Psionic Feats

[Coredump]

I do not have either Psionic books; but was looking at the new one and did not see any feats detailing 'hiding' your casting.

IIRC, the old version had some feats that would eliminate the tell-tale signs of using psionics. (Like no noise, no more smell, etc.) But I did not see the same items in the revised version.

Did I miss something? I *really* liked those.

Do you think they are unbalancing?

Thanks.

 

[Christian]

Nope-they decided that was too wimpy a bonus for a feat, I think ...

"Dispense with Displays: Despite the fact that almost every power has a display, a psionic character can always choose to manifest the power without the flashy accompaniment. To manifest a power without a display (no matter how many displays it might have), a manifester must make a Concentration check (DC 15 + the level of the power). This check is part of the action of manifesting the power. If the check is unsuccessful, the power manifests normally with its display." (XPH pg. 58)

 

[Zappo]

Whoa, so now psions can stealth-cast (sorry, manifest) for free? I'm starting to wonder whether the rumors of overpoweredness have some truth. If I had a GP for every time I wished I had a stilled silent charme person...

 

[Christian]

Well, they have to make a Concentration check, so they can't count on it. But-show me a Psion who hasn't maxed out his Concentration skill. (It's even more important for Psions [etc.] than spellcasters-there are a lot more applications for the mentalist.)

 

[James McMurray]

Yep, psioncs have quite a few benefits that normal casters don't have. Many people feel this makes them too powerful. I'm running an all-psion game (only 2nd level right now) and those benefits haven't mattered much. Of course, the party is too low level to consistently hide their displays, but a couple of them did avoid readied actions by hiding a display.

They were being held at bladepoint and the readied action did not get to trigger until the ray sprang out, and therefor didn't get to interrupt the manifestation.

 

[Coredump]

Thanks Christian, I haven't covered enough of the book yet. I may be willing to spend a feat to make it an easier DC. We are playing in a world where sorcery (as opposed to wizards) is considered an abomination, thus I figure psionics will get me killed if not hidden well.

.

 

[iceifur]

Thanks Christian, I haven't covered enough of the book yet. I may be willing to spend a feat to make it an easier DC. We are playing in a world where sorcery (as opposed to wizards) is considered an abomination, thus I figure psionics will get me killed if not hidden well.

.

If you're going to go the feat route, pick up Skill Focus (Concentration). A +3 to Concentration checks really isn't that shabby (effectively three extra "levels" worth of skill points for that skill). Also consider picking up a Concentration skill-boosting item (~2,500 gp for a +5 bonus -- perhaps a headband?) and/or a Constitution booster (each +2 to Con will give you a +1 to Concentration checks, in addition to adding much-needed HP). Plumb the system for all it's worth.

-B-

 

[CRGreathouse]

If you're going to go the feat route, pick up Skill Focus (Concentration).

Heck, take a single-minded psicrystal. You could have +15 Concentration on first level...!

You know, the psicrystal used to just give +1 to Concentration. My, how it's grown.