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View Full Version : D&D 3.x Other Host feats and Kalashtar, some thoughts



Jeriah
2017-03-06, 11:43 PM
I've always liked the concept of the [Host] feats from Complete Psionic, but like most things from that book, they're pretty much junk. The mention in the fluff text that the entities from the [Host] feats often refers to themselves as "quori" and the special prerequisite exception for Kalashtar/Inspired got me to thinking. So... I've come up with a quick edit to hopefully make them a little bit more viable as an option.


Host FeatsThere exist numerous formless psionic entities that live only in the realms of the mind. Sometimes these beings seek to experience the physical world, but they can only do so by merging themselves with another creature, the two becoming one being for the lifetime of the host.

Host feats can be taken by any corporeal creature who chooses to act as the permanent host of a psionic entity. This entity merges with the host rather than merely possessing it, and it cannot be purged by any means as long as the host has at least one host feat, nor can it choose to leave on its own. A host may take as many host feats as he chooses.

Each time a host feat is taken, the psionic entity gains two additional psi-like abilities. The host can choose to activate any of the entity's psi-like abilities as a standard action and may do so a total number of times equal to the number of host feats he possesses. So, a character has two host feats, her entity typically has four psi-like abilities known, and the host can activate those abilities in any combination up to two times per day, either the same one twice or any two of them once each.

The manifester lever for all host psi-like abilities is equal to 1/2 your HD, and any save DC is 10 + 1/2 the number of host feats you possess + either your Cha, Int, or Wis modifier, chosen when you take your first host feat.

FeatPrerequisitesBenefits
Aggressive Mind—Your entity gains mind thrust and psionic daze.
Antagonist—Your entity gains energy ray and crystal shard.
Defensive Shell—Your entity gains force screen and empty mind.
Pacifist—Your entity gains deaden blow and entangling ectoplasm.
Telepathic Affinity—Your entity gains mindlink and detect psionics.

Host FocusAny other host featUse host abilities additional times/day
Shield of ThoughtAny other host feat, mind bladeGenerate shield of psychic energy
Soulblade WarriorAny other host feat, mind blade, free drawStronger mind blade
Spiritual ForceAny other host feat, mind bladeAdd Cha bonus to mind blade damage
Strength of TwoAny other host feat+1 bonus on Will saves, more when expending focus

AGGRESSIVE MIND [HOST, PSIONIC]
Benefit: The psionic entity you host gains access to the following psi-like abilities: mind thrust and psionic daze.

ANTAGONIST [HOST, PSIONIC]
Benefit: The psionic entity you host gains access to the following psi-like abilities: energy ray and crystal shard.

DEFENSIVE SHELL [HOST, PSIONIC]
Benefit: The psionic entity you host gains access to the following psi-like abilities: force screen and empty mind.

PACIFIST [HOST, PSIONIC]
Benefit: The psionic entity you host gains access to the following psi-like abilities: deaden blow and entangling ectoplasm.

TELEPATHIC AFFINITY [HOST, PSIONIC]
Benefit: The psionic entity you host gains access to the following psi-like abilities: mindlink and detect psionics.



HOST FOCUS [HOST, PSIONIC]
Prerequisite: Any other host feat.
Benefit: You gain one additional use of your entity's psi-like abilities per day. The save DC for all host psi-like abilities increases by +1.
Note, that host focus is a host feat, so this feat also counts towards your total number of host feats for all purposes.

SHIELD OF THOUGHT [HOST, PSIONIC]
Prerequisite: Any other host feat, ability to generate a mind blade.
Benefit: As a move action, you can create a shield of psychic energy similar to your mind blade. This shield is functionally identical to a masterwork light shield sized to your current form with hardness 10 and 10 hit points. Like your mind blade, it dissipates as soon as you release it, unless you intentionally throw it. You are always proficient with your shield of thought.
A shield of thought has the same enhancement bonus as your mind blade (+1 at 4th level, +2 at 8th level, etc.), and if you have access to the mind blade enhancement class feature, you can add any of the abilities on the table just as with your mind blade.
Additionally, your effective soulknife level for determining the bonus from your mind blade enhancement class feature is increased by 2.


Shield of Thought OptionsShield Special
AbilityEnhancement
Bonus Value
AnchoringMIC+1
Bashing+1
Blinding+1
Fortification, light+1
AxeblockMIC+2
HammerblockMIC+2
SpearblockMIC+2
Fortification, moderate+3
Vanishing+3
SOULBLADE WARRIOR [HOST, PSIONIC]
Prerequisite: Any other host feat, ability to generate a mind blade, free draw class feature
Benefit: You can manifest your mind blade as an immediate action when it is not your turn.
You may imbue your mind blade with a psychic strike as a swift action. Creatures that are mindless or immune to mind-affecting effects are no longer immune to your psychic strike, but they take only half the normal psychic strike damage.
Additionally, your effective soulknife level for determining the bonus from your mind blade enhancement class feature is increased by 2.
Special: If playing with action points, when you spend an action point to increase an attack roll with your mind blade, you may also add the result of the action point roll to damage with that attack.

SPIRITUAL FORCE [HOST, PSIONIC]
Prerequisite: Any other host feat, ability to generate a mind blade
Benefit: You can expend your psionic focus to add your Charisma bonus (minimum 1) to damage you deal with your mind blade. This bonus lasts for a number of rounds equal to the number of host feats you possess.
Additionally, your effective soulknife level for determining the bonus from your mind blade enhancement class feature is increased by 2.

STRENGTH OF TWO [HOST, PSIONIC]
Prerequisite: Any other host feat.
Benefit: As long as you have psionic focus, you receive a +1 insight bonus on Will saves.
As an immediate action, you can expend your psionic focus and spend 1 power point to gain an insight bonus on Will saves equal to the number of host feats you possesss. This bonus lasts until the end of your next turn.


KalashtarUsing this system, Kalashtar lose their "Psi-Like Abilities: Mindlink (1/day)" ability.
Kalashtar gain 1 Host feat of their choice as a bonus feat at first level, though most tend to choose Telepathic Affinity.