Psion manifestations??

[EverSoar]

Firstly does anyone know how long githyanki's live for?


Secondly. What does everyone do about the different manifestatios. Do people like it, or do you have another rule for it?

Also, what are some of the alternatives, you have thought up for your character, inplace of the standard examples?

And i take it ITCK is a worthwhile book. How do they work it in there?

 

[Davelozzi]

Firstly, no, I have no idea how long githyanki live.

Secondly, I generally ignore manifestations. I've heard others on these boards say that they're essential to keeping psions balanced but we haven't had any problem in my campaign yet. They just seem a little silly to me.

I also generally ignore material components for spells, although I plan on being stricter when dealing with high power spells with high power components, if and when the campaign gets to that point.

 

[Staffan]

Secondly, I generally ignore manifestations. I've heard others on these boards say that they're essential to keeping psions balanced but we haven't had any problem in my campaign yet. They just seem a little silly to me.

I also generally ignore material components for spells, although I plan on being stricter when dealing with high power spells with high power components, if and when the campaign gets to that point.

The important part about manifestations is that they identify the psion as a "spellcaster", the way waving your hands and chanting identifies a wizard or cleric. If that can be done in another way, feel free to do away with them. By the way, the Psi HB errata says something to the effect that the manifestations should generally not be persistent like some of the ones in the PsiHB are described. They're just active while the power is being manifested.

Components are handled rather abstractly by default in 3e. As long as you have your component pouch, there's no need to keep track of live spiders for spider climb or eyelashes and gum arabic for invisibility. Unless the component has a monetary cost attached or there are other factors at work, it's just assumed you have the components at hand. One example of "other factors" might be casting Detect Undead after being on the plane of Air for a few weeks. The spell requires earth from a grave, and earth is generally in short supply there.

 

[Benben]

Secondly. What does everyone do about the different manifestatios. Do people like it, or do you have another rule for it?

And i take it ITCK is a worthwhile book. How do they work it in there?

Okay make sure you're using the manifestation rules from the Psi Handbook's errata: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/article.asp?x=dnd/er/er20010819a

And If Thoughts Could Kill is a *great* book. I fixes a lot of the weirdness of the prestige classes, and gives an alternate powers learned progression which makes things a lot more balanced for psions.

 

[Davelozzi]

Re: Re: Psion manifestations??

The important part about manifestations is that they identify the psion as a "spellcaster", the way waving your hands and chanting identifies a wizard or cleric.

Okay make sure you're using the manifestation rules from the Psi Handbook's errata: http://www.wizards.com/dnd/article.asp?x=dnd/er/er20010819a

I agree with you, Staffan, in that I also thought that was the reason manifestations were necessary. However the revised rules in the errata that Benben linked seem to defeat this purpose as most of the effects are not really pinpointed to the manifesting psion. At any rate, I don't want my psionics to seem like magic, which is exactly why I don't use them. As I said, it hasn't been a problem for my group yet, but your mileage may vary.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

I would suggest altering the displays to make more sense. For instance, glowing eyes and rainbow light shooting out of nether regions (the visual display) makes no sense when you're trying to manifest Conceal Thoughts. I'd suggest using displays seen on TV

For instance, if you ever watch Outer Limits or Mutant X, you'll know what I'm talking about.

A note about components: components also include Verbal and Somatic Components. Silence is only a 2nd-level spell, and Silent Dispel Magic is a 4th-level spell that requires a feat, planning (if a wizard) or a full-round action (if a sorc). And even so, if the Silence-caster is your level or higher, you have a poor chance of actually removing the Silence.

Psions, on the other hand, almost never have to worry about this.

Psions have a couple of other minor advantages as well. For instance, you can wear armor than has no ACP (such as MW studded leather and MW buckler) with no penalties whatsoever, without having to take the Light Armor and Shield feats. And then enhance both of these effects to +3. You'll have an AC a wizard can only dream about. Then look at the Mind's Eye features, specifically Damage Control. (Evil grin.)

 

[Davelozzi]

I'd suggest using displays seen on TV

For instance, if you ever watch Outer Limits or Mutant X, you'll know what I'm talking about.

Nope, never seen 'em. Care to educate me?

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

When some psions manifest psychokinetic powers, the wind blows... slightly. Their hair blows forward, and they give you a glare.

When Jean Grey, a powerful psion, manifests a power, lockers rattled, as well as the typical blowing hair.

A little bit of a glow from the eyes is acceptable. No rainbow flash!

Me and Ol displays are fine as is. Ma may be replaced by "tingling skin" or the feeling of something walking on your grave.