Su-Monster Psionic Powers against Spell-like Abilities

[Scharlata]

Hi!

I want to run the S&S adventure "The Tomb of Abysthor", which includes su-monsters.

I don't use Psionics IMC.

I'll run the adventure under the 3.5 rules.

If I were to convert the psionic powers of the su-monster as presented in the web enhancement to the Psionic Handbook (3.0) of WotC into spell-like abilities (SLA), what Caster Level for the SLA I'd have to use?

How often could the su-monsters use their SLA per day?

The web enhancements presents the su-monster (CR 5) as 10th level manifesters with following powers usable at will:
- sense psionics (detect magic?),
- schism (quite like haste, but a little bit better IMO),
- lesser body adjustment (like cure light wounds, resistance or "least" restoration),
- mind thrust,
- ego whip,
- psychic crush/thought shield, and
- mental barrier.

Were it better to use the powers from the Expanded Psionic Handbook (XPH)? If it were, what would I have to substitute for Lesser Body Adjustment (only Body Adjustement exists) and Schism (deleted altogether)?

Thanx very much for your consideration and help.

Kind regards

 

[Dr_Rictus]

The most straightforward thing to do would be to give the su-monster spell-like abilities doing the same thing as its psionic powers do. detect psionics is close enough to detect magic that you can just use the latter.

Though frankly, since the only purely mental action that a su-monster has available most of the time that's interesting in combat is a lesser body adjustment on itself, you could just roll both that power and schism up into Fast Healing 4 (only on turns when the su-monster can act, e.g. not dazed, stunned, or unconscious) and it'd be pretty much the same.

 

[Scharlata]

Hi, Dr Rictus!

The most straightforward thing to do would be to give the su-monster spell-like abilities doing the same thing as its psionic powers do. detect psionics is close enough to detect magic that you can just use the latter.

Agreed

Though frankly, since the only purely mental action that a su-monster has available most of the time that's interesting in combat is a lesser body adjustment on itself, you could just roll both that power and schism up into Fast Healing 4 (only on turns when the su-monster can act, e.g. not dazed, stunned, or unconscious) and it'd be pretty much the same.

Or should I go with haste [as substitution for schism] as in the 2nd Edition (Complete Psionics)?

Kind regards

 

[Christopher Lambert]

Hi!

I want to run the S&S adventure "The Tomb of Abysthor", which includes su-monsters.

I don't use Psionics IMC.

I'll run the adventure under the 3.5 rules.

If I were to convert the psionic powers of the su-monster as presented in the web enhancement to the Psionic Handbook (3.0) of WotC into spell-like abilities (SLA), what Caster Level for the SLA I'd have to use?

How often could the su-monsters use their SLA per day?

Most 3/day, but detect psionics could be at will.

The web enhancements presents the su-monster (CR 5) as 10th level manifesters with following powers usable at will:
- sense psionics (detect magic?),

Replace this one with a supernatural ability that can detect psionic creatures (instead of necessarily using detect psionics.) Detect psionics 3.5 can detect psionic creatures who aren't currently using powers, but most people don't know this, so you'll save trouble by using a supernatural ability that specifically detects psionic creatures.

- schism (quite like haste, but a little bit better IMO),

It's still in the XPH, but the way the su-monster used it in 2e was a lot better You could give it schism three times per day and hustle 3/day. Or 1/day, if you're worried about the amount of power.

- lesser body adjustment (like cure light wounds, resistance or "least" restoration),

3/day.

- mind thrust,
- ego whip,
- psychic crush/thought shield, and
- mental barrier.

Don't bother. The su-monster doesn't need converted defense modes since it has the immunity to mind-affecting effects SQ (which they forgot in the 3.0 conversion), so give that back.

As for attack modes, mind thrust would be totally useless in 3e (assuming you're converting the old 2e power) but psychic crush does what the new mind thrust does.

Confused yet?

And I don't know what to do about ego whip... but if there's a power that inflicts the shaken condition, use it. Like demoralize.

So, to recap

SA Psionics (Ps): 3/day-demoralize, hustle, body adjustment, mind thrust, schism. Manifester level 6th. DC (whatever).

SQ detect psionic creatures, immunity to mind-affecting effects

Were it better to use the powers from the Expanded Psionic Handbook (XPH)? If it were, what would I have to substitute for Lesser Body Adjustment (only Body Adjustement exists) and Schism (deleted altogether)?

The former was renamed, as you noted, and schism is now a 4th-level Telepathic (only) power. You can use XPH powers and describe them if the users of the su-monster wouldn't know what they do.

 

[Scharlata]

Most 3/day, but detect psionics could be at will.

Replace this one with a supernatural ability that can detect psionic creatures (instead of necessarily using detect psionics.) Detect psionics 3.5 can detect psionic creatures who aren't currently using powers, but most people don't know this, so you'll save trouble by using a supernatural ability that specifically detects psionic creatures.

It's still in the XPH, but the way the su-monster used it in 2e was a lot better You could give it schism three times per day and hustle 3/day. Or 1/day, if you're worried about the amount of power.

3/day.

Don't bother. The su-monster doesn't need converted defense modes since it has the immunity to mind-affecting effects SQ (which they forgot in the 3.0 conversion), so give that back.

As for attack modes, mind thrust would be totally useless in 3e (assuming you're converting the old 2e power) but psychic crush does what the new mind thrust does.

Confused yet?

And I don't know what to do about ego whip... but if there's a power that inflicts the shaken condition, use it. Like demoralize.

So, to recap

SA Psionics (Ps): 3/day-demoralize, hustle, body adjustment, mind thrust, schism. Manifester level 6th. DC (whatever).

SQ detect psionic creatures, immunity to mind-affecting effects

The former was renamed, as you noted, and schism is now a 4th-level Telepathic (only) power. You can use XPH powers and describe them if the users of the su-monster wouldn't know what they do.

Hi!

Have time, will study (the powers) ...

Thanx alot and kind regards *flipping through the pages*