suggestions for psi crystal feats and skills [Archive] - Wizards Community

suggestions for psi crystal feats and skills [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
ElyasRavenwood
10-05-07, 06:27 PM I know that it is generally accepted that the rules Read As Written, allow for psi crystals to have a feat and skill point progression.

I have an 11 level erudite/6 level uncarnate character. I have not given my characters' psi crystal anything but the improvements listed under the psion entry in the EXP. I have used the monster listed in the back as my base.

With my character's manifester level at 15, how many feats would the pet rock have and what would the psi crystal's skills points/ level be?

I would be interested in enhancing the psi crystal's roll as a scout/ sneak.
Any advice would be appreciated thanks.
Jaid
10-05-07, 07:49 PM it isn't your ML that matters, it's the number of psionic levels you have. you have 17, by the way.

your psicrystal gains 1 feat/3 levels, so it would have 6 feats (1 of which is alertness, which is it's first level feat iirc).
Artector
10-05-07, 08:02 PM Psicrystals don't gain skill points. Those are dictated by the character's skills.
Skills
A psicrystal has the same skill ranks as its owner, except that it has a minimum of 4 ranks each in Spot, Listen, Move Silently, and Search. (Even if its owner has no ranks in these skills, a psicrystal has 4 ranks in each.) A psicrystal uses its own ability modifiers on skill checks.

They do get feats. In your case it would be 6 feats.
ElyasRavenwood
10-05-07, 10:42 PM Thank you Jaid and Artector.
6 feats one of which is Alertness. This has possibilites. I might pick the open minded feat, to get the 5 skill points, then purchace ranks in listen spot hide search and maby even survival. For that matter I better pick the Track feat.
I will try to make this glowing little flying rock sneakier if possible, and more alert if I can.
Im going to poke around the FAQ section to find out if the Psi crystal gets an improved BAB or anything else like that.
Thank you again gentlmen
ElyasRavenwood
10-05-07, 11:09 PM Well thank you for your advice. These were the feats I picked. alertness (Dodge, Mobility, Spring attack, Flyby Attack, Hover, Wingover) What do you think?

I decided to drop the sneaking and creaping and to go for mobility. How well can a flying glowing rock remain hidden in the dark anyways.
Thanks
AntiDjinn
10-06-07, 04:33 AM What game world are you using? Some setting-specific feats might work well for a psicrystal. For example, in Eberron, Heroic Spirit (No prereqs, perfect for a pet rock. And what else would a Hero crystal want?) would give your crystal its own pool of action points. There is, in fact, no other way for your crystal to get action points. This can greatly increase its survivability since it can boost a saving throw that it would have failed.

Eberron also has the Research feat which can synergize well with a sage crystal. It can then glean answers related to its area of expertise from a library or other database.
Magikeeper
10-06-07, 08:44 PM Well, if the Psicrystal uses it's ectoplasmic limbs to attack, you could take the Extend Reach feet from savage species for a total reach of 5 feat. Then you take "mage slayer" from complete arcane.

Note that mage slayer outright denies the threatened mage from casting defensively, so your allies can take advantage of it. Furthermore, your Psicrystal is small enough to share the mage's space, preventing a 5-foot step from saving him. The only problem is that the mage will know that it's your Psicrystal's fault...

It gets even better if the crystal somehow gets ranks in tumble, allowing the crystal to take Giant Bane (Cwar) in order to actually climb on top of the mage. Underfoot combatant (RotW) prevents attack of opportunity, but acquiring 10 ranks in tumble isn't easy. To get tumble as a class skill, have the crystal take the feat Martial Study - any desert wind (BoNS) (Although, since crystals apparently don't get skill points you would also need to use open minded... cross-classing into tumble would be easier though).
If your PC already has 10 ranks in tumble, getting Confound the Big Folk in addition to Underfoot Combatant might be a good idea.

Another useful feat is Scramble from Savage Species. It would allow your Psicrystal to avoid one lethal blow /day with a successful reflex save.

Of course, you could just take more martial maneuver feats until your Psicrystal breaths fire or something.

So this would be something like:

(Alertness, Extend Reach, Mage Slayer, Martial Study (Any Desert Wind), Open Minded, Giant Bane)

or just

(Alertness, Extend Reach, Mage Slayer, ???, ???, ???)
ElyasRavenwood
10-07-07, 02:33 AM Thank you both for your suggestions.We are in a home brew campaign. I think it will be enough to get my DM to swallow the idea that the psi crystal gets feats. I think the feats improving maneuverablity like fly by attack hover and wingover will be more readily accepted.
Thank you.
flamepheonix182
10-07-07, 01:15 PM Sorry to be off topic a little bit but where does it say Psicrystals get feats?

