Deconstructing Astral Constructs...

[Nagual]

Does an Ectopic Form construct gain its normal menu abilities (from menus A,B,C) ,as well as the special abilities of the ectopic form or do the later replace these?

Would you consider it seriously unbalancing to allow the effects of the Boost Construct feat to also apply to the Skin of the Construct effects (i.e. allowing two menu choices)?

Here is an idea for a power that allows a psion to create a sense link with his construct. Perhaps the power could also provide the construct with additional skills (or skill check bonuses), selected from Psion's own skill list.
Please tell me what you think.


Awaken Construct
Metacreativity (Creation), Auditory, special (see text), standard (see text), Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels), An astral construct you
manifest, 1 min./level, None, No, 1PP
Grant limited artificial (animal) intelligence to an astral construct. You take a point of Intelligence damage when manifesting this power. This damage cannot be healed while the power is in effect. This power may be dismissed at will.
A construct with this power is no longer immune to mind-affecting effects. As such it can be the target of powers such as Sense-link.
This power can be manifested as a swift action in the same round that you manifest an astral construct, as long as the power points you spend to perform both actions does not exceed your manifester level.
Augment: increase Intelligence +1 2PP
You may (at the moment of manifesting the power) grant a set of tricks to your astral construct. A construct with an Int of 1 can learn a maximum of three tricks, while a construct with an Int of 2 can learn a maximum of six tricks.

 

[irdeggman]

They replace the normal ones.

From the FAQ

[quoteWhen you create an astral construct using an Ectopic
Form feat (Complete Psionic 50), does this replace the
normal menu choices allowed when creating an astral
construct?


Yes. For example, a character with Ectopic Form (Agile
Loper) can use the astral construct power either to create an
agile loper astral construct, which uses the base astral construct
statistics adjusted as listed for the agile loper entry of that level,
or to create a normal astral (selecting options from
the menus as appropriate).[/quote]

This is why I think the form feats are drastically underpowered.

Also per the same book you can only have 1 astral construct in existance at a time (without taking the prestige class in the same book that allows multiple ones).

 

[Nagual]

As I assumed (but hoped was otherwise). I agree with you on the feat being woefully underpowered. Perhaps replace all the the feats with one that allows any one (or a subset of -- perhaps 2 forms?) of the individual ectopic forms to be selected from at the time of manifesting. Adding enough prerequisites to make it only viable for a psionic player who truly specializes in shaping constructs. A much better feat would have been one that added additional abilities to those set out in the menu choices. Hmmm... might have a go at that.

I really want to make a workaround allowing a psion to sense link with their construct -- would make for a great recon/controller character.

Thanks for your quick reply -- very much appreciated.

 

[irdeggman]

You can always use his psi-crystal.

Similar to a familiar only more durable.

 

[Nagual]

Costs a feat which I'd rather use amping up the construct's power, longevity, etc. Plus they don't have the mobility or combat effectiveness of the construct. Gives me an idea though -- what about a power that allows Psion's psi-crystal to temporarily meagre with and control the manifested construct?

 

[irdeggman]

You need the ectopic adept prestige class (Complete Psionic) - it gains several abilities that you seem to want for your PC.

A psicrystal is still a good alternate as a scout. It gets a lot of abilities (and has a 30 ft land speed) at at 5th level it can communicate (telepathically with any creature that has a language), share powers and deliver touch powers are very useful. You can take a feat later on to allow it to store your focus (essentially gaining 2 foci) - this is real, real useful in a game where the psionic rules are being followed as written.