Psionics Handbook 3.5 Confirmed!

[Celtavian]

Re

Thanks for the ideas on Psionics. I will remember to incorporate them the next time the guy in my gaming group wants to run a Psionicist. I don't think it would be too bad if I change Mind Blast and a few of the other suggested powers.

He had just purchased the book. I hadn't had a chance to really read it. When he used Mind Blast, it was a bit of a shocker that brought back nightmares of Id Insinuation from second edition.

 

[green slime]

A couple of others you should consider:
Make Animal Affinity an enhancement bonus.
Ban Psychofeedback and Mindfeeder.

Definitely that Animal Affinity thing. So it doesn't stack with other enhancement bonuses.

As to Mindfeeder & Bodyfeeder, we allow ONLY the weapon damage roll (so no recieving points for Str, sneak attack, magic enhancement, energy damage, etc)

We limit the amount of points that you can burn with Psychofeedback. Can't remember exactly without me books

I believe FAQ/Errata/Mind's Eye says something about 60 points per day Maximum. (still too much, anyway)

 

[Destil]

Personally, I'd like to see psioncs handled like the One Power in the Wheel of Time game. The Powers could be written up like so:




or whatever.....

Anyway. The power itself wouldn't have a level, but when it is manifested, it is granted a level based on the number of power points invested. Saving throws are calculated based level of the power as it is manifested. Of course, a limit would need to be imposed so that 5th level psions aren't manifesting 9th level powers, but that is easy to do.

This solves SEVERAL problems.

1. Flavor
2. Scaling of damage
3. Scaling of saving throws
4. Scaling of PP costs.
5. Powers become much more flexable (Try this with Telekinesis for example.) Also, the ability to add built in "Metapsionics" make each power even more flavorful and flexable..
6. Gets rid of the need for Power Chains and the feats related to them.
7. You could even add a mechanic to allow the psions to strain for more power. Look at WoT's overchannel rules. Say he could manifest a power at a higher level if he paid the difference in Constitution damage or something.

You know... that's really good. Keeps all of the best parts of the level based system (ease of balance, familarity) but very unique, good flavor and flexable. I just just might have to rebuild the enture system like that, now....

 

[green slime]

You know... that's really good. Keeps all of the best parts of the level based system (ease of balance, familarity) but very unique, good flavor and flexable. I just just might have to rebuild the enture system like that, now....

Yes I liked his idea as well.

I was almost tempted to give it a go to redesign, but... One thing is for certain, you need tro be careful with the "powers known" list. This would require a rewrite of the Psion and Psychic Warrior in the end.

I'm not saying it isn't doable, just that it is a lot of work, some of it may not be immediately apparent.

 

[Psion]

Stunning is a killer, though. I used 'stun ray' (from Dragon Annual #5, IIRC) on a BBEG last night - stun for 1 round, plus 1d4 rounds if he fails a Fort save. I figured stunning him for 1 round (and making him drop his stuff) wasn't so bad.

Werd.

This is one thing I don't like about Mindscapes. The attack modes have become powers and Cordell made the dubious decision of making ego whip a level one power that stuns for 1 round (formerly 1-2 rounds; they edited it down but it's not enough) with no save. As simple as that sounds, I find things like this extremely problematic. All it takes to take down a BBEG is have the party psion ego-whip the opponent round after round (which he can keep up for a long time because it's cheap) while the rest of the party wails away on it.

 

[green slime]

Werd.

Werd?

Werd to you too!

Someone at WotC doesn't seem to think that stun is a powerful effect. Personally I'd rather have my non-psionic characters take stat damage, than get stunned. Stat damage I can regenerate.