Contact
Telepathy [Mind-Affecting]
Level: Telepath 1
Display: Mental
Manifesting Time: 1 swift action
Range: Long (400 ft. + 40 ft.)
Target: One creature
Duration: 1 round
Saving Throw: Will negates
Power Resistance: Yes
Power Points: 1
You forge a mental conduit between you and one creature of 4 Hit Dices or less for other telepathy powers. A creature affected by this power is more susceptible to your power, you manifest right after you established the contact. Every telepathy power, you manifest during the contact's duration on that target, has its save DC increased by 2 and you recieve a +2 bonus to your manifester level checks to overcome the target's power resistance.
This power only has its affect, when the power, you manifest during the contact's duration, is from the telepathy discipline, and allows a saving throw or is target of power resistence.
Augment: For every 4 additional power points you spend, this power's bonus to save DC and manifester level check of the telepathy power that is manifested during this power's duration increases by 1.
In addition for every 2 additional power points you spend, this power's save DC increases by 1, and this power affects targets that have Hit Dice equal to 4 + the number of additional power points.
Example: A 17th level telepath (INT 20) begins his turn with manifesting contact on a creature with 20 HDs as a swift action. He spends 17 PPs on contact, thus the contact's save DC is 24 (10 + Int-mod. + power level + augment = 10 + 5 + 1 + 8). The target fails its save and the telepath has now established the contact. The telepath now manifests Psionic Blast on that creature. Usually this power's save DC would be 18 (10 + Int-mod. + power level = 10 + 5 + 3), but with the established contact, the save DC is now 24 (18 + augment = 18 + 6).
So, what do you think?
I too, liked the 2e power, have you thought about having a longer duration, say concentration (or variation), have the DC increase more costly and possibly have it detectable, which would allow a second save with possible defenses?
It's an interesting proposal. I like it.
Thanks.
I too, liked the 2e power, have you thought about having a longer duration, say concentration (or variation),...
Well, my first idea was to make it something like this:
1. manifesting time: 1 standard-action
Once contact was succesfully manifested on one creature, contact could be activated with a swift action. My problem with that, was that it had to many variables that wouldn't fit in the power's description format, or you'd allways have "; see text". I tried to make it as simple as possible with an acceptable effect. I also thought about making the duration Concentration, but the original contact had PP-costs to maintain the contact. I couldn't remember a power that had this, so I tried to keep it simple and instead of maintaing the concentration to the power (which would be IRRC a move action), I decided, it would be better to make it manifest every turn again, although it is much more expansive.
... have the DC increase more costly ...
What do you mean with "DC increase more costly"? Do you mean the save DC of the contact power itself or do you mean the increase for the mind-affecting power that is manifested during contact's duration (which I will call from now on "main power")?
If you mean the contact's save DC:
I choosed to make it not too expansive, because if the DC would be too low, it would almost get ineffective. Think about it, a creature usually has two saves (the save against contact and the save against the main power). If it succeeds the contact's save DC, contact has no effect. If it succeeds the main power's DC, this power, and therefor contact itself, has no effect. I choosed to increase contact's save DC not to costly, because contact itself doesn't harm the target directly.
If you mean the save DC of the main power:
I think the bonuses are ok with the PPs spend for contact. I guess some metapsionic feats, or psionic feats could do the same effect with less PPs spend. The good part of contact is that these bonuses stack. :D
... possibly have it detectable, which would allow a second save with possible defenses?
Well, I think Empty Mind allready covers the protection you could use, in addition, there are usually two saves, one against contact and one against the main power.
I hope this gave you some insight, why I choosed to make this power the way as I presented it. If you (or anyone else) still think the power could use some changes, I'm certainly willing to try to improve it.
Resistance is not spelled with a 'z' :D
I think the augment text needs to be written a bit more clearly- the end is a bit confusing IMO.
Just some feedback - Overall I like it so here you go
I like it but you should have it so that it ready Telepathic powers vs every mind-affecting power.
Resistance is not spelled with a 'z' :D
I think the augment text needs to be written a bit more clearly- the end is a bit confusing IMO.
Just some feedback - Overall I like it so here you go
Thanks.
All changed, but I'm not if "telepathy power", "telepathic power", "power from the telepathy discipline", or even something completly different from that is the correct wording.
Just my two bits.
Edit:What if instead of a +1 to save DCs contact decreased to power point costs of telepathic powers by 1?
I like the concept of this power. Especially since it delves back into a pretty unique 2e mechanic long forgotten. With that said, I feel the power is a bit on the weak side. Demoralize grants a -2 to saves, attack rolls, and skill checks to multiple opponents who fail a will save within a 30' radius of the manifester. This power targets one creature and grants a +1 to save DCs and manifester level checks to a specific power type. I think the manifester and DC bonus could stand to be increased to a +2.
