Control Body and Psions

[Sadrik]

Can a Psion Control Body himself to power himself up (bonus to AC, attack rolls and mental action to take a physical action)?

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

Can a Psion Control Body himself to power himself up (bonus to AC, attack rolls and mental action to take a physical action)?

Yes, but it's silly enough a GM might ban it.

Furthermore, the psion must Concentrate. Unless he's using Schism or something, it's not worth it, since they won't be able to manifest any other powers. IMO.

 

[Sadrik]

Thats what I was thinking about doing.

And effectively giving me a better chance to hit chance too by adding my intelligence to hit rather than my strength. It seems like an evil little combo...

 

[KarinsDad]

This is doable. However, there are issues with it.

1) In order to do this effectively, it should be combined with Solicit Psicrystal and a Psicrystal. The Psicrystal then takes over the concentration. However, the Psicrystal cannot be in a pouch since it needs Line of Sight. This, however, allows the PC to manifest powers in the same round that his body attacks.

2) Without a Psicrystal, the PC is concentrating. That means that if he gets hit in combat, there is a chance of the power getting disrupted: DC 14 + damage taken Concentration roll.

3) Certain other powers do not work with this combination. For example, Precognition, Defensive will not work with Control Body.

 

[Sadrik]

1. Ah so you use solicit psi crystal to maintain the control body! Line of sight doesnt the psi crystal see you if he is hanging onto your belt? or anywhere on your body really (I suppose except in something)...

2. The concentration check is not impossible but not easy.

3. Big deal...

 

[KarinsDad]

1. Ah so you use solicit psi crystal to maintain the control body! Line of sight doesnt the psi crystal see you if he is hanging onto your belt? or anywhere on your body really (I suppose except in something)...

Precisely. But, if the psicrystal can see the Psion, then enemies can see the psicrystal. Attacking and damaging the psicrystal can force the psicrystal to make a Concentration roll to maintain the Control Body.

A simple Fireball or Lightning Bolt could force a Concentration check if the Psicrystal misses its save.

3. Big deal...

Actually, it is not a small deal for a well designed Psion.

Defensive Precognition is practically the only powerful way for a Psion to boost saves (and is another way to boost AC), so knowing that it does not work with Control Body is important.

Psions do not have good Fort or Reflex saves, so giving up the only good way to boost saves in order to both fight in combat and manifest at the same time is a balance point.

For example, Blindness is a Fort save. So, if a Psion does the Control Body trick, he is more susceptible to a Cleric's Blindness spell than if he had Def Precog up. The Psion is also susceptible to spells like Darkness (which will drop both the Control Body and the Solicit Psicrystal powers since Line of Sight drops).

Not only that, it is important to note that the AC of Def Precog does not work with Control Body. So, it forces the Psion to have and use different types of AC powers when using Control Body.


So yes, the Control Body trick can work. But, intelligent opponents who figure out what is happening can disrupt it. This is important for a player of a Psion to know.