This month we have 13 new psionic energy-based powers that will help power-up your psionic character's repertoire. As if that weren't enough, we have an advanced version of negate psionics and a new feat to help with all those new energy-based powers.

Psion Powers 2nd-Level Psion Powers Improved Firefall. Fiery sparks deal 3d4 points of fire damage in a 15-foot radius. Lesser Energy Spheres. You create five energy spheres that you can use for defense or offense. 3rd-Level Psion Powers Exploding Stone. You cause a stone to shatter, which does damage to nearby creatures. 4th-Level Psion Powers Energy Spheres.You create five energy spheres that you can use for defense or offense. Pulverize.You create a sonic disruption that deals damage to creatures and nearby structures. 5th-Level Psion Powers Intense Whitefire.You deal 7d4 points of fire damage in a 40-foot radius. Psionic Energy Mantle. A mantle of energy damages those who attack you. Unstable Wall of Ectoplasm.You create a protective barrier that radiates damaging energy.

6th-Level Psion Powers Greater Negate Psionics. You cancel psionic powers and effects. Improved Energy Spheres. You create five energy spheres that you can use for defense or offense. 7th-Level Psion Powers Energized Claw.You create a 10-foot claw that attacks foes as directed. The claw radiates harmful energy. Raging Whitefire. You deal 11d4 points of fire damage in a 60-foot radius. 8th-Level Psion Powers Greater Energy Spheres. You create five energy spheres that you can use for defense or offense. 9th-Level Psion Powers Freezing Torrent. You create a wave of ice, snow, and slush that does 20d4 points of cold damage and moves targets. Psychic Warrior Powers 5th-Level Psychic Warrior Powers Psionic Energy Field.You create a mantle of energy that damages those who attack you.

About Power Chains Power chains are a series of similar powers, such as the astral construct series (astral construct I to astral construct IX). Some feats, such as Upgrade Power and Chain Link, recognize the concept of power chains and give you benefits within power chains.

Energy Sphere Power Chain Level Power 0 1 2 Lesser energy spheres 3 4 Energy spheres 5 6 Improved energy spheres 7 8 Greater energy spheres 9

Negate Psionics Power Chain Level Power 0 1 2 3 Negate psionics 4 5 6 Greater negate psionics 7 8 9

Firefall Power Chain Level Power 0 1 Firefall 2 Improved firefall 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Whitefire Power Chain Level Power 0 1 2 3 Whitefire 4 5 Intense whitefire 6 7 Raging whitefire 8 9

Energized Claw
Metacreativity (Int) [Acid, Cold, Electricity, Fire, Sonic]
Level: Psion 7
Display: Vi
Manifestation Time: 1 action
Range: Medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./levels)
Effect: 10-ft. claw
Duration: 1 round/level (D)
Saving Throw: None
Power Resistance: Yes
Power Points: 13

Energized claw draws forth raw ectoplasm in the form of a three-pronged claw that you can use to grapple opponents. The claw is infused with your choice of one of the five energy types (acid, cold, electricity, fire, or sonic). The claw can attempt to grapple once per round (including the round it is manifested). Its attack bonus equals your level + your key ability modifier, +7 for the claw's Strength (which is 24). Its grapple check is this same figure. When the claw succeeds at a grapple, it inflicts 1d3+7 points of damage. You can direct it to damage or pin its target on your turn as a free action. On any round that the claw is grappling a target, it deals 1d6+1 points of energy damage of the chosen type in addition to any other damage it causes.

Directing the claw to change targets is a standard action. It always attacks from your direction and does not get a flanking bonus or help a combatant get one. When manifested, the claw has as many hit points as you do at that time, excluding any temporary hit points. The claw uses your saving throws, and it has an Armor Class of 20 (+10 natural). It cannot enter the area of a null psionics field and is immune to spells or powers except those that deal damage. It is immune to damage from the chosen energy type and takes double damage as follows. Sonic claws do not do any sonic damage in areas that are affected by silence.

Energy Spheres
Metacreativity (Int) [Acid, Cold, Electricity, Fire, Sonic]
Level: Psion 4
Display: Vi
Manifestation Time: 1 action
Range: Close (25 ft. +5 ft./2 levels)
Effect: Creates five colored spheres
Duration: 1 round/level
Saving Throw: Reflex half (see text)
Power Resistance: Yes
Power Points: 7

You create a circle of five colored spheres that orbit your head at a distance of 1 foot. These spheres provide the same amount of light as a torch and can be used offensively or defensively. You can select from any of the five types of energy for each sphere (acid, cold, electricity, fire, sonic) when manifesting this power. (For example, you can choose to have three spheres of cold and two spheres of electricity energy if you desire.)

On your turn you can direct one or more spheres, as a move action, to strike a creature or creatures in range -- no two of which can be more then 30 feet apart. Each sphere inflicts 2d4 points of energy damage to a single creature. The target can make a Reflex save for half damage against each sphere. Once a sphere strikes a target it is destroyed.

