Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Enchanter_Tom 05-09-07, 12:21 AM	After looking through the "problematic powers" thread and reading the FAQ, I've decided that we ought to have a thread where we can write up necessary changes to powers and the XPH that could possibly make it into an official FAQ. (I don't have the actual page numbers for the XPH right now, so I'll have to wait on getting those.) I'd like to hear your suggestions; thanks in advance for the help. Affinity Field Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 75 Add the following sentence after the power's description: No creature can receive damage or benefits from multiple affinity fields for the same effect, and an affinity field cannot broadcast effects taken from another affinity field. Astral Seed Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 78 The last sentence should read: Conceivably, you could manifest mind switch to utilize a temporary body, but, if you were to you destroy your own temporarily empty storage crystal to permanently usurp a subject’s organic body, you would suffer the consequences for doing so when mind switch expires (as detailed in the mind switch power description). Bend Reality Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 80 The level of this power should read: Level: Psion/wilder 7 Bestow Power Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 80 Add the following sentence after the second paragraph: Bestow power always costs a minimum of 2 power points, even if items, feats, or other effects would allow you to manifest it for fewer power points. Brain Lock Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 81 The duration should read: Duration: Concentration (maximum 1 round/level) + 1 round Burst Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 81 Change the bonus to speed to 30 feet. The duration should read: Duration: 1 round/level Catfall Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 82 Change all instances of "10 feet" to "30 feet." Cloud Mind and Mass Cloud Mind Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 84 Remove the mass cloud mind power and add the following text after the cloud mind description: Augment For every 2 additional power points you spend, this power’s save DC increases by 1, and the power can affect an additional target. Any additional target cannot be more than 30 feet from another target of the power. Compression Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 84 The first sentence of the third paragraph should read: All your equipment, worn or carried, is similarly reduced by the power, halving in weight. Concealing Amorpha Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 85 Add the following sentence after the power description: Opponents that cannot see the subject ignore the power's effect (though fighting an unseen opponent carries penalties of its own). Control Body Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 86 Replace all instances of "Intelligence" with "key ability score." Add the following sentence after the third paragraph: You may not manifest this power on yourself or have your psicrystal manifest it on you. Crisis of Life Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 89 Add the following text after the first sentence in the augmentation section: For each extra two HD added to the maximum number of HD this power can affect, this power’s save DC increases by 1. Crystal Shard and Swarm of Crystals Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 89 and 134 (respectively) After the power description, add the following sentence: As long as the power is manifested outside of a null psionics zone, the crystals are unaffected by it, as they are analogous to a conjuration spell with an instantaneous duration. Danger Sense Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 90 Add the following text to the augment section: In order for an opponent to flank the manifester for purposes of sneak attack or sudden strike, the opponent must have a number of levels in a class that grants either sneak attack or sudden strike equal to the manifester's manifester level + 4. Prestige classes that grant sneak attack or sudden strike are added to base classes to determine this. Detect Psionics Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 91 The duration should read: Duration: 1 min./level (D). Dispel Psionics Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 94 The augmentation section should read: For every additional power point you spend, the maximum bonus on your dispel check increases by 2 (to a maximum bonus of +20 for a 5-point expenditure). Dispelling Buffer Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 72 The brief description of the power should read: Subject is buffered from the effects of dispel psionics. Ego Whip Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 98 The saving throw should read: Saving Throw: Will negates Empathic Transfer, Hostile Expaned Psionics Handbook, page 99 Add the following text to the last sentence under the augmentation section: When using the power this way, the maximum damage dealt is divided equally among all the affected creatures and calculated prior to any attempts at saving throws. The damage done to each individual creature is unaffected by the results of the saving throws of the other creatures (the damage does not "transfer" to the rest of the creatures if one makes its save). Energy Missile Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 102-103 Add the following sentence to the end of the first paragraph: You cannot target a creature and one of its objects, and you cannot target more than one object on a single creature. The augmentation section should read: Augment For every additional power point you spend, this power’s damage increases by one die (d6). For each extra two dice of damage, this power’s save DC increases by 1. Energy Stun Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 104 The augmentation section should read: Augment For every additional power point you spend, this power’s damage increases by one die (d6). For each extra two dice of damage, this power’s save DC increases by 1. Energy Wall Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 104 Add the following text after the power description: Augment For every two additional power points you spend, this power’s damage increases by one die (d6). For each extra two dice of damage, this power’s save DC increases by 