[Eberron] - Why the Psionic Bait-and-Switch?!

[shadowlight]

I guess when it comes down to it, my problems is that WotC is waffling on whether or not psionics is really part of Eberron. FR and Greyhawk are consistent - not really much official Psi.

Either support Kalashtar and Psi as really a part of the setting, or don't. I'm fine either way. Just don't tempt me with token support only to pull it away in other products.

 

[Henry]

Shadowlight, I'll have to disagree here.

Well, the other classes have 3 entire books: the PHB, DMG, and MM. The XPH has to cover material from all three of those core books.

What you mentioned were races, for which no support was at the time of release available - Warforged & Shifters were both brand-new to Eberron, so they had to have support. The fact that Kalashtar have all of the XPH (released in April, Eberron released in June) means that there is tons of material for the race to use.

As for the Sharn Hardcover, I strongly disagree. A careful reading will reveal not one Psionic character, but about 6 to 8 of them. One of the most powerful individuals in the city is a Psion of 17th level! Psionics are also mentioned in relation to one of the Dragonmarked houses, and there is an entire page devoted to the district of Overlook and its Psionic population, including where one can find training and friendly faces in the district. A lot more than "one guy with a couple of levels."

Now, even with that, it's not a deluge of information, but remember that the majority of players do not use psionics, so every bit of psionic information is info they might find wasted. Proportionally to the amount of Psi-users in the gaming audience, they struck a pretty good balance I think.

I for one do not feel slighted in the least with the amount of Psionics support in Eberron. I'm sorry you do, but I can't join you in the call for "more" they've done a pretty good job thus far.

Now, what I WILL join you on is a call for a Sarlona Sourcebook! LET'S ROLL!

 

[shadowlight]

double post

 

[shadowlight]

Not really. Ban the race for players, and treat quori like mindflayers, and you are done.

Yeah, but you could do the same sort of house-ruling if there were a Kalashtar-specific feat, power, or PrC.

 

[Henry]

One other thought:

But they really can't use their main racial ability (+1 PP per character level) without taking a psionic class...

Actually, the Psionic Feats can all be taken by Kalashtar, since they are psionic creatures. When we started our Eberron game, I tried to get one player interested in Psionics so as to have a psi-user in the game. The player didn't warm to Psions at first, but played a Kalashtar cleric of the Path of Light, and used the Psionic Shot feat to great advantage. Adding 2d6 to your first crossbow shot in a combat is a MAJOR benefit!

 

[shadowlight]

Shadowlight, I'll have to disagree here.

What you mentioned were races, for which no support was at the time of release available - Warforged & Shifters were both brand-new to Eberron, so they had to have support.

You're right. I started with racial support. The problem is, every time I mention this, someones says: XPH!! (so I used those examples in response to that arguement). But you're right. Neither the "Complete" books nor the XPH have race support for any of the Eberron races including the Kalashtar.

The fact that Kalashtar have all of the XPH (released in April, Eberron released in June) means that there is tons of material for the race to use.

Ooops! Isn't that what you disagreed with me on? The XPH has ZERO racial support for the Kalashtar. If you want to talk Class support, then I'll go back to the "Complete" books arguement. And the "Complete" books were released recently as well.

 

[JPL]

I disagree (obviously). Any of the races in Eberron can use the XPH just like the Kalashtar could use the "Complete" books.

I could just as easily say that the Warforged are "the fighter guys" (I know, they can be other classes, but in general, they're fighter types) or the Shifters are "the nature guys" (in general they're barbarians, rangers, or druids, right?).

Life is too short to continue this discussion.

I hope "Races of Eberron" is more to your liking.

 

[shadowlight]

One other thought:

Actually, the Psionic Feats can all be taken by Kalashtar, since they are psionic creatures. When we started our Eberron game, I tried to get one player interested in Psionics so as to have a psi-user in the game. The player didn't warm to Psions at first, but played a Kalashtar cleric of the Path of Light, and used the Psionic Shot feat to great advantage. Adding 2d6 to your first crossbow shot in a combat is a MAJOR benefit!

Yep. And the psionic feats can also be taken by anyone with the Wild Talent feat.

Again, I'm really enjoying the XPH and it's crunch. I just think Eberron needs a little more Kalashtar support.

 

[Shard O'Glase]

a bit ot but the kalshatar bothered me on a design level there mindlink ability should be only midlink like if you don't have eph, if you do it should be mindlink so that 1pp a level thing could boost it from 1 a day to 1 day a level if you didn't take a psionic class and if yo did your normal pp should be able to be used to use it more. As is you basically have to pick up mindlink again if your a kalshatar psion and mindlink is an ability you'd use.

Also I really think in the other races section of eberon where they mention things like playing hobgoblins they should of mentioned the elan. Minor bitch but hey I like the elan and think the kalshatar are lame. Maybe sharn fixed that bit I don't know my 1st glance at it did not motivate a purchase, my second glance was at the crunch and it sucked.

 

[shadowlight]

Life is too short to continue this discussion.

That's helpful, thanks!

I hope "Races of Eberron" is more to your liking.

Me too JPL. Me too.