Two related questions have come up in the process of character approval:
(1) The statblock given for a psicrystal (
Psicrystal :: d20srd.org) has Alertness as a feat. Can a player substitute a different feat?
(2) As psicrystals gain hit dice, do they gain additional feats?
Arguments for yes and yes:
* The feat is not identified as a bonus feat in the statblock. That suggests it is a standard first-level (first-hit-die) feat. Such choices are considered typical but not mandatory.
* "A monster's total Hit Dice...govern its acquisition of feats and ability score increases." (
Improving Monsters :: d20srd.org)
Arguments for no and no:
* The psicrystal rules say "Use the statistics for a psicrystal, but make the following changes." (
Psion :: d20srd.org). No change to feats is listed.
* Familiars do not gain feats as they advance, and psicrystals are analogous to familiars.
Does anybody have any further insight into these questions? Know of an authoritative or semi-authoritative ruling?