D&D General [Poll] How do you prefer psionics to work?

[TerraDave]

I was surprised to be in the clear majority.

Its interesting reading the responses, and pretty clear--people want psionics that is not just another kind of spell casting.

 

[CleverNickName]

Points, please.

Whether you call it a magic spell, a divine miracle, or psionic power, I want the same point-based system for it. I don't care for the current "X slots per day of Spell Level Y" model, and I don't want separate rules and mechanics for different character classes doing essentially the same thing.

Casting the levitate spell, using a jet pack to hover, using your MiNd PoWeRs to lift yourself...it should always use the same mechanic for all character classes. (IMO, of course)

 

[DeviousQuail]

I liked it, because you were very unlikely to run out of dice quickly. It seemed pretty well balanced.

I saw the math behind running out of dice and you're right, it won't run out quickly and it seemed fine balance wise. My issue with it is the ability to push my psionics to the limit or conserve energy for later was not actually my choice. I'd prefer to let the psion choose to max their die roll at the cost of lowering the die size. It makes it the psion's choice. Then let the die size refresh by using an action, or short rest, or whatever is balanced.

Now, if there was a chaos/wild psion subclass that mechanic would fit right in.

 

[Lanefan]

None of the above, as all of the above seem to assume the whole system runs on a depletion/refresh cycle.

For me, I prefer: inherent; at-will except maybe a very few things need to refresh daily (or per long rest); work at the speed of thought (in 5e terms, always work at reaction speed and always win initiative except vs other psionics); uninterruptable other than by unconsciousness, dis-minding, or death of user.

Also, not something any typical PC species has access to.

 

[Azzy]

I want something based of the 3e/3.5e treatment. Have the disciplines be subclasses, bring back the psicrystal and astral constructs. Whether it's point-based or spell slot is immaterial to me (because of the spell point rules in the DMG, I could turn a spell slot system into a points-based system without issue).

 

[Sacrosanct]

None of the above, as all of the above seem to assume the whole system runs on a depletion/refresh cycle.

For me, I prefer: inherent; at-will except maybe a very few things need to refresh daily (or per long rest); work at the speed of thought (in 5e terms, always work at reaction speed and always win initiative except vs other psionics); uninterruptable other than by unconsciousness, dis-minding, or death of user.

Also, not something any typical PC species has access to.

Oh I don’t know, getting punched in the face, or stepping on a Lego might break your concentration to conjure up the psychic energy lol

 

[Lanefan]

Oh I don’t know, getting punched in the face, or stepping on a Lego might break your concentration to conjure up the psychic energy lol

I see psionics as being way more immediate than that - speed of thought, i.e. instantaneous - meaning by the time someone's punch has reached your face you've already done whatever psionic thing you were going to do to the puncher, who now suddenly might not have a functional mind.

 

[Sacrosanct]

I see psionics as being way more immediate than that - speed of thought, i.e. instantaneous - meaning by the time someone's punch has reached your face you've already done whatever psionic thing you were going to do to the puncher, who now suddenly might not have a functional mind.

I see it more like you see on TV or books, where you're concentrating to move the whatever.

 

[Enevhar Aldarion]

Unless someone else brought it up, I do not see listed the recent Unearthed Arcana that had the psionic feats. I liked those and think they can be expanded on. I also think psionics for a character should have an extra cost, like needing a feat, and not just a base class or sub-class, or multiclassing into it.

 

[DammitVictor]

Generally, I'd say something pretty close to DSP's psionics for Pathfinder-- point-based system with levels, with a far greater reliance on class-based and feat-based powers that don't rely on the power points. Really a lot like... say, combining Tasha with the alternate spellcasting systems in Spells & Magic.