I would like to give special thanks to everyone on these boards for the support and help given to this FAQ.
--Dr. D
-----------------------------------------
Please refer to the Monster Manual and Monster Manual II Board FAQ for questions concerning the psionic creatures in the Monster Manual II.
Refer to the Epic Level Handbook FAQ for questions concerning psionics at Epic levels.
All WotC Message Board FAQs
![[cthulhu]](graemlins/cthulhu_green.gif)
= NewTable of Contents
1. Useful Links
2. General Questions
- - The Mind's Eye
3. Psionics Handbook: Specific Rules Questions
- - Psion and Psychic Warrior Questions
- - Feat Questions
- - Psionic Combat Questions
- - Psionic Powers Questions
- - Prestige Class Questions
- - Psionic Items Questions
- - Psionic Monster Questions
4. The Mind's Eye: Specific Rules Questions
- - Dragon Magazine Questions
- - - Expand Your Mind
- - Prestige Class Questions
- - - Arch Psion
- - - Crystal Master
- - - Diamond Warrior
- - - Psyhcic Weapon Master
- - Expanding Your Mind Questions
- - - Battle of the Mind
- - - Four New Psionic Feats
- - - Two New Feats
- - Psionic Bestiary Questions
5. Psionic Terms
Psionics Board FAQ
-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
1. Useful Links
-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
Psionics Handbook Errata
Official Psionics Character Sheet
Official D&D FAQ
Bruce Cordell's Clarifications: These are unofficial, but they come from the author of the PsiHB himself, Bruce Cordell.
The Mind's Eye: The Mind's Eye is a monthly article on the website that adds new PrCs, powers, magic items, feats, monsters, etc. for psionics. Everthing in the article is considered official psionic material.
The Eye: This is "the" unofficial website for 3e psionics. The material on this website is excellent and includes PrCs, powers, feats, monsters, etc. It also has an alternate psion called the "mind psion", that shy's away from MAD for a more mental look at psionics.
RPGCosmos: RPGCosmos is another unofficial website dedicated to 3rd edition D&D. It has an alternate psionic combat system as well as a ton of powers, PrCs, and feats.
Monte Cook's Website: This website is the homepage for Malhavoc Press (a 3rd party d20 publisher). While not solely dedicated to psionics, Bruce R. Cordell (the author of the PsiHB for 3e) has released If Thoughts Could Kill (ITCK), which is a supplement and adventure for psionics. You can buy it in .pdf format for $5 or order a paperback copy. Also, you can find alternate versions of the PrCs found in the PsiHB on this site for free download.
Mongoose Publishing: Mongoose is a 3rd-party publisher of D&D products. A classbook called the Quintessential Psychic Warrior currently available for sale. They have plans to make a Quintessential Psion sometime in the future.
DaemonEye Publishing: This is a d20 company started by board member Strutinan. The first release from this company will be the "Psionics Handbook Companion".Dark Sun
Dark Sun was a 2e AD&D setting that revolved around psionics. While it may or may not be released in print for 3e, there is an official website working on converting the setting to 3rd Edtition. Athas.org is the official website for Dark Sun 3e.
Also, there is a message board specifically for Dark Sun on this website:
Dark Sun Message Board
The Alternate Psionics Project: A website that is producing an alternate system for psionics that will be compatible with D&D.
-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
2. General Questions
-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
Q: Is the PsiHB worth my money?
A: If you want to use psionics, yes it is. There is a large amount of support for this system on the web. That being said, a number of people don't like the way psionics has been handled, and are working on their own systems.
Q: Is psionics just another form of magic?
A: Yes and no.
Unlike magic, psionics stems from the mind and body, rather than external sources. Also, you use power points to manifest your powers rather than spell slots. Psionics also has a unique feature known as Psionic Combat.
While psionics is different in these aspects, it does have transparency with magic. This means that anything that can affect magic in general can affect psionics. Something that specifically targets arcane or divine magic does not affect psionics.
However, on pg. 39 of the Psionics Handbook, there is a variant rule to have psionics and magic non-transparent. In other words, something that affects psionics cannot effect magic and vice-versa, unless stated otherwise (examples on pg. 39 include a dispel psionics spell and a negate magic power).
Having both these options allows for a DM to choose the "feel" of his particular campaign.
For some personnal advice, if you are completely new to psionics, I wouldn't recommend using the "Psionics are Different" variant until you become familiar with the rules presented in the Psionics Handbook.
Q: Why all the crystals?
A: Your guess is as good as mine. They were most likely put in to separate them from spellcasters. Personally, I think the concept of psions and crystals is pretty dang spiffy.
Q: I heard that there are psionic monsters in the Monster Manual II. Is this true?
A: Yes, it is true. There are psionic monsters in the Monster Manual II.
-~-~
The Mind's Eye
Q: Is the stuff on the Mind's Eye official?
A: Yes. The Mind's Eye is considered to be as official as Dragon Magazine.
Q: Is any of the content from the Mind's Eye Open Gaming Content?A: No, it's not. The only stuff that is OGC are the Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide, Monster Manual, Psionics Handbook, D20 Modern, and pages 220-221 of the Monster Manual 2.
Q: How often is the Mind's Eye updated?
A: Usually once or twice a month.
Q: What happened to the "Here's Your Chance" threads that used to be posted, I can't find them anywhere.
A: Most of the Here's Your Chance threads no longer exist. The threads were locked, and have since been pruned because they were inactive.
