability defensively). If the Concentration check succeeds, you may attempt the action normally without provoking any attacks of opportunity.Of course, we've known this for a while, but it's REALLY aggrevating to see the Sage get it WRONG.
Azzy 07-10-07, 04:14 AM	Awww, and he started off on the right foot. *sigh* Please, Sage, pretty please, do better than this. It's one thing when I screw up rules--I'm not being paid as an authority who's job includes answering and clarifying rules questions (besides, I typically admit when I'm wrong). C'mon, Sage, please do better than this. We know you've got it in you.
Wizard Random 07-10-07, 08:24 AM	now in defense of the Sage (and I can't believe I'm doing this) this question (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ask/20061018a) was asked by me, and answered. so they do take questions. Why the dwarf beard answer was chosen I don't know though Thats actually pretty neat, I would burn a feat for a free +1 ML
The Livewire 07-10-07, 09:00 AM	Awww, and he started off on the right foot. *sigh* Please, Sage, pretty please, do better than this. It's one thing when I screw up rules--I'm not being paid as an authority who's job includes answering and clarifying rules questions (besides, I typically admit when I'm wrong). C'mon, Sage, please do better than this. We know you've got it in you. Unless you believe in the stopped clock theory... In other news, the Sage says in Dragon Magazine that you can do a quckend action and a free action in the same round. He also answers that often asked question that the familiar doesn't gain feats as its master gains levels. No word on if his ruling that the sky is green is an official ruling. :rolleyes:
Rayous 07-10-07, 11:36 AM	In other news, the Sage says in Dragon Magazine that you can do a quckend action and a free action in the same round. What is wrong with this? Quicken is now a swift action of which you can only have one. There are no limit to how many times you may have a free action (ie quickdraw) in a round. Neither free nor swift impact on each other.
Azzy 07-10-07, 11:58 AM	Unless you believe in the stopped clock theory... In other news, the Sage says in Dragon Magazine that you can do a quickened action and a free action in the same round. To reiterate what Rayous said: Free Actions: Free actions don’t take any time at all, though there may be limits to the number of free actions you can perform in a turn. Free actions rarely incur attacks of opportunity. Swift Actions: A swift action consumes a very small amount of time, but represents a larger expenditure of effort and energy than a free action. You can perform one swift action per turn without affecting your ability to perform other actions. In that regard, a swift action is like a free action. However, you can perform only a single swift action per turn, regardless of what other actions you take. You can take a swift action any time you would normally be allowed to take a free action. Swift actions usually involve spellcasting or the activation of magic items; many characters (especially those who don't cast spells) never have an opportunity to take a swift action. Casting a quickened spell is a swift action. In addition, casting any spell with a casting time of 1 swift action is a swift action. Casting a spell with a casting time of 1 swift action does not provoke attacks of opportunity. He also answers that often asked question that the familiar doesn't gain feats as its master gains levels. Well, they don't. The familiar doesn't gain actual HD as its master progresses in level, so it can't gain feats from something it doesn't have: Hit Dice: For the purpose of effects related to number of Hit Dice, use the master’s character level or the familiar’s normal HD total, whichever is higher.
NoldorForce 07-10-07, 01:56 PM	Unless you believe in the stopped clock theory... In other news, the Sage says in Dragon Magazine that you can do a quckend action and a free action in the same round.This on its own is, as above, fine. What precisely was asked, however?
Tempest Stormwind 07-10-07, 02:03 PM	I want to know where we can go to submit corrections to this. I mean, I can understand making **** up when there's no rules to cover the area (even if the **** made up is obvious nerfage), but being patently wrong when the relevant rules are staring you in the face is unacceptable.
Fafnir 07-10-07, 02:30 PM	I want to know where we can go to submit corrections to this. I mean, I can understand making **** up when there's no rules to cover the area (even if the **** made up is obvious nerfage), but being patently wrong when the relevant rules are staring you in the face is unacceptable. I agree. This is becoming ridiculous.
Racinante 07-10-07, 02:45 PM	I want to know where we can go to submit corrections to this. I mean, I can understand making **** up when there's no rules to cover the area (even if the **** made up is obvious nerfage), but being patently wrong when the relevant rules are staring you in the face is unacceptable. Submitted. Click on Sage Advice header above the question for a form.
