Can You Empower Claws of the Beast?

[RigaMortus2]

So, the hit points and damage dealt by a summoned monster are static?

You are asking a question in response to a question that has no bearing on what you are asking. I stated that the reason why a monsters HP or damage isn't empowered is not because they aren't a numeric variable, but because they can not be found within the spell description of summon monster. The damage for the claws ARE described in the spell description.

I still want to reiterate that I am still on the fence about this. I don't know which way I would rule myself.

 

[Dracorat]

And being helpful about reminding you what claw damage is when you spend an extra 5 or 6 power points?

-Hyp.

Yep. You (as a player) might not like it, but not every time does the rule have to boil down to "I like it". That would be a silly precedent to try to keep. (Not saying you implied this btw)

 

[KarinsDad]

The spell creates claws. Those claws do damage based on size, not Caster level, energy damage, or the like.

The damage is based on both size and augmentation.

The damage caused is not based on the power of the spell. Therefore no empower.

Psionic aumentation, FWIW, is the psion's ability to get many different spells with one power...so it's not the same as Empower.

Isn't augmentation increasing the power of the effect?

It is still a first level power that a Globe of Invulnerability will stop cold.

It is not a first level power and a third level power, etc., it is a first level power that does indeed increase in power if augmented.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Yep. You (as a player) might not like it, but not every time does the rule have to boil down to "I like it". That would be a silly precedent to try to keep. (Not saying you implied this btw)

But how is the power description 'reminding' you of an amount of damage that isn't defined anywhere else in the rules?

The power text isn't reminding you about the damage; it's defining the damage, based on the amount of psionic energy expended.

-Hyp.

 

[Dracorat]

If that's the case then I agree empower would work. I do not have the psionics book. I don't like psionics, so I used the quoted text that was provided to formulate the best estimate based on the information at hand.

 

[Hypersmurf]

If that's the case then I agree empower would work. I do not have the psionics book. I don't like psionics, so I used the quoted text that was provided to formulate the best estimate based on the information at hand.

You can find it in the SRD.

-Hyp.

 

[Dracorat]

Oh I see. I just read that.

Hell yeah it can be empowered.

 

[Infiniti2000]

I stated that the reason why a monsters HP or damage isn't empowered is not because they aren't a numeric variable, but because they can not be found within the spell description of summon monster. The damage for the claws ARE described in the spell description.

Yes, and I pointed out that the fact that where the variable numeric effects are found is not a requirement for Empower Spell. The feat is not limited like you suggest it is. The idea that you, KD, and others have that only those variable numeric effects listed in the spell description are empowered is completely unfounded.

Now, your rule of only empowering those variables listed in the spell description are empowered will at least make things consistent. I just don't agree that the faithful hound, the claws, awaken, reincarnate, targeted dispel magic, and other spells should be empowered.

 

[RigaMortus2]

Yes, and I pointed out that the fact that where the variable numeric effects are found is not a requirement for Empower Spell. The feat is not limited like you suggest it is. The idea that you, KD, and others have that only those variable numeric effects listed in the spell description are empowered is completely unfounded.

Now, your rule of only empowering those variables listed in the spell description are empowered will at least make things consistent. I just don't agree that the faithful hound, the claws, awaken, reincarnate, targeted dispel magic, and other spells should be empowered.

So by your ruling, where the numeric variable effect doesn't have to be directly listed under the spell description, if you Empower Call Weaponry, the weapon you call has it's damage Empowered, right? The damage the weapon deals is not listed under the spell description, it is listed in the weapon chart. But since the weapon is an effect of the spell, and the weapon's damage has a numeric variable, that should be able to be Empowered, right?

If the power was worded as such that you call a weapon that deals 1d6 damage within the actual spell description, then I would say for sure Empower would work. But your Summon Monster counter-arguement would mean that as long as the effect of the spell/power has it's own numeric variable effect (whether it is directly listed in the spell description or not), it would be Empowerable. I don't agree with that.

 

[RigaMortus2]

Also, FWIW

Augment: Many powers have variable effects based on the number of power points you spend when you manifest them. The more points spent, the more powerful the manifestation. How this extra expenditure affects a power is specific to the power. Some augmentations allow you to increase the number of damage dice, while others extend a power’s duration or modify a power in unique ways. Each power that can be augmented includes an entry giving how many power points it costs to augment and the effects of doing so. However, you can spend only a total number of points on a power equal to your manifester level.
Augmenting a power takes place as part of another action (manifesting a power). Unless otherwise noted in the Augment section of an individual power description, you can augment a power only at the time you manifest it.

Perhaps you can only Empower Claws of the Beast if you augment it at least one time. I get this from reading the first line.