Psionics: Balance and Integration

[Thanee]

Well, it allows me to make the Cleric jealous (get Resurrect at 12th level).

Okay, seriously (we don't even have a Cleric anymore... that's where the Resurrect was used for... he didn't want to come back, tho), Planar Binding has so many uses, it's impossible to list them. It's like Summon Monster on crack (but with a lot more preparation and a higher cost, of course). You can get some serious help in various situations. And especially as a Sorcerer, it offers a lot of out-of-combat versatility. Just take a look at the spells/spell-like abilities of monsters like the Astral Deva, Trumpet Archon, Ghaele Eladrin, or Leonal Guardinal (just to name the classic good-aligned outsiders of the appropriate level, which I prefer to call (I do not trap them and offer them a reasonable compensation)).

Bye
Thanee

 

[Thanee]

I think Heighten Spell should be a free metamagic feat for all character classes that cast spells, though it would be a "virtual feat" - an aspect of the spell system, rather than a feat in and of itself.

I wouldn't complain about that (just figuring level and DC from the spell slot used, basically), but it's ok as it is (not counting psionics, of course).

Bye
Thanee

 

[Nail]

Just take a look at the spells/spell-like abilities of monsters like the Astral Deva, Trumpet Archon, Ghaele Eladrin, or Leonal Guardinal (just to name the classic good-aligned outsiders of the appropriate level,....

Of that list, the Ghaele Eladrin is my favorite....and the best "deal" for the money. Astral Deva is the poorest choice, IMHO.

Still, your Sor has taken a "hit" with the spell, in the form of opportunity cost. If I was your DM, I'd be thankful you hadn't taken Suggestion, Mass (you said you were an enchanter, right?) or Wall of Iron (and watch whole economies crumble!).

 

[Thanee]

I'll pick up Wages of Sin later.

I don't drink, anyways.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Nail]

Ah......you have BoED available. I had forgotten. Yes, some excellent goody-goody spells in that one!

 

[KarinsDad]

I'm thinking Heighten Spell should be a free feat for Sorcerers...considering Psions get it for free.

I'm thinking auto-scaling of powers should be free for Psions...considering Sorcerers and other spell casters get it for free for spells.

 

[Thanee]

Yeah, that would be better. And give them slots!



Bye
Thanee

 

[moritheil]

Dimension slide has to be augmented to be move-action, doesn't it? It's therefore similar to quickening a weak version of dimension door (although cheaper).

Ectoplasmic cocoon and Astral construct are nice; I haven't bothered trying to find anything to balance them against.

Please, please, please, do not take stuff from Dragon Mag and ask why it isn't balanced. That way lies madness. Dragon Mag is well known for having the occasional grossly imbalanced feat or ability.

Like me.

But putting that aside for a moment, here are a few powers that have caused "raised eyebrows" around our gaming table.

• Astral Construct
• Ectoplasmi Cocoon, Mass
• "Crystal Ray" (?) or some such...no SR, Ref save, 7d4 Con damage! It's fron Dragon Mag.
• Dimension Slide, move-action option

Those are the recent ones. You'll also notice that the psion self-buffs tend to have longer duration than similar ones from the Sor/Wiz or Clr/Drd list. Enough so that the psion can usually count on being buffed for all encounters that day. Some powers the psion is able to extend for 48 hours, so he can manifest them for "free" essentially (since he did it the day before, and has now regained his power points).

 

[Jack Simth]

Well, it allows me to make the Cleric jealous (get Resurrect at 12th level).

Okay, seriously (we don't even have a Cleric anymore... that's where the Resurrect was used for... he didn't want to come back, tho), Planar Binding has so many uses, it's impossible to list them. It's like Summon Monster on crack (but with a lot more preparation and a higher cost, of course). You can get some serious help in various situations. And especially as a Sorcerer, it offers a lot of out-of-combat versatility. Just take a look at the spells/spell-like abilities of monsters like the Astral Deva, Trumpet Archon, Ghaele Eladrin, or Leonal Guardinal (just to name the classic good-aligned outsiders of the appropriate level, which I prefer to call (I do not trap them and offer them a reasonable compensation)).

Bye
Thanee

So you are basically using Planar Binding more like Planar Ally by diliberately skipping the trap and asking for help, in a way that isn't dangerous (listed 1/2 cost under Planar Ally), that can be perfromed in minutes (minimal cost to begin with, also under Planar Ally), for a task that is "strongly aligned" with the critter's alignment (e.g., calling a deva for a Ressurection of the party Paladin)? Hmm.... seems valid, although odd that one costs XP (the cleric's Planar Ally) but the other doesn't (The Wiz/Sor Planar Binding), while they are both at the same level, and yield the same effect. Then again, a Miracle doesn't cost EXP for spell-duplicating, while Wish does, so I suppose it's fair enough that there's a smaller version that balances the other way.

 

[Thanee]

Planar Binding also doesn't work automatically, there is still a saving throw and an opposed Cha check involved.

Bye
Thanee