I'll take that under consideration and check other powers and spells.
Edit:What if instead of a +1 to save DCs contact decreased to power point costs of telepathic powers by 1?
I don't know, if I want to that way. IMO contact needs an appropiate save DC, otherwise it'll get useless against creatures with high will saves.
I don't know, if I want to that way. IMO contact needs an appropiate save DC, otherwise it'll get useless against creatures with high will saves.
The augmentation could be to increase the save DC vs contact (i.e. For every 2 additional power points you spend, this power’s range increases by 5 feet and its save DC increases by 1.) Once it affects a creature the lowered costs of telepathic powers would allow for increased augementations or applied metapsionic feats (i.e. a mind thrust that does 2d10 for 1 power point).
As I said, this was just a suggestion. Its your power, so do what you like
The augmentation could be to increase the save DC vs contact (i.e. For every 2 additional power points you spend, this power’s range increases by 5 feet and its save DC increases by 1.) Once it affects a creature the lowered costs of telepathic powers would allow for increased augementations or applied metapsionic feats (i.e. a mind thrust that does 2d10 for 1 power point).
OK, I changed the starting bonus from +1 to +2, but I kept the augment's progression. I don't realy like reducing the cost for the main power. Seems too odd IMHO to spend more PPs on contact and than reduce the cost of the main power. Seems like reallocting the PP-cost from one power to another, but in the end everything stays the same, but you have more vigorous effects, and this seems very wrong to me.
OK, I changed the starting bonus from +1 to +2, but I kept the augment's progression. I don't realy like reducing the cost for the main power. Seems too odd IMHO to spend more PPs on contact and than reduce the cost of the main power. Seems like reallocting the PP-cost from one power to another, but in the end everything stays the same, but you have more vigorous effects, and this seems very wrong to me.
Understandable. I like what I see so far. I'd suggest posting this over on the psi board to get further input. They may have suggestion or concerns that were over looked here.
Duration: Concentration
Augment: DC, penetration, bonus to mind affecting dc's, and duration +1 per 4 power points. So if I used contact and spent 5 pts, I'd gain +1 to contact DC, and +2 to next telepath power's DC, and it'll last Concentration + 1 round.
For detectability I was thinking along the lines of scry but that was dropped for 3.5 so I don't think it'd work.
For wording, I'd use "applies to mind affecting psionics" or "Telepathic[mind-affecting] powers."
Understandable. I like what I see so far. I'd suggest posting this over on the psi board to get further input. They may have suggestion or concerns that were over looked here.
Thanks for that advise. I did as you suggested and there have allready been some comments. Here is the link. So far the power has slightly changed:
Contact
Telepathy [Mind-Affecting]
Level: Telepath 1
Display: Mental
Manifesting Time: 1 swift action
Range: Long (400 ft. + 40 ft.)
Target: One creature
Duration: 1 round; see text
Saving Throw: Will negates
Power Resistance: Yes
Power Points: 1
You forge a mental conduit between you and one creature of 4 Hit Dices or less for other telepathic powers. This power can only be manifested at the begining of your turn, before you take any other actions. After manifesting contact, you can manifest any power that fullfills all of the following criterias:
- must be of the telepathy discipline
- must have a manifesting time of 1 round or less
- must target one or more creatures
- must allow a saving throw or must be target of power resistance
A creature affected by this power is more susceptible to your power, you manifest right after you established the contact. The power, you manifest during the contact's duration on that target, has its save DC increased by 2 and you recieve a +2 bonus to your manifester level checks to overcome the target's power resistance.
If you choose not to manifest a power with the above criterias in this fashion after manifesting contact, contact has no effect.
If you manifest a power that target's more than one creature, the benefits of contact apply only to contact's target.
If you manifest a power with a duration longer than 1 round, the benefits of contact apply only to the first round.
Augment: For every 4 additional power points you spend, this power's bonus to save DC and manifester level check of the telepathy power that is manifested during this power's duration increases by 1.
In addition for every 2 additional power points you spend, this power's save DC increases by 1, and this power affects targets that have Hit Dice equal to 4 + the number of additional power points.
I'm now considering to change the duration to 1 round/level. But if I'll do that I'm going to chage the manifesting time to 1 standard action. Otherwise I fear that the power could be too powerfull.
My line of thought was something like this:
Duration: Concentration
Augment: DC, penetration, bonus to mind affecting dc's, and duration +1 per 4 power points. So if I used contact and spent 5 pts, I'd gain +1 to contact DC, and +2 to next telepath power's DC, and it'll last Concentration + 1 round.
