[Exp.Psionics] New issue of Dragon reveals info. (Now corrected by Bruce C.)

[Aaron L]

Wilders do use charisma, see the Previews. I think PsiWars will use either Strength or Constitution, and the other class we haven't seen yet - well, depending on what it is, it could be Wis, Con or maybe Dex.

I knew that Wilders used Charisma, but if PsyWars do use Strength or something, and their is a class with another base stat, then I might just have to be ok with the whole deal then.

 

[Seule]

I strongly suspect that there will be a class that uses Wisdom, it makes the most sense for Psionics in my opinion. Inner discipline and all that. Of course, I like all stats being used, but I'm coming to accept the Int Psion.

--Seule

 

[Psiblade]

If Psiwarriors use strength or con, I will be happy with the new breakdown. That would fit with Wilders using charisma and Psions using int. The other class I according to a rumor that I heard was to be a psionic rogue type. That would imply dexterity as the main ability. The more I hear the more I am looking forward to the book.

-Psiblade

 

[Kesh]

One reason I can say that is that there is a longstanding prize out there (>$1000000) for anyone that can demonstrate it, in front of witnesses, and in controlled circumstances. No-one's done it yet. That sort of thing has been well debunked... But getting into that goes outside of the scope of the discussion, so I'll say no more on it..

Actually, there's a little controversy over that. There are some (seemingly valid) claims that Randi purposfully screens out all but the most obvious frauds for his challenge, and that the $1M doesn't actually exist in a manner that anyone could expect to be paid.

Here's one take on that.

 

[Kesh]

Double post, please delete.

 

[Kesh]

Ack, triple!

 

[jasamcarl]

Unless, of course, these phenomena are subjective, in the literal sense of the word--if they are literally created by the observers, then the mere presence of a skeptic could prevent them from ever functioning, yet they would objectively function if all present were believers. And modern science would *never* confirm them, due to its basis in rigorous skepticism and objective verification. There have been some interesting hypotheses for quantum-based psychic abilities, and several of them would include strong observer dependence, thus making reproduction in controlled circumstances impossible, if those circumstances included skeptics.

And i'm not entirely certain this is off-topic. It would be a very interesting way to run powers (or magic) in some settings. It would be the logical extension of the imagination powers in Grimm, and goes right along with concepts like wild magic and the solipsistic spells (and some of the others from the Thought sphere) in 2nd ed. Not to mention, it's sort of a more extreme version of how illusions work in D&D, currently.

And it could be the basis for a far more interesting psionic combat system, one based on, basically, clash of willpower and belief between the various psychics--the defender attempting to convince herself that she really didn't believe in the attackers powers. Much like the way some people used to play illusions--if you gave any indication you weren't positive it was an illusion, you automatically failed your save (IOW, "no flinching").

Oh jeez. This sounds like the same assinine epistomology that afflicts creation scientists. 'There is no way we can prove it, but it could be!!!' That isn't science. A lot of things could be the case. It would still be a waste of time to consider it with any degree of seriousness.

 

[I'm A Banana]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand now we've traipsed down the road of politics & religion, thanks for sharin', woodelf.

Back on topic, Str or Con based Psychic Warriors may be a nice middle ground that I could live with. And a Dex based psionic rogue would be very cool. That way, the big strong monsters or sneaky creepy types can still have powers and abilities that are viable for them, instead of having to have book smarts too.

Wisdom would be nice...I'd prefer that over Int for the default, actually.