http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/The_Traveler the perfect Nomad Psion.
I suppose that depends on what you mean by "mapping". To some extent, the comparison between psi powers and spells is going to be inevitable: characters expend limited resources to create discrete effects, and the number and strength of these effects grows with level. It may also be useful, on not-reinventing-the-wheel grounds, to say things like "when you use this power, you cast confusion" or whatever.Or just, y'know, not map 'em to spells, at all.
Like don't have a 3rd level Discipline, Pyrokinetic Sphere, that does 8d6 fire damage to everything in a 20' radius.I suppose that depends on what you mean by "mapping".
Oh, the 're-inventing' argument is obvious and even compelling, it just doubles as an argument not to have psionics, at all. So, IDK, have them work nothing like spells. Instead of discrete effects, construct effects up from disciplines, like supernatural Legos, using power points to fuel each block. Or simply don't have "high level" disciplines, don't level-gate them, just learn more as you go, and pouring more power points into them brings them up to level-appropriate effectiveness.To some extent, the comparison between psi powers and spells is going to be inevitable: characters expend limited resources to create discrete effects, and the number and strength of these effects grows with level. It may also be useful, on not-reinventing-the-wheel grounds, to say things like "when you use this power, you cast confusion" or whatever.
Late to the party, but I would like to weigh in a little bit on EK/AT template vs a new class for the Psychic Warrior. At first blush, I was totally on board with using this model (separate psionics system or not asside); it is the ideal place to start. What is a Psychic Warrior but a fighter with a psychic abilities added on top? That is fine as far as it goes, but then I looked back and remembered that, in my experience, the EK & AT don't really cut it as a gish mix in class. This is no doubt partially because they are purely an add on of one class's abilities (restricted somewhat of course) onto another, and it does not always mesh that well.
For instance, the EK is somewhat restricted to evocation & abjuration spells, but of those, evocation does not really suite a 1/3 caster class that well. You can sometimes find yourself bringing a knife to a gun fight, so to speak. The delayed spell acquisition here is really telling. No doubt my opinion would be higher if we did not have the Paladin and the Ranger as a pseudo-gish class comparison. They are 1/2 casters instead of 1/3 casters, and, have their own unique spell lists (with some overlap of course) to give them their own flavor. They lack cantrips, which can further distinguish them from full casters and 1/3 casters, yet, as their own class, they have the chassis to hang unique and flavorful abilities on (smite, lay on hands, auras, etc) that really give them a more distinguished feel and play. I find myself kind of leaning toward a more paladin/ranger interpretation.