This could be an options too, although, if I'm going to change the duration, I think 1 round/level would be better, because that way you could establish multiple contacts. I don't know, if you can concentrate on more than one power at the same time.
Maybe having it listed as a Telepath Discipline Power would be more appropriate as it enhances telepathic powers, and have it improve any Telepath power as long as it meets rules 2,3, and 4.
Looks good other than that.
Making it a standard action seems reasonable- if you want it quicker then they just need to take quicken power.
Limiting Contact to only the Telepathy Discipline seems very limited, as there are many Telepathic[mind-affecting] Psionics other than the ones on the Telepath Discipline list. By using the wording Telepathic power you limit it to psionics, and yet include Telepath[Mind-affecting] powers not on the Discipline list.
Maybe having it listed as a Telepath Discipline Power would be more appropriate as it enhances telepathic powers, and have it improve any Telepath power as long as it meets rules 2,3, and 4.
Looks good other than that.
It seems to me like he intends telepathic discipline to mean the more general sense, all powers that belong to the telepathy discipline, not just those that appear on the telepath's discipline list. Like Empathic Feedback, not on the telepath's list, but still a Telepathy [Mind Affecting] power
I think with the limited affect over just telepathy powers, the effects might be improved just a tad, since it can't be made lower than level 1
Contact
Telepathy [Mind-Affecting]
Level: Telepath 1
Display: Mental
Manifesting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Long (400 ft. + 40 ft.)
Target: One creature
Duration: 1 round/level (D)
Saving Throw: Will negates
Power Resistance: Yes
Power Points: 1
You forge a mental conduit between you and one creature of 4 Hit Dices or less for other telepathy powers. A creature affected by this power is more susceptible to your telepathy powers. Whenever you manifest a telepathy power that targets the contacted creature during the duration of contact, the power has its save DC increased by 2 and you recieve a +2 bonus to your manifester level checks to overcome the target's power resistance. If you manifest a telepathy power that targets more than one creature these effects apply only to the contacted creature.
Contact has no effect on powers other than telepathy powers, or telepthy powers that don't target one or more creatures.
If the telepathy power, you manifested during the duration of contact, allows a saving after the duration of contact ended, the bonus of contact doesn't apply to these saves.
The effects of multiple contact powers do not stack but overlap.
You can have contact with an amount of creatures up to your manifester level at same time, but you must manifest contact on each creature seperatly.
Augment: For every 6 additional power points you spend, this power's bonus to save DC and manifester level check of the telepathy power that is manifested during this power's duration increases by 1.
In addition for every 2 additional power points you spend, this power's save DC increases by 1, and this power affects targets that have Hit Dice equal to 4 + the number of additional power points.
Example: A 17th level telepath (INT 20) manifests contact on a creature with 20 HDs. He spends 16 PPs on contact, thus the contact's save DC is 24 (10 + Int-mod. + power level + augment = 10 + 5 + 1 + 8). The target fails its save and the telepath has now established the contact. The next round the telepath manifests Psionic Blast on that creature. Usually this power's save DC would be 18 (10 + Int-mod. + power level = 10 + 5 + 3), but with the established contact, the save DC is now 22 (18 + augment = 18 + 4).The following round the telepath has established contact to another creature (8 HD) by manifesting contact with 7 PP (contact's save DC = 19). The round after that the telepath manifests Crisis of Breath on a groupe of 4 humanoid creatures, two them being the creature he has established contact, by spending 17 PP. The save DC for the two creatures, the telepath don't have established contact with, the DC would be 24. The save DC for the 20 HD creature would be 28, and for the 8 HD creature 27 (24 + 3).
I'm considering to add this:
Once contact is established, the telepath has to pay 1 PP every round (maximum 1 round/level) to maintain it. The telepath can perform any other action while maintaining contact. The costs to maintain contact do not count against the maximum amount of PP for manifesting a power. The telepath can choose not pay the maintain costs for contact, but this would end the contact.
So what do you think?
As for adding the last bit- IMO you should stick with the general rule for spending power points and the 1 PSP should count toward the amount one can expend in a round.
One fix would the the italics issue going on in the text :D
Fixed.
As for adding the last bit- IMO you should stick with the general rule for spending power points and the 1 PSP should count toward the amount one can expend in a round.
When you manifest a swift/immediate power and another power, you allready can spend more PP than your manifester level in one round. Besides that, if the maintain cost would count against the amount of PP one can spend on a power, contact would become useless at first manifester level (IMHO contact is allready weaker than other powers on 1st manifester level), because you wouldn't be able to manifest any power the round after manifesting contact.