Could use some help. One of my players wants to run an adventure path and is cool with me making a psionic character. So I'm making a generalist psion...some questions that came up for me.
Psicrystals - Do psicrystals have any ability to make a physical attack?
Psicrystal Affinity is okay to take for my Bonus Feat correct?
Power Points - I've got an Elan, Psion, Int 19. I get +2 base points, +2 high int, +1 favored class, +2 Psionic Talent. So 7 at 1st level right?
Feats - Psionic Body - Okay, I have Psicrystal Affinity, Psionic Talent (racial feat?), Psionic Body. Now does that give me 6 hp or do I not count Psionic Talent and get 4? (trying to decide what to take for my 1st level feat...advice on that would be welcome too)
If I take Psionic Talent again...do I get +2 and +3 = 5 or is it just +2 +1 = 3?
I may have more but that's my questions for now. Thanks for any help!
Psicrystals - Do psicrystals have any ability to make a physical attack?
According to their stat block, no. However, I'm pretty sure that any creature can still perform an unarmed strike. It'd have an abysmal bonus to hit and damage, however; best to not even bother. It's much better as a scout.
Psicrystal Affinity is okay to take for my Bonus Feat correct?
Psicrystal Affinity is a Psionic Feat, so yes.
Power Points - I've got an Elan, Psion, Int 19. I get +2 base points, +2 high int, +1 favored class, +2 Psionic Talent. So 7 at 1st level right?
Yup.
Feats - Psionic Body - Okay, I have Psicrystal Affinity, Psionic Talent (racial feat?), Psionic Body. Now does that give me 6 hp or do I not count Psionic Talent and get 4? (trying to decide what to take for my 1st level feat...advice on that would be welcome too)
You gain 6. Elans (all psionic races?) gain it as a bonus feat. As such, it is still a psionic feat the character possess, so you gain 6 hp total.
Psicrystal Affinity is always nice. Overchannel can be good, but is risky at first level.Speed of Thought is a personal favorite; an effectively permanent +10 to your speed(you should always be focused), with the ability to boost it up to 30 for a turn is great for a squishy caster. Combine that with the Run action, and you can move 240 ft in a round! Combat Manifestation the equivelent of Combat Casting, is good as well. Combine with the ability to take 15 on concentration check by expending focus, and you shouldn't fail a concentration check ever.If I take Psionic Talent again...do I get +2 and +3 = 5 or is it just +2 +1 = 3?
You gain 1 extra point for each copy of Psionic Talent you already have, in addition to the +2. The first you get, racially, would give +2. The second would give +2+1, or +3, independent of the first copy of Psionic Talent, and a 3rd would be +4.
Answers to questions...
Thank you so much. New question. A lot of powers state 'your active energy type' to determine their effects. I can't find where/how a character sets this? Thanks!!!
EDIT: Nevermind...found it...page 131 "Energy Powers" derp. Thanks!
Answers to questions...Thank you so much. New question. A lot of powers state 'your active energy type' to determine their effects. I can't find where/how a character sets this? Thanks!!!
EDIT: Nevermind...found it...page 131 "Energy Powers" derp. Thanks!
It (and many other things) are also detailed in the Glossary on page 450-451
:)
Answers to questions...Thank you so much. New question. A lot of powers state 'your active energy type' to determine their effects. I can't find where/how a character sets this? Thanks!!!
EDIT: Nevermind...found it...page 131 "Energy Powers" derp. Thanks!
It (and many other things) are also detailed in the Glossary on page 450-451
:)
Thanks Jeremy...wonderful book you got here by the way. I ordered the bundle, still waiting on the hard copy but working off the PDF for now. I'm really digging it. Makes me honestly want to give up the other classes totally. Great job and thanks! The rest of my group seem to be getting interested as well. Looks like my character will be the first Psionic character we have ever had and kind of a test bed.
Anyway...thanks again, it's my new favorite book. :)
Oh boy, new question. I think the answer is yes, but...
As a generalist Psion, I can pick any of the powers on the Psion/Wilder list, AND can pick any power on any of the Psion Discipline Powers lists up to my alloted powers known?
I.E. I can choose say, Inertial Armor from the Psion/Wilder list, then Corrosive Aura from the Egoist Discipline Powers and Control Object from the Kineticist Discipline Powers since I can know 3 powers at 1st level...right?
Changing Man has the right of it. However, they're not completely locked off. The Expanded Knowledge feat allows you to learn any power that is at least one level lower than the highest level power you can manifest. A third level Generalist Psion who takes the feat could learn Astral Construct (A great power, by the way), even though it's normally restricted to Shapers. Said Psion could also learn Stomp, even though it's only available to Psychic Warriors.
I also like Psionic Meditation so you can gain focus as a move action instead of a full round.
I also like Psionic Meditation so you can gain focus as a move action instead of a full round.
Psionic Meditation is good, especially when you get into higher levels and need it for Metapsionic feats, but it requires 4 ranks in Autohypnosis, thus putting at level 5 at the earliest for most Psions. Psicrystal Affinity can serve a similar purpose, but that's restricted to level 3 manifesters or higher.
