Can some DM critic this please, "Psion Reserve Feat" [Archive] - Wizards Community

Can some DM critic this please, "Psion Reserve Feat" [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Kaladon7779
07-09-07, 04:54 PM Ok, this was something I wanted to run past everyone, and it was something I saw was brought up on the WotC forums. Reserve feats are basically weaker versions of spells you have prepared, but you can use them ad nauseum. Useful tool.

The other factor I want to bring to attention is the magic/psionics transparency rule, indicating that there is no difference between the two regarding metamagic feats (if there's a metamagic for arcane, there's one for psionics, as detailed in the epic level handbook and hinted at in other locations), saving throws, spell resistance vs. power resistance, etc.

Now, given these two things, what if we were to have the same thing for psionics with regards to reserve feats. Instead of having a spell prepared and not used, why not have power points invested for a specific power, and then have access to the same reserve feats (with the exception of changing Summon Elemental to Summon Construct).

The mechanic would have to be slightly different, as many of the powers psions get are augmentable (i.e. you can invest more power points to make them more powerful). It's actually very similar to a heighten spell or similar effect.

So... my proposed mechanic would be for the elemental-based ones (like acidic splatter, winter's breath, thunder whatever, etc) you can use any power you have that's energy based, and invest points that way. 1d6 every odd number PP invested (as level 1 powers use 1 pp, level 2 are 3 pp, and so on). This basically equates the same to spell level. Same with teleportation, shadow/darkness, etc, only you just count every odd number of PP for your "spell level." You have access to those PP's at any time, but if you use them, you lose the ability to utilize your reserve feat, just like you would a spell.

For the summon elemental/construct one, you'd use every 4 pp. i.e. 1 PP will get you the level 1 construct. 5 PP will get you the level 2 construct. 9 PP level 3, etc. Boost construct would apply, because you are still drawing out a construct, and the feat is not metapsionic, it's just a psionic feat.

Pretty simple changeover, imho. What're everyone's thoughts?

This was brought up by a player of mine. He wants a reserve feat for Psions and is trying to get ideas on how to make it and what would be balanced. Could some Dm's please help me critic this please.
Wraithkin
07-09-07, 05:19 PM It should be noted this is not asking for one specific feat. It is asking for a conversion of the existing feats to work for psionics (a la extend spell vs. extend power, or enlarge spell vs. enlarge power).
Andrew
07-09-07, 07:55 PM There are a couple of reasons these feats are either difficult to use or completely incompatible with psionics.

First, due to the free-flowing nature of Power Points, a 1 to 1 conversion will result in the psionic character being able to get the maximum benefit out of a reserve feat for a much longer period of time. I think you would need to come up with a borderline for how many power points out of their total they needed unspent in order to qualify for a reserve feat.

Second, psionics is more capable of burning most of their resources in one shot. The biggest symptom of doing this kind of nova-ing badly is limping along all day mothering one's power points and then squeezing out a large deposit at the boss fight. Reserve feats would be a big encouragement for that lameness - not only could the character keep limping along without spending anything before a juicy target,they're also being rewarded with better reserve feat performance because of relying on this lameness.
Anathema
07-10-07, 03:21 AM I think the Psionic Focus based feats are supposed to be the equivalent of reserve feats for psionic characters. Not exactly equal, but just as psionics is a different way of using magic, psionic focus feats are a different kind of 'reserve'.

Increasing the shield bonus of your shield, competence bonus on certain skill checks, increasing manifester levels (under certain conditions), or overcoming incorporeal miss chance are all examples of feats that are granted while your character is psionically focused. There are also a number of feats that require the character to expend their psionic focus.

This is something that cannot be translated to the weave-casters. I think it would be far more appropriate to work with your player to come up with an appropriate psionic focus feat, rather than try to balance a reserve feat for psionics.

