Is the Psion class balanced?

[Dinkeldog]

That seems reasonable to me. It matches that the augmentations seem to run about 2 points for a power level, and a power level gets +1 to the DC.

On the other hand, it might be considered reasonable also, that as wizards and priests have aspects of power that they excel at, maybe the psion should excel at something like energy missile? I don't know and haven't had to deal with it yet, so I'm still in theorycraft there.

 

[Rystil Arden]

That seems reasonable to me.

You mean changing it to 1 for 2 seems reasonable or keeping it at 1 for 1 seems reasonable

 

[Nifft]

I'm playing a Psion in one game, and IMHO it's well balanced. Even energy stun, which is one of the +1pp=+1DC powers that people initially don't like, thanks to the double save.

(Granted, I'm playing for fun, not trying too hard to munchkin out.)

-- N

 

[kyloss]

I love the psion, its great fun to play. I haven't had any balance issues yet, even with the powers that most people complain about. Maybe I not a good power gamer but I haven't seen a problem with them, particularly if you either do a couple of small combats or a larger combat with lots of targets between rests, then they aren't bad. However if you do only one mid combat or just a lone BBEG the they will tend to stand out... and get killed. I had one die two combats in a row, because they stood out and so made a BIG target, with d4 hitdice. As for the multiple energy types, if you look at say the psion equivilent of a fire ball its 4th level not 3rd, this tends to hold true in general they tend to be more varied but with lowerpowered, closer range powers compared to spells of the same level. Of course with all of this there are exception, powers but those tend to bring a balance to them and keep them from being under powered, but as far as the on per two on saves, just remeber as stated above a globe of invulnerability blocks most of a psions best stuff. And His first level powers may do more damage, but thats because they are costing him as much as the higher level spells that they are dealing damage comparable to. So yea he can do 100 first levle powers, at 10th level, or 10 1st level powers at max damage, and then be drained where the wizard would have the free scaling on his 1st second third fourth and fifth levels, so while the psion would be drained after one long fight, the wizard would be good to go.

 

[Psion]

How about as a "house rule" that only one type of psion can take it without a feat? And that one type can't take Astral Construct, or Fly, or Metamorphosis without a feat.

Cute, but IMO not good enough. I think even if corrected to +1 DC/ 2 pp, Energy Missile is flexible enough to warrant being a specialized shaper power. +1 DC/pp is too good.

 

[Psion]

I think he means that the DC should increase by 1 for every 2 PP spent instead of 1 for 1. I still maintain that this is a mistake that they haven't bothered to change yet, as it just doesn't fit.

Precisely. I mean look at the length WotC went to in order to nullify spell DC boosters (I think they overdid it, but that's another thread.) To have them go to those lengths and then dole out DC bonuses at fire sale prices in a new book just stands in stark contrast to the balance that they were trying to acheiver.

And yes, Nifft, I'd nerf the DC on energy stun too.

 

[Dinkeldog]

Cute, but IMO not good enough. I think even if corrected to +1 DC/ 2 pp, Energy Missile is flexible enough to warrant being a specialized shaper power. +1 DC/pp is too good.

Isn't Energy Missile a specialized Kineticist power?

 

[Psion]

Isn't Energy Missile a specialized Kineticist power?

Yes; I didn't indicate that it wasn't. I am saying it's too good even for a specialized power, and will remain good enough to warrant being a specialized power even after you nerf the DC boost.

 

[Dinkeldog]

Oh. I agree.

 

[KarinsDad]

I played a Psion who went unconscious once from level 2 to level 10 (when that campaign ended). I have never played or seen played a Wizard (or Sorcerer or Cleric or Fighter or any other class) who went unconcious once in 9 levels.

Granted, I was playing an Elan, but that is just an example of the systemic "bigger, badder, better" problems the XPH has.

Many if not most powers in it have some significant advantage or augmentation ability that the corresponding arcane spell does not.

Only a few powers are less powerful than their arcane equivalent (like Catfall compared to Featherfall).

I suspect the book was not very well playtested.