If you are attacked with an effect that causes energy damage, and a sphere of that type is still present, you can have the sphere absorb some of that energy damage, which destroys the sphere. The sphere can absorb up to 8 points of damage. More than one sphere can be directed against the energy attack in a single round, and each sphere that absorbs damage is destroyed. The spheres move to the attack and thus absorb damage before other forms of energy protection.

If this power is manifested again while spheres from an earlier manifestation still exist, the power simply replaces destroyed spheres. In other words, you receive a maximum of five spheres at a time regardless of how many times you manifest the power.

Exploding Stone
Psychokinesis (Con) [Sonic]
Level: Psion 3
Display: Vi
Manifestation Time: 1 action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./level)
Area: One stone object or creature
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Will negates (object) or Reflex half (see text)
Power Resistance: Yes
Power Points: 5

You cause a harmonic vibration in a stone object or creature, causing it to shatter. The target object cannot weigh more than 20 pounds. Anyone within 5 feet of an exploding object suffers 10 points of damage. No saving throw applies to this effect. Targeted against a stone creature (of any weight), exploding stone deals 5d4 points of damage, with a Reflex save for half damage.

Freezing Torrent
Metacreativity (Con) [Cold]
Level: Psion 9
Display: Vi
Manifestation Time: 1 action
Range: Long (400 ft. + 40 ft./level)
Area: Twenty 10-ft. cubes.
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Reflex partial (see text)
Power Resistance: Yes
Power Points: 17

You draw forth freezing ectoplasm from the Astral Plane that takes the form of a sweeping wave of ice, snow, and slush that washes away everything in its path. Everything in the initial area of the power takes 20d4 points of cold damage. Creatures on foot and objects in the initial area must make Reflex saves or be carried along by the wave for 100 feet. The forced movement does not harm the targets except to leave them prone and does not draw an attack of opportunity.

Dead-end corridors and similar obstacles prevent the torrent from moving creatures any farther. The torrent counts as a water attack for the purpose of extinguishing normal fires.

Greater Energy Spheres
Level: Psion 8
Power Points: 15

As energy spheres except each sphere inflicts 4d4 points of energy damage to a single creature. Also, each sphere can absorb up to 16 points of damage.

Greater Negate Psionics
Psychokinesis (Con)
Level: Psion 6
Target or Area:One psionic character or creature, or one object; or 60-ft.-radius burst
Power Points: 11

As negate psionics, except that the maximum bonus on the negation check is +20 instead of +10. Also, the area negation has its radius increased to 60 feet.

Improved Energy Spheres
Level: Psion 6
Power Points: 11

As energy spheres except each sphere inflicts 3d4 points of energy damage to a single creature. Also, each sphere can absorb up to 12 points of damage.

Improved Firefall
Metacreativity (Int) [Fire]
Level: Psion 2
Range: Close (25 ft. +5 ft./2 levels)
Area: 15-ft. radius burst.
Power Points: 3

As firefall except the damage done is 3d4 points of fire damage and the range and area of effect is increased.

Intense Whitefire
Metacreativity (Int) [Fire]
Level: Psion 5
Area: 40-ft.-radius spread.
Power Points: 9

As whitefire except the damage done is 7d4 points of fire damage and the radius is increased. The flame is more intense than standard whitefire, causing the save DC for this power to be 2 higher than normal.

Lesser Energy Spheres
Level: Psion 2
Power Points: 3

As energy spheres except each sphere inflicts 1d4 points of energy damage to a single creature. Also, each sphere can absorb up to 4 points of damage.

Psionic Energy Mantle
Metacreativity (Int) [Acid, Cold, Electricity, Fire, Sonic]
Level: Psion 5/Psychic Warrior 5
Display: Vi
Manifestation Time: 1 action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: 1 round/level (D)
Saving Throw: Reflex half (see text)
Power Points: 9

You encase yourself in a thin field of psionic energy that does not harm you or your equipment. Creatures that strike you with unarmed or natural attacks suffer 1d6 points of energy damage +2 points per manifester level. You choose the type of energy damage (acid, cold, electric, fire, or sonic) when you manifest the power.

Creatures that strike you with a standard melee weapon suffer 1d6+1 points of energy damage. They may, however, make a Reflex save for half damage. Weapons with exceptional reach, such as long spears, do not endanger their users in this way. The psionic energy mantle does not protect you against other attack forms such as fire.

Any creature you are grappling, is grappling you, or you are riding automatically takes 1d6+1 points of energy damage every round. The mount tries to remove the source of pain, requiring a Ride check (DC 30) each round to remain mounted.

Any melee touch attacks you make do an additional 1d6+1 points of energy damage. A creature that swallows you does not take damage from this power if acid is your selected energy type and its stomach inflicts acid damage.

