Psionic Mind Flayers

[gnfnrf]

In the XPH, there are notes for converting mind flayers to make them fully psionic creatures.

Is it me, or does this seriously overpower the mind flayer?

The stock mind flayer gets 4 or 5 spell-like abilities at will, of which charm monster and plane shift (offensive) are the keys. Powerful, yes.

The psionic mind flayer manifests as a 9th level psion, reproducing charm monster with psionic dominate, losing the offensive benefit of plane shift, and getting another ~15 useful powers. How is this at all equivalent? At the cost of having PP to spend and no longer being able of offensive plane shift, mind flayers get to gain temp hp, AC, dimension door, read the deepest thoughts of their foes, and so on.

Shouldn't it be a priori broken for a CR 8 creature to be a 9th level psion? A half-elf psion 9 would be CR 9. What does he have that the mind flayer doesn't?

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gnfnrf

 

[Krafen]

Yes, it definitely makes them stronger. A psionic mind flayer trades at will abilities for increased flexibility limited by power points. The limitation is much less significant for a monster players encounter than it would be for a player.

I am curious, though, what do you mean by "offensive use of plane shift?" The closest you can ever get to your intended destination is 5 miles. Strategic offense maybe, but not tactical.

 

[3d6]

Plane shift has a target of "creature touched". You can use it as a makeshift save-or-die by sending people to the Abyss.

 

[Psion]

I don't think it overpowers them. Or really makes them more powerful. It does make them fit their supposed role and abilities much better, though. Approximating their abilities with magic is just that, an approximation.

As for CR... I'll let you argue over which if either is accurate, but CR = class level really strikes me as an approximation. Creature CRs (especially the ones in the MM) are generally better tested than a faceless NPC identified only by class and level.

 

[Sejs]

Plane shift has a target of "creature touched". You can use it as a makeshift save-or-die by sending people to the Abyss.

No, no, not the Abyss.

Negative or Positive Energy Plane. Or one of the more hostile elemental (fire, water), paraelemental (magma, smoke), or quasielemental (pretty much any of 'em) planes.

Send 'em to places where the environment alone will kill 'em.

 

[Krafen]

Plane shift has a target of "creature touched". You can use it as a makeshift save-or-die by sending people to the Abyss.

Of course. I feel foolish now.