Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Dunamin 05-27-07, 04:11 PM	I'm playing a Fighter 5 / Occult Slayer 3 githyanki in a campaign where psionics seems to be about as common as magic, and classical psionic creatures are used with the versions given in the Expanded Psionics Handbook (incl. mind flayers, githyanki, githzerai, and so on). Furthermore, we are using the "Psionics Are Different" rule, not the default "Magic-Psionics Transparancy". I'm not familiar with psionics and the Expanded Psionics Handbook, and am looking for general advice on what precautions to take in such a campaign, as well as specific advice on fighting illithids and their more powerful cousins, the ulitharids (from Lords of Madness). Unfortunately, we have a very tight budget, so preferably as inexpensive solutions as possible. Thanks in advance. :)
glacialcat 05-27-07, 04:26 PM	The XPH has a number of feats that are designed to combat psionics. Examples include Psionic Hole (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/psionicFeats.htm#psionicHole), Mental Resistance (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/psionicFeats.htm#mentalResistance), Closed Mind (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/psionicFeats.htm#closedMind), Chaotic Mind (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/psionicFeats.htm#chaoticMind), Force of Will (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/psionicFeats.htm#forceOfWill), and Hostile Mind (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/psionicFeats.htm#hostileMind). You might want to take a look at some of these if you have feats to spare. Are you using standard MM Githyanki, or the psionic Githyanki from the XPH? Another option, if you're specifically worried about Mind Flayers - is the Illithid Slayer from the XPH.
calronmoonflower 05-27-07, 04:46 PM	I'd suggest that you invest in the starver armor property (damage to grapplers) and a skullcap (grants immunity to mind blast). I believe both of these are found in Underdark.
Rusher 05-28-07, 02:43 AM	If you can get an item or, even cheaper, get the feat Mental Juggernaut you can shrug off those pesky mind blast stuns.
Dunamin 05-28-07, 02:12 PM	Thank you all for your feedback. The XPH has a number of feats that are designed to combat psionics. Examples include Psionic Hole (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/psionicFeats.htm#psionicHole), Mental Resistance (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/psionicFeats.htm#mentalResistance), Closed Mind (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/psionicFeats.htm#closedMind), Chaotic Mind (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/psionicFeats.htm#chaoticMind), Force of Will (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/psionicFeats.htm#forceOfWill), and Hostile Mind (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/psionicFeats.htm#hostileMind). You might want to take a look at some of these if you have feats to spare. Are you using standard MM Githyanki, or the psionic Githyanki from the XPH? Another option, if you're specifically worried about Mind Flayers - is the Illithid Slayer from the XPH. As stated before, yes, all classical psionic races are used as given in the XPH, including githyanki. Unfortunately that means every one of your suggested feats are out of the questions, since they all contain the clause: Special You cannot take or use this feat if you have the ability to use powers (if you have a power point reserve or psi-like abilities). The Illithid Slayer was a very tempting choice when I created the character, but to take full advantage of it I would have to include a manifesting class. I’m not familiar with psionics and would really like to avoid it until I’m more familiar with the XPH, even though the campaign is focused on githyanki and the races that share a significant part of their history with them – mind flayers and githzerai. I'd suggest that you invest in the starver armor property (damage to grapplers) and a skullcap (grants immunity to mind blast). I believe both of these are found in Underdark. Found them, thanks. Seems odd that they are on p151, instead of in the section with magic gear, though. Unfortunately, they are way out of my price range – the former costs 22000 gp, the latter a +2 price bonus – and my armor is already at +3. If you can get an item or, even cheaper, get the feat Mental Juggernaut you can shrug off those pesky mind blast stuns. Where’s that feat from? I can’t find it in the Feat Index (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/lists/feats), or in the XPH. That again for helping me out here, I'd appreciate any further advice as well.
angellis_ater 05-28-07, 04:02 PM	I believe that Mental Juggernaut is from Complete Psionic.
Millenia 05-28-07, 04:16 PM	I would... suggest to your DM to change things back to magic-psionics transperancy.... Making them different would lead to headaches, I think. D:
Johnny_Angel 05-28-07, 04:16 PM	learn some necromancy
Lycanthromancer 05-28-07, 04:21 PM	Get a psicrystal and the Metamorphosis power, and have it attack for you? That, or become undead or a construct. Maybe a vermin?
calronmoonflower 05-28-07, 04:30 PM	Well. The illithid's most powerful ability is the mind blast. It take the form of a cone, so if you get one alone spread out so it cannot get more than one of you at a time. They also have some nasty psi-like abilities, so make sure your spell casters have Dispel Magic or a greater version readied. They can also teleport away if they are losing, so Dimensional Anchor will help.