1. Ethereal Jaunt, Psionic Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 105 The level of this power should read: Level: Psion/wilder 5, psychic warrior 5 Etherealness, Psionic Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 105 The level of this power should read: Level: Psion/wilder 7 Exhalation of the Black Dragon Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 105 The augmentation section should read: For every additional power point you spend, this power’s damage increases by 1d6 points. Expansion Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 105-106 The first sentence of the third paragraph should read: All your equipment, worn or carried, is similarly expanded by this power, doubling in weight. Far Hand Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 106 The duration should read: Duration: 1 min./level (D). Fiery Discorporation Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 107 The third sentence should read: Any damage that would reduce you to 0 hit points or lower, including death effects or any other effect that instantly slays the target without doing hitpoint damage, instead has a chance to discorporate you. Add the following sentence to the end of the second paragraph: If you discorporate in a place that normally has no fire present, such as the elemental plane of ice, you reappear exactly where you discorporated, disabled but conscious. Grip of Iron Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 111 The level of this power should read: Level: Psychic warrior 2 Hustle Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 111 Add the following sentence at the end of the first paragraph: You may not interrupt a full-round action to use this power. My Light Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 122 The first sentence should read: Your eyes beam forth a 30-foot cone of bright light which sheds dim light for an additional 30 feet beyond itself. Psicrystals Expanded Psionics Handbook, page X In the paragraph of the Combat section, remove the phrase "(counting only levels in psion or wilder)." All of a master's HD count towards the psicrystal's HD (although only levels in psionic classes count towards a psicrystal's abilities). Psychic Crush Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 127 Remove the phrase "with a +4 bonus" from the description. Recall Agony and Recall Death Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 129 Remove the [Mind-Affecting] tag. The wounds suffered by the target are real, not the product of the mind. Reddopsi Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 129 Change the last sentence to read: If you and a manifesting attacker are both warded by reddopsi effects in operation, a resonating field is created, the effects of which are detailed in the spell turning description. (For converting the effects under spell turning to reddopsi, replace all instances of "spell" with "power.") Remote Viewing Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 129-130 Add the following text after the power description: Augment For every two additional power points you spend, this power’s save DC increases by 1. Schism Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 130-131 Add the following sentence to the first paragraph: The second mind is limited to taking standard actions and cannot make us of immediate or swift actions in a round. Second Chance Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 131 The duration should read: Duration: 1 round/level Shatter Mind Blank Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 132 The duration should read: Duration: Instantaneous or 1 round/level; see text The saving throw should read: Saving Throw: None The power description should read: This power can negate a psionic mind blank or a personal mind blank affecting the target. If the target does not overcome your attempt with its power resistance, you automatically shatter its mind blank. Upon shattering, the psionic mind blank or personal mind blank ends, allowing you to affect the target thereafter with mind-affecting powers. If used against a target that is normally immune to mind-affecting effects, the target instead takes a -2 penalty to all Will saving throws for 1 round/level. Soulknives: Bladewind Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 29 Change the last sentence in the second paragraph to read, "Each fragment functions identically to the soulknife’s regular mind blade, but the fragments only deal additional damage from the soulknife's psychic strike ability to one opponent when the mind blade is charged. Soulknives: Shape Mind Blade Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 28 Add the following sentence after the second paragraph: After a soulknife has shaped his mind blade, the mind blade remains in its new form until the soulknife shapes it again. A soulknife's mind blade remains in its shaped form even after dissipation and re-manifestation. Add the following sentence to the end of the the second paragraph: If a soulknife splits his mind blade, he must charge each mind blade individually for use with his psychic strike. If the mind blade is already charged with energy for a soulknife's psychic strike, he chooses which blade holds the psychic strike upon splitting it. Telekinetic Maneuver and Telekinetic Thrust Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 135-136 Replace all instances of "Intelligence" with "key ability score." Teleport, Psionic Greater Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 136 The level of this power should read: Level: Psion/wilder 7 Thicken Skin Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 137 The power description should read: Your skin or natural armor thickens and spreads across your body, providing a +1 enhancement bonus to your natural armor. Tornado Blast Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 138 Remove the phrase "(to a maximum of 24d6 points)" in the augmentation section. Wilders: Volatile Mind Expanded Psionics Handbook, page 32 The second sentence should read: When any telepathy power is manifested on a wilder of 5th level or higher by anyone but the wilder herself, the manifester of the power must pay 1 power point more than he otherwise would have spent.
Lokathor 05-09-07, 03:16 AM	Should "Shatter Mind Blank" be able to shatter the mind-affecting immunity of a creature that doesn't have a mind in the first place (most construct, many undead, some ooze, etc.)?
