[Psi] Replacing Attack/Defense Modes?

[NCSUCodeMonkey]

I've got a player who is interested in psionics but doesn't see the point in psionic attack/defense modes (he's interested in psy warrior). Personally, I'm not really attached to them either, so I was wondering if anyone has found a balanced replacement for them? I know about the feat Resculpt Mind (I think that's the name) from Dragon Magazine, but I seem to remember that you need to be a 3rd level Psion to qualify. Are there any other suggestions? Links to third party projects and pages are welcome, along with any commentary.

BTW, I probably won't be removing attack/defense modes entirely, he'll just be taking a replacement with the understanding that he will be very vulnerable to psionic attacks.

Thanks,
NCSUCodeMonkey

 

[Wycen]

I don't own the product and haven't read it, but apparently in Mindscapes, by Malhavoc Press, you can trade in the attack and defense modes for normal powers.

 

[Selganor]

Yes, it's Mindscapes. Available electronically (in two parts: Part 1: Combat System, Prestige Classes, new Feats/Powers, Part 2: Monsters) or in print (with both parts)

Mindscapes even goes a step further than Resculpt Mind (and "incorporates" this feat into the Psion class) as it puts up a new psionic combat system where psionic characters may even do psionic combat "just for fun" (without emptying their pools in a few rounds).

It's certainly worth a look.
For more info check out http://www.montecook.com/mpress_Mind.html

 

[Wormwood]

We dropped them entirely from our last game---seemed to work fine.

 

[Selganor]

So far I had ONE psionic combat (that was a test) and in 3 rounds we (a psion 3 and a phychic warrior 3) were "burnt out" with a few points of attribute damage and NO pp left.

In all rounds that had psionic characters so far there was NO psi-combat, as that's an easy way to bleed psionic characters out. (Monsters get their attacks for free and therefore can use them every round, so you lose at least 1 pp/round for your defense...)

 

[Darklone]

I always played with houserule X: Change one attack AND one defense mode into an additional power.

 

[DrSpunj]

Totally a house rule, but I just converted them to extra known powers of a power level appropriate for their power point cost, and threw in an extra psionic feat to help boost the class as well as even out the trade. Here's what I came up with for the Psion:

Level 1: Bonus Metapsionic or Psionic Item Creation feat
Levels 1 & 3: Extra 1st level power
Levels 5 & 7: Extra 2nd level power
Levels 9 & 11: Extra 3rd level power
Level 13: Extra 5th level power

The PsyWarrior would be similar, but I haven't had one of those in my campaign yet.

I totally forgot about Mindscapes. I need to check that out. Are people pleased with it?

DrSpunj

 

[Rugger]

Mindscapes is VERY cool.

As I put it to my crew, it's what Psionic Combat was supposed to be.

It introduces an all new psionic combat system that requires nothing on the PC's part (which makes it great for those games that psi combat never comes into play), but when it does happen, it's far more interesting!

The old Attack/Defense modes become powers that are useful, but not "must have".

The book also has a bunch of very flavorful PrC's for the psionics types...

If you aren't going to use lots of psionics, I'd recommend just getting the 1st PDF.

-Rugger
"I IdInsinuate!"

 

[NCSUCodeMonkey]

Thanks, everyone I am a big fan of Monte's stuff, so I think I'll go over and pick that up.

NCSUCodeMonkey

 

[Simplicity]

Thanks, everyone I am a big fan of Monte's stuff, so I think I'll go over and pick that up.

NCSUCodeMonkey

Psionic combat in 3e is complete crap. Chuck the attack and
defense modes. No psionicist in their right mind (pun intended) would
ever use them anyways (except of course for Mind Blast).