Expanded Psionics Handbook: Is it good?

[JacktheRabbit]

I have the book and I do like it. The one thing I despise though is some of that art.

The Final Fantasy sword as big as the person drawing of the psychic warrior just makes me want to puke. What exactly is the artist compensating for there?

 

[JacktheRabbit]

What's with all the bleepin' CRYSTALS in the book?! It's crystal this, and crystal that. ... Even the write-up for psionic bugbears in the back says they poop crystals.

Is there something inherently mental about crystals? I would have prefered they use German sausage meats, but they didn't ask me. ("Liverwurst of Thought-Stealing," for example.)

Its not all crystal. There is also ectoplasm dripping off everything that is not crystal.

But that is a simple favor bit that can easily be changed.

 

[reiella]

What's with all the bleepin' CRYSTALS in the book?! It's crystal this, and crystal that. ... Even the write-up for psionic bugbears in the back says they poop crystals.

Is there something inherently mental about crystals? I would have prefered they use German sausage meats, but they didn't ask me. ("Liverwurst of Thought-Stealing," for example.)

There is some relation between some New Age beliefs and crystals. Most likly the inspiration source. Of course, crystal balls are another historical source for psychics (specifically seers).

 

[Evilhalfling]

IMO it is just delightful, with a few overpowered aspects.
The flexablity of changing energy types is great, easy exploitation of vulrenerablities. Augmented powers means a few attack or defensive powers can go a long way. The powers generally have shorter ranges to act as a balancing factor. The some of best powers are broken up into the disipline lists, making the feat expanded knowledge a good choice.
Dominate seems underpowered but the House rules XPH thread found a good fix.
I do have one question - what use is having disable device if you don't have search, or a rogues ablity to find difficult traps (21+Dc)?

 

[gunter uxbridge]

I kind of got the impression that our party psion was getting bored with his character. 8th level and his powers weren't really that impressive. It was kind of sad and had begun tinkering with some of the rules to make him more useful.

Then last Sunday happened. 3.5 came out, we redid his character and set him loose.

Kelm turned into a power wielding dervish of destruction and mayhem. Shotgun blasts of crystals everywhere, telekinetic maneuvers flinging swords about the room, gouts of energy lighting up the darkness.....it was a thing of beauty. Really. We couldn't have been more thrilled at how it turned out. The psion is now a threat to be reckoned with.

A couple things I love...
Psionic combat is a thing of the past. THANK YOU WIZARDS! The 2.0 and 3.0 rules were crap in a mason jar. Brain lock is no longer a poor mans 3.0 hold person. LOTS of options for quickened powers for just a few power points more. Scaling DCs are great too.

Couldn't be happier with this edition if I tried.