Level Up (A5E) Imbue Weapon reflex and natural weapons

[thuter]

The Imbue Weapon reflex from the Voidrunner's Codex targets "One melee weapon". Is this supposed to work on natural weapons (such as a Lizardsfolk's bite) as well? Obtaining this power with the Martial Mentalist feat is seriously powerful for Lizardfolk Adepts, if it were to work, since they easily make 4+ attacks with the same hand (or bite) per round.

Also, the rulebook states:

[...] Beginning at 3rd level the weapon’s damage type can be psychic, and if the weapon is medium-sized or smaller it gains the thrown (10/30) property. You can make a ranged weapon attack with the weapon without ending the power’s effect and can use a bonus action to cause the weapon to return to your hand; otherwise, the effect ends after the thrown attack. [...]

This would make for a really funky interaction with natural weapons. Though a Lizardfolk throwing their psychically enhanced dentures sounds like an amazing character concept.

 

[lichmaster]

From the description you posted it seems the lizardfolk could only throw the denture once per round, as a bonus action will be needed for it to return to its mouth. Hilarious idea though!

 

[Tessarael]

The target is one melee weapon. Natural weapons are not melee weapons.

However, I might permit it as a DM, but I wouldn't allow it as a thrown weapon attack if the natural weapon (e.g., bite or claw) is physically attached to your body. If it was say a quill as a natural weapon attack, then maybe.

If I were to allow this as a DM, the level scaling of the Imbue Weapon power would be with your Psion + Psyknight levels, not your character level. It would likely be overpowered if it is your character level, which is the case as written in the Voidrunner's Codex.

Note that Imbue Weapon does take a Bonus Action to activate, and Concentration to maintain it, so there is a cost to start it and keep it running if you're taking damage and periodically failing your Concentration check. Mechanically, I'd assume that you have to restart it every 3 or 4 rounds. So it may not be quite as over-powered as it first appears.

The Wisdom-based Psyknight does have good multi-classing synergy with Adept or Fighter. But you don't even need one of those classes to pick up a reflex, as the Voidrunner's Codex cultures Enlightened and Stoic allow you to learn one Reflex.

 

[thuter]

The target is one melee weapon. Natural weapons are not melee weapons.

Never knew this, thanks! Do you have a rule reference for that? Because I could not find it.

Mechanically, I'd assume that you have to restart it every 3 or 4 rounds. So it may not be quite as over-powered as it first appears.

From level 5 on it is a stronger benefit than Hex, doesn't cost a spell slot, and on non-casters like the Adept, it would see a ton of value. But if it doesn't work on natural weapons (or unarmed strike for that matter), then is it not as easy to get a lot of attacks per round out of it.

But you don't even need one of those classes to pick up a reflex, as the Voidrunner's Codex cultures Enlightened and Stoic allow you to learn one Reflex.

That's a cool culture benefit, I will keep that in mind for potential future characters!