Malhavoc's Mindscapes
- Thread starter Psion
- Start date
Sagan Darkside
First Post
Ok, teaser- what have they done with psionic combat?
Wasn't this book going to offer a different system?
SD
Wasn't this book going to offer a different system?
SD
Psion
Adventurer
I'm sure my house rules has long ago been deleted from the forums. But the idea is real simple - gets bonus feats at 1st and 1 every 5th level much like a wizard.
Psionic combat is way different. Psions and Psychic Warriors no longer get combat modes by level under these rules (so resculpt mind is a non-issue... Cordell explicitly states that the bonus feats were intended as a more direct answer to the problem that resculpt mind addresses.)
Psionic combat is way different. Psions and Psychic Warriors no longer get combat modes by level under these rules (so resculpt mind is a non-issue... Cordell explicitly states that the bonus feats were intended as a more direct answer to the problem that resculpt mind addresses.)
Sagan Darkside
First Post
Psion said:
Pfft- I guess I have to impatiently wait for your review. heh.
On a side note- How is the ending of your campeign going? After reading your novel in the Plot forum, I am curious.
SD
Davelozzi
Explorer
Cool, I'm interested in hearing more. Are you planning on doing a full review at any point soon?
I use the bonus feat rule too, although IRRC, I got the idea from you, Psion.
We use psionic combat mostly as described in the PsiHB, but with cards, and with an extra pool of Psionic Combat Points that' separate from the regular Power Points.
I use the bonus feat rule too, although IRRC, I got the idea from you, Psion.
We use psionic combat mostly as described in the PsiHB, but with cards, and with an extra pool of Psionic Combat Points that' separate from the regular Power Points.
Psion
Adventurer
Sagan Darkside said:
My novel, eh?
Well, they took longer to find their contact in Shadowport than I expected, and I went on my vacation before we had a chance to finish it. Thus this Friday should be the finale. They found their contact in Shadowport who told them that the Drakarian princess had been recaptured and thrown into the previously discussed arena/dungeon. Next adventure, the players will have to venture into the heart of the enemy capital, evade enemy psionic trackers called bloodhounds, make their way to the arena, break out of it, and possibly confront the emperor.
As for psionic combat, I am still reading it (gimme a break - I still have the email window open from the msg Sue sent less than an hour ago). But basically, there are now 12 combat modes (two for each stat), and all psychic creatures know all of them. Psionic combat is governed by mode checks, which have modifiers are numerically similar to will save modifiers for the given class, plus modifiers depending on the mode and mindscape used. Mindscapes are formed when two psionic creatures are aware of each other and at least one wishes it to form.
The only thing that troubles me is the disappearance of mind blast... it's sort of a staple, and it seems like under this variant it goes away (what about mind flayers!?) Still reading though...
Edit: Nevermind. The old modes have been retrofitted in as powers, so no problem with mind flayers.
I think old DS fans who disdain the 3e system will like this system much better.
Last edited:
Ashrem Bayle
Explorer
LOVE IT!
For those of you not in the know...
With the new system, psionics beings (and nonpsions with the right feats) create a mindscape when they come into contact with each other. On the mindscape, their avatars do battle with each other. The victor each round gains certain bonuses and abilities in the real world.
Or... the psionic beings can just beat the (psychic) snot out of each other in the Mindscape like a game or duel without the real life ramifications.
Many really nice Prestige Classes and the Feats are great!
I can't stress how much I love this new system enough.
I had one major fear. I was afraid that the psion would effectivly be controlling two characters in the combat round and would be taking up more than his share of game time, leaving the other players bored.
Fortunatly, this is not the case. The entirety of Mindscape combat is reduced to a single roll.
Example:
Two psions pass each other in the street. They have been looking for each other, and once they come into contact, their awareness is suddenly manifested onto the mindscape.
The mindscape takes on various forms depending on certain circumstances. Lets say for this example, their avatars appear standing on the water in the center of an endless ocean.
