[PsiHB]How do I run Mindflayers now?

[DWARF]

I have the PsiHB, and am wondering how to work Mindflayers. I could just take them as a base creature and give them levels of Psion...

But that doesn't fit since the way they are in the MM has already accounted for some psionic ability, but using spells and not the PsiHB rules. Should I / has anyone designed a version of the Mindflayer without the MM-based Psionics so that you can then add Psion levels?

If so, how do I account for their psionic nature? Maybe they could recieve 1.5 times the PP's they normally would? If it helps, I'm using most of the variant rules found at: RPGCosmos.

 

[Xarlen]

First of all, give them the Psionic template. That should get the ball rolling.

 

[Wolf72]

template+

yup with the template anything else you give them is just icing.

extra pp's? no way man, the template will provide for their psionic heritage ... and a psion mindflayer would be just that more powerful. Even at lower levels because it has the template abilities that make it formidable to begin with.

 

[RogueJK]

Check out Pages 139-140 in the PsiHB. It explains how to handle psionic monsters from the Monster Manual (such as Mind Flayers), using psionic rules.

Basically, it involves applying the Psionic Template to the creature, thus granting them a certain number of Powers, based off of HD, which they can manifest at will. When converting a creature from the MM, they use the powers listed in their entries as powers known.

Also, their HD determines their Psionic Attack Modes, Defense Modes, and Power Resistance (if any).

 

[RogueJK]

A normal Mind Flayer has 8 HD, so a Psionic version would have:

6 powers known: Astral Projection, Charm Monster, Detect Thoughts, Levitate, Plane Shift, and Suggestion

3 Attack Modes (Chosen by the DM)
3 Defense Modes (Chosen by the DM)
Telepathy
Power Resistance: 25

CR: 11

 

[Caliber]

I looked at that, but didn't like it. This is a complete house rule so take it as you will but ...

I ran a Mind Flayer with PPs in my game and I gave it enough PPs to run all of its powers once. Then I added the amount of PPs a Psion of his HD in levels would have.

The 'Flayer ended up with PPs ~70 I think and it seemed to work rather well. I didn't notice him getting paticularly stronger or weaker.

Sorry about the blatant house rule. Please return to your regularly scheduled actual rules.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

The MM mind flayer already has the psionic template. In fact, it's more powerful since its SR and PR are higher.

The only changes you need are to set the DC of psionic powers as follows (DC d20+5) for suggestion as an example. Since some of the powers are of different levels, you also need to adjust the DC for this. For instance, charm monster was DC 17, not it's DC d20+6. You may want to switch out a few powers (for instance, I'd switch out suggestion for greater domination, but that's just me)

Combat Modes: Bruce Cordell has said not to use the 3/day errata for mind flayers and neothelids.

At will-ego whip, id insinuation, mind blast/three defense modes. I can't remember off hand what they were, but if you have access to ITCK you can get them. Remember, attack modes are not subject to spell or power resistance (according to PsiH), so drow have no special resistance to mind blast

Hope this helps.

 

[alaric]

The way i run mind flayers is just to make them a 1HD with no special psionic power and give them class levels in psion. Still makes them scary as hell, but i like the feel of it better.