Post/Author/DateTime	Post
The Vorpal Tribble 08-20-05, 11:15 AM	<Deleted because suspicions of mine have been confirmed ;) >
SOKAR 08-20-05, 11:22 AM	Sleep can not affect creatures with more than 4hd, so it wont work on a hydra.
The Vorpal Tribble 08-20-05, 11:23 AM	With the Heighten Feat it can...
SOKAR 08-20-05, 11:25 AM	um, no, it can't.
alecthemad 08-20-05, 11:32 AM	The heighten feat will only increase the level of the spell for purposes of save DC calculation but it will not otherwise change the effects of the spell that is why there is a stronger sleep spell later on, Deep Slumber, which affects up to 10 HD.
The Vorpal Tribble 08-20-05, 11:47 AM	I am actually playing a psion who can spend extra points, called augmenting, that let me put more HD of creatures to sleep as if manifesting a higher level power. I just said sorcerer because most if I mentioned psionics would just say 'Well, of course, its psionics!' I thought the Heighten Feat would allow you to do it... oh well ;) Still, the point of the post is that because I put things to sleep I'm not being a team player :rolleye2:
SOKAR 08-20-05, 12:04 PM	Sure, NOW you tell us. Anyway, what power are you using? I combed through my xph and could not find any sleep powers...
Gurv 08-20-05, 12:28 PM	The problem seems to be the DM. Although I am unaware of any psionic power that works like a sleep spell, I think it is a pretty safe bet that there are dozens of things that he could throw at you which would be immune to the effect. But the DM isn't challenging you. If the other players are getting bored because you never face anything that you can't defeat single-handedly, then it isn't your fault. Psionics is pretty well balanced. The balance is provided by the fact that although the powers are pretty awesome, you only have a few. Sure, if you meet something that you are prepared for, you do well. But something which is immune to your power means that you are nearly helpless. You picked a useful power (although I am hard-pressed to figure out what it is), but the fact that it has worked on everything thus far is either due to bad DMing, or extremely good luck. The fact that you have enough power points to spend them augmenting a power suggests that the challenges you are facing are either not tough enough or that you are not facing the typical 4 equal-level encounters per day. The major weakness of a psion is that he doesn't have enough power to do all the fancy stuff (like augmenting) and make it through the typical dungeon day. Point out to your DM that the game isn't fun if nothing you do have a risk. Even playing a cautious character isn't any fun if failure is so unlikely.
Torack 08-20-05, 12:35 PM	I agree with the above two posters. What power is it? And I agree with the assesment that fighting elves and half-elves should put your character right into place.
The Vorpal Tribble 08-20-05, 12:57 PM	Bruce R. Cordell released a continuation of the Expanded Psionics Handbook called Hyperconscious, devoted mainly to psionics dealing with the subconscious and links with the Plane of Dream. One of the powers within it is Sleep, Psionic. You can affect one more HD of critter for every two additional psionic points you put into it. So at 5th level I can put an 8 HD critter to sleep (though the DC doesn't go up, so it becomes pretty useless at higher levels) And actually, until this point, the main bad guys have been elves being mind-controlled by a necromancer and the occassional undead. I just 'Suggested' the elves to go patrol another corridor and the undead, well, yeah, I generally just keep clear of them and let the barbarian have his fun. I'm a telepathic psion with only one of my powers not telepathic, so if its living I have a good chance of confusing it, and mind reading critters to know whats ahead and how to plan also helps.
Citizen Fry 08-20-05, 01:15 PM	Isn't there a cap on the number of points you can spend on one power? Getting +1 HD per 2 power points, it seems like you would run up to that limit pretty darn quick.
SOKAR 08-20-05, 01:29 PM	Um, If the power functions like the sleep spell, than 4 HD, initial, +1 one per 2 power points, you can only affect 6 hd at level 5...
ShadowDragon8685 08-20-05, 01:31 PM	Well of course, it's Psionics. :P Seriously, your DM needs to start throwing undead, oozes, and constructs in the mix. Stuff where it's Me Smash! time, and stuff that would hand your telepath his butt.
