Level Up (A5E) Paranormal Power vs. VRC psion

[TrueAnnoyinGnome]

can these be used side by side? I loved Paranormal Power just so dang much when it came out and I've had it used it play but I read it now and my brain blue screens {not on the author at all there are a lot of pain management meds in me these last few weeks}

ditto the VRC Psion, I Grok it eventually, but for now, can any of you who know both ELI5 if they "play nice" at the table and any glaring pitfalls of allowing both?


thanks for helping me out

 

[Selganor]

Sounds like a question a short "esper psion" mission might be able to clear.

Who'd be up for that? (I'd even volunteer as a player )

Unfortunately I didn't have the time to look as much into the psion as I wanted to.

 

[Steampunkette]

The short answer is: Yes.

The longer and more complicated answer is: Yes, but it may create a disharmony both in narrative and mechanical play.

Resolving an Esper or a Psion's use of power has no effect on the other, whatsoever. And side by side they're of roughly equal power with a specific caveat: The Psion's powers have more oomph while the Esper is more reliant on using their bonus action to maintain damage parity.

Which will lead to some situations where the Psion might be out of juice outside of Psychic Blast and the occasional Talent while the Esper gets to continue the class fantasy by wielding telekinesis in either hand to kind of do both.

There's also the Psion's design choices of emotion/RP that play into the whole Light Side/Dark Side/Middle Path thing where the Esper is just like "Are you crazy? You just use your brain power to do things you don't have to be a dork about it."

So yeah. They'll play side by side just fine if a little at odds in some ways and complimentary in others. Sort of like a Wizard and a Warlock. Both casters, both use arcane magic, but do it in slightly different ways.

 

[Micah Sweet]

The short answer is: Yes.

The longer and more complicated answer is: Yes, but it may create a disharmony both in narrative and mechanical play.

Resolving an Esper or a Psion's use of power has no effect on the other, whatsoever. And side by side they're of roughly equal power with a specific caveat: The Psion's powers have more oomph while the Esper is more reliant on using their bonus action to maintain damage parity.

Which will lead to some situations where the Psion might be out of juice outside of Psychic Blast and the occasional Talent while the Esper gets to continue the class fantasy by wielding telekinesis in either hand to kind of do both.

There's also the Psion's design choices of emotion/RP that play into the whole Light Side/Dark Side/Middle Path thing where the Esper is just like "Are you crazy? You just use your brain power to do things you don't have to be a dork about it."

So yeah. They'll play side by side just fine if a little at odds in some ways and complimentary in others. Sort of like a Wizard and a Warlock. Both casters, both use arcane magic, but do it in slightly different ways.

I would happily play or run a game with either or both. My friend's A5e sci-fi campaign has an esper, and my own forthcoming post-apocalyptic A5e campaign has a psion on deck.

 

[Steampunkette]

I would happily play or run a game with either or both. My friend's A5e sci-fi campaign has an esper, and my own forthcoming post-apocalyptic A5e campaign has a psion on deck.

Let me know when and where. I'll roll something up from Martial Artistry.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Let me know when and where. I'll roll something up from Martial Artistry.

I'd be happy to have you, but it's an in-person game in Central California. Not sure how much of a drive that is for you.

 

[Steampunkette]

I'd be happy to have you, but it's an in-person game in Central California. Not sure how much of a drive that is for you.

31 hours...

...

See you next weekend!

 

[Timespike]

Spare a thought for me when I have to make the inevitable esper/psion feat chain in a future Multiclasser's Manual.

 

[Morrus]

So yeah. They'll play side by side just fine if a little at odds in some ways and complimentary in others. Sort of like a Wizard and a Warlock. Both casters, both use arcane magic, but do it in slightly different ways.

I think of it like different types of force users. Sure there's the Jedi and the Sith, but there's also others.

 

[Steampunkette]

I think of it like different types of force users. Sure there's the Jedi and the Sith, but there's also others.

Ooo... good point!

Like how you've got Grey Jedi, which are covered under the Psion, but also force traditions that have nothing to do with Light/Dark/Grey or whatever?