Independant Psionic Research

[PaintByBlood]

I felt this could get much too involved for simple Q/A, so here we are:
Can a Psion of one discipline (e.g. Telepath) use independent research to learn a power off of a discipline list they are normally restricted from (e.g. the Egoist discipline list)?

By consensus, the answer is a resounding yes. I have seen no place talking about psionics that has not said or at least hinted at the (apparent) fact that you can use independent research in this manner. However, I have no rule in the SRD, no page number in a book, and no word from god to back this up - only the consensus. Personally, I agree with the consensus, but my DM does not, and probably will not unless there is a clear reason for the consensus in the rules.

Can someone please help me out here? I feel like I've got to be missing something, for the agreement among everyone else to be (or seem, I guess) so complete, but I don't know what it is. Thanks in advance.

[Psyren]

The relevant rules for Independent Research are here:


Independent Research

A psion also can research a power independently, duplicating an existing power or creating an entirely new one. If characters are allowed to develop new powers, use these guidelines to handle the situation.

Any kind of manifester can create a new power. The research involved requires access to a retreat conducive to uninterrupted meditation. Research involves an expenditure of 200 XP per week and takes one week per level of the power. At the end of that time, the character makes a Psicraft check (DC 10 + spell level). If that check succeeds, the character learns the new power if her research produced a viable power. If the check fails, the character must go through the research process again if she wants to keep trying.

Discipline powers are "existing" so you can duplicate them. And even if they couldn't be duplicated, you could just make a brand new power with the same text. For instance, if I researched "Polymorph Self, Psionic," I could peg it at Psion/Wilder 4 and thus not have to pick up Metamorphosis.

The problem here though is that independent research requires DM approval. Your DM has the right to say no even if you show him this rule.

Your best bet is a little give and take. For instance, if I research "Polymorph Self, Psionic" as a general power, I could compromise, deciding that it's harder for non-Egoists to change their shape. Thus, my researched power would be a higher level, say 5th or even 6th.

And if all else fails, there's still the Expanded Knowledge feat to cherry pick powers off another discipline's list instead of trying to research.

[Maginomicon]

or instance, if I researched "Polymorph Self, Psionic," I could peg it at Psion/Wilder 4 and thus not have to pick up Metamorphosis.Of note is that in Secrets of Sarlona it lists a chunk of spells that have been shorthand-converted to powers.

Alarm, Psionic
Animal Messenger, Psionic
Animate Rope, Psionic
Calm Animals, Psionic
Comprehend Languages, Psionic
Control Weather, Psionic
Detect Undead, Psionic
Discern Lies, Psionic (ignore, updated in Complete Psionic)
Endure Elements, Psionic (ignore, updated in Complete Psionic)
Erase, Psionic
Find Traps, Psionic
Floating Disk, Psionic
Force of Mind
Glibness, Psionic
Hardening, Psionic
Helping Hand, Psionic
Jump, Psionic
Make Whole, Psionic
Mind’s Eye
Pass Without Trace, Psionic
Prestidigitation, Psionic
Remove Fear, Psionic
Secret Page, Psionic
Secret Script
Secret Voice
Shrink Item, Psionic
Spirit Mark
Unseen Servant, Psionic
Zone of Silence, Psionic
Zone of Truth, Psionic (ignore, updated in Complete Psionic)

[PaintByBlood]

Yeah, that was the only line I knew of that would interpret in that direction, and he disagreed, partly arguing that "choosing a discipline also means that the psion cannot learn powers that are restricted to other disciplines. He can’t even use such powers by employing psionic items", along with only (Epic) Expanded Knowledge being mentioned anywhere relevant as something that served as an exception, argued against it.
I don't really agree that that trumps the interpretation of Independent Research, but I have to admit that, if that is really the only thing that is there to support that interpretation, I'm surprised there isn't more dissent regarding the whole issue.

[Maginomicon]

A psion is basically a psionic specialist wizard (whereas an erudite is basically a psionic generalist wizard). Any language that says that independent research for specialist wizards that says for or against a specialist researching a spell in another specialty would also allow or forbid what you're looking for by proxy.

[Psyren]

Yeah, that was the only line I knew of that would interpret in that direction, and he disagreed, partly arguing that "choosing a discipline also means that the psion cannot learn powers that are restricted to other disciplines. He can’t even use such powers by employing psionic items", along with only (Epic) Expanded Knowledge being mentioned anywhere relevant as something that served as an exception, argued against it.
I don't really agree that that trumps the interpretation of Independent Research, but I have to admit that, if that is really the only thing that is there to support that interpretation, I'm surprised there isn't more dissent regarding the whole issue.

1) Expanded Knowledge explicitly overrides that prohibition. It is more specific than the Psion entry and thus trumps.

2) Research again allows you to make a "non-discipline" version of a discipline power and bypass the restriction. The problem here being your DM has to sign off on it.

[PaintByBlood]

Yeah, I get that, I was just saying that my DM did not really agree on the second point. (The mention of Expanded Knowledge was because the Psion entry actually mentions it, so it is recognized as an exception in one place there.)

[Psyren]

If he disagrees on the second, try sweetening the pot - have your custom power be less efficient or less powerful than the original.

If that still doesn't work there's nothing you can do. Viability of research is entirely within his purview (though he should be working with you to give you an idea of what he would consider fair.)