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Message: <blockquote data-quote="helium3" data-source="post: 2717355" data-attributes="member: 31301">Armor Class Comparison Between Psion and WizardI'm going to try to tackle this question regarding Armor Class, since it's one I think I can handle.I'll be comparing an 8th level wizard with an 8th level Psion that has taken the same powers as the psion that KarinsDad has proferred as an example of an overpowered (I asumme) Psion.We'll assume the following things:Both characters are medium sized and have intelligence's of 18. For purposes of a direct comparison, I'm going to assume that the characters have a dexterity of 10 and don't have rings of protection.The wizard (who is not a specialist) can memorize the following spells/day: 4/5/4/4/3. If we make the assumption (and i believe it's a valid one) that spells can be likened to powerpoints and converted using the normal amount per level, then the wizard has a total of 59 equivalent PP. I assume that four cantrips are equivalent to 1 PP. (1 + 5*1 + 4*3 + 4*5 + 3*7). Also, please note that a troll has a natural armor of +5, but since you're also being enlarged to large size, your effect AC change is +4. Not sure where the +6 comes from.If we then assume that the Wizard has access to and has memorized all AC enhancing spells, which is not a terribly unlikely possibility, then the Wizard can cast the following spells to enhance AC.Mage Armor / +4 AC / 1 PPShield / +4 AC / 1 PPReduce Person / +1 AC / 1 PPCat's Grace / +2 AC / 3 PPProtection From Evil / +2 AC / 3 PPHaste / +1 AC / 3 PPPolymorph / +4 AC / 7 PPAC Improvement / +18Rounds To Cast / 7Total Expenditure / 18 PPPercent of Daily Total / 30%Point AC Per PP / 1:1Also, please note that Reduce person has the added bonus of improving your chance to hit (while decreasing damage dealt so maybe it's a wash) and Haste can be cast on 8 people in total, not just the caster. Protection from Evil also has a number of other useful side effects, but only works against evil creatures. Presumeably other versions could be used, though there is no defense against neutral opponents.Now lets look at the 8th level Psion, who has 76 Power Points in total thanks to that 18 intelligence:Inertial Armor / +7 AC / 7 PPForce Screen / +5 AC / 5 ACDefensive Precognition / +3 AC / 7 PPThicken Skin / +3 AC / 7 PPAnimal Affinity / +2 AC / 3 PPMetamorphosis / +4 AC / 7 PPAC Improvement / +24Rounds To Cast / 6Total Expenditure / 36 PPPercent of Daily Total / 47%Point AC Per PP / 2:3Also, with the exception of metamorphosis, none of these powers have useful "side effects" and cannot be cast on other people, or on multiple targets.So, I think it's pretty clear here that the Psion is not overpowered, at least with respect to AC. Yes, the Psion can achieve much higher AC's than an equivalent wizard, but it's at a much greater cost than the wizard, with minimal beneficial side effects. About the only downside for the wizard is that it would take seven rounds to complete this buff sequence, as opposed for six for the Psion.Also, it should be noted that these defensive spells are going to be 36% of the hypothetical Psion's ENTIRE repatoire. Presumeably, the equivalent 8th level wizard is going to have a lot of other nifty spells in her book.I don't expect this to change anyone's mind, but at least it offers a useful diversion from the usual back and forth of "Psion's are overpowered!!!!" and "No they aren't!!!!!'</blockquote>

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