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Mike Mearls on D&D Psionics: Should Psionic Flavor Be Altered?
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<blockquote data-quote="Dannyalcatraz" data-source="post: 7672390" data-attributes="member: 19675"><p>In no particular order...</p><p></p><p>I've enjoyed most forms of D&D Psionics to some extent, but I also always thought there were problems with each incarnation. At the most obvious, the more like spells it was mechanically, the less different it felt. </p><p></p><p>The terminology NEVER bothered me- so many of the terms were Greco/Latin in origin, I just saw it as how an academic might name them. Besides, as has been pointed out, the same terminology was poached for magic anyway- if telekinesis, teleportation, and the like can be used for casters, it works for psionic manifesters as well.</p><p></p><p>If I were in charge, I'd differentiate Psi from Arcane & Divine magic by:</p><p></p><p>1) make it explicitly NOT magic, but rather, an extension of the natural forces within all living things. Power is achieved by mastering one's own body in ways most cannot imagine. While there might be anti-Psionic magical effects- and vice versa- they wouldn't be the same. In a place where magic was non-functional, Psionics could still (potentially) work. As such, I would probably bring things like Ki into the broader Psionic tent. </p><p></p><p><strong>Edit: barbarian Rage might be a good one, too.</strong></p><p></p><p>2) because Psi would (probably) be harder to dispel, neutralize or mitigate, and thus more reliable/available, I would probably make the effects either less powerful, more costly in character resources, or both.</p><p></p><p>3) because it is (mostly) just a manifestation of one's physical resources, I would make it Con based. It would also mean that as y deplete your Psionic resources, you become more fatigued. "Go Nova" or use your last point, and you risk passing out from the strain. </p><p></p><p>4) The more powerful abilities would depend on actually expending points- see the fatigue mechanic above- but some would just depend on having Psionic energy available: as long as you have any psychic resources, they function just fine. </p><p></p><p>5) I like the "Far Realms is a disease, psi is the cure" idea, and would totally yoink that. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite2" alt=";)" title="Wink ;)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=";)" /></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Dannyalcatraz, post: 7672390, member: 19675"] In no particular order... I've enjoyed most forms of D&D Psionics to some extent, but I also always thought there were problems with each incarnation. At the most obvious, the more like spells it was mechanically, the less different it felt. The terminology NEVER bothered me- so many of the terms were Greco/Latin in origin, I just saw it as how an academic might name them. Besides, as has been pointed out, the same terminology was poached for magic anyway- if telekinesis, teleportation, and the like can be used for casters, it works for psionic manifesters as well. If I were in charge, I'd differentiate Psi from Arcane & Divine magic by: 1) make it explicitly NOT magic, but rather, an extension of the natural forces within all living things. Power is achieved by mastering one's own body in ways most cannot imagine. While there might be anti-Psionic magical effects- and vice versa- they wouldn't be the same. In a place where magic was non-functional, Psionics could still (potentially) work. As such, I would probably bring things like Ki into the broader Psionic tent. [B]Edit: barbarian Rage might be a good one, too.[/B] 2) because Psi would (probably) be harder to dispel, neutralize or mitigate, and thus more reliable/available, I would probably make the effects either less powerful, more costly in character resources, or both. 3) because it is (mostly) just a manifestation of one's physical resources, I would make it Con based. It would also mean that as y deplete your Psionic resources, you become more fatigued. "Go Nova" or use your last point, and you risk passing out from the strain. 4) The more powerful abilities would depend on actually expending points- see the fatigue mechanic above- but some would just depend on having Psionic energy available: as long as you have any psychic resources, they function just fine. 5) I like the "Far Realms is a disease, psi is the cure" idea, and would totally yoink that. ;) [/QUOTE]
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Mike Mearls on D&D Psionics: Should Psionic Flavor Be Altered?
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