Racinante 07-10-07, 03:05 PM	Good news: He's back answering psi questions. Bad news: He's wrong.The first part is right, since there's nothing in the text about failing if you take damage (or succeeding if you don't, for that matter). Actually, on the first part, he got that wrong as well. If you are attempting to gain psionic focus and receive damage, you make an additional concentration check at DC 10+damage dealt to continue with the attempt. If you fail, then you also fail to gain focus that round.
Lazigothi 07-10-07, 03:47 PM	Many thanks for submitting your question! Please keep in mind that due to the large number of questions we receive, while your question will be read there might not be sufficient opportunity for us to supply an answer. For general rules questions be sure to first consult the FAQ or Errata. If you are looking for a specific feat, prestige class or creature, also take a look at our Consolidated Lists, updated monthly. I think this should filter questions, assuming petitioners read this before posting. I would also, likewise, assume Andy would first check to see if the solution wasn't already fielded by an errata and/or FAQ and dismiss the question outright. I seem to recall an old comment Andy may have said that he only selected questions that added to the overall D&D experience and wouldn't then necessarily tackle strictly "crunch," rules mechanics types of questions, allowing him to field fluff type questions such as the Dwarf Beard growth syndrome. That said, I'm surprised when there are "crunch" type questions that I wouldn't think would matter for D&D ambience, and I'm surprised there aren't then, more fluff questions answered. I check the Sage questions and 90 - 98% of the time the questions seemed not applicable or trivial matters. I found the Dwarf thing amusing but completely wasteful. I would hope it wasn't a DM asking that question, or, if a player, why not ask their DM instead of the Sage? My thoughts regarding the Sage fielding any D&D questions are that it feels like a pointless, wasteful endeavor that comes across as a token offering. When the Sage gets it wrong, the token offering becomes an insult. I think as a matter of course, that unless it's fluff, every answer should be supported by page number and quote. My other thought is that the Sage column is the pulse of interest for WotC, and although the really noteworthy Psionic questions won't ever be answered, I'm hoping it's indicative of perchance a growing change of interest with Psionics, and that it will eventually emerge and share the same book with other core classes, holding hands and chanting free at last.
SilentOne 07-11-07, 12:25 AM	http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ask/20070711a[/url]]Q: Dear Sage Can a creature augment its psi-like abilities? --Winston A: No. Since a creature doesn’t pay power points to manifest a psi-like ability, it can’t be augmented (even if the creature has power points). A psi-like ability always has the base, non-augmented effect. ....what? Did he even bother reading the rules on this? Psi-Like Abilities Most psionic monsters have some number of psi-like abilities. These are very similar to spell-like abilities. Naturally, they are psionic and work just like powers or spells. A creature with psi-like abilities does not pay for these abilities with power points and does not pay any XP cost associated with manifesting the power the ability duplicates. Psi-like abilities do not work in a null psionics field and are subject to power resistance if the power or spell the ability duplicates would be subject to power resistance. A psi-like ability usually has a limit on how often it can be used. A psi-like ability that can be used at will has no use limit. Using a psi-like ability is a standard action unless noted otherwise, and doing so while threatened provokes attacks of opportunity. It is possible to make a Concentration check to use a psi-like ability defensively and avoid provoking attacks of opportunity, just as when using a power or casting a spell. A psi-like ability can be interrupted just as a spell can be. Psi-like abilities cannot be used to counterspell, nor can they be counterspelled. All creatures with psi-like abilities are assigned a manifester level, which indicates how difficult it is to dispel their psi-like effects and determines all level-dependent variables (such as range or duration) the abilities might have. When a creature uses a psi-like ability, the power is manifested as if the creature had spent a number of power points equal to its manifester level, which may augment the power to improve its damage or save DC. However, the creature does not actually spend power points for its psi-like abilities, even if it has a power point reserve due to racial abilities, class levels, or some other psionic ability. The DC of a saving throw (if applicable) against a creature’s psi-like ability is 10 + the level of the power or spell the ability duplicates + the creature’s Cha modifier. Remember to check the power’s Augment entry to see if the creature’s manifester level (and thus the effective power point expenditure) increases the DC of the saving throw. Changes to the effect’s save DC, damage, and so on are noted in the psi-like ability entry.