However, a couple of members saved a few of the threads on their computers. If you ask for one, someone will probably help you if possible.
Q: I've noticed that the PrCs in the Mind's Eye use a different progression for powers and power points than the PrCs in the PsiHB. Is there any chance the PsiHB PrCs will be done in this fashion like the alternatives on Monte Cook's website?
A: Yes, Mark and Scott plan on putting alternatives to the PsiHB PrCs up on the Mind's Eye sometime in the future. These alternatives won't be exact duplicates of the ones from the Monte Cook website.
The alternates are tentatively due to be up around December or January. Andon Scott has stated that the Pyro will be replaced with another PrC.
-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
3. Psionics Handbook: Specific Rules Questions
-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
Psion and Psychic Warrior Questions
Q: Are the power points given on the Psion Bonus Power Points table (PsiHB pg. 7) cummulative?
A: Yes, they are. On pg. 8, 2nd column, 4th paragraph, there is an example of this. It states that a 5th-level psion with an 18 in his key ability score has a total of 9 bonus power points (1 from 1st, 3 from 3rd, and 5 from 5th).
If the key ability score becomes increased (ie ability every 4 levels), the bonus PPs increase.
For example: Jessdar is a 7th-level Shaper with a 19 in Intelligence (his key ability score). He has 16 bonus PPs (1 from 1st, 3 from 3rd, 5 from 5th, and 7 from 7th). Once he reaches 8th-level, he decides to put his next ability point into Intelligence again, raising it to 20. According to chart 1-2 on pg. 7, he gains extra PPs from the 20-21 line. He now has 18 bonus PPs (3 + 3 + 5 + 7 = 18).
However, spells, potions, magic items, etc. do not affect bonus PPs unless they are continually active for more than 24 hours.
Q: Does your primary discipline need to be that of your highest ability score?
A: Not at all. This is no longer 2e, where certain stats had to be met to take on a class. However, it would probably be in the player's best interest to have his primary discipline parallel his highest ability score (excluding certain roleplaying reasons).
Q: How would you keep track of or use a psi-crystal in combat?
A: The combat stats of psicrystals are as those described in the Psionics Handbook (AC 13, Hardness 8, HP 20, Speed 30). They do not gain offensive capacities, nor any other capacities not described in the rulebook. As far as type goes, yes, Construct is perfect. Their senses are akin to ‘blindsight’ as described on page 9 of the Monster Manual, and as such is an Extraordinary ability.
Q: Can an egoist or psychic warrior use Multiattack with the claw and bite powers?
According to Masters of the Wild, a druid using wildshape can use Multiattack with the animal's attack routine, so I figured any character who uses claw powers or polymorph self enough times could do something similar.
A: Sure, an egoist or psychic warrior having Multiattack and using it in conjunction with the claw and bite attacks should be fine.
-~-~
Feat Questions
Q: Are Psionic feats Extraordinary, Supernatural, or Spell-Like?
A: As with all feats, Psionic feats are Extraordinary.
Q: If I were to use the Deep Impact feat in combination with Whirlwind Attack, would I have to pay the cost of Deep Impact with each attack?
A: An attack is one swing of your sword, as far as Deep Impact is concerned. You'd pay the cost for each attack that was part of a Whirlwind Attack.
For Example: Rak'shralok is a level 20 psychic warrior with both the Whirlwind Attack and Deep Impact feats. He is surrounded by 4 githyanki warriors. He decides to use his Whirlwind Attack and then Deep Impact each foe for an easier hit. This would cost him 20 pp, because he must pay 5 pp per attack in order to gain the benefit of the Deep Impact feat.
Q: Can I make (insert power here) Persistent?
A: Yes, as long as that power does not have a duration of instantaneous, has a range of personal, or does not have a variable range (Close, Medium, Long, Unlimited).
If the power meets those requirements, then yes, you can apply Persistent Power to it.
Q: Does the Rapid Metabolism feat also apply to subdual damage? (The feat description only mentions hit points, but was that done on purpose, or because of an oversight?)
A: According to the core rules (namely the Player's Guide), you automatically heal and equal amount of subdual damage when you heal hit points.
Q: Does the Speed of Thought feat stack with the burst power?
A: Yes, because Speed of Thought permanently increases your base speed.
Q: If a character has the Speed of Thought feat and is wearing a pair of boots of striding, would the speed added from Speed of Thought be included when determining the double speed granted by the boots of striding?
A: Yes it would, the extra speed granted by Speed of Thought is extraordinary, like a Barbarian's speed.
Q: How does Stand Still work? Are you allowed to make attacks and such, yet still use Stand Still?
A: Stand Still is essentially an attack of opportunity (and uses up an AoO). Whenever an opponent moves into a space you threaten, provoking an attack of opportunity, the enemy's movement is paused while you make your Stand Still AoO. If you hit, and the enemy fails his save, his movement is done for the round and he's stuck at the point where he triggered the AoO. If he saves or you miss, he continues on as he normally would have.
In other words, yes, you can make a full attack, or do any other action in the same round you make use of Stand Still, just like using an attack of opportunity.
Q: Can Stand Still and Hold the Line (from Sword and Fist) be used simultaneously?
