Enough with the halos already!

[Zaran]

Ok, almost every picture I see of a battlemind, psion or ardent the character has a halo going around their head. I understand that the artist is trying to tell us that we are seeing a psionic version of whatever role the picture portrays but I think it's annoying. I was looking at the picture of the darksun characters from the playtester review and I thought the picture was great except for that silly halo. It just looks out of place. I can understand that if the psionic is using a power that they could have the halo as part of the effect but it should not be portrayed as they have that silly thing around their head all the time. It's ok if we can't tell a class just from looking at the picture.

For some reason, they always remind me of the rings that aquaman emitted in the Superfriends cartoons.

 

[Dayspire]

I respectfully disagree with you there, Zaran. I think it's a way to differentiate those who use the psionic power source from those who don't. They could have gone with a simple 'glowing forehead' or 'third eye' - but I've never heard of psionic powers manifesting a halo - so it gets points for originality.

Of course, that said - all it takes is 12 words to fix this ("In my campaign, the psionic power source shows up as glowing eyes").

 

[Wepwawet]

Of course, that said - all it takes is 12 words to fix this ("In my campaign, the psionic power source shows up as glowing eyes").

Maybe for you! In my campaign it takes 50 words:

"In my campaign psionicists can choose how their power manifests, it can be glowing eyes, glowing halo, glowing third eye, glowing hands or glowing skin (all of it). But usually these are just for showing off, or for manifesting very powerful disciplines. Normally there is no visible sign at all."

 

[Herschel]

I thought they were just a psionic fashion statement. Hey, they're better than bellbottoms.

 

[Zaran]

I respectfully disagree with you there, Zaran. I think it's a way to differentiate those who use the psionic power source from those who don't. They could have gone with a simple 'glowing forehead' or 'third eye' - but I've never heard of psionic powers manifesting a halo - so it gets points for originality.

Of course, that said - all it takes is 12 words to fix this ("In my campaign, the psionic power source shows up as glowing eyes").

I don't know. What would be the long term effects of being near a party member with a psionic halo? Will I be able to have children?

 

[Solvarn]

I don't know. What would be the long term effects of being near a party member with a psionic halo? Will I be able to have children?

I played with a guy for awhile that would say, "Was this your card?" after each psionic power he used for like three whole sessions.

 

[rjdafoe]

Ok, almost every picture I see of a battlemind, psion or ardent the character has a halo going around their head. I understand that the artist is trying to tell us that we are seeing a psionic version of whatever role the picture portrays but I think it's annoying. I was looking at the picture of the darksun characters from the playtester review and I thought the picture was great except for that silly halo. It just looks out of place. I can understand that if the psionic is using a power that they could have the halo as part of the effect but it should not be portrayed as they have that silly thing around their head all the time. It's ok if we can't tell a class just from looking at the picture.

For some reason, they always remind me of the rings that aquaman emitted in the Superfriends cartoons.

I don't like them either, and they are definitely not going to happen in games that I run. Not a fan at all. They do not need a rung around their heads to show us they are Psionic. IMO, not much difference in Psionics and Magic to the casual observer - they look the same.

 

[korjik]

I respectfully disagree with you there, Zaran. I think it's a way to differentiate those who use the psionic power source from those who don't. They could have gone with a simple 'glowing forehead' or 'third eye' - but I've never heard of psionic powers manifesting a halo - so it gets points for originality.

Of course, that said - all it takes is 12 words to fix this ("In my campaign, the psionic power source shows up as glowing eyes").

How do you differentiate between a wizard, sorcerer and warlock?

How do you differentiate between a warlord and a fighter?

How about a two-weapon barbarian, tempest fighter, and a ranger?

Personally, I think the need for the distinction is silly. If the pic is in the class entry, it is probably that class. If it isnt in a class entry, it is a pointless distinction. The orcs really dont care if you are a wizard, sorcerer or psion when you fry them.

Lastly, this is a bit tounge-in-cheek. Dont take it too seriously or I am getting out my Mulenomicon!

 

[Kirnon_Bhale]

First time I saw the Halo - I must admit that it annoyed me. However I must admit that it has grown on me since then. Also my understanding of the halos is that it is an artistic touch to show that these characters are using Psionics and that in game it is not an actual manifestation.

 

[Mengu]

I find the halos to be cheesy, every psionic character gets them. It's a no brainer. They need to be nerfed.