(XPH) psionics and undead

[Voadam]

In the expanded psionics handbook how does it handle psionics and undead? in 3.0 psionic attack modes bypassed the general undead immunity to ability damge.

from the srd:

UNDEAD PSIONIC CREATURES

Undead psionic creatures are rare. They can use psionic attack modes, but must also learn defense modes, since undead take ability damage from psionic attack modes.
An undead creature can use Psychokinesis powers, but it substitutes its Charisma ability score as the key modifier with these powers. An undead creature cannot use Psychometabolism powers, since it has no metabolism.
Undead are immune to mind-influencing effects, however psionic undead beings can still use mind-influencing powers on the living.

 

[Ashrem Bayle]

Psionic combat is no more. Gone.

The attack and defense modes have become powers.

 

[Voadam]

Psionic combat is no more. Gone.

The attack and defense modes have become powers.

Do they still do ability damage and affect undead as 3.5 powers?

 

[Spatula]

No, they all do different things now. And I think that all the old attack powers are now Telepathy [mind-affecting] powers now, so they would not work against undead (since undead are immune to mind-affecting effects).

 

[Nifft]

Note that all of these are Augmentable (A), so you can expend extra power points

Mind Thrust: 1d10 damage (A extra +1d10/1 pp), Will negates
Ego Whip: 1d4 Cha damage (A extra +1d4/4 pp), Will half
Psionic Blast: Stun 30 ft. cone for 1 round (A +1 round/2 pp), Will negates
Id Insinuation: Confuses one target (A +1 target/2 pp) for Concentration + 1 round, Will negates
Psychic Crush: Target makes Will save at +4. Failure puts target at -1 hp, success deals 3d6 damage (A extra damage, probably increased DC).

-- N

 

[Alzrius]

In the expanded psionics handbook how does it handle psionics and undead? in 3.0 psionic attack modes bypassed the general undead immunity to ability damge.

As most people have noted, there is no more psionic combat in 3.5E psionics. It's also worth noting that in 3.5E, undead can take ability damage (but not drain) to their mental ability scores (Int, Wis, and Cha).

That said, here's what is said about undead and psionics, on page 183 of the XPH:

Undead Psionic Creatures
A psionic undead creature, although rare, is a force to be reckoned with.
Because undead are immune to mind-affecting effects (includes charms and compulsions), they are particularly threatening to other psionic creatures and characters (especially telepaths). Psionic undead creatures can use mind-affecting powers on the living, even though they themselves are immune to such attacks. However, an undead creature may have the psionic subtype if it meets the criteria described above, and thus be vulnerable to non-mind-affecting powers or effects that specifically affect psionic creatures.
Intelligent constructs and plants with psionic powers or psi-like abilities also share this advantage.