Out of the 3 different magic systems, which one would you choose?

[Turanil]

Suppose that someone (it's not me, it's just curiosity) wants to run a D&D campaign, but doesn't want to allow all existing supplements. He just wants to allow the 3 core books, the PHB II, and then an additional "magic" system. So, what book would you suggest to choose among those three:
-- Expanded Psionic Handbook
-- Magic of Incarnum
-- Tome of Magic

Could you describe them (even if very shortly), and why you think one would be more interesting than the other two (originality, balance, fun of play, etc.).

 

[ruleslawyer]

FYI, Tome of Magic is three magic systems rolled into one book. So it's a question of which of those you feel like doing.

 

[Dragonbait]

I voted Tome of Magic, but my players would probably say Expanded Psionics

 

[Treebore]

Thats the primary reason I voted Tome of Magic.

 

[MoogleEmpMog]

Expanded Psionics Handbook.

Incarnum is a neat system mechanically, but its pre-packaged flavor does absolutely nothing for me and even on a system basis it's only good, not great. This is a perfect example of something which, in an effects-based system, I might call "pretty cool," but with in-book fluff I feel compelled to write off as "meh."

Tome of Magic is better from a flavor perspective, but Truenamers have a very poor CR-based mechanic, and both Pact and Shadow Magic seem like only decent systems, mechanically-speaking.

XPH, on the other hand, is a truly wonderful example of design. The augmentation system, the spell (er, power) point system, the psionic focus mechanic, and all three power point-granting base classes - all are absolutely superb. The flavor is extremely well done, yet not so inextricably bound up in the abilities it couldn't be replaced. 3.5 psionics is everything a "magic" system should be, and everything the traditional magic system generally isn't.

 

[JustKim]

Expanded Psionics Handbook. Magic of Incarnum and Tome of Magic still have an unfinished feel and could stand for some polishing, while psionics is pretty darn polished after the revision. It was the first D&D psionics book- ever- that I could get behind. The other systems are neat and all, and I think they have a place in a game, but Incarnum is strong at low levels and weak at high levels, Truename Magic is practically unusable, and Shadow Magic is significantly weaker than arcane magic.

 

[arscott]

XPH, on the other hand, is a truly wonderful example of design. The augmentation system, the spell (er, power) point system, the psionic focus mechanic, and all three power point-granting base classes - all are absolutely superb. The flavor is extremely well done, yet not so inextricably bound up in the abilities it couldn't be replaced. 3.5 psionics is everything a "magic" system should be, and everything the traditional magic system generally isn't.

Bingo.

 

[interwyrm]

So far I'm the only one who went with incarnum. It's not that I think it's such a great system... it's just that it's so different than the standard magic... moreso I think than the others are. Psionics is just magics on a point system.

I don't know the tome of magic ones all that well... if I remember right there is shadow magic, pact magic, and truenaming. I don't think I liked the way they put those together.

 

[Odhanan]

Tome of Magic includes three different systems, not just one, indeed. That's the one I would pick, personally.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

Hmmm, the question is harder for me to answer than it sounds... I do not use Psionics, but if I ever did then it would be the only magic available, a complete replacement, not an adjunct.

Tome of Magic fits in better with the existing magic in my game worlds, so I actually do use two of the types of magic therein. Pact Magic and Shadow Magic are both very flavorful, and the fact that Shadow Magic can displace other arcane spell casting levels makes the flavor very... infectious. (In my game I allow it to replace only Sorcerer or Bard levels, as the infection spreads through the body...) Pact Magic I am in the process of changing around, tieing it in with the Infernals in the Iron Kingdoms rather than vestiges. While a character does not have to be evil become a Pact magician he will almost certainly end up being corrupted, and at the end of his days, even if he has managed to avoid corruption, the Infernals get his soul.

The Auld Grump