Is the Psion class balanced?

[Nail]

(Yes, it's all hand waving, but it's nice to put some intuition behind the game rules.)

Fun! Thanks.

PS: What exactly does all this have to do with Psions being balanced? Perhaps the very fact that discussions about Psionic balance end up so far away from actual examples of broken builds means that -- gasp -- psionics are not broken?

Uhmmmm.....that fact that we've wandered off-topic proves something?

I think it proves this is an old topic.

 

[Nifft]

Oh! But the thing that brought to mind my "morphic field theory" in the current discusison is that it explains the difference between attended and unattended objects. Attended objects use your save because they are clearly within your morphic field. Familiars, likewise, if they're in the same square as you.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Nifft]

Uhmmmm.....that fact that we've wandered off-topic proves something?

Play along... I'm trying to drag us back on-topic...

-- N

 

[Nail]

Ooops. Right. Sorry 'bout that!

(I may yoink the morphic field thing, though, psionics thread or no.)

 

[RigaMortus2]

If you play in a campaign where "Magic is different from psionics" then psionics are very powerful. Especailly when it is a mostly magical world.

 

[KarinsDad]

Now, see, I didn't make your point for you, and saying I did is not very polite. I wish you wouldn't say things like that; you could have made your point without this kind of snarky comment.

With the snake on the arm, I see it for maybe ten seconds every five minutes. If the snake were intelligent and trying to protect itself, I'd see it more rarely than that.

With the puppy in the backpack, I see it because it'd be cruel to keep it completely covered. For a familiar whose life is in danger, keeping it completely covered wouldn't be cruel at all.

That's the problem with the moderators. They see snarky behind every bush. I in no way meant that to be snarky. I meant it that you pointed out precisely that if there is an animal around, people see it sooner or later.

In any case, I just have a problem with Familiars being always hidden and never ever seen. I also have a problem with backpacks providing full cover. If it were that easy to protect from a Fireball, every PC would be wearing a giant backpack.

If the Familiar is in the area of effect of a spell, he should be saving. JMO.

PS. What happens to the Familiar when the Wizard Polymorphs?

 

[Scion]

When your familiar is attacked, what do you do?

Whatever would be appropriate in character. But that is outside of the discussion.

But, from a bad guy perspective, how much sense does it make in general?

It is basically a scare tactic which the familiar itself could use its normally useless actions to avoid. Since the familiar itself doesnt really do much in combat for the most part attacking it is mostly spite. It doesnt provide any real benefit for the enemy and in fact usually puts them in a worse position.. because they have just given up their turn and possibly some resources to maybe make the character feel bad.

Some characters will overreact sure, but that can hardly be counted upon. Especially from a tactical position.

If you are in a fight to the death and you have a choice between one effect that will hamper and possibly kill the opponent who is trying to kill you or a power that will hamper them tomorrow which is better to use in general?

 

[Scion]

If you play in a campaign where "Magic is different from psionics" then psionics are very powerful. Especailly when it is a mostly magical world.

Only if it is a mostly magical world. If it is a mostly psionic world then magic becomes horribly powerful (this point is mainly from SR/PR point of view).

The different version simply makes things a bit more complicated along with questionable balance.. but since it is an optional rule one should expect that sort of thing

 

[KarinsDad]

But, from a bad guy perspective, how much sense does it make in general?

It is basically a scare tactic which the familiar itself could use its normally useless actions to avoid. Since the familiar itself doesnt really do much in combat for the most part attacking it is mostly spite. It doesnt provide any real benefit for the enemy and in fact usually puts them in a worse position.. because they have just given up their turn and possibly some resources to maybe make the character feel bad.

Some characters will overreact sure, but that can hardly be counted upon. Especially from a tactical position.

If you are in a fight to the death and you have a choice between one effect that will hamper and possibly kill the opponent who is trying to kill you or a power that will hamper them tomorrow which is better to use in general?

It depends. If I can see the Familiar, it makes sense to cast a spell that affects all creatures in the area like Evard's Black Tentacles, Fireball, etc.

That way, you get the scare factor and you do not waste your turn.

 

[Scion]

It depends. If I can see the Familiar, it makes sense to cast a spell that affects all creatures in the area like Evard's Black Tentacles, Fireball, etc.

That way, you get the scare factor and you do not waste your turn.

Evards black tentacles is already incredibly powerful anyway either way.. Talk about overpowered spells yet people dont seem to mind. But if the familiar is hanging out where it can be effected by area spells something is already wrong. Unless it has something to do in that combat then it shouldnt be in such a situation.

Fireballs tend not to do much to familiars though