A: Yes, Hold the Line and Stand Still can both be used simultaneously (and, for that matter, so can Combat Reflexes). You can use Stand Still and Hold the Line to stop charge attacks (the opponent stops 10 feet from you), so long as your opponent doesn't outreach you. (If your opponent has a longer reach than you do, the opponent can attack you without entering the area you threaten.)
-~-~
Psionic Combat Questions
Q: Are combat modes Supernatural or Spell-Like?
A: Combat modes are Supernatural.
Q: Are psionic attack modes mind affecting powers?
A: No, they aren't.
Q: Do combat modes provoke an attack of opportunity?
A: Attacks modes do provoke one, while defense modes do not.
Q: How do you figure the "Power Level" for an attack mode (for use in a Concentration check, for instance)?
A: The level of each mode can be determined by the number of power points it costs to use it, cross-referenced with the table on page 32 of the PsiHB.
Thus the effective levels for the 5 modes are:
mind thrust: 1
ego whip: 2
id insinuation: 2
psychic crush: 3
mind blast: 5
-~-~
Psionic Powers Questions
Q: Are psionic powers considered Supernatural or Spell-Like?
A: Powers are Spell-Like abilities.
Q: What are power chains? What relevance do they have? Do you gain some sort of benefit from having all powers in a chain? Do you gain a hindrance from not having all powers in a chain?
A: Power chains are a series of related powers, such as the astral construct series (astral construct I to astral construct IX). Certain feats, such as Upgrade Power and Chain Link, recognize power chains, thus having an effect on powers within those chains. Upgrade Power and Chain Link can both be found at the Mind's Eye. They are in the Dragon Magazine article "Expand Your Mind" (reprinted on the website) and the Mind's Eye article "Four New Psionic Feats" respectively.
Q: Can psionic characters "unlearn" or forget powers to make way for new ones?
A: No, you can't simply "forget" powers you already know unless you have the Upgrade Power feat described in Dragon 287 and the Mind's Eye section of this website.
Q: Are manifester levels added on when a psionic character picks up a prestige class? If my 5th level Psion is also an 8th level Metamind, what manifester levels does he use for (a) his Psion powers and (b) his Metamind powers?
A: Track powers for each class separately, just at you would for any other multiclassed psionicist (see page 16 in the PsiHB).
Q: What kind of bonus does animal affinity give to stats?
A: According to the D&D FAQ, animal affinity does not give a stat bonus. It changes the user's ability score. Thus any bonus that applied to the original apply to the new.
However, many believe that this ruling is wrong (including Bruce Cordell). They say that animal affinity gives an enhancement bonus to the stat.
So, if you want to play with the "official" rule, use the first option. If not, use the second.
Q: How exactly does animal affinity work? Does the psion have to pick a single specific animal when he chooses the power, or can he choose new animals every time? For that matter, does the animal type have any effect on the power?
A: With the exception of flavor characteristics, animal type doesn't really have to matter, it's all about the ability increase. An animal doesn't necessarily have to be nearby for this to work.
Q: Is a character who has been affected by the 9th level power apopsi (permanently lose 1d4 psionic powers) now able to learn 1d4 new psionic powers? In other words, does the use of apopsi free up those power slots? And how does psychic chirurgery restore these powers?
A: The powers and their slots become inaccessible. Psychic chirurgery restores access in the same way one recovers an erased file off a computer disk.
Q: Can biofeedback and improved biofeedback work at the same time, giving you 2.5x your Str bonus in subdual damage if you manifest both of them?
A: No, improved biofeedback overlaps biofeedback.
Q: Does catfall stop you from being tripped by humanoids or by creatures that trip with bite attacks (like wolves)?
A: Yes, because you are able to manifest this power quickly enough (as a free action) to recover from even unexpected falls. However, it can only be manifested once per round in this fashion, because it counts toward the limit of on Quickened power per round.
Q: Do the bite of... and claws of... powers actually give you an extra attack?
A: Yes, you gain the extra attacks just as if fighting with two weapons (in other words big penalties). The new claw or bite attack gained is considered an off-hand light weapon (though the attacker may choose to have one of those attacks as his primary attack if desired).
For Example: Gras'herada is a 12th-level egoist that has manifested Claws of the Bear on himself (he also has the Two-Weapon Fighting and Ambidexterity feats). He gains two claws that can be used for attacks. One of those claws is his primary attack if he so desires.
Without the claws manifested, his attack is +6/+1. When they are manifested, and his attack is as such: primary attack +4/+0 and off-hand +4.
Q: When the bite of... and claws of... powers are manifested on a character, are those attacks considered armed or unarmed attacks? (this answer is currently being debated)
A: The attacks are unarmed attacks. However, they are considered "armed" attacks just as if the character had the Improved Unarmed Strike feat. If you have levels in the monk class, these attacks may be made using the "Unarmed Attack Bonus" chart, however, the damage dealt by the attacks is equal to the damage granted from the power as opposed to the damage for a monk's normal unarmed attack (just as if they were using a monk weapon).
Q: Could you use a feat like Unavoidable Strike with the powers manifested?
A: Yes, feats that apply to unarmed attacks would apply when attacking with a claws of... or bite of... power manifested.
Q: If I have claws of the bear manifested and then use expansion, does the claw damage increase?
A: No, the claw damage remains the same. This is because it does not expansion does not enhance psionic and magical properties. However, you do get added damage because of the Strength increase of expansion.
Q: When using claws of the vampire does the whole amount of damage dealt converted into hit points, or is only the 1d8 from the power converted to hit points?
