Psionics and magic as separate systems

[amethal]

Our DM has recently put us up against some psions (its been great fun). He's using the "psionics and magic are different" method. However, his approach seems a bit extreme to me.

My specific query is my "slippery mind" ability. It allows me to try and save again the round after I fail a save against enchantment spells.

My DM takes the view that its useless against psionics, even psionic effects that practically duplicate enchantment spells. Do you agree with this?

 

[Arkhandus]

Something that's probably reprinted in 3.5 XPH but I dunno....a section from the 3.0 PsiHB under Variant: Psionics Are Different.

"Mind-Affecting Spells and Powers: Spells and special abilities that protect the mind against magical charm or compulsion effects cannot protect against psionic versons of the same effects. For instance, elves do not gain a +2 bonus on their Will saves against psionic Charm Person as they do against magical Charm Person. Similarly, Antimagic Field does not hinder psionics, nor does Null Psionics Field disrupt magic within its area."

So Slippery Mind is no benefit against psionic effects.

Of course, the variant also means that the enemy psionicists are quite vulnerable to magical Enchantments and such, because psionic abilities won't be able to dispel, block, or otherwise remove magical hindrances and whatnot.

 

[Bacris]

Yup, Arkhandus has hit it pretty square on the head.

Those psions shouldn't be able to dispel anything you have, as dispel psionics has no effect on magical effects.

Psionic / Magic Non Transparency can cause a lot of balance issues if not implemented properly.