Psionics: Love 'em or... Not

Heya.

This is my first poll here, and it's a question of some weight for me, since I've spent the better part of two months coming up with my own psionics system. What do you think of the WoTC d20 Psionics system? I'm speaking in reference to material released for both D&D 3.5 and d20 Modern.

I don't like the systems for a variety of reasons, but the main thing is this: In WoTC's system, Psionics seems to me to be nothing more than a nerfed magic system. Multiple required stats (which is okay), weaker effects (which isn't), and the ability (using the rules default) to dispell the effects with magic makes Psionics overall a weaker choise than magic.

What's worse is that it works out to being a spell-point system for this weaker magic - not so much that spell systems are bad, mind you. The problem is that the overall impression I got was that if I converted the Sorcerer to a spell point system, I could then call him a Psion, and he's be better than the Psion in the Psionics Handbook, without much (if any) loss of flavor.

In any case, what do you think? If you're with me on this one, what would you do to make Psionics unique and flavorful, and, more to the point, different from magic?

(sorry for the long post - I'm new here, but anyone who recognizes me from the WoTC or COmmunity 3e forums will tell you that I'm really long-winded... )

EDIT: *sigh* No matter how often, or for how long, I preview my post, there always seem to be errors when I actually post it. Blech.

Grumpy Guy said:

I'm speaking in reference to material released for both D&D 3.5 and d20 Modern.

I don't like the systems for a variety of reasons, but the main thing is this: In WoTC's system, Psionics seems to me to be nothing more than a nerfed magic system. Multiple required stats (which is okay), weaker effects (which isn't), and the ability (using the rules default) to dispell the effects with magic makes Psionics overall a weaker choise than magic.

Click to expand...

In the Expanded Psionics Handbook, multiple ability dependancy is gone. Psions use Int, wilders use Cha, and PsiWars use Wis. Magic can, by default, dispel psionics, but the reverse is true as well -- this doesn't make one better or worse than the other.

Again, unlike in the PsiH, the XPH gives enough power points that a sorcerer would almost surely be outclassed -- that's the potential problem I see, rather than sorcerers being more powerful than psions. At level 20, a psion (or wilder) has 343 power points -- enough to manifest 20 9th level powers, or the appropriate combination of lower-level powers.

While I have a number of problems with the psionics system (that is, it's very hard to fit into my world), I just haven't seen the same problems you have.

I was going to comment, but my natural long-windedness kicked in, and I decided to leave things alone. I'm going to watch this poll for a while, and then I think I'll start a new non-poll thread on the subject...

I voted "I love Psionics". If you had asked me before I'd bought the 3.5 Expanded Psionics Handbook, I assure you my answer would have been different. I bought the previous 3.0 Psionics Handbook, and had many of the same complaints you did. It sat on my shelf and was never used. Now, Psions are probably one of the most powerful classes available... perhaps even a bit too powerful! But I rolled up a Psion and will be playing him in the Scarred Lands game I've joined, so we'll see. Suffice to say, pretty much every one of your complaints about 3.0 no longer apply.

I think you need to clarify that the poll is referring to 3.0 Psionics, and not the 3.5 XPH. I always answer polls before I read too much of the thread (so I don't get too biased by the comments) and with the recent release of the XPH I just assumed that's what you were asking about.

I answered "needs a little tweaking", but I was referring to the 3.5 XPH. The 3.0 PsiHB needed quite a bit more than "a little" restructuring, IMO.

Thanks.

DrSpunj

I voted the second. I don't hate the psionics system, but I believe it's too unbalanced compared with the core rules.

My detailed opinion can be found elsewhere.

Bye
Thanee