A: Well according to the PsiHB, all of the damage is converted to hit points. However, Bruce Cordell made a clarification saying that the max amount of hp that can be gained is 8 (Note: his clarification is not "official", but it makes sense).
Q: Can someone use crisis of breath and brain lock to suffocate a victim, without giving them a chance to breathe?
A: Absolutely.
Q: Bruce Cordell mentioned before on Monte's forums that dismiss ectoplasm could be used against ectoplasmic cocoon and similar powers. What mechanism would be used for this? An opposed level check? A saving throw? etc?
A: Make the manifester of the cocoon or similar power make a Fort save (even if the manifester is nowhere nearby). On a failed save, the cocoon goes away.
Q: Can you use graft weapon to graft a ranged weapon? If so, how would that work?
A: Yes, you could graft ranged weapons. Each could be explained in their own fashion. Even though the weapon is grafted, the ammunition is not, thus the missile could be fired off.
However, if you were to graft a throwing weapon (javelins, throwing axes, etc.), you would only be able to use them for melee, since the weapon is stuck to your hand.
Currently, there is no official answer, but the graft weapon power states that any weapon can be grafted (mundane, magical, or psionic).
Q: Can you use graft weapon to graft a weapon you require two hands to wield?
A: Yes, but you must use both arms (hands) to operate the grafted weapon.
Q: Can you use graft weapon to graft a two headed weapon?
A: Yes. This would be treated the same way as a weapon requiring two hands (see above question).
Q: Could I use the Monkey Grip feat (from Sword and Fist) in conjuction with graft weapon to graft a two handed weapon onto one hand?
A: There is no official statement for the use of Monkey Grip and graft weapon. However, I would allow the combo, still including the penalties Monkey Grip gives for using a two handed weapon in one hand.
Q: When using touch attack powers with a grafted weapon is the damage from the power in addition to the damage of the weapon or does the damage of the weapon become the damage of the power?
A: This works two ways. You can either make a touch attack to deal the power's damage, or you can make a normal melee attack to deal the weapon damage and the power's damage. It's your call on the attack.
Q: I was wondering, if a psion grafts a +1 morningstar to their arm, then manifests claws of the vampire, do they still get the enhancement bonus to attack rolls, and can they still penetrate damage reduction? I was also wondering if they could heal when damaging a creature with damage reduction x/+1?
A: Yes to both questions, however, Bruce Cordell suggests that the amount healed should max out at 8 damage. That suggestion is not in stone, and the amount healed can be interpreted as all damage dealt, it depends on the DM.
Q: Can you apply the Extend Power and Persistent Power feats to the hustle power?
A: No, because hustle doesn't have a duration - it gives you 1 partial action.
Q: Can you dispel a power made permanent with the incarnate power?
A: You can't dispel an incarnated power, though you might be able to dispel the power's effects.
Q: What powers can be made incarnate?
A: You can incarnate any power that isn't permanent, isn't instantaneous, and doesn't have it's own XP cost.
Q: Can you use lesser metaphysical weapon on your fists?
A: No, nor on any natural attack, only weapons.
The metaphysical body power chain (metaphysical body, lesser metaphysical body, greater metaphysical body), however, does grant a bonus to unarmed attacks. These powers can be found at The Mind's Eye.
Q: Could a psion using the mind switch power keep (a) racial innate psionics (a githyanki's ability to use telekinesis at will, for instance); (b) Monk special abilities (if multi-classed)?
A: You retain class abilities and anything that depends on your mind.
Q: The original version of the polymorph self spell in the Player's Handbook has a disorientation penalty (Will save DC 20 or -2 to all attacks, checks and saves). A few months ago they published a new version of polymorph self in Dragon, it mentioned the disorientation penalty but not what it was. I assumed that the penalty was the same as before, they had just left it out. They also said you couldn't polymorph into constructs, elementals, outsiders or undead unless already of that type. On pg 45 of the PsiHB it says "A power with the same name as a spell in the players handbook has the same effect as that spell". The polymorph self power in the PsiHB makes no mention at all of a Disorientation penalty, and also does not restrict you from changing into those Prohibited types (it even specifically talks about changing into them in the 4th paragraph). So the questions: 1) Is there a disorientation penalty or not for the polymorph self spell? What about the power? 2) Can you or can you not polymorph into outsiders, elementals, undead and constructs? Can you do it with the power but not with the spell?
A: 1. The official Errata for both versions do not have a disorientation penalty.
2. The Errata for the psionic version of polymorph self says "you cannot change into a construct, elemental, outsider, or undead unless you are already are that type".
Q: Do attribute changes from polymorphing affect psionics? If a psion polymorphs into a troll, do his psionic DCs increase to reflect his new Str 23, Dex 14, and Con 23? If he is polymorphed while he sleeps and meditates to recover power points, does the psion gain bonus points from the high attributes?
A: Yes, DCs are affected, but power points are not.
Q: What if polymorph or animal affinity is Extended so that it lasts longer than 24 hours?
A: Then, yes, power points are also affected for that day.
Q: When using schism, do you really draw an AoO if half of you (the primary mind) is watching out for physical threats?
A: Yes, you would draw an AoO. Though the action is purely mental and made with a separate "half", you are still manifesting, and thus concentrating to manifest the power. Think of this as simply applying haste to your purely mental activities (since the second mind allows you to take an extra partial action each round for purely mental purposes).
