Question about Psionic Focus

[Enforcer]

I understand that Psionic Focus is required for some of the psionic feats and that expending it can let you "Take 15" on a Concentration check. I also get that you can't be psionically focused when your Power Points hit zero.

But you do not need to be psionically focused to manifest powers, correct? Psionic focus is only needed for psionic feats and taking 15 on Concentration checks, right?

I've got a new character starting up who's a Rogue/Telepath and I want to make sure I have all the psionic rules straight. Thanks for your help!

 

[RigaMortus]

That is correct.

You also need to make a DC20 Concentration check to refocus your psionic focus (that is, to get your psionic focus back once you expend it). It costs a full round action to do so. There is a feat (Psionic Meditation?) that allows you to do this as a Move Equiv.

 

[Henry]

Just to back you up, RigaMortus is correct.

 

[Enforcer]

Thanks for the responses! And I'm straight on the regaining focus part--just wanted to make sure my Telepath could Take 15 on a Concentration check and still manifest a power in the same round.

 

[Christian]

Note that you do need to be psionically focused to enhance a psionic power with a metapsionic feat. (And you expend the focus in doing so.) Just an aside ...

 

[Rystil Arden]

Thanks for the responses! And I'm straight on the regaining focus part--just wanted to make sure my Telepath could Take 15 on a Concentration check and still manifest a power in the same round.

Expending focus itself is never an action in and of itself, but is usually part of an action. In the case of taking-15, it is part of the action that requires the Concentration check (perhaps manifesting on the defensive). Of course, this use of psionic focus is one of the weakest, as your rogue would probably be happier to expend his focus (again not an action) to make his next melee attack a touch attack for instance, with Deep Impact (expending focus becomes part of the attack action in this case). Also note that you can hold two focuses at once if you take the Psicrystal Affinity and Psicrystal Containment Feats, which I highly recommend. Psicrystal Affinity not only gives you a familiaresque companion and the Alertness feat, but you can also choose a Single-Minded psicrystal and get +3 to Concentration all from one feat. Once you have the crystal, the containment feat is a no-brainer. Just remember, the crystal can't focus for you, it can only hold a second focus for you to use.