I've been playing a Fighter/Psion for the past few months and it is becoming increasingly clear to me that they underpowered the Psion class.
Compared to a Sorceror or Wizard of the same level (lets say 8th), the Psion is woefully inadequate.
8th Level Psion: 6 0 level, 4 1st level, 3 2nd level, 2 3rd level and
1 4th level "powers" known. Castable at will up to the 27 power point limit (3 4th level powers = 27 power points).
8th Level Wizard: Knows an infinite number of spells. Can cast 4 0 level, 4 1st level, 3 2nd level, 3 3rd level, and 2 4th level spells
per day.
8th Level Sorceror: Knows 8 0 Level, 5 1st Level, 3 2nd Level, 2 3rd Level, and 1 4th Level spells. Can cast 6 0 level, 6 1st Level, 6 2nd level, 5 3rd Level and 3 4th Level spells per day.
So what DO Psionics get to make up for this obvious lack of spell
power?
They get Psionic attacks and defenses.
These are powers designed to combat other Psionic characters and creatures. They do 1d2 Int, 1d4 Dex, 1d2 Str, 2d4 Wis and 1d4 Cha temporary damage. (Costing 1,3,3,5, and 9 power points per use). The last is a 60' cone.
Against non-psionics these abilities do stun damage instead (and the non-psionics get an average of +8 to their will saves -- good luck trying to stun a wizard.) Given this, the existence of these
abilities is actually a DETRIMENT to the burgeoning Psi. Not only are their powers useless against most everyone, but now they've exposed their brains to the cruel Psionic world. (gee thanks.)
I'm looking for some solutions. The first (and most
obvious) is allowing the Psionic attacks to do their temporary
ability drains (in addition to the stunning) to Non-Psionicists. They
should still get the +8 to the save.
I think more power points is probably also a good way to bring them back into balance. To cast the same number of spells as the same level Sorceror, the Psion would need 76 (!) Power Points. Quite a difference from the 27 they get.
Another possible way to bring this class in line with the others is
increasing the number of powers they get.
I think the best bet is a combination of all 3.
I hadn't even realized how huge the disparity was until writing the above. This really needs fixing.
What do other people think / what have you done to balance out this class?
Jaime
Compared to a Sorceror or Wizard of the same level (lets say 8th), the Psion is woefully inadequate.
8th Level Psion: 6 0 level, 4 1st level, 3 2nd level, 2 3rd level and
1 4th level "powers" known. Castable at will up to the 27 power point limit (3 4th level powers = 27 power points).
8th Level Wizard: Knows an infinite number of spells. Can cast 4 0 level, 4 1st level, 3 2nd level, 3 3rd level, and 2 4th level spells
per day.
8th Level Sorceror: Knows 8 0 Level, 5 1st Level, 3 2nd Level, 2 3rd Level, and 1 4th Level spells. Can cast 6 0 level, 6 1st Level, 6 2nd level, 5 3rd Level and 3 4th Level spells per day.
So what DO Psionics get to make up for this obvious lack of spell
power?
They get Psionic attacks and defenses.
These are powers designed to combat other Psionic characters and creatures. They do 1d2 Int, 1d4 Dex, 1d2 Str, 2d4 Wis and 1d4 Cha temporary damage. (Costing 1,3,3,5, and 9 power points per use). The last is a 60' cone.
Against non-psionics these abilities do stun damage instead (and the non-psionics get an average of +8 to their will saves -- good luck trying to stun a wizard.) Given this, the existence of these
abilities is actually a DETRIMENT to the burgeoning Psi. Not only are their powers useless against most everyone, but now they've exposed their brains to the cruel Psionic world. (gee thanks.)
I'm looking for some solutions. The first (and most
obvious) is allowing the Psionic attacks to do their temporary
ability drains (in addition to the stunning) to Non-Psionicists. They
should still get the +8 to the save.
I think more power points is probably also a good way to bring them back into balance. To cast the same number of spells as the same level Sorceror, the Psion would need 76 (!) Power Points. Quite a difference from the 27 they get.
Another possible way to bring this class in line with the others is
increasing the number of powers they get.
I think the best bet is a combination of all 3.
I hadn't even realized how huge the disparity was until writing the above. This really needs fixing.
What do other people think / what have you done to balance out this class?
Jaime