New PrC: Echo Psion

[Axelos]

Okay, this is a very "rough draft" version of a new PrC. Please have a look and let me know what you think.

Echo Psion

 

[Axelos]

Ummm...would it help if I said "please"? Oh wait, I already did. How about, "pretty please"?

 

[Nifft]

I'd give a "+1 Manifester level" at every other level instead of a fixed power discovery chart.

Arcane and Divine spells gain dice of damage as the caster goes up in level, unlike Psionic powers. There are variants which require an expenditure of extra PP (one per extra die) to boost damaging effects. I'd require that Echoed Arcane & Divine spells which do extra dice of damage cost extra PP, one PP per die.

Other than that, very cool class with a clear (and utterly kick-butt) Epic progression!

-- Nifft

 

[Axelos]

I'd give a "+1 Manifester level" at every other level instead of a fixed power discovery chart.

That's what I thought I'd do at first, but then I saw that the psionic PrC's in the Psionics Handbook were given their own power discovery chart. I think you're right, though.

Arcane and Divine spells gain dice of damage as the caster goes up in level, unlike Psionic powers. There are variants which require an expenditure of extra PP (one per extra die) to boost damaging effects. I'd require that Echoed Arcane & Divine spells which do extra dice of damage cost extra PP, one PP per die.

That's not a terribly steep price to pay, so yeah. Actually, that was part of what I was trying to address by adding to the modified power level if the original manifester/caster was higher in level than the echo psion, but this addresses that issue even better. However, I still think I'll leave the power level modifier in as well; many spells have effects based on caster level that aren't related to damage dice.

Other than that, very cool class with a clear (and utterly kick-butt) Epic progression!

Yeah, I've had the ELH for a while and every time I work up a new PrC, I try to think about the Epic progression.

 

[Nifft]

That's what I thought I'd do at first, but then I saw that the psionic PrC's in the Psionics Handbook were given their own power discovery chart. I think you're right, though.

Bruce R. Cordell said that he wrote the PsiHB before working on Tome & Blood, which introduced the lowered progression for casters. He released "variant" PsiPrCs with that same mechanic -- +1 Manifester at various levels -- on the web somewhere, maybe on the Wizard's site.

That's not a terribly steep price to pay, so yeah. Actually, that was part of what I was trying to address by adding to the modified power level if the original manifester/caster was higher in level than the echo psion, but this addresses that issue even better. However, I still think I'll leave the power level modifier in as well; many spells have effects based on caster level that aren't related to damage dice.

While this is true, Psions get enhanced duration for free by progressing in level. Damage dice are what differentiate Psions from Arcane casters -- well, that and Power Points.

-- Nifft

 

[Axelos]

Okay, I have updated the file and made a few changes. You can see the revised version by clicking the link in the first post.

Please, everybody, help me with your comments and ideas.

 

[Axelos]

Okay...or don't.

 

[Nifft]

Tell us what the changes are! I can't remember your PrC by heart, ya know.

-- Nifft

 

[Anabstercorian]

Offhand? Both Power Points and Powers Discovered should be a +1 manifester level dealie. And you should gain a manifester level every level except 1st, 4th, 7th, 10th, 13th, and so on.

 

[Axelos]

Tell us what the changes are! I can't remember your PrC by heart, ya know.

-- Nifft

Er...sorry.

I changed the "Powers Discovered" section so that the echo psion gains +1 manifester level at every other level and I increased the PP cost for reproducing spells that have damage dice based on caster level.

I'm more interested, though, in "Is this PrC any good?" rather than "Is this version better than the last?"

Offhand? Both Power Points and Powers Discovered should be a +1 manifester level dealie. And you should gain a manifester level every level except 1st, 4th, 7th, 10th, 13th, and so on.

Powers Discovered are already a "+1 manifester level dealie." I guess changing power points to work that way could work. Also, I might be convinced to use the more generous progression you suggest.

What do y'all think? Make power points dependent on the same +1 manifester level dealie? Use Anabstercorian's more generous progression? Or no?