Enchanter_Tom 07-11-07, 12:56 AM	Loladin.
InkBlot 07-11-07, 01:09 AM	Q: Dear Sage Can a creature augment its psi-like abilities? --Winston A: No. Since a creature doesn’t pay power points to manifest a psi-like ability, it can’t be augmented (even if the creature has power points). A psi-like ability always has the base, non-augmented effect. http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x149/Gnomick/wtfserioiusly.gif
ChimericalWolf 07-11-07, 01:34 AM	...holy crap, would it have been that hard to READ THE FRELLING 6 PARAGRAPHS ON PSI-LIKE ABILITIES? Wizards, if you aren't going to research your own product enough to be right about a simple question, why don't you just leave us alone. Hell, maybe point people with psionics questions to somewhere useful like here.
Lycanthromancer 07-11-07, 01:44 AM	Mythbusters should have a show regarding psionic myths. Like that one.
calronmoonflower 07-11-07, 02:06 AM	:rant: That's three strikes in one week. :rant: Maybe they should appoint a sub for psionics that knows the rules instead of letting the Sage pull the answers out of his :censored:. What with our recent stand in the spotlight... http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g111/Lycanthromancer/WinnieThePooh.jpg
Jhaelen 07-11-07, 06:48 AM	Ouch, that last answer was really, really a bad one - extremely embarassing! :eek: That's psionics 101 - back to primary school, I say! :cool:
Nitan 07-11-07, 02:18 PM	....what? Did he even bother reading the rules on this? I see nothing wrong in the ruling. Then again, as I feel no desire to find mistakes in the Sage's advice, I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt in that the word "base" refers to the effect printed in the stats text.
Fafnir 07-11-07, 02:27 PM	I see nothing wrong in the ruling. Then again, as I feel no desire to find mistakes in the Sage's advice, I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt in that the word "base" refers to the effect printed in the stats text. But then you have to ask yourself why that effect is augmented. We're not trying to find mistakes... the mistakes are literally jumping out from the computer screen and kicking us in the face. At least now he corrected himself. The one on psionic focus, though, is still wrong.
Azzy 07-11-07, 03:24 PM	Y'know, I think what their best bet would be is to have specialist "Sages" in addition to the normal Sage (who focuses more on the core rules, and how rules addition affect the core rules). That way, a specialist Sage could be well read on his/her subject and help field answers to questions concerning that subject or advise the normal Sage in those matters.
Rhonin the Big 07-12-07, 02:30 AM	Yes, level -4 works for feats like Practiced Spellcaster. However, the divine mind and paladin are both pretty terrible, so I don't think it much matters. The Divine Mind Handbook, apply this to your character ASAP: Implosion Evocation Level: Clr 9, Destruction 9 Components: V, S Casting Time: 1 standard action Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels) Targets: One corporeal creature/round Duration: Concentration (up to 4 rounds) Saving Throw: Fortitude negates Spell Resistance: Yes You create a destructive resonance in a corporeal creature’s body. For each round you concentrate, you cause one creature to collapse in on itself, killing it. (This effect, being instantaneous, cannot be dispelled.) You can target a particular creature only once with each casting of the spell. Implosion has no effect on creatures in gaseous form or on incorporeal creatures. Fine, then. Let's compile some questions. Since the sage is busy stealing your pic-a-nic basket I'll do my best to try an answer these questions. Complete Psionic...Why?! We, the psionic community asked for quality supplemental psionic content and they really tried to give it to us ... and to remove the broken psionic system from the face of the earth. It is all an elaborate corporate conspiracy to make psionics no longer as popular as it is now. How do you get your psicrystal back once it dies? This is a tough one. You get animal companions back when they die by replacing them, likewise for familiars and special mounts. So I suggest that your psionic character go find a big enough crystal and implant a fragment of your intellect into that one for a replacement. There's no costs listed unlike familiars, so as a DM I would houserule some hours of uninterrupted meditation. How do you use the Illithid Blast feat? Simple, you expend your focus, take the standard action and use it. Since no power point cost or equivalent power level is specified it cost no power points. Why was the Storm Disciple put in CPsi? Not everything has to be 100% on-topic in the book, the warlock options in Complete Mage have nothing mage related, and the Tempest seems better suited to be in complete warrior. I do agree that the Storm Disciple = massive suckitude. How does Metaconcert work? Exactly the way the XPH says it does. A psion manifests it and a bunch of other psionic creatures join their minds together, and donate power points into a big pool of group power points that the psion who manifested Metaconcert can spend at an increased ML. Am I the only person who finds absolutely no prob'ms with Metaconcert? What happens when you use Crystal Shard, Swarm of Crystals, and Hail of Crystals on someone in a Null Psionics Field? By RAW instantaneous creation