Bo9S - Alternative psionic mechanic?

[irdeggman]

My thoughts is that since the power is cast as a maneuver, there are no points to spend to upgrade the power (although I havn't looked in Unearthed Arcana as yet on "casting powers as spells").

You don't get that option.

Psi-Like Abilities (Ps): The manifestation of powers by a psionic character is considered a psi-like ability, as is the manifestation of powers by creatures without a psionic class (creatures with the psionic subtype, also simply called psionic creatures). Usually, a psionic creature’s psi-like ability works just like the power of that name. A few psi-like abilities are unique; these are explained in the text where they are described.

Psi-like abilities have no verbal, somatic, or material components, nor do they require a focus or have an XP cost (even if the equivalent power has an XP cost). The user activates them mentally. Armor never affects a psi-like ability’s use. A psi-like ability has a manifesting time of 1 standard action unless noted otherwise in the ability description. In all other ways, a psi-like ability functions just like a power. However, a psionic creature does not have to pay a psi-like ability’s power point cost.

Psi-like abilities are subject to power resistance and to being dispelled by dispel psionics. They do not function in areas where psionics is suppressed or negated.

Supernatural Abilities: Some creatures have psionic abilities that are considered supernatural. Psionic feats are also supernatural abilities. These abilities cannot be disrupted in combat, as powers can be, and do not provoke attacks of opportunity (except as noted in their descriptions). Supernatural abilities are not subject to power resistance and cannot be negated or dispelled; however, they do not function in areas where psionics is suppressed.

Exp Psi Handbook (pg 184)

When a creature uses a psi-like ability, the power is manifested as if the creature had spent a number of power points equal to its manifester level, which may augment the power to improve its damage or save DC. However the creature does not actually spend power points for its psi-like abilities, even if it has a power point reserve due to racial abilities, class levels, or some other psionic ability.

Now that means you have to assign a manifester level to the power in question, usually it is assumed that it is the creatures Hit Dice unless otherwise specified.

So the power is automatically augmented.

The creature also is considered "psionic" and is now elible for psionic feats - which other characters might not be, depending on the game in question.

 

[Glade Riven]

Fair enough, although if I was DMing this I might fiat it to base-only. It may be better to work "backwards" using a psi warrior: swap a few proficiancies out for the monk's unarmed combat progression, and take Martial feats to get martial abilities.

 

[wolfpunk]

We had an arcane swordsage variant in our game, we just limited it like this.

He could give up a maneuver to cast a spell of equal level. that spell could be cast once per day. If he did not want to cast a spell for the day he could take a maneuver instead, however, once chosen, he had to stick with that decision for the entire day.

If the spell selected has not been cast yet for the day, then he could use the refresh mechanic to change the spell he could cast.

Easy and not overpowered.

You could do the same with psionics, and give him just the bonus pp based on level and attribute modifier, and he could use those points to augment his power, or cast it additional times per day if he had enough points.

Still pretty simple and not overpowered most likely in my opinion.