Why You Don't Let the Sage Answer Psionics Questions

[Bacris]

So, the start of this:

Q: Dear Sage
Can a creature augment its psi-like abilities?
--Winston

A: No. Since a creature doesn’t pay power points to manifest a psi-like ability, it can’t be augmented (even if the creature has power points).

A psi-like ability always has the base, non-augmented effect.

Let's see, shall we?

PSI-LIKE ABILITIES
Most psionic monsters have some number of psi-like abilities. These are very similar to spell-like abilities. Naturally, they are psionic and work just like powers or spells. A creature with psi-like abilities does not pay for these abilities with power points and does not pay any XP cost associated with manifesting the power the ability duplicates.
Psi-like abilities do not work in a null psionics field and are subject to power resistance if the power or spell the ability duplicates would be subject to power resistance. A psi-like ability usually has a limit on how often it can be used. A psi-like ability that can be used at will has no use limit. Using a psi-like ability is a standard action unless noted otherwise, and doing so while threatened provokes attacks of opportunity. It is possible to make a Concentration check to use a psi-like ability defensively and avoid provoking attacks of opportunity, just as when using a power or casting a spell. A psi-like ability can be interrupted just as a spell can be. Psi-like abilities cannot be used to counterspell, nor can they be counterspelled.
All creatures with psi-like abilities are assigned a manifester level, which indicates how difficult it is to dispel their psi-like effects and determines all level-dependent variables (such as range or duration) the abilities might have. When a creature uses a psi-like ability, the power is manifested as if the creature had spent a number of power points equal to its manifester level, which may augment the power to improve its damage or save DC. However, the creature does not actually spend power points for its psi-like abilities, even if it has a power point reserve due to racial abilities, class levels, or some other psionic ability.
The DC of a saving throw (if applicable) against a creature’s psi-like ability is 10 + the level of the power or spell the ability duplicates + the creature’s Cha modifier. Remember to check the power’s Augment entry to see if the creature’s manifester level (and thus the effective power point expenditure) increases the DC of the saving throw. Changes to the effect’s save DC, damage, and so on are noted in the psi-like ability entry.

Glad he did research before pulling the answer OOHA

 

[Felon]

I'm not sure I see a discrepency here, other than one perhaps based on semantics. The question was asking if a creature can augment its psi-like ability. The text highlighted in your quote refers to the psi-like abilities default manifester level. A creature doesn't need to augment a psi-like ability beyond the default--that's wh it's a default--so, perhaps the question should have been "can a creature augment a psi-like ability beyond the base manifester level."

 

[Bacris]

You're missing the part here:

"A psi-like ability always has the base, non-augmented effect."

Base, non-augmented power vs automatically augmented power - two very different things

 

[TheGogmagog]

I get what your point is, but don't totally agree with you.

It seems your question was can a psionic creature 'further' augment psi-abilities.
The answer was no, but then added the comment about minimum augment. The added comment seems to be the part you take offense to.

I would compare it to the comment 'magic items always activate at minimum caster level', without adding 'unless otherwise specified'. 95% of the magic items you will find though, do activate at minimum caster level (ring of invisibility, helm of teleportation, etc...) It's self obvious that a wand of magic missles 9th caster level is going to produce more than one missle per activation. It sounds like you are nit-picking.

Out of curiosity, do you have an example of a psi-like ability that manifests at more than the base manifester level?

 

[Bacris]

There are plenty of examples where psi-likes are augmented:

Psi-Like Abilities: At will—clairvoyant sense, concussion blast (two targets, 3d6*), detect psionics, ego whip (2d4, DC 16*), mind thrust (7d10, DC 16*); 3/day—death urge (DC 16), psychic crush (DC 13**), psionic suggestion (three targets, DC 14*); 1/ day—co-opt concentration (DC 18). Manifester level 7th. The save DCs are Charisma-based.

Pretty much all of the above are augmented above the base power (Ego Whip, for example, does 1d4 at base).

And yes, the last line is what I disagree with and what will cause the most confusion.

 

[werk]

And yes, the last line is what I disagree with and what will cause the most confusion.

Ask again using different wording?

Ask if the already augmented by the rules psi-like abilities can be augmented further by use of power points...I think that's your question anyway.

 

[Bacris]

Fan response got this corrected to the following:

Q: Dear Sage
Can a creature augment its psi-like abilities?
--Winston

A: Not exactly.

Since a creature doesn’t pay power points to manifest a psi-like ability, it can’t spend extra power points to augment it (even if the creature has a power point reserve).

However, when a creature manifests a psi-like ability, "the power is manifested as if the creature had spent a number of power points equal to its manifester level, which may augment the power (Expanded Psionics Handbook 184).

Still bad when errata for a 2-line web article has to be introduced

And this wasn't my question But it follows the general trend where if the Sage answers rules questions, they frequently lack actual rules credibility.

 

[Halivar]

Moral of the story: don't consult "experts." Consult the rules.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

I hope that when they start getting money for the online initiative and move the sage advice there, they'll use some of this money to buy him some rulebooks, so he can look things up.

 

[billd91]

What an uncharitable bunch. The guy answering questions missed a nuance and made a mistake. Now it's been corrected. Give it a rest.