The Vorpal Tribble 08-20-05, 02:10 PM	Isn't there a cap on the number of points you can spend on one power? Well, at third level I can spend the original point, plus two augmented, and knock unconscious a 5th level critter. 3 power points isn't 'too' extravagent. Um, If the power functions like the sleep spell, than 4 HD, initial, +1 one per 2 power points, you can only affect 6 hd at level 5... Aye, typo'd. Seriously, your DM needs to start throwing undead, oozes, and constructs in the mix. Stuff where it's Me Smash! time, and stuff that would hand your telepath his butt. Well, as I said we've faced undead and its actually pretty easy to hand my char his own rear if his smarts falter. This char is almost nothing but psionic powers and skills. The stats I rolled went like Strength 10, Dex 10, Con 8, Int 17, Wisdom 17, and Cha 17. Upped my Intelligence at 4th level. At one time we faced a bunch of gnolls and a giant. I intimidated the entire bunch of gnolls into fleeing while the others took on the giant. However, I absolutely detest the business about tailoring fights to fit the players. In my games I play and DM I like to have even the areas that the players will probably never head for predone. 'This' certain creature lives in 'these' woods and 'this' is what they will meet if they go through 'this' thicket. If I throw monsters at players tailored to them it just isn't very realistic. The sorcerer for instance could have all his spells prepared for the players, able to counter their defences... that wouldn't be fair unless he's had others spying for him. Yes, some players may appear to shine for awhile, but thats just part of the game. The druid just isn't going to be as much of a help in a citied area, that doesn't mean you shouldn't have cities in the game ;)
Phrennzy 08-20-05, 04:37 PM	Why are you posting? I don't see a question. I see only statements. You play your character a certain way. Your fellow players do not appreciate the way. You now have three choices. 1. Continue to play as you have, and risk alienating them more. Certainly, eventually, the game will progress to the point that you cannot use this sleep ability, but there may not be a game by that point. 2. You can quit playing with this group. Find another that enjoys your efficiency. 3. Alter your tactics. Often, the most efficient way of fighting is not the most fun. For instance, you say that you are usually the last to act. How would you feel if, in every encounter, the monster were defeated in the first round, before you ever had a chance to act. Think about that. You would have no combat purpose. No idea you have would have any bearing on the combat whatsoever, as they have found a more efficient way of dealing with the opponents. That is how your group feels now. Useless. I would offer my advice to idea #3.
loaba 08-20-05, 05:29 PM	The DM needs to throw the other players a bone, it is just that simple. If one player routinely dominates, then that means 3-4 other people miss out and are not having fun. It is a game, it needs to be fun for everybody equally.
Ze_Mighty_Vegetable 08-20-05, 08:37 PM	sorry, dude, but you seems to be the group's problem. You make them feel useless. From what you've said, every combat is kinda routine for your group. Monsters come, other players get a turn, you put the monsters to sleep, voila. The rest of the group might as well not fight in any way, they are just there to take notes. Ok, it's efficient. But how would you like it if another player made an über-frienzyed Berserker. Let's say he kill everybody in one shot (you kill (remove them from the fight) in one shot...). You'd feel useless. Since it's only a game, people want their characters to DO something, to be an important part of the story. Now, for those who put the blame on the DM... It might seems heretic, but I don't think the DM's answer to one guy stealing the show should be to put monsters designed to take care of your weakness. His job is to make the game fun for the GROUP. not just one player. As a player, you also have to enforce play balance. I'd tell you to change tactics or I'd nerf you. Let's face it, if constantly used, a brillant tactic become boring, it become just exploitation of a loophole.
Snommelp 08-20-05, 08:52 PM	From where I'm sitting, it doesn't look like there should be a problem. You yourself have said that there have been plenty of undead and elves recently. Those should give the other players a chance to shine while you try out other psionic powers. I'm at a loss as to why the other players would be complaining. Am I missing something?
Ut-Napishtim 08-20-05, 11:36 PM	Is this an online game, or tabletop? Are there other traits about your character that other players might find annoying? There could be more than just the sleep thing setting them off. Having played with you in the past, I know you'd probably fall into the 'Method Actor' category of Robin Laws' player types. That is, roleplay focused characters that require a lot of attention from the DM, usually with very unusual and unique backgrounds, and highly specialized and rare abilities (at least this last part we can tell is true in this case). Not that I would say I didn't have fun playing with you in the Trepedations of Rhevolia, but you have to admit half the time the group's course of action was pretty much decided by little Lady Agatha running off on her own and getting into trouble. That group was pretty low-key and comprised mostly of players comfortable with a heavy roleplay style game, but in another one that type of character - combined with your substantial powers this character has, could leave other folks feeling left out in every aspect of the game. Not to browbeat you even further, as you know I love you, but you're also somewhat picky when it comes to games. I remember the thread you started about the epic game complaining everyone was just building the most effective beatstick they could while your character's heavy roleplay was going mostly ignored. My resonse? Duh - it's an epic game, if you're looking for heavy roleplay you're more likely to find it at level 1 than level 31. In this case Phrennzy has already laid out the available options quite well, but you have to pick one. That decision must be based on your feelings and experiences alone - we can't pick it for you.
loaba 08-21-05, 05:10 AM	As the player who left the game, that's kind of all I have to say about it. Ut pretty much said what I could not. You have a unique play-style that doesn't mesh with others, at least in my limited experiance. Tribble, my honest suggestion is that you and the DM need to open a dialogue with the other players and you all need to calmly clear the air. I too am not wanting to browbeat you, as RP'ers go you have some very interesing and detailed characters. But there does seem to be a compatibility problem.