ShaRd2000 05-09-07, 08:50 AM	Should "Shatter Mind Blank" be able to shatter the mind-affecting immunity of a creature that doesn't have a mind in the first place (most construct, many undead, some ooze, etc.)? I would say no, as it has no mind to effect, period. Ya know, like a skeleton... what are you going to do to it's "mind" that damages/hinders it? It's magically animated, there's nothing up there in the first place that's driving it. And the Burst errata seems a bit too strong too, maybe limit it to 3 rounds or so, or some other formula to keep it from 1 round/level. Maybe even make it a 2nd/3rd level power if you're going to go with 1 round a level, as that's just 1 power point to make it last that long. You might as well have it on all the time if so. On a side note though, does anyone think psionic blast would be overpowered if augmenting it upped the DC for the save too? Like, ever 2 extra rounds, the save DC increases by 1 or something? It just seems like it's useless in higher levels without it. Then again, it has a pretty wide area of effect that can take out an entire enemy party if they're clumped together. So maybe every 4 points up the DC by 1. Something to that effect. I like the Remote View errata though. >: D
Enchanter_Tom 05-09-07, 08:54 AM	Should "Shatter Mind Blank" be able to shatter the mind-affecting immunity of a creature that doesn't have a mind in the first place (most construct, many undead, some ooze, etc.)? I don't know. I was troubled by that, but it was a suggestion in the "problematic powers" thread to make the poor bastard power more useful (along with [mind-affecting] powers in general). Skeletons and the like may not have minds per se, but they do have mental statistics--Wis and Cha. One could argue that manifesting shatter mind blank on them would allow access to assault their neural pathways...
ShaRd2000 05-09-07, 09:28 AM	I don't know. I was troubled by that, but it was a suggestion in the "problematic powers" thread to make the poor bastard power more useful (along with [mind-affecting] powers in general). Skeletons and the like may not have minds per se, but they do have mental statistics--Wis and Cha. One could argue that manifesting shatter mind blank on them would allow access to assault their neural pathways... Well, you could maybe add the effect "lower will saves by 2 for 2d4 rounds" or whatever on a normal target, seeing as how shatter mind blank is very much a one use power, and not very tempting when you level up. Undead though... I mean, whatever floats your boat on that topic, I just see the undead having nothing absolutely to do with neural anything, seeing as how they are magically animated. Maybe on a lich though.
Enchanter_Tom 05-09-07, 11:20 AM	Well, you could maybe add the effect "lower will saves by 2 for 2d4 rounds" or whatever on a normal target, seeing as how shatter mind blank is very much a one use power, and not very tempting when you level up. Undead though... I mean, whatever floats your boat on that topic, I just see the undead having nothing absolutely to do with neural anything, seeing as how they are magically animated. Maybe on a lich though. That's not bad. I'm not sure it would need a save then. Also, I forgot to add reddopsi. Better do that.
Enchanter_Tom 05-09-07, 05:22 PM	Forgot about telekinetic awesomeness, and I grabbed something from the other errata thread--oops, heh--about wilders and volatile mind.
Nom 05-09-07, 08:54 PM	Expansion Expanded Psionics Handbook, page X Change the first sentence to read: This power causes instant growth, doubling your height, length, and width and multiplying your weight by 2.That's a silly "fix". A 3'0" halfling male (34 lb) who becomes Medium and doubles in size should weigh a lot closer to 272 lb than to 68 lb. For comparison, a 6'0" tall human averages 210 lb by PH table 6-6 (pg 109). The "problem" with expansion (and enlarge person) comes from the reading of "All equipment worn or carried by a creature is similarly enlarged by the spell.". The text of enlarge person begins "This spell causes instant growth of a humanoid creature, doubling its height and multiplying its weight by 8. This increase changes the creature’s size category to the next larger one.", and there is nothing wrong with this. The problem comes whether "similarly" is read as "commensurately" (that is, it becomes appropriate for a creature of the new size category) or as "identically" (that is, it simply doubles in all dimensions and thus becomes both too-heavy and incorrectly proportioned for the new creature). Given that either could be meant, good sense suggests that one use the former (scales with size) rather than latter (grows inappropriately) reading. The alternate (errataed) ruling would be to add a rule to the effect of "calculate encumberance based on the unmodified size of the character and his equipment", but that causes its own problems when the enlarged (or reduced) character picks up another item.
Enchanter_Tom 05-09-07, 09:14 PM	Brainfart--that's the fix I intended.