Q: The talons power says that "Your unarmed attacks deal +1 damage" (Normal instead of subdual damage) Does it mean that just the +1 is normal? or would a human do 1d3+1 normal damage? or 1d3 subdual and 1 point of normal damage?
A: A punch without improved unarmed attack deals 1d3 subdual and 1 point of normal damage.
-~-~
Prestige Class Questions
Q: What list do the prestige classes choose their discovered powers from?
A: This question is answer in the Errata, but to make life simple, it states that all 4 PrCs in the PsiHB choose powers from the psion class.
Q: If metaminds gain combat powers at the rate of a psionic warrior does that mean they actually get 2 at the first level of the prestige class?
A: Yes, you discover the powers of a class as noted on the approppriate table.
Q: Creating a fire lash (pyrokineticist ability) is a move-equivalent action that has a power point reserve of 11. How long does it last before you have to activate it again, drawing an AoO for doing so? The same question goes for the pyro's hand afire abilty, which has a power point reserve of 9.
A: It lasts until you dismiss it, until you fall asleep, or until your power reserve runs below 11. Note that you'd want to dismiss it to use your free hand for rummaging in your pack, eating, etc. It dissipates if you "drop" it, too. The same goes for hand afire, though it last until the pp reserve runs below 9. You also can't "drop" the flames on your hand.
Q: The pyrokineticist's nimbus ability is a spell-like ability that has a reserve of 17 power points (see www.monte.com for this revised version). The "old" version used 9 power points per minute of use. How long does the "new" nimbus last?
A: This one lasts while you have 17 power points, or until dismissed.
Q: The "alternate" version of the pyrokineticist for the Monte Cook site requires that you have 8 ranks in Alchemy. This seems a bit high, is it?
A: Bruce Cordell stated that the "alternate" pyrokineticist requirement should be 4 ranks in Alchemy instead of 8. Here's the link.
Q: Can a soulknife manifest more than one mind-blade at a time? The description doesn't say one way or the other. Of course he could probably manifest a maximum of two, since they dissipate as soon as they leave the soulknife's hand (unless thrown), but could he manifest one per hand?
A: Yes, though all rules for fighting with two weapons still apply.
Q: Can a soulknife use Weapon Focus on "mind-blade", or must he use it on first short sword, and later long sword, as the mind-blade's damage changes?
A: Weapon Focus could probably be used for the "mind-blade" ability the same way it can be taken for "ray" attacks. Whether or not it can be taken though, is at the DM's discretion.
Q: A soulknife can imbed a psionic power of his onto a mind blade when the imbed power ability is gained. Say I imbed a power that has a specific target, would that restriction still be in effect on the imbedded mind-blade, or would it affect anything hit?
A: There is no official ruling for this. However, I would say that size and racial restrictions would still apply. For example, weapons with the bane ability must focus on a specific type of creature. So if you were to imbed a power into your mind-blade, these restrictions would still apply.
I would also say that the power is still released, but if the target is illegal according to the imbedded power, then the power has no effect.
-~-~
Psionic Items Questions
Q: With regards to Psionic Item (Probably more specifically Armor and Weapons), Can a non-Psionic use them?
A: Yes, non-psions can use them unless there are specific requirements that only a psion or psychic warrior can meet.
Q: What are the rules for making crystal arms and armor? Also, what special attributes would making an item out of crystal be? I can't find this information anywhere in the PsiHB.
A: There are no rules, because making a weapon of crystal is pure flavor. All abilities of such an item are considered the same as iron for game mechanics.
However, for your campaigns you could make rules for crystal weapons and armor.
-~-~
Psionic Monster Questions
Q: Why do monsters have unlimited use of psionics?
A: Psionic monsters are limited to using their spell-like abilities as standard actions. This includes their powers and their attack modes. And, like regular old monsters with spell-like abilities, whether or not they could use them round after round without stopping is of little concern when the average character party will whack them dead in 4-6 rounds of combat. Currently, as described in the DMG, psionic abilities for monsters are activated just like spell-like abilities (which is still true) and all that that implies (i.e., takes a standard action, invites an attack of opportunity, etc.). This includes attack modes. Yes, powerful. Broken? No, can't really see that.
Note: The errata suggests that if any psionic monster is going to be used as a PC, they're at will psionic powers and combat modes should be changed to 3/day for balance purposes.
Q: Are astral aonstructs subject to dismissal, banishment, and similar spells?
A: No, astral constructs, while formed of Astral material, are actually constructed on the Material Plane, so in a way are "native" to it. This is similar to the "Native Outsider" descriptor given to the planetouched and genasi races in the Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting
Q: Does it make a difference if "psionics transparency" or "psionics are different" rules are used?
A: Either way, these spells that dismiss outsiders fail.
Q: What sort of control do you have over your astral constructs? Is it telepathic, by voice, instinctual? Do they understand complicated commands or must you give simple ones?
A: It is by mental command (you don't have to be telepathic). You can give complicated commands.
Q: How far away can astral construct go from its manifester?
A: Page 38 of the PsiHB states that a creature or object brought into being must be manifested within the spells range. But once it has appear, it does not need to stay within the range. Thus, an astral construct can travel as far away from the manifester as it wants, as long as it remains on the same plane.
Q: Astral Construct: Menu C. Many of these menu items give constructs the ability to use cone of sound, concussion, and other Psychokinetic powers, yet constructs have no Con scores. Do you use their Charisma scores to set the DC? Or do you use the psion's Intelligence score?
