Pathfinder 1E Pathfinder Psionics (from Dreamscarred)

[Salthorae]

I say keep it!

I like the reducing of total # of skills out there, except for knowledge skills. Just because a character has studied arcana, doesn't mean that they've ever come across a Tome on Psionics.

I dislike the ease of "free information" you can get from knowledge skills in general, but think that knowledge of psionics and psionic things should only available for those who invest their character's skills and "research time" into such things... with Knowledge (Psionics).

 

[freyar]

Another vote for keeping it, with basically the same arguments as Alzrius and Salthorae.

 

[StormingMarcus]

You forgot the "IMHO."

I can speak only for myself, so basically everything I say is only my huble opinion

 

[pawsplay]

I dislike the ease of "free information" you can get from knowledge skills in general, but think that knowledge of psionics and psionic things should only available for those who invest their character's skills and "research time" into such things... with Knowledge (Psionics).

That would vary by campaign world, hence affecting the DC. In some worlds, psionics are virtually unknown, weird powers possessed by aberrations and the occasional mutant or mystic. In others, a wizard would be as familiar with psionics as he would with clerical magic. In most campaign worlds, psionics are just a special class of spell-like abilities.

 

[Samurai]

I haven't read the whole thread, just the 1st page or so, but I'd say Psions, like many Sorcerers, Cleric Domains, etc should get some kind of "Mind blast" ability that works 3 + ability mod times per day and does about 1d6 + 1/2 lvl damage on a Rng touch attack.

If some people don't like crystals, you could just have a "bonded focus" that has all the same abilities as a psicrystal, but can have almost any appearance. Maybe it's a ring or headband, or a tiny gargoyle that sits on your shoulder, etc. Or maybe it really is a crystal that can grow legs and wings... I like the Wizard's focus not being limited to a staff, despite the common trope. I don't mind the psicrystal, but it doesn't need to be limited to that, why force it?

 

[Bacris]

Cross-posting from the Dreamscarred Press Pathfinder forum:

So, Andreas and I had a brief discussion about all this - in particular, bringing the psionic races more closely in-line with Pathfinder, along with the LA+1 races and abilities, and comparing them to other races.

I think, realistically, if we want to eliminate LA (which we do), and bring the abilities closer to the 2/2/2 design (which we mostly do), then there's no other option but to look at those races that HAD a level adjustment and take out some of their racial abilities and turn them into racial feats. Dromite +3 Nat Armor / Half-Giant Powerful Build / Duergar Immunities, I'm looking at you in particular.

So, the beta release of races (which isn't ready yet) will probably have these more extensive changes for play-testing and feedback. This will also allow backwards compatibility in that those races that get changed, for backwards compatibility, would simply have those feats and a level adjustment.

At this point, however, the following changes were made to all races:

Naturally Psionic: Race-name gain the Wild Talent feat as a bonus feat. If a race-name takes levels in a psionic class, he may replace the Wild Talent feat with Psionic Talent instead.

and

Psionic Aptitude: When a race-name takes a level in a favored class, he can choose to gain an additional power point instead of a hit point or skill point.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I think, realistically, if we want to eliminate LA (which we do), and bring the abilities closer to the 2/2/2 design (which we mostly do), then there's no other option but to look at those races that HAD a level adjustment and take out some of their racial abilities and turn them into racial feats. Dromite +3 Nat Armor / Half-Giant Powerful Build / Duergar Immunities, I'm looking at you in particular.

Personally, I think the AU/AE Racial classes are an even better path to eliminating LA than racial feats.

 

[Banshee16]

We did peruse that thread and you might remember me posting a few times in it too. But I will make sure to go back there and see if we can gather up the views.

However, I do want to say this right now - to us at Dreamscarred Press, the current Psionics system is pretty good, so unless there is overwhelming fansupport of redoing the rules in a major way, we're loathe to rip everything out and start anew.

However, one of the things that I DO want to include in the main book is different ways of portraying Psionics. Ie, we don't want to "lock in" the theme and feel of psionics as was done earlier. Some ideas for variants include Psionics as "Dreamshaping the Waking Dream" - which means that while there might be crystals and ectoplasm, there might also be other themes that surface. It all, really, depends on you guys, the fans!

Personally, I don't like the whole visual effects to psychic powers thing. I'm not sure why a telepath needs to have glowing eyes, and have the earth rumble when he uses a power. I always liked the original psionics where they were hard to detect because there weren't physical displays.

And get rid of the crystals....

Banshee

 

[concerro]

I think the crystal can be quiet useful. It should stay, but it should not be something people are forced to take.

Edit: The Astral Construct should be remain useful at higher levels.

 

[Arkhandus]

Note that you can avoid a power display in 3.5 by making a Concentration check. In 3.0 you had to use the Hide Power metapsionic feat, which cost some power points, but in 3.5 it's just a skill check.