I also like Psionic Meditation so you can gain focus as a move action instead of a full round.Psionic Meditation is good, especially when you get into higher levels and need it for Metapsionic feats, but it requires 4 ranks in Autohypnosis, thus putting at level 5 at the earliest for most Psions. Psicrystal Affinity can serve a similar purpose, but that's restricted to level 3 manifesters or higher.
It's definitely something to consider at that level, and especially later on when metapsionics becomes a thing.
I would also consider taking Expanded Knowledge to pick up Hustle, a swift action power that grants you an extra move action. With both of those feats, it is possible to use your psionic focus up, then regain it in the same round that you take a full round action. Hustled Power is also an option, letting you quicken things before you can actually quicken things using the same method, only rather than regaining psionic focus as a move action, you are manifesting your hustled power.
Thanks guys, this is helping a lot.
Real quick, it seems obvious but say a Shaper can use the powers on the Shaper list, and also the Psion/Wilder list correct? Kinda has to be or you get no powers hardly at all.
(Actually think I will change to Shaper...the extra feats are nice, but seem to be intended for you to get powers in other disciplines...)
Actually that's what I'm going to do, taking psicrystal affinity and Advanced Constructs...taking Astral Construct too.
The idea of making a small army of worker constructs to run around, carry my stuff, clear the rubble...it appeals to me.
Thanks guys, this is helping a lot.
Real quick, it seems obvious but say a Shaper can use the powers on the Shaper list, and also the Psion/Wilder list correct? Kinda has to be or you get no powers hardly at all.
(Actually think I will change to Shaper...the extra feats are nice, but seem to be intended for you to get powers in other disciplines...)
Actually that's what I'm going to do, taking psicrystal affinity and Advanced Constructs...taking Astral Construct too.
The idea of making a small army of worker constructs to run around, carry my stuff, clear the rubble...it appeals to me.
Think of it this way...
Any any all psions or wilders can pick from the psion/wilder list. Only a psion(nomad) can pick from the nomad discipline. It's just a special club for a certain type of psion.
Note: the Expanded Knowledge feat will let you learn powers not on your list, including those from a psion discipline.
Psicrystal Affinity can serve a similar purpose, but that's restricted to level 3 manifesters or higher.You're thinking of Psicrystal Containment.
Yup, you're right. Don't know how I missed that.
And yes, a shaper could select any powers from the Psion/Wilder list, and the Shaper Discipline list. Just speaking for myself, Shaper is probably my favorite discipline, for a number of reasons. Astral Construct, which is the Psionic equivalent of Summon Monster ##, ectoplasmic creation (All the poison you could want, as well as anything else made of organic material, Summon's Call, which boost not only the duration, and the power, of your constructs, and bonus class skills all keyed on Cha (Bluff, Disguise, and UMD), with the first 2 being great for a sneaky Psion who does want other to know they're psionic, and the other being the best skill in the game.
Psicrystal Affinity can serve a similar purpose, but that's restricted to level 3 manifesters or higher.You're thinking of Psicrystal Containment.Yup, you're right. Don't know how I missed that.
And yes, a shaper could select any powers from the Psion/Wilder list, and the Shaper Discipline list. Just speaking for myself, Shaper is probably my favorite discipline, for a number of reasons. Astral Construct, which is the Psionic equivalent of Summon Monster ##, ectoplasmic creation (All the poison you could want, as well as anything else made of organic material, Summon's Call, which boost not only the duration, and the power, of your constructs, and bonus class skills all keyed on Cha (Bluff, Disguise, and UMD), with the first 2 being great for a sneaky Psion who does want other to know they're psionic, and the other being the best skill in the game.
Woah...wait...ectoplasmic creation can produce poisons? Organic ones anyway?
What all can you use it for? Potentially food?
You shape raw ectoplasm into a nonmagical, unattended
object of nonliving, organic matter. The volume of the item
created cannot exceed 1 cubic foot per manifester level. You
must succeed on an appropriate Craft skill check to make a
complex item.
As long as you have the requisite skill and make a successful check, yes.
Okay, just making sure I got this, everyone is nervous about psionics because of their reputation and I want to make sure I understand everything.
Psigifted trait - took this for Astral construct, means I am 1 manifester level higher when I use this power. So I'm taking that to mean, it always has 1 extra round duration as duration is 1 rd/level and say at 2nd level, I could spend 3 PP to make this a second level Astral Construct, 4th level, 5PP for a 3rd level construct, so on.
Psicrystals - okay description in the feats section under Psycrystal Affinity says they have 4 ranks in perception and stealth. Now is this 4 ranks beyond what the creature entry at the back of the book shows or is that amount included in those numbers where it says Perception +6 and Stealth +14. (I'm guessing the normal bonus to Stealth of +8 based on size) I think that is what it is saying, instead of ANOTHER +4 on those skills.
Also about Sighted - this basically states it is immune to darkness, as if it has like blindsense or something, and immune to silence too. Basically it can ALWAYS see and ALWAYS hear what's going on within 40 ft of itself for the sight anyway.