A: Use their Charisma score, similar to the way undead do it.
Q: A cerebrilith has the Quicken Power ability. Can it quicken any of its free powers Only those that wouldn't break its "12 power point cap" limit?
A: It can quicken any of its natural powers, since it doesn't use power points.
Q: If a cerebrilith took levels of psion, which powers could it quicken, and could it use Mental Adversary on "non-free" combat modes for free?
A: If it took levels of psion, it could quicken the powers it learned as a psion using its psion level limit. It can't use Mental Adversary for free on a mode it gets for taking psion or another class--it could use the feat, but pay points when using it.
Q: What would the ECL for githzerai, githyanki, and thri-kreen be?
A: Both githzerai and githyanki have an ECL +2, while thri-kreen have an ECL of +5 (the ECL of the Monster Manual 2 version of thri-kreen is +3).
Q: The udoroot has 6d8+45 hp and six shoots. How many hp does each individual shoot have? (This question was answered when it came to PsiHB psionic combat (each shoot was treated as a separate creature).)
If a druid cast awaken on a "friendly" udoroot, does the udoroot get one Intelligence score, or six?
A: If possible, don't distinguish between udoroot shoots for purposes of hp--the creature has one pool of hp. Same goes for Intelligence--the whole thing has one Intelligence.
-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
4. The Mind's Eye: Specific Rules Questions
-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
Dragon Magazine Questions
Expand Your Mind
Q: Is there a reason that you cannot switch out combat mode selections for bonus feats at 13th, 15th, 17th, and 19th levels when using Resculpt Mind?
A: Yes. All Resculpt Mind does is delay combat mode progression in order for a psion to gain bonus feats at earlier levels.
Allowing bonus feats at 13th, 15th, 17th, and 19th level would prove unbalancing. Such a progression would allow psions a total of 9 bonus feats. That's 5 more feats than a wizard gains (4 bonus feats) and only 2 less than a fighter (11 bonus feats).
Q: If a psion takes the Resculpt Mind feat at 6th level, could he use his 13th and 15th level combat modes to gain bonus feats instead?
A: No, Resculpt Mind specifically states which levels you are allowed to gain bonus feats at. If you were to take the feat at 6th level, you would only gain your bonus feats at 7th, 9th, and 11th level. You would still be able to take a combat mode at 13th, 15th, 17th, or 19th level if you so desired.
Q: Say a psion has the Resculpt Mind feat. This psion gets to level 12, and then multiclasses into the meditant PrC. Would that character be allowed to gain his bonus feats when he would gain combat modes in this PrC?
A: Resculpt Mind affects only Psion levels or combat modes gained as though a level of Psion was gained.
As it stands now, all PrCs (from the Mind's Eye and PsiHB) only gain combat modes as though a level of Psychic Warrior was gained. Thus, those characters could not gain any benefits of Resculpt Mind, because the mode progression is set as a Psychic Warrior's, not a Psion’s.
Bruce Cordell's alternate versions do not gain access to new combat modes, period. Because of this, Resculpt Mind is null and void for the alternate PrCs.
The only possible way Rescuplt Mind would work for a PrC, is if that PrC gained combat modes as a Psion.
Q: I heard that Resculpt Mind is supposed to allow psionic and item creation feats to be allowed as bonus feats in addition to metapsionic feats. Is this true?
A: Officially, no. The feat states metapsionic feats are allowed, period.
However, Bruce Cordell did mention that he intended for Resculpt Mind to include psionic and item creation feats. This hasn't been changed on an official level, though.
-~-~
Prestige Class Questions
Q: Some of the PrCs from the Mind's Eye state that a character gains powers points as though they gained a level of psion. Also, they say that they learn new powers as if they gained a level of psion each time they gain a manifester level. So how would this work if I was a psychic warrior and took the PrC?
A: Let's use the crystal master PrC as an example. At every level of this PrC, the character gains power points as if they gained a level of psion. If a psychic warrior was level 10 when taking the PrC, and took the PrC to level 10 as well, he would have the power points of a psychic warrior 10/psion 10.
For powers, the crystal master doesn't get any at 1st and 10th level. Thus the same character would know the powers of a psychic warrior 10/psion 8.
The same would go for a psion taking a PrC like the diamond warrior, which add power points and powers as if gaining a level of psychic warrior.
Q: How would this work for manifester levels?
A: His manifester levels would stack, thus making the character a 20th level manifester.
Arch Psion
Q: If an arch psion takes all three greater psionic focus abilities, would all the bonuses stack (thus giving a +6)?
A: Yes the bonused from greater psionic focus stack. This is stated in the text of each of those abilities.
Crystal Master
Q: Some gems that a crystal master can embed grant abilities that depend on the number of gems embedded. Does this mean you count the total number of gems you have, or do you count the number of gems of that type that you have embedded?
A: Because the crystal master is only allowed to embed one gem of each type (ie. they can't embed 2 Bloodstones), the abilities that are per embedded gem, mean for each gem you have.
For example: If you had 10 levels in crystal caster, and had a Bloodstone embedded, you could activate it to give you a +5 enchancement bonus to Strength. This is because you have 5 gems embedded, even though only one is a Bloodstone.
