Psion power balance questions

[Scion]

Part of the reason this power/feat combo is broken is because the Psion can make the sphere any size he likes.

So you can make 1' diameter fireballs at will? How about different shapes at will? After all, if you can change the size from what it says why not make it bend a little?

I think that since the spells say one thing it would be the players responsibility to find a rule that says they can make the size whatever they want.

Sure, they could manifest it at a lower level (down to the minimum) but that would still be pretty large plus make it much easier to dispel or the like. Note that you can do this with any spell or power. If you want to cast a fireball that does 5d6 and you are 20th level you just have to say that you are casting it at 5th caster level, but you cant go below that because it requires at least that much to cast it (there are exceptions, but this is just the general rule).

 

[Scion]

Not that this is as solid proof as may be required but here are two powers:

Wall of Ectoplasm
Metacreativity (Creation)
Level: Psion/wilder 4
Display: Visual
Manifesting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Effect: Wall whose area is up to one 10-ft. square/level or a sphere or hemisphere with a radius of up to 1 ft./level
Duration: 1 min./level (D)
Saving Throw: None
Power Resistance: No
Power Points: 7

Telekinetic Sphere, Psionic
Psychokinesis [Force]
Level: Kineticist 8
Display: Material
Manifesting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Effect: 1-ft.-diameter/level sphere, centered around creatures or objects
Duration: 1 min./level (D)
Saving Throw: Reflex negates (object)
Power Resistance: Yes (object)
Power Points: 15

emphasis mine. Definate difference there.

Now, one could argue that one or the other is a typo I guess, but failing that telekinetic sphere forms a sphere with radius equal to the level you put behind it, which generally must be at least 15 (so a min of 15') whereas the wall of ectoplasm could be much less as it says 'up to'.

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

Not that this is as solid proof as may be required but here are two powers:

The problem is that any caster may elect to cast a spell at a lower caster level than his own (so long as it is high enough to cast the spell at all).

Is there a similar rule for psionicists?

 

[Scion]

I am away from my books right now but I am currently assuming it to be true.

But even if it isnt it doesnt change the basic point of the effect, all it changes is that someone couldnt choose to have a smaller telekinetic sphere than whatever manifestor level they have at the time of manifesting the power.

Can you find the rule for magic in the SRD somewhere? I looked briefly but wasnt able to find the rule in the 'magic overview' section.

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

Can you find the rule for magic in the SRD somewhere? I looked briefly but wasnt able to find the rule in the 'magic overview' section.

I can do you one better. Here's both:

You can manifest a power at a lower manifester level than normal, but the manifester level must be high enough for you to manifest the power in question, and all level-dependent features must be based on the same manifester level.

You can cast a spell at a lower caster level than normal, but the caster level you choose must be high enough for you to cast the spell in question, and all level-dependent features must be based on the same caster level.

 

[Scion]

Nice

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

Also, I agree that he cannot (generally speaking) make a sphere smaller than 15 feet.

 

[Nail]

Without having the books on me, the shape of spells/powers is unchangeable by the players unless you have the Sculpt feat or it has the (S)Shapeable suffix at the end of the effect description. .

I would agree with you....if we were talking about shaping. We're not.

We're talking about being able to vary effects that get bigger with level. For example, a Wiz 1 can hit a target 110ft away with a magic missile. A Wiz 3 can hit a target 130ft away. He may still hit a target that is closer, right?

Or how about Passwall. A Wiz 9 can make a 10ft passage. A Wiz 12 can make a 15 ft passage. Can the Wiz 15 make only a 10ft passage? How about only a 5ft passage?

Etc.

 

[Nail]

Not that this is as solid proof as may be required but here are two powers:

Better. Much better.

 

[Nail]

Also, I agree that he cannot (generally speaking) make a sphere smaller than 15 feet.

So.....if the area says "X/level" -- rather than "up to X/level" -- then the literalist interpretation is that the first is not variable by the caster in any way (other than changing his/her own caster level). If he wants a certain size (AoE), he must vary his caster level.

IOW, we're left with arguing about the significance of the phrase "up to", or the lack thereof. Is that correct?

That's fairly weak ground to stand on, with my group at least. :\ Anything else?