Just my :twocents:
Callix
07-10-07, 04:17 AM The whole issue with reserve powers is that you need to set a significant reserve requirement in dedicated PP. It's a very difficult mechanic to devise, balance and everything else. There were similar feats in the old Psionics Handbook, but they have been adapted to use psionic focus. I don't think a DM should have to do this. Find a developer who has done the work, maybe. But not homebrew psionic reserves.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Kaladon7779 07-09-07, 04:54 PM	Ok, this was something I wanted to run past everyone, and it was something I saw was brought up on the WotC forums. Reserve feats are basically weaker versions of spells you have prepared, but you can use them ad nauseum. Useful tool. The other factor I want to bring to attention is the magic/psionics transparency rule, indicating that there is no difference between the two regarding metamagic feats (if there's a metamagic for arcane, there's one for psionics, as detailed in the epic level handbook and hinted at in other locations), saving throws, spell resistance vs. power resistance, etc. Now, given these two things, what if we were to have the same thing for psionics with regards to reserve feats. Instead of having a spell prepared and not used, why not have power points invested for a specific power, and then have access to the same reserve feats (with the exception of changing Summon Elemental to Summon Construct). The mechanic would have to be slightly different, as many of the powers psions get are augmentable (i.e. you can invest more power points to make them more powerful). It's actually very similar to a heighten spell or similar effect. So... my proposed mechanic would be for the elemental-based ones (like acidic splatter, winter's breath, thunder whatever, etc) you can use any power you have that's energy based, and invest points that way. 1d6 every odd number PP invested (as level 1 powers use 1 pp, level 2 are 3 pp, and so on). This basically equates the same to spell level. Same with teleportation, shadow/darkness, etc, only you just count every odd number of PP for your "spell level." You have access to those PP's at any time, but if you use them, you lose the ability to utilize your reserve feat, just like you would a spell. For the summon elemental/construct one, you'd use every 4 pp. i.e. 1 PP will get you the level 1 construct. 5 PP will get you the level 2 construct. 9 PP level 3, etc. Boost construct would apply, because you are still drawing out a construct, and the feat is not metapsionic, it's just a psionic feat. Pretty simple changeover, imho. What're everyone's thoughts? This was brought up by a player of mine. He wants a reserve feat for Psions and is trying to get ideas on how to make it and what would be balanced. Could some Dm's please help me critic this please.
Wraithkin 07-09-07, 05:19 PM	It should be noted this is not asking for one specific feat. It is asking for a conversion of the existing feats to work for psionics (a la extend spell vs. extend power, or enlarge spell vs. enlarge power).
Andrew 07-09-07, 07:55 PM	There are a couple of reasons these feats are either difficult to use or completely incompatible with psionics. First, due to the free-flowing nature of Power Points, a 1 to 1 conversion will result in the psionic character being able to get the maximum benefit out of a reserve feat for a much longer period of time. I think you would need to come up with a borderline for how many power points out of their total they needed unspent in order to qualify for a reserve feat. Second, psionics is more capable of burning most of their resources in one shot. The biggest symptom of doing this kind of nova-ing badly is limping along all day mothering one's power points and then squeezing out a large deposit at the boss fight. Reserve feats would be a big encouragement for that lameness - not only could the character keep limping along without spending anything before a juicy target,they're also being rewarded with better reserve feat performance because of relying on this lameness.
Anathema 07-10-07, 03:21 AM	I think the Psionic Focus based feats are supposed to be the equivalent of reserve feats for psionic characters. Not exactly equal, but just as psionics is a different way of using magic, psionic focus feats are a different kind of 'reserve'. Increasing the shield bonus of your shield, competence bonus on certain skill checks, increasing manifester levels (under certain conditions), or overcoming incorporeal miss chance are all examples of feats that are granted while your character is psionically focused. There are also a number of feats that require the character to expend their psionic focus. This is something that cannot be translated to the weave-casters. I think it would be far more appropriate to work with your player to come up with an appropriate psionic focus feat, rather than try to balance a reserve feat for psionics. Just my :twocents:
Callix 07-10-07, 04:17 AM	The whole issue with reserve powers is that you need to set a significant reserve requirement in dedicated PP. It's a very difficult mechanic to devise, balance and everything else. There were similar feats in the old Psionics Handbook, but they have been adapted to use psionic focus. I don't think a DM should have to do this. Find a developer who has done the work, maybe. But not homebrew psionic reserves.