I asked earlier if they have an attack, the reason being they eventually can deliver touch powers for the PC. Do they have weapon finesse as well so they use their dex for touch attacks? (otherwise this is basically meaningless with their strength of 1)
Thanks again. I think I have the grasp on this stuff, they just want like a second opinion on them. like I said, makes it hard because of the bad reputation they have.
1. Yes, just like the Gifted Adept magic trait getting you more missiles a level early if you used it for Magic Missile (as an example).
2. It's what it says, not in addition to.
3. Yes, although it still can't see invisible / ethereal / hidden things. And remember that psicrystals aren't exactly smart. Base intelligence is only 6. They should be treated as such - my GM roleplayed my psicrystal, it followed my directions, but the explanation of things it saw was tempered by its personality and intelligence.
4. They can, but they do not have weapon finesse, so they're not exactly very good at it. This is better as use to deliver touch powers to allies or prone targets rather than enemies in combat.
1. Yes, just like the Gifted Adept magic trait getting you more missiles a level early if you used it for Magic Missile (as an example).
2. It's what it says, not in addition to.
3. Yes, although it still can't see invisible / ethereal / hidden things. And remember that psicrystals aren't exactly smart. Base intelligence is only 6. They should be treated as such - my GM roleplayed my psicrystal, it followed my directions, but the explanation of things it saw was tempered by its personality and intelligence.
4. They can, but they do not have weapon finesse, so they're not exactly very good at it. This is better as use to deliver touch powers to allies or prone targets rather than enemies in combat.
Alright, thank you Jeremy. I appreciate it. We have had, as a group a lot of debates about familiars and animal companions and what their skills and stuff are, and it's nice to know I have an answer from you on this.
The psicrystals, I see them as like the spheres from portal, one minded and that makes them a bit crazy. I've got a Heroic Psicrystal I settled on, and it makes me think of the Green Sphere from Portal 2 if you have any idea what that is.
Also thanks for the clarification, my brain keeps bleeding rules over from familiars and small animals all getting weapon finesse to make me think that they get it too, but it doesn't say, then I end up arguing with myself.
Anyway, thanks for all the answers!
No problem!
A long time ago, my kineticist had a psicrystal with the (I believe) meticulous personality. So with a low intelligence and meticulous, he would often get stuck trying to get accurate details of locations without really knowing how to explain it.
"So there's this thing, and it's really tall, and wide, but not as wide as it is tall, and it's green, but more of a dark green than a light green."
etc...
Capping this thread, since I play a Psion (Shaper) on a PbP on Pazio.com. Go to Atalantia, Scourge of Magic, and follow Connor's progress. Connor's stat/profile page here.
Making an Astral Construct-using Psion (Shaper) is surprisingly easy, since most of the necessary feats/powers are possible at Level 1-2.
Character Creation: start with a human, in order to get the extra feat at 1st level.
INT is your most important stat, make it at least an 18 at all costs.
Psion Discipline: Metacreativity
1st Level Feat: Boost Construct (one additional menu choice)
Psion Bonus Feat or Human Bonus Feat: Advanced Constructs (choose from another menu)
With Boost Construct and Advanced Constructs, you have two (2) menu choice options for your Astral Construct at Level 1. You also have the "Utility" option, similar to knowing the Mount spell for a Wizard (Conjurer) at Level 1. This gives you an Astral Construct that lasts 1 hour/level, instead of 1 round/level. So the trick is to use it all the time: you first make a Utility Astral Construct with some additional menu choice like Power Attack or Improved Slam Attack. Yes, you will take the -1 to hit when you change the Astral Construct from "Utility" to "Battle" mode, but it's a small loss for having a creature that can carry loads, carry a torch, do basic chores around camp, etc.
Trait: Psigifted (DSP PU:UP), without question. Choosing Astral Construct with this trait makes it +1 to your effective Manifester Level, which means at Level 1 your constructs will last two (2) rounds/hours instead of one (1).
Psion Bonus Feat or Human Bonus Feat: Psionic Talent or Psicrystal Affinity. Your choice. Psions are all about the points, but having a psicrystal scout can save the party (and you) at times. Treat it like a wizard/sorcerer's cat familiar, rather than a separate NPC.
Skills: Craft: Sculpting. You need a DC 30 to get the Astral Construct(s) to look like a specific individual, so always put at least 1 rank per level into the skill, and look to use Skill Focus, Psicrystal (Artiste), etc. to bump up your skill total. Worst-case you will have to craft your own Headband of Vast Intelligence (Craft: Sculpting) +2 (4,000 gp) to get the Hit Dice replacement skill points in the skill. The reason for a DC 30 in Craft: Sculpting is usually roleplay, in order to make 2nd-level Medium-sized Astral Constructs that look like people (you or another). Don't forget to give them wings from the basic menu's Fly option, so they can carry stuff (you) in 3-dimensions if needed.
2nd Level: Psion Discipline Ability: Summoner’s Call: one additional menu choice, one more round duration
Congratulations, you have now "maxed" your Psion (Shaper) when it comes to Astral Constructs, all by Level 2. You have three (3) menu choices for each Astral Construct, and duration is generally +1 Level per round/hour. You may now concentrate on skills, powers, and a prestige class for your character.