Tleilaxu_Ghola 05-09-07, 09:15 PM	That's a silly "fix". A 3'0" halfling male (34 lb) who becomes Medium and doubles in size should weigh a lot closer to 272 lb than to 68 lb. For comparison, a 6'0" tall human averages 210 lb by PH table 6-6 (pg 109). The "problem" with expansion (and enlarge person) comes from the reading of "All equipment worn or carried by a creature is similarly enlarged by the spell.". The text of enlarge person begins "This spell causes instant growth of a humanoid creature, doubling its height and multiplying its weight by 8. This increase changes the creature’s size category to the next larger one.", and there is nothing wrong with this. The problem comes whether "similarly" is read as "commensurately" (that is, it becomes appropriate for a creature of the new size category) or as "identically" (that is, it simply doubles in all dimensions and thus becomes both too-heavy and incorrectly proportioned for the new creature). Given that either could be meant, good sense suggests that one use the former (scales with size) rather than latter (grows inappropriately) reading. The alternate (errataed) ruling would be to add a rule to the effect of "calculate encumberance based on the unmodified size of the character and his equipment", but that causes its own problems when the enlarged (or reduced) character picks up another item. Correct. The short version: 2^3 = 8. You double all dimensions, resulting in an eight-fold increase in volume. Assuming mass density remains constant, this corresponds to an eight-fold increase in mass.
Enchanter_Tom 05-09-07, 10:53 PM	Shorter version: Given the range of heights and weights of halflings, is it reasonable for him to weigh 272 lbs. when increasing by the given dimensions? Taking proportions into account, yes, it is. Like I said, I "fixed" the wrong line :P.
Nom 05-10-07, 12:55 AM	Perhaps the best wording (without changing effect) would be to change the line to "All equipment carried or worn also increases size by one category (dimensions and weight change as appropriate for each item, see PH chapter 7).". In practice, I simply play by the "just use whatever your current encumberance was" shortcut.
CrimsonDeath 05-10-07, 04:19 AM	Perhaps the best wording (without changing effect) would be to change the line to "All equipment carried or worn also increases size by one category (dimensions and weight change as appropriate for each item, see PH chapter 7).". Weapons and armor would all double in weight, and foodstuffs, containers, and certain other miscellaneous adventuring equipment would quadruple in weight (going by the equipment table in the PHB). Certain items (class and skill kits, alchemical items, and certain miscellaneous adventuring gear) wouldn't change. But let's assume you have just a suit of armor, a shield, and a weapon. To go with an edge case, let's take a halfling with Strength 6. He has a carrying capacity of 15lb; let's suppose his gear weighs 14lb. He manifests Expansion (or casts Enlarge Person, whatever). he now has 8 Strength and a carrying capacity of 26, but his gear now weighs 28 lb. His Strength went up, increasing his carrying capacity. His size category went up, incresing his carrying capacity. But he went from light encumberance to medium encumberance. Let's take a look at another rare case. Suppose you have a Tiny character-- a pixie, perhaps. He manifests Compression. His size category drops to Diminutive, and his Strength drops by two-- but according to the sidebar in the PHB, the weight of his armor and weapon doesn't change. I admit these are edge cases, but if you actually micromanaged encumberance like this, it could probably cause problems for characters of all sizes manifesting either power. (Not to mention that it would bring the game to a grinding halt the first time it happened.) In practice, I simply play by the "just use whatever your current encumberance was" shortcut. That is, most likely, more in keeping with the spirit of the ability.
Lokathor 05-10-07, 04:40 AM	And the Burst errata seems a bit too strong too, maybe limit it to 3 rounds or so, or some other formula to keep it from 1 round/level. http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/expeditiousRetreat.htm
ShaRd2000 05-10-07, 10:09 AM	http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/expeditiousRetreat.htm But that's a spell... The burst power as it is in this thread only takes 1 power point, which is negligible at mid to higher levels, and less cost than a 1st level spell slot. Like I said, it'd end up being something that you'd potentially have on all day anyways, so the power itself becomes moot. That and it kinda ruins the fact that it's called "Burst".
Enchanter_Tom 05-10-07, 01:13 PM	http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/expeditiousRetreat.htm That is indeed what I based the power on--and why the duration is a round per level (auto-quicken makes up for it).