Oh and how bout purchasing some ranks in diplomcay and giving your psi crystal leadership? YOU WILL OBEY MY PET ROCK!.
Scion of Coldshard
10-07-07, 08:38 PM Sorry to be off topic a little bit but where does it say Psicrystals get feats?

They are intelligent creatures with hd. The default is that those get feats. In order for them not to get feats it would have to say that they dont. So, where does it say that they dont?
Kaleran1277
10-20-07, 02:03 AM Hallo!

I just had a nifty idea: What if a psycrystal took feat like this, in about this order...?
HD) Feat
1) Alertness
3) Wild Talent: Give the psycrystal 2 psi power points and opens up the psionic feats...
6) Psionic Talent[1st time]: Gives 2 more psionic power points for a total,not including intelligence bonus of; 4 pp's
9) Psionic Talent[2nd time]: Gives 3 more psionic power points for a total of; 7
12) Psionic Talent[3rd time]: Gives 4 more psionic power points for a total of; 11!
15) Psionic Talent[4th time]: Gives 5 more psionic power points for a total of; 16!
18) Psionic Talent[5th time]: Gives 6 more psionic power points for a total of; 22!
21) Psionic Talent[6th time]: Gives 7 more psionic power points for a total of; 29!

Now, you are wondering if I have just let an Illithid munch on my grey matter...I assure you that I have done no such thing!

This is a plan for building a psycrystal for a campaign that is expected to go [B]EPIC!
Once you have the prerequisites for it, take the Epic Psionic Feat "Psycrystal Power" to give your psycrystal any psi power that you know, up 8th level, and the minimum number of points to manifest that power once per day. By choosing an 8th level power-such as "teleport,psionic greater" the first time you take this feat, your psycrystal will have a total number of psionic power points of; 44!!! Now your little crystal companion will be able to manifest the power twice, and have a goodly number left over...

If we continue the progression from there we may have...
HD) Feat
24) Expanded Knowledge; Any 7th level or lesser power
and have Epic Psionic Feat "Psycrystal Power" taken by the psion/erudite/wilder(the character anyway) to get another useful power...say, um, astral construct, perhaps? That would only give another 1 power point[for a total of 45!], however, a useful power like this can be used over and over again by the psycrystal[45 power points for 3 powers; a travel/mobility/escape type, a offensive(astral construct) and a defensive one(from expanded knowledge feat, like inertial armor) and you have a fairly potent little fellow to help you, and use IT'S power points on your behalf, so you are not unduly drained by minor encounters that otherwise drain off power points that could be better spent upon the epic challenges your character faces.

Thank you, Kaleran1277
Lokathor
10-20-07, 03:06 AM Well, if the Psicrystal uses it's ectoplasmic limbs to attack, you could take the Extend Reach feet from savage species for a total reach of 5 feat. Then you take "mage slayer" from complete arcane.

I've wondered, how does a Psycrystal deliver a touch attack anyways? Is it supposed to use it's own BAB + Str with a reach of 0ft? How would that ever be better than just delivering it yourself?
CrimsonDeath
10-20-07, 11:06 AM I've wondered, how does a Psycrystal deliver a touch attack anyways? Is it supposed to use it's own BAB + Str with a reach of 0ft? How would that ever be better than just delivering it yourself?

It has a +14 Hide check?
Lokathor
10-20-07, 03:14 PM But it doesn't have a damaging limb of any kind! It should at least have a 1d6 slam attack sized down to its own size (1d2, -5 Str).
Scribbler
10-20-07, 03:36 PM But it doesn't have a damaging limb of any kind! It should at least have a 1d6 slam attack sized down to its own size (1d2, -5 Str).

It can always make an unarmed strike (1 nonlethal, -5 Str, if I'm not mistaken). You don't need a natural weapon to touch something. I bet the psion doesn't have a damaging limb either--that's what he has a weapon for.
Lokathor
10-20-07, 05:01 PM Superior Unarmed Strike would be very cool come to think of it.
CrimsonDeath
10-20-07, 09:22 PM Superior Unarmed Strike would be very cool come to think of it.

You know... I just noticed that Superior unarmed Strike doesn't say anything about the character's size.
Lokathor
10-21-07, 06:26 AM RAW fails again.

Also, grab Martial Maneuver(Shadow Blade Technique), Martial Stance(Island of Blades) and possibly Shadow Blade. Island of Blades is made of win.

Alertness, Maneuver, Stance, Extend Reach, Superior Unarmed, Shadow Blade, ?18th.

Note that Island of Blades doesn't require that you threaten the targets, just that you be adjacent to them. So the psycrystal can provide the benefit just by sitting on the master's shoulder.

