Just picked up the Expanded Psionics Handbook

[alaric]

Psionic combat seems to be completely gone, the combat modes are now powers, some (Ego Whip) seem to work pretty much like the combat mode did, others (Id Insuiation) seem to be just random powers that have the combat mode name attached to them.

 

[Psion]

The Expand Power Feat allows you to choose any power that is at least 1 level less than your max known and add it to your known powers list (Big Sign pointing downward that reads "Hey Wilder, over here"), even if that power is on another disciplines list or even from another class list!

Yay!

No more whining about psions who can create there own demiplane on the astral but can't travel there!

 

[Psion]

Psionic combat seems to be completely gone, the combat modes are now powers, some (Ego Whip) seem to work pretty much like the combat mode did, others (Id Insuiation) seem to be just random powers that have the combat mode name attached to them.

Cool... so it DOES play right into the Mindscapes system.

Excellent.

 

[alaric]

I have an odd question and a serious question:

Odd question first:

Why does the Elan get a +0 ECL and the Dromites get +1? to be honest, it seems like it should be the other way around? <shrug>

And now the question I actually expect some sort of answer to :

IS the 3.5 Meta mind really exaclt like the 3.0 metamind? where you take a PrC that supposedly gives you lots of power points, but actually gives you FEWER PP's and craptacular powers? "Cause if they didn't change it to caster progression or something, I'm a gonna be PO'd.

The Dromites are Monsterous Humanoids (so no charm person, etc), they have +3 natural armor, and get to pick one energy type to get a 5 resistance in. They get +1 PP at first level, and uses the energy ray power 1/day for free. They get the scent and blind-fighting abilities. That seems okay for +1, and from what i can tell the Elan does seem pretty good for 0 level adjustment race.

The meta mind now gets 1/2 level adjustment (+1 at even levels), at odd levels the get Free Manifesting (3 free 1st at 1st, 3 free 2nds at 3rd, up to 1 free 5th at 9th), Cognizance psicrystal (psicrystal now stores power points), and at 10th level they get Font of Power, which means for 1 minute a day they light up like a christmas tree and don't have to expend power points for any of their powers (this generally doesn't fit into the craptacular power list).

 

[Anabstercorian]

...at 10th level they get Font of Power, which means for 1 minute a day they light up like a christmas tree and don't have to expend power points for any of their powers (this generally doesn't fit into the craptacular power list).

Holy ! That's absolutely awesome! WOW!

Quick, tell me a 7th level power that you'd want to use with this!

 

[alaric]

Did they change the level that psions can Dominate?

Still 4th level, but augments were added to effect non-humanoids, and multiple additional targets.

 

[alaric]

Well, I don't know if it means anything, but on the ExpPsiH illustrations page on the wizards website (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ag/20040403a), look at the image for "Energy Ball".. notice something? It's the same illo used for "Sever the Tie" in the 3.0 PsiH.. so just maybe, it's been incorporated into that power! (can anyone confirm/rebut this?)

(and yeah, its one of my Savant's favorite powers too!)

ttyl,
Videssian

Energy Ball is 4rd level Kineticist power, does 7d6 you choose the energy type, and the energy type adds an effect (Cold uses fort save instead of reflex, fire deals +1 damage per die). There are energy bolt, energy burst, and energy cone powers that are very similar. Sever the Tie picture labeled as energy ball in the book as well.

 

[alaric]

Any new cool monsters? Is there a lot on Mind flayers?

Mike

There seem to be quite a few new monsters, along with all the old ones, and a phrenic template to add psionics to normal creatures (Phrenic Manticore is the example). The mind flayer discription is presented as an alteration to the Monster manual mind flayer (labeld Mind Flayer, Psionic), they get stat'd as 9th level psions (telepath) and a list of common powers known, and they can use Mind Blast at will.

 

[Psion]

The mind flayer discription is presented as an alteration to the Monster manual mind flayer (labeld Mind Flayer, Psionic),

Psionic Mind Flayer is redundant if you ask me. (Plus, let us NOT go back to 2e canon where there were two versions... )

they get stat'd as 9th level psions (telepath) and a list of common powers known, and they can use Mind Blast at will.

Cool change though. Makes them MUCH more playable. I was considering writing them up that way myself. Great that they are saving me the trouble.

How about Githyanki and Githzerai? Any updates their to atone for the recent oxymorons of non-psionic Gith?

 

[Acid_crash]

With the current changes of psionics how easy would it be to convert the older prestige classes and internet powers, like from The Minds Eye at WotC website, into 3.5 versions?

I intend to run a psionics only campaign, and any advice on easy conversions would be helpful to not just myself, but probably a few others as well. I'm not very good at converting things like this, so I am asking all of you for what you would do, if you chose to, to do this.