Fafnir 05-10-07, 01:14 PM	But that's a spell... The burst power as it is in this thread only takes 1 power point, which is negligible at mid to higher levels, and less cost than a 1st level spell slot. Like I said, it'd end up being something that you'd potentially have on all day anyways, so the power itself becomes moot. That and it kinda ruins the fact that it's called "Burst". It's not like you always use Expeditious Retreat to run away, either. What about having it as a negative augment (diminished power?) of Hustle? Swift, +30ft., 1 round, 1 (3-2) pp.
Lycanthromancer 05-10-07, 03:36 PM	Ooh! Ooh! I'm revamping the powers in the XPH! We could do some feats and stuff!
CrimsonDeath 05-10-07, 04:06 PM	That is indeed what I based the power on--and why the duration is a round per level (auto-quicken makes up for it). What about the spell Swift Expeditious Retreat? It's auto-quickened, but it only lasts one round.
Enchanter_Tom 05-10-07, 04:09 PM	Ooh! Ooh! I'm revamping the powers in the XPH! We could do some feats and stuff! I'm not sure if this is sarcasm or not, but I'd rather not add feats and things that are homebrew--this mini-project is strictly errata that ought to be included. Also, I added compression so that it works like expansion with regard to encumbrance. What about the spell Swift Expeditious Retreat? It's auto-quickened, but it only lasts one round. I'd say that it's just lame.
Lycanthromancer 05-10-07, 04:14 PM	Sarcasm? What's that? :D Actually, I was just acting a bit over-excited. I AM revamping the powers, and adding a few here and there. I was just thinking that there is a lot more errata to do than just powers. Feats (like how exactly does Unconditional Power work again) and psicrystals (THEY'RE NOT CLASS FEATURES, SO PSIONIC PRC'S DO ADVANCE THEM, HOW DO YOU GET ANOTHER WHEN YOURS DIES, AND WHY DO THEY ONLY GAIN HD WHEN YOU'RE A PSION OR WILDER, BUT NOT A PSYCHIC WARRIOR??!) and so on.
Enchanter_Tom 05-10-07, 10:02 PM	I noticed that greater psionic teleport is an 8th level power--should this be moved to 7th?
Enchanter_Tom 05-11-07, 06:37 PM	Bump for necessity.
Enchanter_Tom 05-12-07, 03:12 PM	Does anyone have any suggestions on how to make cloud mind augment better? It's like invisibility with a save, only better, and +1 pp/+1 DC just feels kind of blah.
Celsun 05-12-07, 09:44 PM	I haven't found a way to improve cloud mind without breaking it or turning it into invisibility (which I brought back from the PsiHB already). As a telepath, I'd rather use a stronger power, such as charm or dominate, if I think I can rattle off a mind-affecting power. Anyway, for augments: For every 2 additional power points you spend, you can affect an additional target. All targets must be within 15' of each other. For every 2 additional power points you spend, the DC increases by 1. I use a flat +2pp/+1 DC on all powers in my campaign, so augment #2 is a given.
Enchanter_Tom 05-12-07, 10:40 PM	I haven't found a way to improve cloud mind without breaking it or turning it into invisibility (which I brought back from the PsiHB already). As a telepath, I'd rather use a stronger power, such as charm or dominate, if I think I can rattle off a mind-affecting power. Anyway, for augments: For every 2 additional power points you spend, you can affect an additional target. All targets must be within 15' of each other. For every 2 additional power points you spend, the DC increases by 1. I use a flat +2pp/+1 DC on all powers in my campaign, so augment #2 is a given. That kind of removes the need for mass cloud mind, doesn't it?
Celsun 05-13-07, 12:56 PM	That kind of removes the need for mass cloud mind, doesn't it? That's the point. There shouldn't be powers called mass, greater, improved, forced, or personal in the psionics system, since we have augments for that.
Lycanthromancer 05-13-07, 04:01 PM	I'm covering that in my revision. One creature/level, augmenting for additional creatures, an augment that turns it into a burst effect, one that makes it an emanation, and one that allows you to utilize it offensively. :D
Exner 05-13-07, 04:08 PM	is your errata for ego whip: "Saving Throw: Will negates" your own fix or is it listed else where? IIRC, the text of the power actually says your get half charisma damage with a sucessful save. Why the change?
Lycanthromancer 05-13-07, 04:40 PM	As has been mentioned elsewhere, ability damage shouldn't ever be save for half. Of course, mine is save for half, THEN save negates if you succeed the first one. :)
ShaRd2000 05-13-07, 06:48 PM	If no greater versions, then wont all the said psionics just get screwed by globes of invulnerability?
Enchanter_Tom 05-24-07, 08:38 PM	Bump just to keep this near the top.