Scary Psionics [Archive] - Wizards Community

Scary Psionics [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Bengal
02-27-07, 11:42 PM A friend of mine was interested in expanding a bit on the delightfully scary new PrC in the secrets of Sarlona. Unfortunately, I don't see any way within psionics to affect creatures normally immune to fear effects.

Has anyone seen any such powers or special abilities anywhere? Or perhaps could someone offer advice on converting the Dread Witch from Heroes of Horror into a Psionic PrC?
Bacris
02-27-07, 11:47 PM I haven't seen anything like that in any works, but I have been working on that concept:

Dominion
Telepathy
Level: Telepath 4
Display: Ol, Vi
Manifesting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: 1 round / level or until discharged; see text
Power Points: 7

You open your mind to the intricacies and nuances of compulsion-based telepathy and its varied forms, granting you the ability to affect those normally immune. The next power you manifest with the compulsion descriptor affects the target even if the creature is normally immune to such affects.
The affected creature must have an Intelligence of 1 or higher to be affected.
Augment: This power may be augmented in one or more of the following ways.
1. By spending an additional 2 power points, the power’s duration increases to 1 minute per level instead of 1 round per level.
2. By spending an additional 4 power points, this power can affect an additional power with the compulsion descriptor.
3. By spending an additional 6 power points, you may manifest this power as a swift action.
Bengal
02-28-07, 12:35 AM That's not bad at all. I'll definitely consider using it.
dumas_drift
02-28-07, 01:11 AM Being said friend, what I want to do is find a psionic way to utilize the Avenging Executioner class from Complete Scoundrel which allows me to gain sudden strike against shaken opponents and pair it with the Quori Nightmare from Races of Eberron which gives me a fear touch, and several other fear based abilities for a thematic/dangerous fear based character. But I have run into some problems.

INFO:

Setting is obviously Eberron, so everything that ISN'T Forgotten Realms is kosher, and the character might even end up being gestalt.

So far I have found 5 powers that cause the shaken state, and one additional power with the fear descriptor (Cerebral Phantasm at 3rd level in the CPsi).

1st Level
Primal Fear (RoE) Psion/Wilder, Psychic Warrior
Demoralize (XPH)

2nd level
Dream Lock (SoS) Psion/Wilder, Psychic Warrior
Waking Dreams (MoE) Psion/Wilder

4th level
Dreamlock, Mass (SoS) Psion/Wilder

Feats
Quori Dread (SoS) - Ability to Demoralize a single opponent in 120ft
Insidious Terror (SoS) - When you use a mind effecting power against said opponent, expend psionic focus to raise DC by 1, by 3 if it is a fear effect

These also stack with the Dreadful Armor +1 enchant which demoralizes anyone that makes a melee attack against me.

I also know about the Daunting Presence feat from Liber Mortis, and have considered it.

My original plan was to go with a Psychic Warrior//Ninja build for Wisdom synergy and extra sudden strike, but most of the powers are Psion/Wilder, so I think I might need to go a different direction.

Other classes that advance Sudden Strike that I am considering:

Dread Commando (HoB) - which gives me the ability to wear heavier armor, sneak around, and it gives me and allies a better initiative.

Fist of Dal Quor (SoS) - which gives me Stunning Fist attacks with any weapon, and some psionic resistance abilities. As well as being on theme...

Neither advance my manifesting, and the Fist of Dal Quor has a Knowledge (the planes) requirement, while I can qualify for Dread Commando with the same skills needed for Avenging Executioner.

Now, even in a straight level 20 build with no gestalting, I can get 3 of these classes, but not all of them.

The other major problem is enemies that are immune to fear. There is an arcane way to deal with that (Dread Witch as stated above), but not a psionic way currently. Also, the abilities required for the Dread Witch (scare and cause fear) do not have direct analogues in the psionics world. (which surprises me since fear is much more psionic to me than arcane, but whatever)

Should I really be too worried about this aspect, or am I over thinking it?

Any other recommendations would be great.
Amaril
02-28-07, 07:16 AM From Magic of Eberron preview (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/iw/20051006a)...

Induce Awe
Telepathy (Charm) [Mind-Affecting]
Level: Psion/wilder 2
Display: Visual
Manifesting Time: 1 standard action
Range: 30 ft.
Area: 30-ft.-radius spread centered on you
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute/level (D)
Saving Throw: Will negates
Power Resistance: Yes
Power Points: 3

This power is favored by the Inspired leaders of Riedra, who use it to enhance their influence over the humans of that land. When you manifest this power, you radiate psychic energy that reflects your innate power, granting a +4 morale bonus on Diplomacy and Intimidate checks made to influence others. When you stop concentrating on this power, any enemy within the area becomes shaken for 1 minute unless it succeeds on a Will save.