Q: The limitation on the number of crystals a crystal master can have in their body is 5: 2 for arms, 2 for legs, and one for chest. What if I was playing as a Thri-Kreen, or any other multi-limbed creature for that matter? Could I increase the number of crystals that are allowed based on number of appendages, or would the limitation of 5 still apply?
A: The crystal master only gets the ability to add a new gem fives times during his progression. Because of this, have extra arms or legs doesn't make a difference in the amount of gems they can embed. The crystal master only gets 5 opportunities.
Q: Can a crystal master use his embed gem ability to imbed a psicrystal?
A: No, a crystal master may only embed an ordinary gem (in other words, a gem with no psionic or magical properties).
Q: Well, since I can't embed a psicrystal, could I turn the gem into a psicrystal after it's been embedded?
A: No, you can't. This is because the gem dissolves and becomes part of your body. Thus, there is pretty much no gem left to turn into a psicrystal.
Q: If I had embedded a gem into my arm (using the crystal master ability), and then lost the arm in a battle, what would happen if I regenerated the arm? Would the arm come back with no gem allowing me to put a new one in, or would the gem come back with the arm?
A: If you regenerated a lost body part that had a gem embedded in it, the body part would come back with the gem, because the embedded gem had become part of your physical makeup.
Q: Say my crystal master dies, and the druid in our party casts reincarnate on my character. Would I come back with all my gems, or would I have lost them?
A: Because reincarnate builds an entirely new body with a new physical makeup, no, you would not have your embedded gems. However, merciful DMs may allow otherwise.
Q: Can I use metapsionic feats on the abilities granted by the crystal master's embedded gems?
A: No, you cannot use metapsionic feats with those abilities, because they are not powers.
Diamond Warrior
Q: One of the prerequisites for the diamond warrior PrC requires the character to be able to manifest a 3rd level psychic warrior power. Does this mean the potential Diamond Warrior has to be able to manifest a 3rd level pyschic warrior-only power, any 3rd level power thats on the Psychic Warrior list, or is it just supposed to be any 3rd level psionic power?
A: They need to be able to manifest a 3rd level psychic warrior or psion/psychic warrior power. That way the psion that wants to take the class has to have at least one 3rd level power that a psychic warrior would use.
Q: Is the diamond warrior considered a monk PrC? I mean, does a psychic warrior/monk that takes this class keep gaining his monk abilities as per the Oriental Adventures rules for monk PrCs?
A: No, it is not a monk PrC, simply an unarmed specialist psychic warrior PrC. In other words, a psychic warrior/monk would still benefit from the PrC, only they wouldn't continue gaining their monkish abilities in the fashion of a monk PrC.
Psychic Weapon Master
Q: Can you use the psychic weapon master's bonded weapon ability on multiple weapons?
A: This is a DM call. However, WotC_Mark suggests that only one weapon should be allowed to be bonded at a time.
Q: Why are psychic weapon master's required to have a crystal weapon? Couldn't it just be a weapon with a crystal in it?
A: The crystal weapon requirement is pure flavor. You can change the weapon requirement however you'd like for your campaign (at the DM's discretion).
-~-~
Expanding Your Mind Questions
Battle of the Mind
Q: Can you only recharge your Psionic Combat Buffer once per day?
A: No, you can recharge your buffer as many times as you wish up until a) you reach the limit of PPs allowed to be placed in it (half your pp total), or b) the duration ends (1 hour per manifester level. Thus, if your psion had a total of 50 pps, he could place 25 of them into his buffer. However, if he used 30 pps for other powers, he could only place 20 in.
Q: Psionic Combat Buffer allows psionic combat modes to be manifested at 1/2 the cost, so a mind blast costs 5 PPs instead of 9. What happens if you use a psionic combat feat with it?
For Example: I am a 6th level psion and use the Psychic Assault feat and pay an additional 9 PP (3 for the feat initially +2 for each manifester level up to 1/2 (+3), thus 3+(2*3)). Thus, I will have to pay a total of 18 PP to use mind blast.
What would happen if I use Psionic Combat Buffer? Would the cost be reduced to 9 (1/2 of 18), or would you not be able to use the buffer for the cost added by Psychic Assault?
A: You would pay 1/2 of the total cost, thus, the mind blast in the example would cost a total of 9 PP.
Q: Greater Psionic Combat Buffer says that you can reduce the cost of a combat mode to 1/3 its cost, and some modes can be manifested for free if you have at least 3 PP in the buffer, which modes can be manifested for free? The ones with less then 3 PP in the cost? The description also say the cost has a minimum of cost of 1 PP, so how does that work?
A: Modes that can be manifested for free are modes that would go below 1 PP from the buffer (because you round down). Those modes would include empty mind, mind thrust, and thought shield. So, as long as you have 3 PP in the buffer, those 3 modes may be manifested at no cost (not including psi-combat feats). The minimum of 1, is if you have less than 3 PP in reserve (i.e. you have 2 PP in the buffer), you cannot manifest any modes for free, because if the cost goes below 1, it rounds to the minimum.
Four New Psionic Feats
Q: Does Trade Off apply to only a single power that you can trade in, or can you use Trade Off whenever you gain new psionic powers from your primary discipline?
A: It can be used whenever you can a new power from your primary discipline. However, it only applies to the "d" powers that a psion gains.
Q: Can you use Trade Off to trade in powers that you gained prior to taking the Trade Off feat?
A: No, you can only trade in powers through this feat when you take it and after you take it, not prior to.
