Psychic claws

[xen_xheng]

I am playing a Human Psychic Warrior 18 / WarShaper 1 (got Metamorphosis with a feat at lvl 15 for the prestige prerequisites)

His combat style has been based on "Claws of the Beast " from the beggining, and he currently does 5d6 per claw (spending 19PPs with the Overchannel feat)

The table that comes with the power gives damage for small, medium and large users, which does NOT correspond with the size-increase damage rule (1d4 -> 1d6 -> 1d8 -> 2d6 -> 3d6 -> 4d6 -> 6d6 -> 8d6 -> 12d6 -> 16d6 etc)

When I use the power and then use Expansion (Large size), what damage do I do?
The power's table says 6d6, the size-increase rule says it's 7d6; maybe the table is for the original user's size?

Also, when I used Expansion to grow to huge size. There is not a value in the power's table to see the damage, so I used the size-increase damage rule, starting at 6d6 (so it should be 8d6).

Or should I use the size-increse rule applied twice? (5d6->7d6->10d6)

When using Metamorphosis (into Troll), he's large, so I use the 6d6 damage given for large creatures. When using Expansion, the power states that it's not stackeable with powers that increase size. Since Metamorphosis into Troll DOES increase size (indirectly), does the Expansion power fail? Or does it result in a huge troll? (instead of a Gargantuan Troll)

Since Claws of the Beast are basically natural attacks, can they be used with feats that improve natural attacks? (I suppose not, unless the base race has a natural attack which allows to take those feats; just asking, though) - The only way I found to upgrade the natural attacks was the WarShaper prestige, and then only when metamorphosed into something.


Well, that's all; just seeing ways to improve my character

 

[Scion]

It is a tough call.. I am unsure why they went with a different stacking proceedure. I would say to follow their example as far as possible and then extrapolate useing the other rules.

When you metamorph into a troll your physical form becomes that of a troll, you did not change size.

So, you may use expansion or double expansion as you will. This will allow you to get some pretty impressive claw attacks with a bit of work but it does have its drawbacks (such as not having many attacks and needing to buff up the claws seperately and such).

Effects that can increase claw damage will work on the claws of the beast. So things like improved natural attack will be fine. It is up to your dm when and how you can take it however. I let people take it who have been specifically going for that sort of thing (training with the claws during downtime generally) even if they dont qualify 24/7.


Also, for this particular combo I usually prefer to metamorph into a gray glutton. Start off huge, double expansion = good. But you really can only do this outdoors in an open field.. most other places simply wont hold your size/weight!

 

[xen_xheng]

When you metamorph into a troll your physical form becomes that of a troll, you did not change size.

Maybe that's right, but I believe there is another statement in the Expansion power that reads "Other psionic or magical properties are not affected by this power".
Now that I think it over, it could mean Polymorph or Claw of the Beast cannot be augmented by this power...
Allthough a common magical Enlarge would work; it's not very clear.
Another thought: could you use Empower Power or Maximize on Claws of the Beast?

 

[Nail]

Now that I think it over, it could mean Polymorph or Claw of the Beast cannot be augmented by this power...

Exactly. The text is pretty clear.

 

[Scion]

Maybe that's right, but I believe there is another statement in the Expansion power that reads "Other psionic or magical properties are not affected by this power".

Of course that is in context with magical weapons. So if you make a weapon bigger it doesnt change its magical/psionical effects.

As in, flaming doesnt deal more/less damage than it did before.

Now that I think it over, it could mean Polymorph or Claw of the Beast cannot be augmented by this power...

I dont see this as following. Unless you also believe that a weapon that goes from size medium to size large wouldnt gain in damage. But then that is called out specifically as working

Claws of the beast check to see what size you are when you are attacking to get their damage. If you are size medium they do a certain damage die, if you are large they do another, it doesnt matter 'how' you got to that size, merely that you are that size.

So changing into a troll (now you are large sized) makes them do large sized damage. Now if you do expansion for one then you'll do damage as a huge creature, since you are now huge.

Another thought: could you use Empower Power or Maximize on Claws of the Beast?

You could, it just wouldnt do anything. The power gives you claws which do some amount of damage, they are not doing the damage directly.