Augment: You can augment this power in one or both of the following ways.

1. For every 2 additional power points you spend, this power's save DC increases by 1.

2. For every 2 additional power points you spend, the bonus on Diplomacy and Intimidate checks increases by 1.
---------
From the Mind's Eye article "I Have Seen the Future: Ten New Clairsentient Powers (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/pse/20031024a)" and converted in the forums.

Premonition
Telepathy [Mind-Affecting]
Level: Psion/Wilder 5
Display: Visual and Mental
Manifestation Time: 1 standard action
Range: Medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)
Area: 20 ft. radius emanation
Duration: 1 min./level
Saving Throw: Will negates
Power Resistance: Yes
Power Points: 9

All creatures in the area see a vision of their future death or similar terrible premonition. If they fail their Will saves, the effect caused by this power is dependent on the creature's levels or Hit Dice as compared to you. If the creature is equal to or has more HD than you, it is shaken and suffers a -2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. If the creature has fewer HD than you do, it is cowering. If you have five or more HD than the affected creature, the creature is panicked. (See page 294 of the Dungeon Master's Guide for more information on these conditions).

Augment: You can augment this power in one or both of the following ways.

1. For every 2 additional power points you spend, this power’s save DC increases by 1.

2. For every 3 additional power points you spend, this power grants you an additional effective Hit Die, for the purposes of resolving this power’s effect only.
Sysane
02-28-07, 09:29 AM Awhile back I helped with a Dark Sun PrC called the Dead Heart Interrogator. This was the 10th level ability of the PrC.

Master of Secrets (Ex): At 10 level, the dead heart interrogator is able to extract information even from the most resilient of minds. The dead heart interrogator can affect creatures (with a minimum of 5 Int) that are normally immune to mind-effecting abilities with the following spells and powers: Spells: cause fear, command, demand, detect thoughts, modify memory, and suggestion. Powers: cloud mind, demand, disable, distract, inflict pain, read thoughts, psionic suggestion, and mind probe.
Don't know if this helps or not, but thought it was pertinent to the thread.
Bengal
03-02-07, 02:22 AM Good stuff so far, guys.

