A different take on the age-old Psionics debate

[warderbrad]

While the basic mechanic is simuler, the introduce of psionics needs another 70 pages list of powers. I said (nearlly) totaly new system as the power (spell) list is a big part of one magic/psionic system.

The same could be said for introducing the new classes in the Complete Divine or Complete Arcane. While I am not sure if it is 70 pages it is still quite a large number of pages that the player needs to be familiar with, and if they want to play the class then they put in the effort, if they don't then the (and their character) doesn't know about the new stuff and finds out about it in game. All the more roleplay.

 

[Shin Okada]

The difference is big. New spells, feats, class abilities in complete books and such are still extensions of basic rules. Psionic powers are completely different set.

But anyway, members of our playgroup feel it as a unnecessary big effort mainly because we don't like the taste of psionics. That is our personal preference, of course.

 

[warderbrad]

The difference is big. New spells, feats, class abilities in complete books and such are still extensions of basic rules. Psionic powers are completely different set.

But anyway, members of our playgroup feel it as a unnecessary big effort mainly because we don't like the taste of psionics. That is our personal preference, of course.

I was more refering to the Wu-Jen or Worlock, or other new core class that has a totally different spell list usually made up of spells that are primarilly from the new book. A player in my group recently brought to my attention a new class he purchased a online PDF for called a crystalmancer. The class had about 60 pages of new spells, all based on crystals or gems. Did I immediately say no so I could avoid the reading, not on your life, the class sounded interesting and I allowed it because it brought a new idea to the group. This is the kind of thing I am talking about.

 

[Shin Okada]

I was more refering to the Wu-Jen or Worlock, or other new core class that has a totally different spell list usually made up of spells that are primarilly from the new book. A player in my group recently brought to my attention a new class he purchased a online PDF for called a crystalmancer. The class had about 60 pages of new spells, all based on crystals or gems. Did I immediately say no so I could avoid the reading, not on your life, the class sounded interesting and I allowed it because it brought a new idea to the group. This is the kind of thing I am talking about.

Wu-Jen has a long list. And Warlock's list is very short. But the Complete Arcane itself has lighter burden for whome already learned about spells, as the containts of the book are mainly extensions of arcane spell system, and there are a lot of containts which stimulates the interest of whome like to use spells. (though no one in my play group has actually tried to play Wujen yet)

But as I already said, whether if a book boecoms a burden or not will be depend on one's interest. Members in our play group don't like Psionics. We could not find the needs of introducing "another" spell system which does not add something (taste-wise) good to our campaign. So the 70 page list (and 222 pages book) is just a big unnececery burden. Even bigger book may be a lighter burden when we are interested in the theme of the supplement.

 

[cignus_pfaccari]

I played a psion in an epic game, for all of 1.5 sessions.

I had the opportunity to play a kineticist in our al Qadim game, and chose a warmage instead.

Brad

 

[HellHound]

Yep, love psionics.

Yep, think they are pretty well balanced.

Nope, almost NEVER play psionic characters.