D&D 4E 4E Psionics

[Deset Gled]

If they want to fold monks' ki and psychic energy together, I'm alright with that, although it's not the solution I'd personally use. As long as there's a point to monks.

I'm hoping that WotC will have the monk's ki and psionic powers come from different power sources. A monk's ki has been (both in D+D flavor, and eastern philosophy) energy channelled by strong training of the mind and self disciplice. Psionics, on the other hand, tends to be a wild talent, manifesting randomly and sometimes in uncontrollable ways (for example, D+Ds Wilder, and western lore and movies). IMO, these things should not be forced together.

 

[Elphilm]

A monk's ki has been (both in D+D flavor, and eastern philosophy) energy channelled by strong training of the mind and self disciplice. Psionics, on the other hand, tends to be a wild talent, manifesting randomly and sometimes in uncontrollable ways (for example, D+Ds Wilder, and western lore and movies). IMO, these things should not be forced together.

But, isn't that like saying the sorcerer should have a different power source from the wizard?

 

[jester47]

First off- I have never had a great love for Psionics.
I think the source of power is a good one.
However I really dislike that all the major mind control stuff is going to Psionics.
Thats lame.

Here's why:
There are numerous stories of wizards and witches called "ENCHANTERS" whose whole specialty is the manipulation of will. Most of the time there are rituals involved and such.

The Wizard who specialises in enchantment is a fantasy trope. Making Psionics better at enchantment than enchantment breaks that.

That does not mean that psionics and enchantment can't be just as powerful as one another. I would just prefer them to be different but evenly matched.

 

[Evilhalfling]

I'm 90% sure that the Psionic Leader will be the Ardent, as Bruce Cordell who already is one of the major 4e designers will probably be working on whichever supplement has psionics.

sounds good to me - the Ardent had a great explination, it had me dying to play one. Unfortunately the powers were so limited that it was either give up my ideals to play an effective character, or stick it out with lame powers. I chose to shelve the idea instead, it 4th ed does it right it will get another look.

Psionics are integrated into my world, although not to the extent of darksun or Ebberon.
it will be one of my determining factors for changing systems.

on another note
WoTC already found an answer to the Clairvoyant in combat -
Recall pain, destiny dissonace, and recall death are just lovely attack powers.
Recall pain is even an effective choice for 2nd level attack spells, assuming you don't have energy missle.

 

[Charwoman Gene]

There are numerous stories of wizards and witches called "ENCHANTERS" whose whole specialty is the manipulation of will. Most of the time there are rituals involved and such.

The Wizard who specialises in enchantment is a fantasy trope. Making Psionics better at enchantment than enchantment breaks that.

So a generic wizardly person should be awesome at mind manipulation? Wouldn't it be better to see a REAL Enchanter class?

 

[Deset Gled]

But, isn't that like saying the sorcerer should have a different power source from the wizard?

It just so happens that I do think that the sorcerer and wizard should have a different power source. If anything, I see the monk and wizard power source being similar, and psionics similar a sorc; much moreso than a wizard's is similar to a sorc's (or a monk's to a psion's). Of course, vancian magic and the sorcerer don't exist in 4e, so hopefully it won't be an issue.

In both cases, it's something that I never really cared about too much in 3.x. But I think that if WotC is going to go out of their way to define sources of power for everyone in 4e, I defitellay expect them to pay attention to these fine details.

 

[jester47]

So a generic wizardly person should be awesome at mind manipulation? Wouldn't it be better to see a REAL Enchanter class?

That too. But only if they make a psionic equivalent.

 

[Cadfan]

I keep wanting to post in this thread, but haven't entirely figured out what to say.

Basically, I hated 3e psionics. Hated it a lot. Didn't like the mechanics, which seemed to me to be a cobbled together spell point system that created as many problems as it solved, and didn't like the flavor, which wrecked what types of psions it did model while failing to model many of the classic types of psions at all.

The 9 schools of wizardry did this a bit too, of course.

Anyways, wizards look to be getting fixed. Wizards look like they won't be as broad and bland, but will instead focus and have detail in their specializations. I want to see the same with psionics.

When I think "psion," I think telepathy, telekinesis, mental control, and maybe pyrokineticism. I think of a character floating six inches off the ground in a crumbling citadel, throwing pieces of dilapidated architecture around with his mind.

Less pseudo wizard, more x-men.

I don't mind crystals, if they're kept within reason. I don't mind bald guys with tatooed heads, if they're kept within reason.

On the mechanical end, I'd prefer, but do not demand, a system by which the psion uses his own energy to power his abilities. I want him to be tired after using his powers in combat. I want fighting beyond his normal limits to be possible, and to leave him with an enormous migraine. You get the idea.

 

[Rechan]

I'm hoping that WotC will have the monk's ki and psionic powers come from different power sources. A monk's ki has been (both in D+D flavor, and eastern philosophy) energy channelled by strong training of the mind and self disciplice. Psionics, on the other hand, tends to be a wild talent, manifesting randomly and sometimes in uncontrollable ways (for example, D+Ds Wilder, and western lore and movies). IMO, these things should not be forced together.

I disagree. Look at Professor X, or Gene Gray, Jedi, Carrie, The Shadow, whathaveyou.

Psionics has always been Will over Reality. "I want it to happen, and it is made happen by the sheer force of my will". Hell, half of the flavor comes from Eastern yogi.

Ki and Psionics should not be married together. This way you can have people who want their Ninja, Samurai and Eastern Monks without having to deal with psionics, and vice versa. This way the designers can focus on making those classes kick ass without having to worry about juggling two different styles of fluff, and two different fanbases. While there is some overlap (I think Psions should get some eastern yogi flavor, and monks should have some synergy with soulknives/psychic warriros), the two shouldn't be the same.

 

[Rechan]

Unless your clarisentient abilities allow you to dodge blows, make accurate attacks, or (slightly silly) make your opponent remember his own death, which kills him.

Those are very few and far between, and not really great to begin with.

I mean, "Yeah, I spend my power points so I get a few points of AC, or so I can hit with my... crossbow really good."

Come on.