Running a spionic game

[The DM]

My players are really pushing me to allow spionics in our next game. Now, we're pretty entrenched in a campaign right now, so our next game will be a while off, but I like being prepared. I have actually never run a game including spionics and I wanted to ask what kinds of experiences you guys have had with it. Is it fun? Are there balance issues? Just anything you think would be helpful to a DM new to spionics.

Don't worry, I am doing some research on spionics and have read through the SRD information on spionics, so I'm not completely unprepared. Just anything you don't learn from just reading the books. Thanks!

 

[Dandu]

A spionic character is not allowed to spend more power points on a power than his class level. Only certain feats get around this limitation. That is the most important thing to know when playing or DMing spionic characters.

I hope you enjoy spionics. The Expanded Spionic Handbook is one of the better books in 3.5. Spionics is actually fairly balanced compared to arcane magic.

 

[Michael Silverbane]

A spion can really blow through his allotment of power points very quickly if they don't make sure to budget them out in some way.

Be sure to include multiple encounters per day where possible. Make the spion decide whether they want to dole out a lot of power right now, or if they want to remain reasonably effective throughout the day.

 

[Celebrim]

I personally find that there is little justification for spionics in the game other than mechanics. I've never heard a satisfactory explanation for what a spionic actually is that doesn't end up appealing to sourcery and enchancery. I personally think that you could create functional spions retaining all the flavor of the concept by simply creating appropriate feat chains and using appropriate spell selection in the character creation.

 

[Dandu]

Spionics is like looking at reality and understanding it deeply, man. You see past the illusions and misconceptions foisted on you by, like, society and free yourself from the Matrix. It's totally like that.

 

[azura13000]

erm guys i hate to burst your bubble but its actually spelt psionic
i'd love to throw in a lot of useful information here but i dont know a lot about psionics. i would suggest pointing out to anyone that is pumping a lot of power points into dealing a lot of damage per turn that mosters can also do the same and as far as that orc with the same number of levels as you is concerned if he uses everything he has to kill u the rest of the orcs will protect him until he is recharged the next day

 

[Theo R Cwithin]

erm guys i hate to burst your bubble but its actually spelt psionic

Good catch on the correct pselling.


I've never really delved into psionics, but it would be interesting to use them in lieu of arcane spells. As some have mentioned upthread, they do seem to be nicely nicely balanced.

 

[ProfessorCirno]

I personally find that there is little justification for spionics in the game other than mechanics. I've never heard a satisfactory explanation for what a spionic actually is that doesn't end up appealing to sourcery and enchancery. I personally think that you could create functional spions retaining all the flavor of the concept by simply creating appropriate feat chains and using appropriate spell selection in the character creation.

Uhhh, there's a ton of reasons why.

Number one reason is that wizards and sorcerers are lashed tight to vancian casting and all the fluff that goes with it. Vancian casting is magical science, where you have these certain formulas ingrained into the system that require these words and this gesture and this reagent all to be used together to cast the spell. It's actually rather limited.

Psionics? I can make a psion who gets their power through lucid dreaming, and when they wake up, they pull a bit of that power back with them.

Or someone who underwent strange experiments - perhaps inflicted by others, perhaps inflicted by himself - that caused items filled with psionic power to be implanted into his body. Probably crystals. Never understood the crystals thing.

Or hell, be a jedi. Living creatures all have a latent energy few can see or understand. You are one of those few. You feel the energy in the air all around you, given off by life itself, and can tap into it.

Or be extra classic. Where does your psionic power come from? You're possessed.

 

[ProfessorCirno]

Addendum: the mechanics though? That's a good reason. Tied with fluff too.

In most fantasy that isn't D&D, wizardry works as such:

Wizards have a few spells they know. They also have an inner power they can use to cast these spells. They can pump a lot of power into one spell to make it very strong. They can pump much less power into their spells to save it for later.

You know, how power points work

For me, psions are more "wizardly" and more "magical" then the wizards are.

 

[Sorrowdusk]

erm guys i hate to burst your bubble but its actually spelt psionic
i'd love to throw in a lot of useful information here but i dont know a lot about psionics. i would suggest pointing out to anyone that is pumping a lot of power points into dealing a lot of damage per turn that mosters can also do the same and as far as that orc with the same number of levels as you is concerned if he uses everything he has to kill u the rest of the orcs will protect him until he is recharged the next day

Aaaaaaaaaw why'd you have to ruin the joke?

Addendum: the mechanics though? That's a good reason. Tied with fluff too.

In most fantasy that isn't D&D, wizardry works as such:

Wizards have a few spells they know. They also have an inner power they can use to cast these spells. They can pump a lot of power into one spell to make it very strong. They can pump much less power into their spells to save it for later.

You know, how power points work

For me, psions are more "wizardly" and more "magical" then the wizards are.

If thats the case-then what are Wizards as is to you?