Have I been Playing Wilders Wrong? Vs. AC or No?

[RogueJD]

Hey all, this may sound like a stupid question; I think I'm just brain-farting on this...

Psionic Wilder (3.5) - or any Psionic manifesting a ranged attack: Do I have to beat the target's AC?

Admittedly, I've only played a Psion for about 3 levels now, but I've been rolling for a ranged attack vs. the creature's touch AC in the past.
(10+[Manifester Level] + [DEX Mod]) vs. touch AC. (Maybe I was rolling [Power Level] Instead of [Manifester Level] - I forget.

Then, the creature still gets a Will Save (that more often than not, will negate damage)
(10 + [Key Ability Mod] + [Power Level])

Am I doing this wrong? Upon reading, I see nothing that says I need to roll a ranged attack vs any sort of AC. It's an automatic "Hit" as a psion is (potentially) targeting the mind of the creature.

Is this true for Pathfinder, as well? Have I been playing my Psions wrong?

[Fax Celestis]

It's like spells. You only roll a to hit if the power specifically states it does (ie: the effect line says "Ray" or "ranged touch").

[RogueJD]

It's like spells. You only roll a to hit if the power specifically states it does (ie: the effect line says "Ray" or "ranged touch").

Thanks! Wow - I can't believe I was making it harder on myself through 2 separate campaigns!

[Novawurmson]

Just to expand on this a little, it all depends on the power. You mentioned Pathfinder, so I'm going to assume DSP Psionics, but these rules should apply to 3.5 as well.

Some powers, like Energy Ray (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/psionics-unleashed/psionic-powers/e/energy-ray), require a ranged touch attack. As Fax mentioned, it has "Effect: Ray," plus the text says "if you succeed on a ranged touch attack with the ray." It also has "Saving Throw: None," so no saving throw is allowed against it.

Powers like Mind Thrust (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/psionics-unleashed/psionic-powers/m/mind-thrust), on the other hand, don't require an attack roll, but they do allow a save (Saving Throw: Will negates).

A few powers, like Disintegration (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/psionics-unleashed/psionic-powers/d/disintegration), require an attack roll and allow a saving throw.

TL;DR: It all depends on the power. Read the power description carefully, and you'll be fine!