Anyone else got any good ideas?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Bengal 02-27-07, 11:42 PM	A friend of mine was interested in expanding a bit on the delightfully scary new PrC in the secrets of Sarlona. Unfortunately, I don't see any way within psionics to affect creatures normally immune to fear effects. Has anyone seen any such powers or special abilities anywhere? Or perhaps could someone offer advice on converting the Dread Witch from Heroes of Horror into a Psionic PrC?
Bacris 02-27-07, 11:47 PM	I haven't seen anything like that in any works, but I have been working on that concept: Dominion Telepathy Level: Telepath 4 Display: Ol, Vi Manifesting Time: 1 standard action Range: Personal Target: You Duration: 1 round / level or until discharged; see text Power Points: 7 You open your mind to the intricacies and nuances of compulsion-based telepathy and its varied forms, granting you the ability to affect those normally immune. The next power you manifest with the compulsion descriptor affects the target even if the creature is normally immune to such affects. The affected creature must have an Intelligence of 1 or higher to be affected. Augment: This power may be augmented in one or more of the following ways. 1. By spending an additional 2 power points, the power’s duration increases to 1 minute per level instead of 1 round per level. 2. By spending an additional 4 power points, this power can affect an additional power with the compulsion descriptor. 3. By spending an additional 6 power points, you may manifest this power as a swift action.
Bengal 02-28-07, 12:35 AM	That's not bad at all. I'll definitely consider using it.
dumas_drift 02-28-07, 01:11 AM	Being said friend, what I want to do is find a psionic way to utilize the Avenging Executioner class from Complete Scoundrel which allows me to gain sudden strike against shaken opponents and pair it with the Quori Nightmare from Races of Eberron which gives me a fear touch, and several other fear based abilities for a thematic/dangerous fear based character. But I have run into some problems. INFO: Setting is obviously Eberron, so everything that ISN'T Forgotten Realms is kosher, and the character might even end up being gestalt. So far I have found 5 powers that cause the shaken state, and one additional power with the fear descriptor (Cerebral Phantasm at 3rd level in the CPsi). 1st Level Primal Fear (RoE) Psion/Wilder, Psychic Warrior Demoralize (XPH) 2nd level Dream Lock (SoS) Psion/Wilder, Psychic Warrior Waking Dreams (MoE) Psion/Wilder 4th level Dreamlock, Mass (SoS) Psion/Wilder Feats Quori Dread (SoS) - Ability to Demoralize a single opponent in 120ft Insidious Terror (SoS) - When you use a mind effecting power against said opponent, expend psionic focus to raise DC by 1, by 3 if it is a fear effect These also stack with the Dreadful Armor +1 enchant which demoralizes anyone that makes a melee attack against me. I also know about the Daunting Presence feat from Liber Mortis, and have considered it. My original plan was to go with a Psychic Warrior//Ninja build for Wisdom synergy and extra sudden strike, but most of the powers are Psion/Wilder, so I think I might need to go a different direction. Other classes that advance Sudden Strike that I am considering: Dread Commando (HoB) - which gives me the ability to wear heavier armor, sneak around, and it gives me and allies a better initiative. Fist of Dal Quor (SoS) - which gives me Stunning Fist attacks with any weapon, and some psionic resistance abilities. As well as being on theme... Neither advance my manifesting, and the Fist of Dal Quor has a Knowledge (the planes) requirement, while I can qualify for Dread Commando with the same skills needed for Avenging Executioner. Now, even in a straight level 20 build with no gestalting, I can get 3 of these classes, but not all of them. The other major problem is enemies that are immune to fear. There is an arcane way to deal with that (Dread Witch as stated above), but not a psionic way currently. Also, the abilities required for the Dread Witch (scare and cause fear) do not have direct analogues in the psionics world. (which surprises me since fear is much more psionic to me than arcane, but whatever) Should I really be too worried about this aspect, or am I over thinking it? Any other recommendations would be great.
Amaril 02-28-07, 07:16 AM	From Magic of Eberron preview (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/iw/20051006a)... Induce Awe Telepathy (Charm) [Mind-Affecting] Level: Psion/wilder 2 Display: Visual Manifesting Time: 1 standard action Range: 30 ft. Area: 30-ft.-radius spread centered on you Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute/level (D) Saving Throw: Will negates Power Resistance: Yes Power Points: 3 This power is favored by the Inspired leaders of Riedra, who use it to enhance their influence over the humans of that land. When you manifest this power, you radiate psychic energy that reflects your innate power, granting a +4 morale bonus on Diplomacy and Intimidate checks made to influence others. When you stop concentrating on this power, any enemy within the area becomes shaken for 1 minute unless it succeeds on a Will save. Augment: You can augment this power in one or both of the following ways. 1. For every 2 additional power points you spend, this power's save DC increases by 1. 2. For every 2 additional power points you spend, the bonus on Diplomacy and Intimidate checks increases by 1. --------- From the Mind's Eye article "I Have Seen the Future: Ten New Clairsentient Powers (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/pse/20031024a)" and converted in the forums. Premonition Telepathy [Mind-Affecting] Level: Psion/Wilder 5 Display: Visual and Mental Manifestation Time: 1 standard action Range: Medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level) Area: 20 ft. radius emanation Duration: 1 min./level Saving Throw: Will negates Power Resistance: Yes Power Points: 9 All creatures in the area see a vision of their future death or similar terrible premonition. If they fail their Will saves, the effect caused by this power is dependent on the creature's levels or Hit Dice as compared to you. If the creature is equal to or has more HD than you, it is shaken and suffers a -2 penalty on attack rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks. If the creature has fewer HD than you do, it is cowering. If you have five or more HD than the affected creature, the creature is panicked. (See page 294 of the Dungeon Master's Guide for more information on these conditions). Augment: You can augment this power in one or both of the following ways. 1. For every 2 additional power points you spend, this power’s save DC increases by 1. 2. For every 3 additional power points you spend, this power grants you an additional effective Hit Die, for the purposes of resolving this power’s effect only.
Sysane 02-28-07, 09:29 AM	Awhile back I helped with a Dark Sun PrC called the Dead Heart Interrogator. This was the 10th level ability of the PrC. Master of Secrets (Ex): At 10 level, the dead heart interrogator is able to extract information even from the most resilient of minds. The dead heart interrogator can affect creatures (with a minimum of 5 Int) that are normally immune to mind-effecting abilities with the following spells and powers: Spells: cause fear, command, demand, detect thoughts, modify memory, and suggestion. Powers: cloud mind, demand, disable, distract, inflict pain, read thoughts, psionic suggestion, and mind probe. Don't know if this helps or not, but thought it was pertinent to the thread.
Bengal 03-02-07, 02:22 AM	Good stuff so far, guys. Anyone else got any good ideas?