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<blockquote data-quote="Ovinomancer" data-source="post: 7969244" data-attributes="member: 16814">I'm not sure I follow you, here.&nbsp; Detectable uses of power, or cues to the eminent usage of power are more than flavor things, they're part of the information flow so that choices can be made. This is true in both fiction and in RPGs -- these displays are the fulcrums on which parts of the fiction pivot.&nbsp; The hero sees the wizard start to cast, and interrupts, or sees the telepath touch their head and knows to take action against incoming psychic assault.&nbsp; Or can't take action and suffers the consequence.&nbsp; Removing these cues isn't just a flavor argument, it's removing an important part of the ability to make choices (granted, when such choices are available).&nbsp; The flavor argument isn't that these exist, it's in what form.&nbsp; Right now, D&amp;D uses VSM to signal these power uses -- to provide the fulcrum on which choices can be made.&nbsp; If you remove that, then you're removing that choice nexus.&nbsp; I don't see value in that choice -- I actually see the game being poorer for it's removal.Now, if the flavor of the cue is at issue, then okay, but I think that reflavoring the existing cues to align with the flavor of psionics is more useful -- verbals isn't an incantation, but a mantra or ritual saying; somatic isn't complex finger waggles, but directed motions or touching a temple; materials are crystals or totems.&nbsp; Failing this, then explicit displays of power that precede the completion are needed.&nbsp; Just blanket removing VSM isn't something I think should be done purely out of a flavor consideration.&nbsp; Removal at cost, like with the UA sorcerer (or the normal sorcerer metamagic) is fine.&nbsp; Limited removal for minor uses is fine.&nbsp; Blanket removal, as in 'psionics should have any VSM' is not.Hopefully I've made this argument clear that it isn't a flavor argument for me but a storytelling one.&nbsp; I dislike removal of choice points without good cause, and flavor doesn't meet that bar for me.&nbsp; I'm willing to listen to counter-arguments, but that's my current position.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Ovinomancer, post: 7969244, member: 16814"] I'm not sure I follow you, here. Detectable uses of power, or cues to the eminent usage of power are more than flavor things, they're part of the information flow so that choices can be made. This is true in both fiction and in RPGs -- these displays are the fulcrums on which parts of the fiction pivot. The hero sees the wizard start to cast, and interrupts, or sees the telepath touch their head and knows to take action against incoming psychic assault. Or can't take action and suffers the consequence. Removing these cues isn't just a flavor argument, it's removing an important part of the ability to make choices (granted, when such choices are available). The flavor argument isn't that these exist, it's in what form. Right now, D&D uses VSM to signal these power uses -- to provide the fulcrum on which choices can be made. If you remove that, then you're removing that choice nexus. I don't see value in that choice -- I actually see the game being poorer for it's removal. Now, if the flavor of the cue is at issue, then okay, but I think that reflavoring the existing cues to align with the flavor of psionics is more useful -- verbals isn't an incantation, but a mantra or ritual saying; somatic isn't complex finger waggles, but directed motions or touching a temple; materials are crystals or totems. Failing this, then explicit displays of power that precede the completion are needed. Just blanket removing VSM isn't something I think should be done purely out of a flavor consideration. Removal at cost, like with the UA sorcerer (or the normal sorcerer metamagic) is fine. Limited removal for minor uses is fine. Blanket removal, as in 'psionics should have any VSM' is not. Hopefully I've made this argument clear that it isn't a flavor argument for me but a storytelling one. I dislike removal of choice points without good cause, and flavor doesn't meet that bar for me. I'm willing to listen to counter-arguments, but that's my current position. [/QUOTE]

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