My current Psycrystal retrained Alertness for Wild Talent(Matter Agitation), then took 2 flaws for Psionic Talent, and Psionic Talent again at 3rd. At 4th, he'll get a Charisma point and then finally be able to use his power. It's not powerful, but it's kinda cool.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
ElyasRavenwood 10-05-07, 06:27 PM	I know that it is generally accepted that the rules Read As Written, allow for psi crystals to have a feat and skill point progression. I have an 11 level erudite/6 level uncarnate character. I have not given my characters' psi crystal anything but the improvements listed under the psion entry in the EXP. I have used the monster listed in the back as my base. With my character's manifester level at 15, how many feats would the pet rock have and what would the psi crystal's skills points/ level be? I would be interested in enhancing the psi crystal's roll as a scout/ sneak. Any advice would be appreciated thanks.
Jaid 10-05-07, 07:49 PM	it isn't your ML that matters, it's the number of psionic levels you have. you have 17, by the way. your psicrystal gains 1 feat/3 levels, so it would have 6 feats (1 of which is alertness, which is it's first level feat iirc).
Artector 10-05-07, 08:02 PM	Psicrystals don't gain skill points. Those are dictated by the character's skills. Skills A psicrystal has the same skill ranks as its owner, except that it has a minimum of 4 ranks each in Spot, Listen, Move Silently, and Search. (Even if its owner has no ranks in these skills, a psicrystal has 4 ranks in each.) A psicrystal uses its own ability modifiers on skill checks. They do get feats. In your case it would be 6 feats.
ElyasRavenwood 10-05-07, 10:42 PM	Thank you Jaid and Artector. 6 feats one of which is Alertness. This has possibilites. I might pick the open minded feat, to get the 5 skill points, then purchace ranks in listen spot hide search and maby even survival. For that matter I better pick the Track feat. I will try to make this glowing little flying rock sneakier if possible, and more alert if I can. Im going to poke around the FAQ section to find out if the Psi crystal gets an improved BAB or anything else like that. Thank you again gentlmen
ElyasRavenwood 10-05-07, 11:09 PM	Well thank you for your advice. These were the feats I picked. alertness (Dodge, Mobility, Spring attack, Flyby Attack, Hover, Wingover) What do you think? I decided to drop the sneaking and creaping and to go for mobility. How well can a flying glowing rock remain hidden in the dark anyways. Thanks
AntiDjinn 10-06-07, 04:33 AM	What game world are you using? Some setting-specific feats might work well for a psicrystal. For example, in Eberron, Heroic Spirit (No prereqs, perfect for a pet rock. And what else would a Hero crystal want?) would give your crystal its own pool of action points. There is, in fact, no other way for your crystal to get action points. This can greatly increase its survivability since it can boost a saving throw that it would have failed. Eberron also has the Research feat which can synergize well with a sage crystal. It can then glean answers related to its area of expertise from a library or other database.
Magikeeper 10-06-07, 08:44 PM	Well, if the Psicrystal uses it's ectoplasmic limbs to attack, you could take the Extend Reach feet from savage species for a total reach of 5 feat. Then you take "mage slayer" from complete arcane. Note that mage slayer outright denies the threatened mage from casting defensively, so your allies can take advantage of it. Furthermore, your Psicrystal is small enough to share the mage's space, preventing a 5-foot step from saving him. The only problem is that the mage will know that it's your Psicrystal's fault... It gets even better if the crystal somehow gets ranks in tumble, allowing the crystal to take Giant Bane (Cwar) in order to actually climb on top of the mage. Underfoot combatant (RotW) prevents attack of opportunity, but acquiring 10 ranks in tumble isn't easy. To get tumble as a class skill, have the crystal take the feat Martial Study - any desert wind (BoNS) (Although, since crystals apparently don't get skill points you would also need to use open minded... cross-classing into tumble would be easier though). If your PC already has 10 ranks in tumble, getting Confound the Big Folk in addition to Underfoot Combatant might be a good idea. Another useful feat is Scramble from Savage Species. It would allow your Psicrystal to avoid one lethal blow /day with a successful reflex save. Of course, you could just take more martial maneuver feats until your Psicrystal breaths fire or something. So this would be something like: (Alertness, Extend Reach, Mage Slayer, Martial Study (Any Desert Wind), Open Minded, Giant Bane) or just (Alertness, Extend Reach, Mage Slayer, ???, ???, ???)
ElyasRavenwood 10-07-07, 02:33 AM	Thank you both for your suggestions.We are in a home brew campaign. I think it will be enough to get my DM to swallow the idea that the psi crystal gets feats. I think the feats improving maneuverablity like fly by attack hover and wingover will be more readily accepted. Thank you.