The psion with the higher initiative (the same initiative he uses in the real world) chooses a mode of attack. These are different from the standard combat modes in that all psionics and psychic creatures know all modes.
The avatar with the lowest initiative declares his mode. This gives the avatar with the highest initiative the advantage in that he can pick a mode more suitable to counter it.
They then roll an opposed check modified by their level, the mode in question, and any modifiers from the nature of the mindscape.
The winner gets the effect of his mode made manifest in the real world. Or... if he wants to, he can just use that win for bragging rights. You don't have to use the effects of your mode.
The new modes do not have a pp cost. They give you a penalty on your check depending on how powerful it is. If you succeed, your mode can have different effects depending on the one you choose.
Some give you bonuses to hit in the real world. Some give bonuses to damage. Some increase the DC to avoid powers. Some cause your powers to do more damage. Some cause your opponent to loose PPs. etc. As I said though, the winner doesn't have to enforce the effects of his mode though.
So basicly, you just pick a mode, roll, and take the results. It all happens pretty quick.
For those of you not in the know...
With the new system, psionics beings (and nonpsions with the right feats) create a mindscape when they come into contact with each other. On the mindscape, their avatars do battle with each other. The victor each round gains certain bonuses and abilities in the real world.
Or... the psionic beings can just beat the (psychic) snot out of each other in the Mindscape like a game or duel without the real life ramifications.
Many really nice Prestige Classes and the Feats are great!
I can't stress how much I love this new system enough.
I had one major fear. I was afraid that the psion would effectivly be controlling two characters in the combat round and would be taking up more than his share of game time, leaving the other players bored.
Fortunatly, this is not the case. The entirety of Mindscape combat is reduced to a single roll.
Example:
Two psions pass each other in the street. They have been looking for each other, and once they come into contact, their awareness is suddenly manifested onto the mindscape.
The mindscape takes on various forms depending on certain circumstances. Lets say for this example, their avatars appear standing on the water in the center of an endless ocean.
The psion with the higher initiative (the same initiative he uses in the real world) chooses a mode of attack. These are different from the standard combat modes in that all psionics and psychic creatures know all modes.
The avatar with the lowest initiative declares his mode. This gives the avatar with the highest initiative the advantage in that he can pick a mode more suitable to counter it.
They then roll an opposed check modified by their level, the mode in question, and any modifiers from the nature of the mindscape.
The winner gets the effect of his mode made manifest in the real world. Or... if he wants to, he can just use that win for bragging rights. You don't have to use the effects of your mode.
The new modes do not have a pp cost. They give you a penalty on your check depending on how powerful it is. If you succeed, your mode can have different effects depending on the one you choose.
Some give you bonuses to hit in the real world. Some give bonuses to damage. Some increase the DC to avoid powers. Some cause your powers to do more damage. Some cause your opponent to loose PPs. etc. As I said though, the winner doesn't have to enforce the effects of his mode though.
So basicly, you just pick a mode, roll, and take the results. It all happens pretty quick.
Zarrock God of Evil
First Post
I've been plowing through it for the last few hours as well - looks really good. I'll submit a review as soon as I finish reading it - but let it be said - this product looks like it deserves a really good rating judging from the first 3 chapters alone - I really like the combat system, the bonus feats for Psions and the prestige classes I've read through so far are really a great addition to the game - especially in so far as they open up the door for an excellent psionics-only campaign (like the Psychic Chirurgeon - would explain why a culture based only on psionics could still have excellent healers. With these PrC in play, the Talaire IMC will no longer have any arcane or divine casters among their ranks).
-Zarrock
-Zarrock
Last edited:
Benben
First Post
Ashrem Bayle said:
I'm quoting Ashrem Bayle here, because I want to stress how quick and cool this looks to be.
All psionic combat, no matter how many participants is confirmed with one roll. It's been made as unobtrusive as possible for players outside of the mindscape. Abstracted out, this is no worse than rolling initiative every round.
I have a few qualms about a couple of the powers, and I haven't given a detailed look at the very cool prestige classes but over all I give this book a standing ovation.
Similar Threads
