I've been pondering a very small bit of text in the description of the Magic Mantle in Complete Psionic. That text states,
"you always treat magic and psionics as identical," if your character possesses the granted ability of the Magic Mantle. As I've mulled this over, I've only grown more and more convinced that this could very well be one of the most powerful abilities in the entire game.
Here's my interpretation. This is a straightforward declarative sentence stating an absolute. The sentence has three key words: "you," "always," and "identical."
The word "you" is important because it means that only the possessor of the ability treats magic and psionics as identical. Any magic used by the possessor of this ability is not treated as psionics by others, nor is any psionics used by the possessor of this ability treated as magic by others, simply by virtue of the possessor's possession of this ability.
The word "always" is important because it sets the limits of this power's effect. For the possessor of this ability, it is forever in effect. It is never turned off. There is never a moment where the possessor does not treat magic as psionics or vice-versa.
The word "identical" is important because it denotes exactly how the possessor of this ability treats magic and psionics. In actuality, for the possessor of this ability, all magic is psionics, and all psionics is magic. They are not simply transparent; the two systems are one and the same.
If you're beginning to get a sense of just how powerful this ability can be interpreted to be then we are on the same page. If not then I will provide a few examples to illustrate.
- Because the possessor of this ability treats psionics and magic as identical, the possessor could apply metamagic feats to psionic powers. Metamagic feats don't require the expenditure of psionic foci. A character with this ability would have that limitation lifted.
- A character with the power "Dispel, Psionic" and this granted ability could become a powerful counterspeller.
- A character with this ability could research a spell as a power. E.g. a psion with this ability could research Gate as a 9th level power.
- An Ardent using the Substitute Powers ACF from Mind's Eye could add a spell to one of his mantles as a power. E.g., an Ardent with the Force Mantle could swap in the much more versatile Telekinesis spell as a 5th level power.
- Because all spells are treated as powers, arguably they would have no verbal, somantic, or material components. Likewise a power would be component-less spell with no display.
And that is but a few of the things I an think of.
Now, the part of me that likes powerful builds wants to believe that this is true, but the part of me that respects game balance thinks I'm reading too much into this ability. Therefore I ask you, dear readers of this thread, to talk me back from the brink. Are my above interpretations correct? Partly correct? Way off the mark? Please let me know.