effects do not apply to Null Psionics Fields, if I cast create water in a cup and splash it on somebody in a NPF he gets wet. As far as intent goes telekinesis is projecting those crystals through the field, as a psychic energy the TK would not penetrate the field. In the end its what your DM says, but we already know that so if your DM is the RAW-obsessed type tell him to wing it like a good DM. Why haven't we gotten any errata that we don't have to pay for? A: the Magic Item Compendium isnt paid-for errata, its just a supplement with some reprints to keep the material balanced and so is Complete Psionics. B: There is an XPH errata on the d&d errata page and you (hopefully) didn't pay for that ... is there? Why the hell was Astral Construct nerfed? The argument for GBI was that astral constructs can be made into anything, combined with ways to increase ML like overchannel and/or wild surge and you got one big astral monstrocity. I don't believe limiting to one out at a time was the right thing to do, but its better than nothing. What happens if you Feat Leech away numerous feats, such as Psicrystal Affinity, Illithid Heritage, and so on? You gain access to the feat exactly as the target has but you use your ML, so if you Feat Leech psicrystal affinity you now have a psicrystal with the exact same personalities as his crystal, and if you Feat Leech EK you get EK (whatever the target's EK is) and you manifest it at your ML. Think of it like Sasuke Uchiha from Naruto, when he copy's a target's jutsu with his bloodline trait the target can still use the jutsu he copied but now Sasuke has learned an exact double of the copied jutsu which he can use to the best of his ability. What are the REAL prerequisites for the Anarchic Initiate? As written + education. Why did we get so screwed over on Complete Psionic? Your standards are too high. The Metamind...Why? The only reason the Metamind exists as written is to punish those who play d&d with bad math skills.
Fleem 07-12-07, 11:04 AM	Well played! I'd have to disagree with the feat leech on Psicrystal Affinity, though. Although the SRD description of Psicrystal Affinity is contradictory ("you have created" vs. "allows you to gain"), I'm pretty sure EPH says something like "allows you to create". Sounds to me like it just allows you to create (or "gain"?) your own psicrystal, using whatever rules you make up about that process. It doesn't say anything about taking a psicrystal that belonged to someone else. Since you choose the personality as part of creating the crystal and not part of taking the feat, you're not limited to the feat owner's choice, there. Improved Psicrystal might be a different story, since the feat explicitly states that you choose a new personality.
Racinante 07-12-07, 11:24 AM	So I suggest that your psionic character go find a big enough crystal... For the feat, a crystal is not needed to create the original, so finding a crystal to imprint makes no sense from a rules as written standpoint. A psicrystal is a fragment of a psionic character's personality, brought into physical form and a semblance of life (via the Psicrystal Affinity feat). A psicrystal appears as a crystalline construct about the size of a human hand.
Rhonin the Big 07-12-07, 06:53 PM	Well played! I'd have to disagree with the feat leech on Psicrystal Affinity, though. Although the SRD description of Psicrystal Affinity is contradictory ("you have created" vs. "allows you to gain"), I'm pretty sure EPH says something like "allows you to create". Sounds to me like it just allows you to create (or "gain"?) your own psicrystal, using whatever rules you make up about that process. It doesn't say anything about taking a psicrystal that belonged to someone else. Since you choose the personality as part of creating the crystal and not part of taking the feat, you're not limited to the feat owner's choice, there. Improved Psicrystal might be a different story, since the feat explicitly states that you choose a new personality. Actually, both the XPH and SRD are identical and they do contradict. But I see two problems with your interpretation: 1: You're not leeching his ability to create a psicrystal, you are leeching his psicrystal. Much like when you leech EK, you are not leeching his ability to expand his mind you are leeching his bonus power. 2: It could bring combat to a screeching hault. The manifester has to choose his crystal's personality which could take awhile (my telepath's crystal is a physical manifesting of himself as an idealistic, ambitious and inquisitive young child hense nimble hero; so if his psicrystal was feat leeched the manifester would have to ask himself out of character "what was I like as a kid?"). A thrallherd with a crystal master thrall could just leech psicrystals back and forth stacking personalities. For the feat, a crystal is not needed to create the original, so finding a crystal to imprint makes no sense from a rules as written standpoint. My point is that if familiars, animal companions and special mounts are brought back from the death via replacement than a psicrystal should be no different. The problem is making rules for it, my telepath made his psicrystal in his sleep and he woke up in bed next to a glowing blue crystal so for him he would probably need to go on some sort of sidequest where he looks inside himself for the hidden knowledge to replace his psicrystal.
