3.5E Psionics Handbook official-type info

[GravyFingerz]

Hm, is there any possibility that WOTC might use open content from Mindscapes?

I mean, wouldn't this be Mr. Cordell reinventing his own wheel, like, 3 times?

Vrylakos

Maybe some things, but I wouldn't count it. Though he would probably take the whole experience of working with 3rd edition mechanics and psionics to create a stronger, more cohesive system ...

that's just like magic



EDIT: Don't get me wrong, I like the psionics system. I know it to be the most balanced set of psionics rules to ever graze a D&D book. My problem with it is, they weakened it too much (however, in some cases, it has proven to be stronger than magic), and it isn't a skills and feats system.

A compromise in my mind would be to work the powers like the One Power in the Wheel of Time d20 book. Basically, the more power points you spend on a power, the more effect it gives you. I've always liked that idea and I would be tickled pink if they did it that way.

 

[Staffan]

I'm thinking that what is really needed to make psionics take off isn't so much making psionics more powerful, but reducing the stuff magic is capable of doing. As it is, psionics doesn't really have a niche the way arcane and divine magic has. If one removes the classical psionic powers (telepathy, telekinesis, clairvoyance - though the latter is classical magic as well) from the spellcasters and make it the exclusive domain of the psion, psions will be more attractive.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

I'm thinking that what is really needed to make psionics take off isn't so much making psionics more powerful, but reducing the stuff magic is capable of doing. As it is, psionics doesn't really have a niche the way arcane and divine magic has. If one removes the classical psionic powers (telepathy, telekinesis, clairvoyance - though the latter is classical magic as well) from the spellcasters and make it the exclusive domain of the psion, psions will be more attractive.

This would mean that the supplement had to made deep changes in the core system. It would mean that you had problems to introduce a subsystem. For example, a wizard with many of these ability would lose a great deal of power once you introduced psionics. I could imagine doing it with a campaign setting where psionics are an inherent part (IIRC, in Dark Sun psions really shone), but as a mere supplement? No.

 

[Taren Seeker]

A compromise in my mind would be to work the powers like the One Power in the Wheel of Time d20 book. Basically, the more power points you spend on a power, the more effect it gives you. I've always liked that idea and I would be tickled pink if they did it that way.

...


*cracks open WoT D20 and starts taking notes*

 

[The Blue Elf]

I'm thinking that what is really needed to make psionics take off isn't so much making psionics more powerful, but reducing the stuff magic is capable of doing. As it is, psionics doesn't really have a niche the way arcane and divine magic has. If one removes the classical psionic powers (telepathy, telekinesis, clairvoyance - though the latter is classical magic as well) from the spellcasters and make it the exclusive domain of the psion, psions will be more attractive.

Well, for some reason I think psions can do things beyond imagination I guess they have to research all of this again from making the system better then it did, before as I remember psions in 2nd edition were always gaining some kind of advantage

 

[Graf]

<snip> the more power points you spend on a power, the more effect it gives you.

Look at the scaling rules in Mindscapes.

For the record there's no evidence that Bruce Cordell is working on the new version of the Psionics Handbook. I mean Monte Cook is listed in the new revised DMG (for his original work) but he wasn't involved in the new version.

I really hope he does, I really hope he incorperates the Mindscape. But I see a lack of evidence to that effect.
(Matched, admittedly, by a lack of any evidence against it).

 

[Vrylakos]

I believe it was on the EN World front page about two weeks ago (right after news on the PsiHB Revised broke) where Cordell all but confirmed he was working on it. To paraphrase, he said "I can't legally say if there is or isn't, but it's fair to say if there WAS a revised Psionics book, I would definitely be involved."

Again that's my remembrance but I think it's a given that he's working on it.

Vrylakos

 

[Seule]

I know some will think me guilty of heresy here, but this is my opinion.
I use Psionics extensively in my campaign (it replaces arcane magic). I play a Psion in another campaign. I love the Psionics Handbook, I plan to run If Thoughts Could Kill, and I own and use Mindscapes.
I wish someone else was working on the revision.
Bruce Cordell did a very good job with the book, given the restrictions (come up with a completely new system from scratch), and he's since improved on it at least twice.
It's now time for someone else to have a crack at it. Sure, I'm sure others will work on it with him, but I think that having a fresh mind at the helm, without preconceptions, would be best. You'll note they had all new people working on the revised core books, it shouldn't be different here. People have a harder time seeing the flaws in their own work, plus someone new will have new ideas and ways of doing things. That could only be good.

All that said, I hope WotC has done the smart thing and used Bruce as a consultant on the book, with someone else heading up the redesign.

That's all.

--Seule

 

[Welverin]

You'll note they had all new people working on the revised core books, it shouldn't be different here.

Skip was one of the core designers on third edition and the revision and I suspect the only reason none of the others had anything to do with it is because none of them work for WotC anymore, which you should note Bruce still does. Because of that I think it's pretty safe to say that he is working on the revised psionics book.

I just hope he's willing to give up his copyright for the stuff he created for ITCK and Mindscapes if necessary so it can be included

 

[Staffan]

I just hope he's willing to give up his copyright for the stuff he created for ITCK and Mindscapes if necessary so it can be included

He can't make it un-open anyway (and some of it came from a website, though he may have modified the numbers a bit).