Adding a Psion to an group

[Galfridus]

I had similar "encounters per day" issues with the psion in my game. My solution:

Psions have an "active pool" equal to 1/4 their PP total. Only points from the active pool can be used to manifest powers. Transferring points into the active pool can be done by a "meditation" action; this is a full-round action (that invokes attacks of opportunity) which places an amount of PP equal to the caster's level into the active pool.

This reduces the number of PP available to the psion for an individual combat without actually taking away any PP. I found that it worked fairly well, although there were still plenty of issues with psions (the "refocus as a move action" feat, astral constructs, and Death Urge come to mind, there were many others).

 

[marune]

I had similar "encounters per day" issues with the psion in my game. My solution:

Psions have an "active pool" equal to 1/4 their PP total. Only points from the active pool can be used to manifest powers. Transferring points into the active pool can be done by a "meditation" action; this is a full-round action (that invokes attacks of opportunity) which places an amount of PP equal to the caster's level into the active pool.

This reduces the number of PP available to the psion for an individual combat without actually taking away any PP. I found that it worked fairly well, although there were still plenty of issues with psions (the "refocus as a move action" feat, astral constructs, and Death Urge come to mind, there were many others).

Nice idea, and btw I house ruled Psionic meditation (Focus as a move action) to an Epic psionic feat and it's currently my only psi house rule.

 

[Nail]

Besides introducing house rules, your best bet is to bite the bullet and have more encounters per day.

Another possible option:
When I've DMed Psions, I found that having longer encounters hurt them more than the other classes. Try having your enemies come in "waves", rather than all at once. This has two effects: #1) the psion can't hit all the enemies at once, and #2) he'll get the idea soon enough that he has to conserve PPs.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

First off, I'd cut their power points per day. They seem to be balanced with the idea that they'll use direct damage (which is expensive) rather than save-or-suffer (which is cheaper).

Second, what do you mean by more powerful magical attacks? You're talking about Energy Missile, right? Contrary to popular belief, WotC products, while playtested, does end up with unbalanced material in it. DMs have to regulate this kind of stuff.

 

[marune]

Second, what do you mean by more powerful magical attacks? You're talking about Energy Missile, right? Contrary to popular belief, WotC products, while playtested, does end up with unbalanced material in it. DMs have to regulate this kind of stuff.

Crystal shard (before C.Psi) and Energy missile are the powers that beat the wiz/sorc equivalents IMHO. I don't talk about Vigor vs False life

 

[Nail]

And each has been Errata'd. So what's the problem? Errata solves all power issues with the psion!

Spoiler

Not.

 

[marune]

And each has been Errata'd. So what's the problem? Errata solves all power issues with the psion!

Spoiler

Not.

What errata on Energy missile ???

Edit : These powers are updated in C. Psi : Astral construct, Energy missile, Energy stun, Hostile empathic transfer, Psionic dimension door.

 

[Liquidsabre]

I had similar "encounters per day" issues with the psion in my game. My solution:

Psions have an "active pool" equal to 1/4 their PP total. Only points from the active pool can be used to manifest powers. Transferring points into the active pool can be done by a "meditation" action; this is a full-round action (that invokes attacks of opportunity) which places an amount of PP equal to the caster's level into the active pool.

This reduces the number of PP available to the psion for an individual combat without actually taking away any PP. I found that it worked fairly well, although there were still plenty of issues with psions (the "refocus as a move action" feat, astral constructs, and Death Urge come to mind, there were many others).

That's the most equitable house rule fix to the psion problem I've come across to date (yes, I absolutely agree with Thanee on this point). Very nice, just nip a couple of other things and I might actually allow psionics (currently banned).

 

[marune]

Very nice, just nip a couple of other things and I might actually allow psionics (currently banned).

What are these things ?

 

[Liquidsabre]

What errata on Energy missile ???

Edit : These powers are updated in C. Psi : Astral construct, Energy missile, Energy stun, Hostile empathic transfer, Psionic dimension door.

Ooooo I may actually have to pick up CP up afterall. A few of these were some of my specific nitpicks with Psionics. Interesting. It has been a little while since I last looked at psionics, maybe WotC is finally getting a hold of the balance beast they unleashed a while back in 3e.