Lokiyn 07-12-07, 09:56 PM	Or, he could coalesce a new psicrystal as a free action. Both are equally valid options.
Rhonin the Big 07-12-07, 11:53 PM	Q: Dear Sage What effect does a negative level have on a psionic character? --James A: The Expanded Psionics Handbook is silent on this issue. Negative Levels Psionic characters can gain negative levels just like members of other character classes. A psionic character loses access to one power per negative level from the highest level of power he can manifest; he also loses a number of power points equal to the cost of that power. If two or more powers fit these criteria, the manifester decides which one becomes inaccessible. The lost power becomes available again as soon the negative level is removed, providing the manifester is capable of using it at that time. Lost power points also return. DEE DEE DEE!
Tsuul 07-13-07, 12:45 AM	The Sage has a Push-to-Talk version of the XPH. It's a prototype though. William Shatner has to go back into the studio to fill in some missing parts before we will see it.
serraphin 07-13-07, 02:58 AM	And for today's genius to notice... "Activating the burst power does not provoke opportunity attacks" So psi-like abilities no longer provoke? Super!
InkBlot 07-13-07, 03:20 AM	The Xeph racial burst ability isn't psi-like. It's supernatural. The Sage was technically correct on this one.
serraphin 07-13-07, 08:00 AM	Ah yes. My bad - that's what comes of seeing too many incorrect ones I guess. You keep expecting the next one to be wrong. (That and I <i>always</i> thought that a Xeph's power was Ps...just goes to show).
The_Ditto 07-13-07, 08:09 AM	DEE DEE DEE! Is it april? Already? AGAIN?!! :banghead:
Fleem 07-13-07, 10:23 AM	To be fair, that whole negative levels thing is buried in a power description, isn't it? Of course, the text there conflicts with the CPsi text on negative levels, or so I've been told.
The_Ditto 07-13-07, 11:53 AM	To be fair, that whole negative levels thing is buried in a power description, isn't it? Of course, the text there conflicts with the CPsi text on negative levels, or so I've been told. Nope .. at the start of the Powers section ... (of course, I wish it wasn't there .. it really hammers psionics over arcane .. but that's another discussion .. :D )
Tempest Stormwind 07-13-07, 11:54 AM	Nope .. at the start of the Powers section ... (of course, I wish it wasn't there .. it really hammers psionics over arcane .. but that's another discussion .. :D ) Tell me about it. Sorcerers and wizards lose a spell slot, psions lose a spell slot (PP) AND a power known.
InkBlot 07-13-07, 11:59 AM	You keep expecting the next one to be wrong. (That and I <i>always</i> thought that a Xeph's power was Ps...just goes to show). It probably should be Psilike. It should be -- Burst (Ps): Three times per day, a xeph can take a swift action to use burst as a psi-like ability. When a xeph manifests burst, the duration increases to three rounds, and the speed bonus increases by 10 feet per four character levels beyond 1st (to a maximum increase of 30 feet at 9th character level and higher). But that's just my opinion. The Sage is there to clarify what, in his opinion, is in the books, not to explain our opinions (because his own takes up most of the space anyway).
Lokiyn 07-13-07, 06:26 PM	The Sage is there to clarify what's in the books, not to explain our opinions. Really? i thought it was more like this The Sage is there to clarify what, in his opinion, is in the books, not to explain our opinions (because his own takes up most of the space anyway).
InkBlot 07-14-07, 12:53 AM	Thanks. I fixed it.;)