Pulverize
Psychokinesis (Con) [Sonic]
Level: Psion 4
Display: Vi
Manifestation Time: 1 action
Range: Medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)
Area: 15-ft.-radius spread
Duration: Instantaneous
Saving Throw: Fortitude half
Power Resistance: Yes
Power Points: 7

You create a loud, thrumming vibration that builds to a painful crescendo before fading. Creatures and objects in the area take 4d4 points of sonic damage, and they can make a Fortitude save for half damage. If the floor, walls, or ceiling of the area has a hardness of 8 or less , it is pulverized up to 6 inches, resulting in an area of soft dust, wood fragments, or loose crushed ice, as appropriate. Any creature moving across this surface is hampered as though moving on a bad surface (see Table 9-4: Hampered Movement in Chapter 9 of the Player's Handbook).

The dust and debris of a falling ceiling causes a cloud of dust that dissipates in 5 minutes. The cloud obscures all sight, including darkvision, beyond 5 feet. A creature 5 feet away has one-half concealment (attacks have a 20% miss chance). Creatures farther away have total concealment (50% miss chance). A moderate wind (11 mph+), such as from a gust of wind spell, disperses the dust in 4 rounds. A strong wind (21+ mph) disperses the cloud in 1 round.

Using the power on a surface under water creates a cloud that lasts for 10 minutes. If used under water, spells or powers that clean water, such as the purify food and water spell, can be used to disperse the cloud. The cloud's duration is decreased by 1 round for every cubic foot of water affected. For example purify food and water cast by a 13th-level caster would have its duration decreased by 13 rounds.

Raging Whitefire
Metacreativity (Int) [Fire]
Level: Psion 7
Area: 60-ft.-radius spread.
Power Points: 13

As whitefire except the damage done is 11d4 points of fire damage and the radius is increased. The raging flames are more intense than standard whitefire causing the save DC for this power to be 4 higher than normal.

Unstable Wall of Ectoplasm
Metacreativity (Int) [Acid, Cold, Electricity, Fire, Sonic]
Level: Psion 5
Display: Vi
Manifestation Time: 1 action
Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./ 2 levels)
Effect: Wall whose area is up to one 10-ft. cube/level or a sphere or hemisphere with a radius of up to 1 ft./level.
Duration: 1 minute/level (D)
Saving Throw: None
Power Resistance: No
Power Points: 9

As wall of ectoplasm except the ectoplasm is unstable and one side of the wall, selected by you, radiates with one of the five types of energy (acid, cold, electric, fire, sonic). Creatures that come within 10 feet of the energized side of the wall take 2d4 points of energy damage; creatures within 20 feet (but beyond 10 feet) take 1d4 points of damage. The wall deals this damage when it appears and each round that creature enters or remains in the area. In addition, the wall deals 2d6+10 points of energy damage to any creature coming in contact with the wall itself.

Creatures can force their way through the unstable wall. To make any progress, a creature must succeed at a Strength check (DC 25). A successful creature comes out from the other side of the wall directly opposite of where they entered it on their action the next round. Moving this way is a full-round action. Failure results in the creature remaining in the same location and on the side of the wall they started on.

You also can form the wall into a sphere or hemisphere with a radius of up to 1 foot per level.

New Feat

Psionic Energy Infusion [Psionic]

You increase your metapsionic cap and can spend more power points manifesting powers with one of the five energy types (acid, cold, electric, fire, sonic) than would normally be possible.

Prerequisite: Manifester level 6th+.

Benefit: Your metapsionic cap is increased to a number of power points equal to your manifester level + 2 for purposes of manifesting powers with the energy type (acid, cold, electric, fire, sonic). For example, a 13th-level psion with a metapsionic cap of 12 would have that cap raised to 15 for purposes of manifesting these powers.

Special: You can take this feat up to 3 times. Each time you take this feat beyond the first, you can add 2 power points to the metapsionic cap for purposes of manifesting these powers. Your new cap cannot exceed double your base metapsionic cap. For example, a 13th-level psion who has taken this feat 3 times can spend her normal 12 power points plus an additional 7 power points for a total of 19 power points. This would allow her to manifest breath of the dragon, with the metapsionic feat Maximize Power applied to it (11 + 6 = 17 power points) that she could not normally have manifested with the standard metapsionic cap of manifester level - 1 (13 - 1 = 12 power points).

About the Author

Mark A. Jindra has been a fan of Dungeons & Dragons for the past 25 years and has organized RPGA Network events for many conventions and game days, including Origins and Winter Fantasy. In 1998 he landed his dream job as a web developer for Wizards of the Coast and is currently the developer of the D&D website. Mark has authored or coauthored various tournaments for the RPGA Network, and he also coauthors the monthly Mind's Eye feature on the Wizards of the Coast website.

Inspiration and testing provided by members of the Wizards of the Coast online community.