Synesthete in a "low sound" + darkness situation? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Synesthete in a "low sound" + darkness situation? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
echoota
02-26-07, 04:54 AM I'm trying to figure out if Synesthete is a worthwhile power for a stealthy character. What I don't understand is how the power works in a "low sound" situation and in complete darkness, where there isn't a great deal of sound and your character is trying to be quiet as well. How much sound is required for you to see in pitch darkness? Are the air molecules hitting your face sufficient to let you see? Or is more sound required?
Thomar_of_Uointer
02-26-07, 02:40 PM You receive one kind of sensory input when a different sense is stimulated. In particular, you can either feel light or feel sound. You can shift your stimulated sense between these two options once per round as a swift action. Your senses continue to work normally as well, unless they are impaired for some reason.

Your face must be uncovered to use this power, because it is the skin of your face that acts as the sensory receiver.

If you are feeling light by absorbing ambient light onto your skin, you have your normal visual abilities (except for darkvision), even if your eyes are closed or you are blinded. If your eyes are working normally, you gain a +4 circumstance bonus on all Spot and Search checks. While feeling light, you are immune to gaze attacks.

If you are feeling sound by absorbing sound onto your skin and your ears are working normally, the expanded audio input provides you with a +4 circumstance bonus on Listen checks.

Psionic or magical displacement effects, invisibility effects, illusions, and other similar effects confuse your synesthete senses just as they would your normal senses.

You can also use this power to see sound if you are deafened, or hear light if you are blinded, thus removing all penalties associated with either condition (though you gain no bonuses for using the power in this way if you are not deafened or blinded).

Synesthete does not grant you any sensory qualities beyond what you already have. It does grant a bonus to Spot and Listen checks, which could help in a dark environment, but that's all. It's best put to use for avoiding gaze attacks and ignoring inflicted blindness and deafness.

Try touchsight, it effectively gives you blindsight with line-of-effect.
InkBlot
02-26-07, 02:44 PM Synesthete doesn't let you see in the dark. It turns your skin into eyes, but eyes still need light to see.
echoota
02-26-07, 03:28 PM Ah... I see now. It probably won't help me. I'm trying to find a solution for my 2nd level psion to be able to essentially have darkvision.
Thomar_of_Uointer
02-26-07, 05:29 PM Ah... I see now. It probably won't help me. I'm trying to find a solution for my 2nd level psion to be able to essentially have darkvision.

Play a dwarf. :P

Psionic darkvision is a level 3 power for you. You could get a power stone of it for 375 gp, it's not too expensive (though still prohibitive at your level).
InkBlot
02-26-07, 05:30 PM If you aren't already playing the character, your best bet would be to choose a race with natural darkvision. Your only other options is manifesting sense link on a creature with darkvision, manifesting my light, or manifesting control light.

A power stone of touchsight would also cost 375gp. Clairvoyant sense would be cheaper, but would only let you see in the dark within 10 feet of the sensor.

Elfsight is as good as darkvision if you're sneaking around under moonlight or starlight.

If you have a psicrystal, it can sit on your shoulder and guide you through the dark.
Scion of Coldshard
02-26-07, 06:20 PM If I remember correctly the Light and Darkness mantle is another way to get darkvision.
InkBlot
02-26-07, 08:16 PM That's true, but psions don't get mantles.
I'm trying to find a solution for my 2nd level psion to be able to essentially have darkvision.
Scion of Coldshard
02-26-07, 09:17 PM That's true, but psions don't get mantles.

Generally, but never know what the dm will allow for feats, retraining, or whatever else.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
echoota 02-26-07, 04:54 AM	I'm trying to figure out if Synesthete is a worthwhile power for a stealthy character. What I don't understand is how the power works in a "low sound" situation and in complete darkness, where there isn't a great deal of sound and your character is trying to be quiet as well. How much sound is required for you to see in pitch darkness? Are the air molecules hitting your face sufficient to let you see? Or is more sound required?
Thomar_of_Uointer 02-26-07, 02:40 PM	You receive one kind of sensory input when a different sense is stimulated. In particular, you can either feel light or feel sound. You can shift your stimulated sense between these two options once per round as a swift action. Your senses continue to work normally as well, unless they are impaired for some reason. Your face must be uncovered to use this power, because it is the skin of your face that acts as the sensory receiver. If you are feeling light by absorbing ambient light onto your skin, you have your normal visual abilities (except for darkvision), even if your eyes are closed or you are blinded. If your eyes are working normally, you gain a +4 circumstance bonus on all Spot and Search checks. While feeling light, you are immune to gaze attacks. If you are feeling sound by absorbing sound onto your skin and your ears are working normally, the expanded audio input provides you with a +4 circumstance bonus on Listen checks. Psionic or magical displacement effects, invisibility effects, illusions, and other similar effects confuse your synesthete senses just as they would your normal senses. You can also use this power to see sound if you are deafened, or hear light if you are blinded, thus removing all penalties associated with either condition (though you gain no bonuses for using the power in this way if you are not deafened or blinded). Synesthete does not grant you any sensory qualities beyond what you already have. It does grant a bonus to Spot and Listen checks, which could help in a dark environment, but that's all. It's best put to use for avoiding gaze attacks and ignoring inflicted blindness and deafness. Try touchsight, it effectively gives you blindsight with line-of-effect.
InkBlot 02-26-07, 02:44 PM	Synesthete doesn't let you see in the dark. It turns your skin into eyes, but eyes still need light to see.
echoota 02-26-07, 03:28 PM	Ah... I see now. It probably won't help me. I'm trying to find a solution for my 2nd level psion to be able to essentially have darkvision.
Thomar_of_Uointer 02-26-07, 05:29 PM	Ah... I see now. It probably won't help me. I'm trying to find a solution for my 2nd level psion to be able to essentially have darkvision. Play a dwarf. :P Psionic darkvision is a level 3 power for you. You could get a power stone of it for 375 gp, it's not too expensive (though still prohibitive at your level).
InkBlot 02-26-07, 05:30 PM	If you aren't already playing the character, your best bet would be to choose a race with natural darkvision. Your only other options is manifesting sense link on a creature with darkvision, manifesting my light, or manifesting control light. A power stone of touchsight would also cost 375gp. Clairvoyant sense would be cheaper, but would only let you see in the dark within 10 feet of the sensor. Elfsight is as good as darkvision if you're sneaking around under moonlight or starlight. If you have a psicrystal, it can sit on your shoulder and guide you through the dark.
Scion of Coldshard 02-26-07, 06:20 PM	If I remember correctly the Light and Darkness mantle is another way to get darkvision.
InkBlot 02-26-07, 08:16 PM	That's true, but psions don't get mantles. I'm trying to find a solution for my 2nd level psion to be able to essentially have darkvision.
Scion of Coldshard 02-26-07, 09:17 PM	That's true, but psions don't get mantles. Generally, but never know what the dm will allow for feats, retraining, or whatever else.