Two New Feats
Q: Say I used the Overpower feat in conjunction with claws of the bear (or any similar power), would the damage be increased?
A: No. The damage dealt by claws of the bear comes from the actual claw attack. It does not come from the power, thus it cannot be boosted by Overpower.
-~-~
Psionic Bestiary Questions
Q: Why do both the Large and Medium-size versions of the arctic cat have the same CR?
A: According to WotC_Mark, the original CRs of the arctic cats were CR: Medium, 3; Large, 4; and Huge, 6. The program that R&D uses to determine CRs gave the Medium and Large a CR 3 and the Huge a CR 4. Mark also felt that R&D must have concluded that the new CRs were definitely in line with the arctic cat's abilities and whatnot. This is why the Medium and Large arctic cats have the same CR.
Q: An arctic cat is able to be the mount of a psionic character. Can the arctic cat be used as a mount outside of its natural environment? Would it need the cold to thrive or can it go to temperate environments with no problem?
A: Yes, the can be used as mounts just about anywhere, however to find one in the first place to take as your mount, you would have to travel to an area that was cold.
They have long thick hair, that you could probably stuff a mattress with when they shed in a hot climate. They would probably be very unconfortable in the desert.
Additionally, you could create a Desert Cat, Swamp Cat, or Mountain Cat for your campaign if you so desired. Just change the color of their fur and amount of fur to more appropriately fit their surroundings.
-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
5. Psionic Terms
-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
This section will explain some confusing terms and abbreviations related to psionics listed in alphabetical order.
FSBNBNR - Feats Should Be Nice But Not Required. This basically means that a feat should never "fix" "broken" areas of a class. If the feat is so important to a class that every character will take it, it supposedly breaks this rule. A classic psionics example of FSBNBNR is the psionic feat Resculpt Mind.
HYC - Here's Your Chance. These are a series of threads posted on this board occasionally by WotC_Mark to get community ideas for the Mind's Eye.
ITCK - If Thoughts Could Kill. This is a psionic d20 supplement written by Psionics Handbook author Bruce R. Cordell. This book contains feats, an adventure, alternate rules, powers, a new race, and more. This supplement is available for $5 as a .pdf from www.montecook.com. It is also availble in print for $9.95.
MAD - Multiple-Ability Dependency. What this means, is that each seperate discipline is linked to a key ability. In order to manifest any power, you must have 10+that discipline's key ability modifier to manifest a power of that discipline.
For Example: Henry the telepath has a Cha of 16 and a Dex of 12. This means that he could manifest a Telepathy (Cha) power of up to 6th level, however, he could only manifest a Psychoportation (Dex) power of up to 2nd level.
Mage-Onics - A derogatory term for 3rd edition psionics that states that psionics is simply an alternate sorcerer.
The mechanics for manifesting powers is relatively the same as casting an arcane or divine spell. However, psionic powers vary in range and flavor in a unique fashion. Just as divine spells are have unique flavor, as well as arcane magic.
Thus, while these three types of mystic abilities have similar mechanics, and even some similarities amongst the various spells/powers, they are each unique in their own fashion. It is as easy to call a cleric an "alternate wizard" as it is to call a psion an "alternate sorcerer"
That said, psionics does have some major differences compared to divine and arcane magic. For one, magic uses spell components while psionics do not. Instead of components, psionic powers have "displays". Displays are an after-effect created from manifesting a power. Psionics also use "Power Points" in place of spell slots. The points can be used for any level power, and does not limit the number of times per day a power is manifested (as long as a sufficient supply of points remain, of course). Finally, a large number of psionic powers do not scale (unless using appropriate feats), while most spells do.
Mind's Eye, The - A series of web articles on this website that is completely devoted to psionics.
Mindscapes - A supplement written by Bruce Cordell. It has new rules for psionic combat, and some other new stuff. It will be released in two parts, Vol 1: A Psion's Guide and Vol. 2: Beasts of the Id. Later a printed supplement will be released that includes both .pdfs. Info can be found at http://www.montecook.com/mpress_SkreynBRC_PR.html and http://www.montecook.com/mpress_Mind.html
Also, the release dates are as follows:
- Mindscapes: A Psion's Guide. a .pdf (Feb 2003)
- Mindscapes: Beasts of the Id. a .pdf (Mar 2003)
- Mindscapes: Complete (has APG and BotI). a book (May 2003)
PsiHB - Psionics Handbook
Psionic Combat - This is a sort of "battle of the minds", in which two or more psion's attack eachother mentally with attack and defense modes. A psion could attack a non-psionic character with and attack mode, but the non-psion gains a hefty bonus for being "ignorant" to psionics (though mind blast isn't hurt to badly from this).
On page 42 of the Psionics Handbook, chart "4-1: Psionic Combat Modifiers" is invaluable when in a psionic battle (the chart is also on the Psionics character sheets that can be found >> HERE <<). On pg. 41, second column, there is a nice example of how psionic combat is done.
SPUM - Spell-Point Using Mage. See "Mage-Onics" for additional information.
[ November 30, 2002, 12:37 PM: Message edited by: Dr_Draco ]
but when making magic weapons and Armor can you combine both Psionic weapon and Armor properties and Magic ones together in the same Weapon or Armor?
If so what would be the result? (side effects, Antimagic fields ect..)
Thanks ^__^
[ December 04, 2002, 06:59 AM: Message edited by: Lavis Knight ]