High Psionics: Psicrystals Expanded (PE) is relatively small supplement that provides new rules and types of psicrystals for players and DM’s alike. With what is quickly becoming the standard for Dreamscarred Press, the production values are top notch. I was very pleased to find my download included both a full color and a black/white version, and that everything in the PDF’s was bookmarked for easy searching. The editing and layout are both well done and smooth. But now, we must venture into what we are all here for: Content! The supplement leads off with a section of Alternate Psicrystals. Overall: a valuable resource for psionic characters. However, a number of these can make the Improved Psicrystal feat quite unappealing in comparison. I will now explore each to give both a sort of preview and review. The Awakened Psicrystal essentially gives the psicrystal the ability to manifest a few (generally) low level powers to manifest a few times a day. The wording on the powers is potentially ambiguous; whether or not each power is usable twice a day, or twice a day the psicrystal can manifest one of the selected powers. Despite that, the Awakened Psicrystal is well done. It requires a feat later introduced in the book. Now, while the concept of the next psicrystal is both interesting and worthy of development, the “Implanted Psicrystal†alternative strikes an odd nerve with me. The psicrystal is quite fine for lower levels, but at high levels, I can see potential for abuse. The Implanted psicrystal essentially gives up mobility to give bonuses to its master. It’s an interesting trade for your average player, but it is not a stretch to see someone taking it at high levels for a number of significant bonuses, which could potentially tally up to 3-5 feats worth. I think it could use some more play-testing, as I do enjoy the concept- I would like to see the mechanics worked on. Note, this does not cost a feat, rather, 100xp and someone with several ranks in heal. The Cognizance psicrystal is definitely solid. It gives more use to the otherwise weak Craft Cognizance crystal feat. The Psycrysmal is also very good, similar in concept to the Combat Familiar’s introduced in Complete Warrior by Wizards of the Coast. One minor quip: the psycrysmal shares its power resistance with its owner. I believe it should be changed to the way alertness is set up (e.g.: if within 5 feet of the master) The psicrystal weapon is both quality and unique. It is easily a good option for any kind of psionic character. It would be interesting to see some kind of development for use with a soulknife, though. The feats section lists the feats required to use some of these alternates, as well as some more options for psicrystal weapons. Dreamscarred also introduces a new “Fleshcrafting†feat, which can be used to implant psicrystals and is hinted that it will be used in future supplements. PE is a great resource for the psionic minded, and it will definitely see use at my table. Very well done.

First off, I would like to note that the production quality in Untapped Potential (UP) is quite good for a 3rd party resource, especially in its first foray into the field. I was pleased to find the PDF version was all bookmarked appropriately. However, I would have liked to see the art inked, as the majority of it is penciled illustrations. At least in my copy, I saw some typesetting errors. Nothing is too obvious except for your average anal attentive reader (guilty!). Though one cannot help but cringe when seeing the “Skill points at first level†info taking up two lines. The book is setup in the familiar Players Handbook setup, which is worth noting, because some other companies fail to pick up on that. The Racial levels in UP are well thought out and flavorful, and nothing unbalancing from a mechanics standpoint. The Replacement levels are also a welcome addition. UP gives us 2 new base classes and a variant on the psion. The Devoted Psion is better than the specialist wizard, but still feels a little lacking until the 20th level capstone. The Marksman is the “Full-warrior†class that psionics has been lacking, even with the advent of the Complete Psionic by Wizards of the Coast. It has a number of interesting abilities, but would like to see options for sling users and/or firearms. The Society mind is generally the high-point and gem of the book. It gives psionics users the party-support class they’ve been starving for. Although power acquisition is a tad wonky, and the Planar Network range has potential for abuse, it is quite an attractive class that is well worth the addition into any game with psionics included. The feats are all worth adding to your game as well. The poison feats seem a bit out of place in a psionics supplement, though not unwelcome. The racial feats are flavorful and well thought out, and the mind blade feats were a necessity. The newly introduced Mantra Feats are well done, providing an interesting new way to utilize the Psionic Focus mechanic. The prestige classes all continue the same great psionic prestige class design, in that they are all well balanced (if not balanced, than actually underpowered). Nothing glares out at me as game breaking, and none of it is too specific to cause DM’s trouble integrating it into their games. (All too common in some supplements) UP provides us with a Psionic NPC class. The Organizations have good fluff, and again, aren’t too specific as to be unusable. The psionic powers are a worthy addition to any psionic character’s repertoire. I was glad to see some clarifications and fixes to troublesome powers in the past. The items are both familiar and fresh at the same time. Familiar in that they work well and fit the theme of existing psionic material, and fresh in the sense of a welcome variety. Some prices seem a tad off, but nothing obvious. The monster section is well done. Likely to keep players on their toes, and the CR are fitting. UP offers two “fixes†for existing base classes. The Soulknife variant gives the otherwise lacking class more of a niche. The multiple throw still needs to come earlier, however. The Wilder fix does alleviate some of the issues with enervation and wild-surge, as well as provides some more flavorful and useful abilities. In all, it is a great addition to any DM or player who enjoys psionics. It was worth every penny I bought it with, and save for a few minor things, it is the best psionic product to have come out since the Expanded Psionics Handbook!