Psionic Powers
A psionic power is a one-time psionic effect manifested by a psionic character or creature. Psionic powers require power points to use, although naturally psionic creatures can manifest their powers a certain number of times per day with no power point cost.
Each psionic power is tied to a specific ability, which is the key ability for that psionic power. A psionic character must have a key ability score equal to at least 10 + the power’s level to manifest a particular power.
Unlike arcane spellcasters, psionic characters don’t have spellbooks and they don’t prepare their powers ahead of time. A psionic character’s level limits the number of power points available for manifesting powers. A psionic character has a set number of powers available that he may manifest at will, provided he has sufficient power points to pay for the manifestation.
A power manifests when the psionic character pays its power point cost. The character pays the cost, and the power manifests immediately.
Psionic powers don’t require special gestures, words, or materials. They operate as thoughts made manifest. Most powers do have a noticeable display associated with their use, however.
Power Points
A power’s cost is determined by its level, as shown below. Every power’s cost is also noted in its description for easy reference.
| Power Level | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power point cost | 0/1* | 1 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 9 |
| *A psionic character can manifest any 0-level power he or she knows a number of times per day equal to 3 + his or her psionic level; additional manifestations cost 1 power point each. | ||||||
Key Ability
The first line beneath the power’s name provides the key ability associated with the power. A psionic character must have a score in this ability equal to at least 10 + the power’s level in order to manifest the power.
Descriptors
Descriptors are a way of classifying powers that have some common characteristic. Descriptors are often useful for knowing which creatures are or are not affected by a power. A power’s descriptors (if any) appear in brackets on the line containing the key ability. Descriptors for powers include compulsion, electricity, fire, language-dependent, and mind-affecting.
Level
The relative strength of a power is indicated by its level. A power’s level also indicates whether a particular psionic character is capable of using the power, based on the character’s class level and key ability score.
Display
When psionic powers manifest, secondary displays usually accompany the primary effect. The psionic display may be auditory (Au), material (Ma), mental (Me), olfactory (Ol), or visual (Vi). Each power describes the sort of display that accompanies it.
Manifestation Time
Manifesting a psionic power is either an attack action or a full-round action, depending on the power. See the power descriptions for details.
Range
Each psionic power has a range, as listed in the power description. A power’s range is the maximum distance from the psionic character that the power’s effect can occur. The range categories are the same as the ones used for spells.
Target, Effect, Area
These terms are defined and used the same as they are for spells.
Saving Throw
Most harmful powers allow an affected target a saving throw to avoid some or all of the effect. Each power lists which saving throw type applies. The DC for a saving throw to resist a power is 10 + the power’s level + the psionic character’s key ability modifier. The terms used to define the various types of saving throws and results are the same as for spells.
Power Resistance
Power resistance is a special defensive ability that protects against psionic powers. If a psionic character faces a creature with power resistance, he or she must make a level check (1d20 + psionic character’s class level) equal to or greater than the creature’s power resistance for the power to affect it.
Each power description includes an entry that indicates whether power resistance applies to the power (if so, Yes; if not, No). Other details are the same as for spell resistance.
Power Point Cost
All powers of a certain level have the same power point cost. The point cost to manifest a particular power is also provided in that power’s description.
Descriptive Text
A power’s descriptive text explains how the power works or what it does.
Power Failure
If a character tries to manifest a power in conditions where the characteristics of the spell (range, area, and so forth) cannot be made to conform, the effort fails and the power is wasted.
Powers also fail if the character’s concentration is broken (see the Concentration skill).
How to Read a Power Description
In most significant respects, manifesting a psionic power follows the same rules as casting a spell. The differences between a power description and a spell description are summarized in this section. See How to Read a Spell Description, for information that is the same for both psionic powers and spells.
Power Lists
This section begins with the power lists for psionic character classes.
Hit Dice: The term “Hit Dice” is used synonymously with “character levels” for effects that affect a number of Hit Dice of creatures. A creature with only Hit Dice from its species, not from any classes it may have, has a character level equal to its Hit Dice. A creature with class levels is considered to have Hit Dice equal to the total of its Hit Dice and its class levels.
Manifester Level: A power’s strength often depends on manifester level, which is the manifester’s level in the appropriate psionic character class. Creatures with no classes have a manifester level equal to their Hit Dice unless otherwise specified.
Creatures and Characters: “Creatures” and “characters” are used synonymously in the power descriptions.
List Format: Powers in the following lists are presented in order of power level (from lowest to highest) and alphabetized within each level group. A brief description of the power’s effect is provided. Also, each power’s key ability is identified in parentheses right after its name.