psicrystal

[Scion]

I am making up a high level build (which is likely to fail unfortunately, I just cant get the last few points needed for the requirements of the other thread ) but some interesting questions came up for me.

Psicrystals, do they get stat points for every 4 hd? feats for every 3rd hd? They are intelligent creatures after all, even if they are constructs.

Also, while it seems legal, what do people think about having a few improved psicrystal feats which pushes the psicrystal technically into epic which then gets them an epic feat. Very interesting I feel.

I have always given animal companions stat bonuses and feats for their extra hd. I just need some concrete rules, I am having no luck finding appropriate references right now. ;/

 

[Thanee]

Nope, they don't gain feats or ability increases for their HD, they work just like familiars that way (they also do not gain any hit points, when their HD or Con changes). The HD statistic is only a number based on the master's level, which is used when an effect is based on HD (i.e. some spell, that only affects creatures of a certain number of HD).

Also, Improved Psicrystal doesn't increase their HD in any way, it only improves the psicrystal special abilities and grants the master another psicrystal personality bonus.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Scion]

Where does it say that they do not?


Also, the bonuses do seem to be based on the same thing that the improved psicrystal feat improves, just listed differently for the epic game. Psicrystal special abilities and all.

 

[Thanee]

Where does it say that they do not?

In the psicrystal statblock.
They list abilities, skills and feats absolute, as well as variable HD.

Also, the bonuses do seem to be based on the same thing that the improved psicrystal feat improves, just listed differently for the epic game. Psicrystal special abilities and all.

Not sure, if I understand what you mean here... but Improved Psicrystal improves the manifester level for cross-checking the special abilities table, it does not improve the master's HD, which is what the psicrystal's HD are based on.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Scion]

In the psicrystal statblock.
They list abilities, skills and feats absolute, as well as variable HD.

They do the same for monsters, but we know that they gain extra abilities.

Not sure, if I understand what you mean here... but Improved Psicrystal improves the manifester level for cross-checking the special abilities table, it does not improve the master's HD, which is what the psicrystal's HD are based on.

The other part I was talking about is what happens when the psicrystal goes above level 20 in ability.

If I have a 20th level psion who picked up improved psicrystal 11 times then it is equivalent to a 31st level psicrystal.

Very odd situation.

 

[dedicated]

They don't gain feats or skills, because, they're advancing in the construct class-like thing

 

[Scion]

They don't gain feats or skills, because, they're advancing in the construct class-like thing

They dont gain skills because that is specifically denied.

I just want to get the others nailed down in definate terms.

So far as I know 'intelligent' constructs do gain everything as normal, unless otherwise specified.

Thanee has said that they gain nothing, I just want to have the rules for it so that I know for sure.

 

[Thanee]

They do the same for monsters, but we know that they gain extra abilities.

Nope, check out a random monster statblock. They list HD and all the other stuff in an absolute fashion. That's exactly the difference.

It would be more clear, if they had not forgot to add the part to the psicrystal description (at least in the SRD), which states...

Hit Dice: For the purpose of effects related to number of Hit Dice, use the master’s character level or the psicrystal’s normal HD total, whichever is higher.

Hit Points: The psicrystal has one-half the master’s total hit points (not including temporary hit points), rounded down, regardless of its actual Hit Dice.

It's obvious from the statblock, however, that it works that way, as explained above.

The other part I was talking about is what happens when the psicrystal goes above level 20 in ability.

If I have a 20th level psion who picked up improved psicrystal 11 times then it is equivalent to a 31st level psicrystal.

I see. Well, then they would gain the appropriate natural armor and Int score (which are the only values improved beyond 20th AFAIK), unless you don't use the epic rules and stop at 20th (as per the PHB), then they would simply gain nothing beyond 20th.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Sil]

does not the monster manual on page 290 say they do?

 

[Scion]

Nope, check out a random monster statblock. They list HD and all the other stuff in an absolute fashion. That's exactly the difference.

They may also gain in hd and many creatures may 'advance' plus with certain spells you can permanently (or instantly) give bonus hd or they could gain hd through class abilities...

In any event, they are increasing in hd and so get the benefits thereof unless otherwise specified.

It would be more clear, if they had not forgot to add the part to the psicrystal description (at least in the SRD), which states...

Which would seem to mean that when you go from level 2 to level 3 its hd go up by one (from 2 to 3) and they get a certain amount of hp. They dont have a hd 'size' they only have a 'number' of hd and special rules for hp.


This just isnt firm enough for me, it is too ambiguous. If there isnt anything more concrete then it sounds like a call to be made, and that is not something I like being true about the raw. Especially when it would be easy enough to add a few lines and clear it all up.