[RPG] How to an epic spell-to-power erudite manifest 9th-level spells

dnd-3.5eoptimizationpsionics

Is there a way that an erudite (Complete Psionic 153-6) with the expanded class option convert spell to power (The Mind's Eye Web column "Expanded Classes, Part Four: Ardent, Divine Mind, Lurk, and Erudite") can manifest as a power a 9th-level or higher spell?

Such an erudite, according to the article, "treat[s] the spell as a discipline power for the basis of learning it," but the typical erudite "can learn a discipline-only power only if it is up to 1 level lower than the highest level power he can manifest" (CP 154). So even if "each time [an erudite] achieves a new level, he unlocks the knowledge of two new powers of any level or levels that he can manifest (according to his new level) from the psion/wilder power list" (CP 154), he can still only convert to powers spells of 8th-level or less.

Is there a psionic version of the epic feat Improved Spell Capacity? (The epic feat Improved Manifestation does not actually let an erudite manifest 10th-level powers.) Can such an erudite take the feat Epic Expanded Knowledge and select a spell that's converted to a power?

How can this be done?

Best Answer

An epic erudite takes the feat Epic Manifestation

Originally presented in the Epic Level Handbook under the Variant: Epic Psionic Seeds (102), the feat Epic Manifestation doesn't appear on the SRD's list of epic feats, instead appearing only in the text describing Epic Psionic Powers (making it a contender in the Most Obscure Feat competition), but the feat Epic Manifestation functions for a psion like the feat Epic Spellcasting functions for a caster.

The feat Epic Manifestation allows an epic erudite to convert 9th-level spells into powers because Epic Psionic Powers says

Generally, all the epic spell rules work for epic powers as well, except as noted below for displays.

and Epic Spell Levels says

Epic spells have no fixed level. However, for purposes of Concentration checks, spell resistance, and other possible situations where spell level is important, epic spells are all treated as if they were 10th-level spells.

Emphasis mine. An argument can be made that this is a case wherein spell level is important.

Note that, while this method is less shady than many alternatives (e.g. here, here, here), this method still needs the DM's approval, and I suspect some conservative DMs would tell the epic erudite to content himself with 9th-level psionic powers and 8th-level spells.

Related Topic