Psionic Feat: Breaking some Rules

[Shirt Guy John]

Alright, I woke up this morning and basically said "I like psionic critters/characters, they kick ass. I want them to kick more ass.", and then set off to break one of the rules that is pretty basic in m opinion -with a feat, mind you, but still. So here goes, flame away.

Cover Fire
Requirements: Base Attack Bonus +6, Dex 15+, Combat Reflexes, Point Blank Shot, Psionic Shot, reserve power Points 11+

Benefits: When wielding a ranged weapon, you threaten the area within 10ft. of yourself for the purposes of attacks of opportunity. You may make a ranged attack of opportunity against any foe that provokes one within the threatened area. You may only make one ranged attack of opportunity in each round, even if you would normally be allowed more attacks of opportunity in a round (you could make one ranged AoO, but then you no longer threaten the 10ft. You can still make normal attacks of opportunity though). You must maintain at least 11 power points in your reserve in order to use this feat.

Normal: You can never threaten an area with a ranged weapon. You can never make an attack of opportunity with a ranged weapon.

Special: You can take this feat multiple times. Each time increases the area that you threaten with a ranged attack by 10ft. and increases the required reserve power points by +10. For instance, if N'Goth takes Cover Fire three times, he threatens a 30ft. area so long as he has 31+ reserve power points, 20ft. if he has 21+ reserve power points, or 10ft. if he has 11+ reserve power points.

Right, well I think this is it now. Unless someone has an objection?

[Edit: Newest changes are in bold.]

 

[Spatzimaus]

At first glance, too good. An AoO per round to anything within 30' means you'll practically ALWAYS get that extra attack in, at your full attack bonus. Admittedly, you're making someone waste an extra Feat on Combat Reflexes (useless to an archer). It's still workable, and it might not be too unbalancing, but between this and the brand-new Ballisteer PrC (see the Mind's Eye, it just was posted a couple days ago), psionic archers just got a whole lot nastier.

My suggestion: drop the Reserve PP requirement, and just have it require 3 power points per AoO. That gives you an incentive NOT to take the extra attack; Psychic Warriors are always running short on power points IME.

 

[Shirt Guy John]

Yeah, the ballisteer does fug this thingy up pretty bad, but I had originally planned it for use with a Soulknife instead (yeah, like everything I make... go soulknifes go!). I'd rather keep it as is, but reduce the range to 10ft. or 15ft. It seems more reasonable. I agree witht he lack of power points thing, and I'd still like to see Psychic Warriors with this feat, even with their blow-y power points. Thanks. Anything else?

 

[SylverFlame]

First of all, definitely reduce the range. Also, tag on a line that says no special abilities may be added to the shot, as it is a split second thing. Otherwise you'll see Ballisteers and other psychic archers pick this one up, especially since the Psi-War can afford one errant feat due to bonus feats.

 

[Shirt Guy John]

Okay, fine, I reduced the range *sniffle*... I'm thinking that allowing the feat to be taken multiple times, and adding an additional 10ft. each time, with a requisite reserve amount increase of +10 would be fair? Right? Please? Or maybe just letting the character make one additional ranged attack of opportunity per round with each additional take-age of the feat? I'm goin' for increased range, m'self.

Cutting out special abilities, while... okay, I guess, just ain't my cup of tea. You don't cut out special ability additions with a rogue's Opportunist ability, which is just as spur of the moment, so you shouldn't be denied them on here. I have no problem with the ballisteer (stupid class, ruioning my plans) using its abilities on one of these attacks, 'cause odds are they're gonna then be burning power points like crazy anyways, which is their choice and right.

 

[SylverFlame]

Look's safer now. As for taking it multiple times, go for it. The reserve cost, though steep, makes it so it's balanced (IMO).

 

[Shirt Guy John]

Well then, thanks bunches SylverFlame. I plan on adding this feat to my "psionic feats that i'd allow in my game" list now, with the new(er) adjustment of adding an increased range option.

Thanks all.