Psionic Vs Non-Psionic

[Dark Psion]

Got Dragon #296 today and I noticed something odd. In the "Worshipers of the Forbidden" article we are presented with Prestige classes based on members of "Monster Cults". We get the Sphere Minion(Beholder), Snake Servant(Medusa), Waker of the Beast(Tarrasque) and the Illithidkin(Mind Flayers)

This is a five level PrC and is presented as a Psionic class with a Non-psionic version in a side bar.

The Psionic version gets +3/+5/+5/+5/+7 Power Points, a Combat Mode at 1st/3rd/5th levels and Powers Discovered 0/0/1/1/2 zero level talents.

The non-psionic version drops the above in favor of Detect Thoughts at 1st level a number of times per day equal to Class Level + Int Mod, Suggestion at 3rd level once per day and Charm Monster at 5th level once per day.

Do you consider 2 zero level talents and 3 combat modes equal to a 2nd, 3rd and 4th level spell?

 

[Johno]

You provide far too little information on the requirements and other abilities for the prestige class. Not all readers of this board have access to Dragon 296.

You dismiss the addition of 25 power points out of hand. I assume the Psion would have some powers already.

I really can't make a judgement with such incomplete information.

 

[Gez]

OK. This is a non-continuing psi prestige class. Therefore it stinks. Therefore the non-psionic version is better. Quod Ergo Demonstratum.

 

[Dark Psion]

The other class features are Rogue's BAB, Good Will save, +4 skills, 1st: Detached Mind(+2 Vs Mind Altering), 2nd: Telepathy(Comunicate with any language using creature), 4th: Increased Intelligence(+2), 5th: Illithid Apotheosis(Gain Illithid like appearance and become a Monsterous Humanoid)

And yes the text says that most Illithidkin were Psions or Psychic Warriors first so while 25 power points would be OK, "+1 Level " would be better. Staring with a 5th level Psion, + 5 levels would give +33 power points and + 5 manifester levels to powers and Psi crystal. One version is still a 5th level manifester the other is now a 10th level manifester.

Also, the added combat modes might be better if the last one discovered was the Illithid Mind Blast.

Also the requirements are Lawful Evil, worship Illsensine, Concentration:8, Know(Psi):8, and eat a brain