Pyrokineticist's hand afire ability

[blargney the second]

I was just browsing through the XPH and re-examined the pyrokineticist for the first time in years - it's actually a pretty cool little PrC!

Anyways, they have this funky little hand afire psi-like ability:
"A pyrokineticist of 2nd level or higher can activate this ability as a move-equivalent action. Flames engulf one of the pyrokineticist’s hands (but do her no harm). Her unarmed attacks with that hand are treated as armed. Such attacks deal an extra 2d6 points of fire damage."

I have two questions:
1) How long does it last? (my guess is either a single attack or indefinitely, which is weird)
2) Does it provoke AoOs? (my guess is yes)

Quotes from errata/FAQ/Sage are all welcome. Thank you!
-blarg

 

[Nifft]

I'd think it lasts until you get rid of it, though amusingly enough, it doesn't say you can get rid of it. Ever. (It can be dispel'd, though.)

It's a Psi-like ability, and thus similar to a Spell-like ability ("but different!"), so it does indeed provoke an AoO.

Cheers, -- N

 

[blargney the second]

Cool, thanks Nifft.

 

[kigmatzomat]

Pyrokineticist is cool. The (red) Dragon Disciple in my game is planning on taking it soon with the "flame bolt" being a "breath weapon." It's not a power-rich combo (fire resistance is moot for a 10th level red DD) but it is chock full of flavor.

 

[Machiavelli]

Now, the move-equivalent action to START the flames would provoke an AoO, because it's a psi-like ability, but because the attacks with the flaming hand count as armed, they would not. Right, Nifft?

 

[SteelDraco]

Now, the move-equivalent action to START the flames would provoke an AoO, because it's a psi-like ability, but because the attacks with the flaming hand count as armed, they would not. Right, Nifft?

Correct.

One of my games has a monk/psion with this PrC. Pretty useful, though she seems to use the Flame Whip power too often. 1d10 damage isn't much when your normal attack is quite a bit more than that. Yes, it's a touch attack, but without any damage bonuses of any kind, no one's likely to CARE that you hit, at 10th level.

 

[Nifft]

I agree with SteelDraco's reading.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Kmart Kommando]

Correct.

One of my games has a monk/psion with this PrC. Pretty useful, though she seems to use the Flame Whip power too often. 1d10 damage isn't much when your normal attack is quite a bit more than that. Yes, it's a touch attack, but without any damage bonuses of any kind, no one's likely to CARE that you hit, at 10th level.

Although, you could use Power Attack, (Greater) Psionic Weapon, and all those other goodies. On a Psychic Warrior, it becomes more effective. And you STR applies, just as a normal Whip. Plus (Greater) Weapon Afire, if you go that high into it. 1d8 + 6d6 + full Power Attack + STR as a touch attack isn't something you can just ignore at 10th level. Stacks wonderfully with classes with Sneak Attack or Skirmish. Or a Martial Adept class, standard action maneuvers as a touch attack?
Swordsage Pyrokineticist? sounds like fun to me.

 

[Nifft]

Or a Martial Adept class, standard action maneuvers as a touch attack?

That's downright evil. Thanks!

The fact that all the damage is Fire means it's not totally useful for PCs, but for evil minions... mua-ha-ha-ha!

Excellent synergy with Power Attack + Diamond Nightmare Blade.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

And just for completeness, note that WotC's Mind's Eye section also listed analogs of the PyroK for the other energy types- electricity, cold, etc. ( http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/psm/20040625e )

Thus, if you want to have PyroK fun in a campaign with a lot of fire-resistant critters...