Experiences with Psionics in 3rd (and 3.5) Edition

[megamania]

I really like the feel of augumentation.

A few powers I question especially when used with certain P Classes.


Generally it works well.

Be careful of folks that play with the resting time. As a DM I need to fudge rolls and have more encounters occur at night or something. As soon as the psion of the group is low or out its time to camp which can get old.

 

[Pants]

There's one little thing that I haven't seen mentioned...

Watch out if you use Enemies with Psion levels. They have the ability to put the serious hurt on a party since they don't have to worry about more encounters (unless you want them to...), they can blow their wad at once and unleash devastating attack after devastating attack. While this can be similar to a sorcerer's ability to use his one high level spell over and over again until he runs out of slots, IMO, enemy psions are much worse.

Just watch out.

 

[Nonlethal Force]

Add me to the list of people who really like psionics. Given the chance, I'd like to dump spell level systems (vancian) and go with psionics - or some type of "general pool" system. These might encompass ToM ideas, too.

In general, the tip above about making sure they stick to their manifester level is important. Personally, I've not had many people play wilders because their known powers are so small - so I don't know if their special abilities to overchannel are broken or not. I do know that I've also seldom seen Overchannel in a game, so psionics works just fine if you eliminate that feat. Especially if you are worried about it.

From what I've heard, 3.5 psionics is way better than 3.0 psionics. I've only ever played 3.5 psionics, and I consider it balanced with both a wizard's versatility and a sorcerers pure power. So, read over the 3.5 rules with a clean slate - because I've heard the differences between 3.0 and 3.5 are significant.

Also, I agree with the above comments about making sure to have elongated encounters - or preferrably a minimum of 3 to 4 encounters - per day. It is easy for psions especially to nova, but this is really only truly game breakingly noticeable at levels above 10. Before that, I think the power of a nova is still manageable by a good DM. And, if a player ever does nova, make sure to roll frequently on the random encounter tables!

In sum, though, give them a review. They're really worth a good read.

 

[sirwmholder]

Add me to the list of people who really like psionics. Given the chance, I'd like to dump spell level systems (vancian) and go with psionics - or some type of "general pool" system...

I would seriously recommend Elements of Magic - Revised... it does away with Arcane, Divine, and Psionic distinction... it allows for modular spell creation ( you define, area, range and effect for every spell)... and it's balanced against Core d20. You end up with more flexiblity than the Psion or the Sorcerer with a slight drop in damage dealing potential as the midigating factor. Our group loves it and has vowed to never go back to Vancian Magic again.

William Holder

 

[Voadam]

3.0 and 3.5 have significant differences.

1 3.0 has psionic combat, the psionic classes get attack and defense modes and psionic attacks on non-psions inflict stat damage

2 style of power mechanics 3.0 usually has powers that work so long as you keep a minimum number of psionic points unspent.

3 3.0 Psionic powers use a different stat for each "school" of psionics

3.5 adds more classes gives fewer powers, but more options with each one.

3.5 usually uses a neat expending psionic focus feat mechanic, many things require either having an unspent focus or expending your focus, it taking 1 round to restore the focus.

3.5 allows augmentations, basically built in metamagics for powers for increased point costs.

3.5 Psionics are basically spellpoint sorcerers but only use one stat (depending on class)

3.5 has the soulknife which does not use any point mechanics, you get psionic focus feats and a mindblade with powers for an assassin type of character.

3.5 psionic combat powers are individual telepathy ones now.

3.0 works, but Most consider 3.5 a big mechanical improvement.