Psionics in your game?
- Thread starter CleverNickName
- Start date
GuardianLurker
Adventurer
That's a yes.
I've always run games with a psionics option (even in 1e), though sadly, no-one's ever taken me up on the option. Before now.
Now I'm running a psionics-only campaign, using XPH, CompPsi, Hyperconscious, and Untapped Potential.
I've always run games with a psionics option (even in 1e), though sadly, no-one's ever taken me up on the option. Before now.
Now I'm running a psionics-only campaign, using XPH, CompPsi, Hyperconscious, and Untapped Potential.
wingsandsword
Legend
On very rare occasion I may have a PC who is interested in a psionic character, it's happened twice. The first was a monk who wanted to become a Fist of Zuoken because the player thought psionics and monks was a neat combination flavor-wise, and I once had a half-crystal-dragon PC that wanted to have some psionic abilities since Crystal Dragons are psionic dragons and thought it was appropriate for her character concept. As for a psionic base class and be a primarily psionic character, never had anybody even ask although I do allow psionics (mostly core, but non-core stuff is okay case-by-case if it ever comes up).
The overwhelming majority of the time nobody really thinks of playing a psionic character and psionics only come up on the rare occasion that I throw a psionic NPC at the party, or they find a piece of psionic treasure.
The overwhelming majority of the time nobody really thinks of playing a psionic character and psionics only come up on the rare occasion that I throw a psionic NPC at the party, or they find a piece of psionic treasure.
Angel Tarragon
Dawn Dragon
A psionic Myconid! 
Masquerade
First Post
mhacdebhandia said:
Your ideas are intriguing to me, and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter.
mhacdebhandia
Explorer
I don't think it's surprising that people who aren't attached to the "traditional" tropes of D&D are positive about psionics. Whether you're aware of the grand tradition of pre-Tolkien speculative fiction or just really into contemporary approaches to fantasy, you'll tend to be a bit more broad-minded about what's "right" for D&D.
Nonlethal Force
First Post
I like psionics in game for a simple reason: The rules are simple to adjudicate!
Say you are introducing someone new to the game (heck, new to the industry) and they want to play some kind of 'spellcaster.' I use the term spellcaster loosely, as someone might who didn't know the difference between psionics and vancian magic.
Now, you can have these two approaches (assume core-type casters):
1. Well, you got your two choices. Wizards have to pay per spell, keep a spellbook, keep track of spellscribing costs, and then they have to meditate once per day and pick the spell they want to cast. Yeah, it's a bit of guesswork ... but you'll eventually figure out your pattern. Or, on the other hand - you could pick the sorcerer. It has a limit to the number of spells known and can cast them as many times per day as you have slots per level. But, yeah, the list you get to choose from is still pretty daunting.
2. See, this thing here called psionics means that you get a total. No such thing as spell slots per spell level. You get a total number of points. And, you get a certain number of powers known, like the sorcerer. The main difference is that the list of choices is also smaller, so you're less likely to make a rookie mistake than with the sorcerer. To use a power, simply subtract off how many points you use from the toal. That's it!
Now ... I'm not saying psionics is a better system than vancian magic (although I personally prefer it). But the thing is, psionics isa snap to teach to someone. That way, they can learn it and use it effectively on day one (assuming they can add and subtract, of course). It lets them get a feel for magic and how to use it. Once they get a feel for balancing a 'known powers list,' the combat system, and the rest of the rules of the game - then they can start to swallow the elephant known as "learning how to play a wizard well."
Do I allow psionics? Yes. I love it as a teaching tool. Absolutely love it as a teaching tool. Plus, I actually like the flavor of it better than wizard fluff. But that's just my opinion.
As a personal question: A few of the psionic lovers have mentioned Hyperconsciousness and a few other books. I have and love the XPH. I didn't like CPsi at all. What does Hyperconsciousness, Psychic Handbook, and other psionics style books have to offer ... and assuming I've got money to plunk down - what should I look at getting and why?
Say you are introducing someone new to the game (heck, new to the industry) and they want to play some kind of 'spellcaster.' I use the term spellcaster loosely, as someone might who didn't know the difference between psionics and vancian magic.
Now, you can have these two approaches (assume core-type casters):
1. Well, you got your two choices. Wizards have to pay per spell, keep a spellbook, keep track of spellscribing costs, and then they have to meditate once per day and pick the spell they want to cast. Yeah, it's a bit of guesswork ... but you'll eventually figure out your pattern. Or, on the other hand - you could pick the sorcerer. It has a limit to the number of spells known and can cast them as many times per day as you have slots per level. But, yeah, the list you get to choose from is still pretty daunting.
2. See, this thing here called psionics means that you get a total. No such thing as spell slots per spell level. You get a total number of points. And, you get a certain number of powers known, like the sorcerer. The main difference is that the list of choices is also smaller, so you're less likely to make a rookie mistake than with the sorcerer. To use a power, simply subtract off how many points you use from the toal. That's it!
Now ... I'm not saying psionics is a better system than vancian magic (although I personally prefer it). But the thing is, psionics isa snap to teach to someone. That way, they can learn it and use it effectively on day one (assuming they can add and subtract, of course). It lets them get a feel for magic and how to use it. Once they get a feel for balancing a 'known powers list,' the combat system, and the rest of the rules of the game - then they can start to swallow the elephant known as "learning how to play a wizard well."
Do I allow psionics? Yes. I love it as a teaching tool. Absolutely love it as a teaching tool. Plus, I actually like the flavor of it better than wizard fluff. But that's just my opinion.
As a personal question: A few of the psionic lovers have mentioned Hyperconsciousness and a few other books. I have and love the XPH. I didn't like CPsi at all. What does Hyperconsciousness, Psychic Handbook, and other psionics style books have to offer ... and assuming I've got money to plunk down - what should I look at getting and why?
Last edited:
Similar Threads