flamepheonix182 10-07-07, 01:15 PM	Sorry to be off topic a little bit but where does it say Psicrystals get feats? Oh and how bout purchasing some ranks in diplomcay and giving your psi crystal leadership? YOU WILL OBEY MY PET ROCK!.
Scion of Coldshard 10-07-07, 08:38 PM	Sorry to be off topic a little bit but where does it say Psicrystals get feats? They are intelligent creatures with hd. The default is that those get feats. In order for them not to get feats it would have to say that they dont. So, where does it say that they dont?
Kaleran1277 10-20-07, 02:03 AM	Hallo! I just had a nifty idea: What if a psycrystal took feat like this, in about this order...? HD) Feat 1) Alertness 3) Wild Talent: Give the psycrystal 2 psi power points and opens up the psionic feats... 6) Psionic Talent[1st time]: Gives 2 more psionic power points for a total,not including intelligence bonus of; 4 pp's 9) Psionic Talent[2nd time]: Gives 3 more psionic power points for a total of; 7 12) Psionic Talent[3rd time]: Gives 4 more psionic power points for a total of; 11! 15) Psionic Talent[4th time]: Gives 5 more psionic power points for a total of; 16! 18) Psionic Talent[5th time]: Gives 6 more psionic power points for a total of; 22! 21) Psionic Talent[6th time]: Gives 7 more psionic power points for a total of; 29! Now, you are wondering if I have just let an Illithid munch on my grey matter...I assure you that I have done no such thing! This is a plan for building a psycrystal for a campaign that is expected to go [B]EPIC! Once you have the prerequisites for it, take the Epic Psionic Feat "Psycrystal Power" to give your psycrystal any psi power that you know, up 8th level, and the minimum number of points to manifest that power once per day. By choosing an 8th level power-such as "teleport,psionic greater" the first time you take this feat, your psycrystal will have a total number of psionic power points of; 44!!! Now your little crystal companion will be able to manifest the power twice, and have a goodly number left over... If we continue the progression from there we may have... HD) Feat 24) Expanded Knowledge; Any 7th level or lesser power and have Epic Psionic Feat "Psycrystal Power" taken by the psion/erudite/wilder(the character anyway) to get another useful power...say, um, astral construct, perhaps? That would only give another 1 power point[for a total of 45!], however, a useful power like this can be used over and over again by the psycrystal[45 power points for 3 powers; a travel/mobility/escape type, a offensive(astral construct) and a defensive one(from expanded knowledge feat, like inertial armor) and you have a fairly potent little fellow to help you, and use IT'S power points on your behalf, so you are not unduly drained by minor encounters that otherwise drain off power points that could be better spent upon the epic challenges your character faces. Thank you, Kaleran1277
Lokathor 10-20-07, 03:06 AM	Well, if the Psicrystal uses it's ectoplasmic limbs to attack, you could take the Extend Reach feet from savage species for a total reach of 5 feat. Then you take "mage slayer" from complete arcane. I've wondered, how does a Psycrystal deliver a touch attack anyways? Is it supposed to use it's own BAB + Str with a reach of 0ft? How would that ever be better than just delivering it yourself?
CrimsonDeath 10-20-07, 11:06 AM	I've wondered, how does a Psycrystal deliver a touch attack anyways? Is it supposed to use it's own BAB + Str with a reach of 0ft? How would that ever be better than just delivering it yourself? It has a +14 Hide check?
Lokathor 10-20-07, 03:14 PM	But it doesn't have a damaging limb of any kind! It should at least have a 1d6 slam attack sized down to its own size (1d2, -5 Str).
Scribbler 10-20-07, 03:36 PM	But it doesn't have a damaging limb of any kind! It should at least have a 1d6 slam attack sized down to its own size (1d2, -5 Str). It can always make an unarmed strike (1 nonlethal, -5 Str, if I'm not mistaken). You don't need a natural weapon to touch something. I bet the psion doesn't have a damaging limb either--that's what he has a weapon for.
Lokathor 10-20-07, 05:01 PM	Superior Unarmed Strike would be very cool come to think of it.
CrimsonDeath 10-20-07, 09:22 PM	Superior Unarmed Strike would be very cool come to think of it. You know... I just noticed that Superior unarmed Strike doesn't say anything about the character's size.
Lokathor 10-21-07, 06:26 AM	RAW fails again. Also, grab Martial Maneuver(Shadow Blade Technique), Martial Stance(Island of Blades) and possibly Shadow Blade. Island of Blades is made of win. Alertness, Maneuver, Stance, Extend Reach, Superior Unarmed, Shadow Blade, ?18th. Note that Island of Blades doesn't require that you threaten the targets, just that you be adjacent to them. So the psycrystal can provide the benefit just by sitting on the master's shoulder. My current Psycrystal retrained Alertness for Wild Talent(Matter Agitation), then took 2 flaws for Psionic Talent, and Psionic Talent again at 3rd. At 4th, he'll get a Charisma point and then finally be able to use his power. It's not powerful, but it's kinda cool.