Lycanthromancer 05-28-07, 04:57 PM	Have the psionic freedom of movement power available, and make sure you have it up at all times. Even when stunned, you can't be successfully grappled. That is, of course, assuming you CAN be stunned (which you can't). :D
Dunamin 05-29-07, 01:26 AM	I believe that Mental Juggernaut is from Complete Psionic. Found it, thanks. Looks interesting, but its not viable since it involves psionic focus, and my character has no ranks in Concentration (and needs his future skill points for skills more relevant to his profession). I would... suggest to your DM to change things back to magic-psionics transperancy.... Making them different would lead to headaches, I think. D: I would’ve preferred the default transparency rule, but it’s his call. Well. The illithid's most powerful ability is the mind blast. It take the form of a cone, so if you get one alone spread out so it cannot get more than one of you at a time. They also have some nasty psi-like abilities, so make sure your spell casters have Dispel Magic or a greater version readied. They can also teleport away if they are losing, so Dimensional Anchor will help. Good advice, thanks. Dispel Magic won’t work, though, since we use the “Psionics Are Different” option, as noted before. Have the psionic freedom of movement power available, and make sure you have it up at all times. Even when stunned, you can't be successfully grappled. That is, of course, assuming you CAN be stunned (which you can't). :D Psionic freedom of movement is a personal power. Why can’t I be stunned? I’m not sure about the capabilities of the other party members yet, but this is what I know: An 8th level warmage githyanki. A half-dragon (red) githyanki, likely a psychic warrior 5 (manifested empty mind, yet wears heavy armor and a greatsword). A roguish character with seemingly minor arcane skills (he cast a burning hands spell). Me: A githyanki fighter 5 / occult slayer 3. We’re all ECL 10 and have fairly limited resources in the way of combat gear.
Lycanthromancer 05-29-07, 01:42 PM	Freedom of Movement This [power] enables you or a creature you touch to move and attack normally for the duration of the [power], even under the influence of magic that usually impedes movement, such as paralysis... I'd say that rules out being stunned, which in and of itself impedes movement, no? Perhaps not, but it was worth a try.
Azzy 05-29-07, 05:57 PM	Furthermore, we are using the "Psionics Are Different" rule, not the default "Magic-Psionics Transparancy". *sigh* Yours is a foolish DM. I seriously wish that the "Psionics Are Different" option was never included in the XPH.
Dunamin 05-30-07, 02:37 AM	Freedom of Movement This [power] enables you or a creature you touch to move and attack normally for the duration of the [power], even under the influence of magic that usually impedes movement, such as paralysis... I'd say that rules out being stunned, which in and of itself impedes movement, no? Perhaps not, but it was worth a try. Admittedly, Freedom of Movement is not described in crystal clear detail, but this is one effect I wouldn't say it grants. Paralysis is not the same as stunned, either. It's moot, though, since the psionic version is a personal power. Oh, and the half-dragon manifested empty mind, so I'm guessing he's a psychic warrior. (for the sake of providing an overview of our party)
BloodyChariot 05-30-07, 04:56 AM	If it's not too late, and if you can take a feat, take Shape Soulmeld: Planar Ward (or something alone those lines). For a single feat, it effectively makes you immune to compulsion effects and other such mind-controlling powers. That is, if I'm reading this right. :rolleyes: EDIT: And that's from "Magic Of Incarnum", sorry.
HidaAkira 05-31-07, 04:41 AM	*sigh* Yours is a foolish DM. I seriously wish that the "Psionics Are Different" option was never included in the XPH. I suppose I should consider you foolish for liking psi-mag transparancy. I don't. I liked 2e when they were two wholly different things. But this is a matter of taste, so calling people foolish for that is a bit unnecessary.
Azzy 05-31-07, 07:10 AM	I suppose I should consider you foolish for liking psi-mag transparancy. I don't. I liked 2e when they were two wholly different things. But this is a matter of taste, so calling people foolish for that is a bit unnecessary. Certainly.... If it was merely a flavor thing. It's not. Non-transparency causes more work for both the DM and players, and muddles with the balance of the rules as they were designed with transparency in mind. And 2nd edition psionics was arse. There, that's a matter of taste.
Lycanthromancer 05-31-07, 01:36 PM	Well, THAT certainly doesn't taste like chicken. Urk.