Psionics

[Nightstorm]

Ok so I'm running a game TODAY with psionics in it.
I have decided that for the most part psioinics are run like magic in that any feat and most spells you have you also have for psionics. I've also decided that psionics is different from magic. So that for example a psionic SHEILD talent has no defense against magic Missles.
NOW here is my question. I need a simple, kindergarden level explanation of the mechanics of Attack/Defense Modes. The rules for this is so complicated to me for some reason.
1. what are the rules as per the book
2. is there a variant in the book I didnt see?

 

[AGGEMAM]

Have you look at the SRD description ? I do not think it comes simpler than that.

http://www.opengamingfoundation.org/srd/PSIONICCOMBATSRD.rtf

 

[EricNoah]

Ok, here's how I understand it (using an example, look at table 4-1 thru 4-3 on PsiHB p. 42):

Bad guy says, "I'm attacking with Ego Whip (a Dex-related attack)." (He probably doesn't say this out loud, as the defender is not supposed to know what attack is coming.)

Good guy says, "I'm defending with Empty Mind." (This is assuming the good guy is not flat-footed or out of psionic points.)

Bad guy needs to set the DC for good guy's Will save. He rolls d20 + his dex mod + 1 (from table 4-1). The result is the DC for the good guy's Will save.

Let's say the good guy fails his save. Ego whip deals 1d4 Dex damage. Some defenses provide "mental hardness" but not Empty Mind, so good guy suffers the full 1d4 Dex damage.

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Another common situation: Bad guy vs. a non-psionic victim.

Bad guy says, "I'm attacking with Ego Whip."

Non-Psionic dude says ... nothing because he doesn't have any psionic defenses.

Bad guy rolls d20 + his dex mod -8 (from table 4-1). The result is the DC for the non-psionic dude's Will save.

Let's say the non-psionic dude fails his Will save. Non-psionic creatures don't suffer ability damage, they suffer rounds of being stunned. So instead of taking 1d4 Dex damage, non-psionic dude is stunned for 1d4 rounds.

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I'm not aware of any variants though there could be some out there in some D20 supplement somewhere.

Gonna move this over to the Rules forum so the rules gurus can tear my example to shreds.

 

[Geoff Watson]

Psionic Combat is simple to work with, because no one with any sense will use it, as it is vastly inferior to normal psionic powers, with the exception of Mind Blast and monsters who have no other powers.

Geoff.

 

[Nightstorm]

thanks

thanks for the replies. I think youre right though. why use attack modes when the powers are for most part better.

 

[Kraedin]

All attack modes are based of the key ability score of your primary discipline. Check the PsiHB errata.

I always wonder why Psi combat was included in the PsiHB. All it does is weaken the psion/psi warrior.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

The advice looks sound.
You'll almost never use it.

 

[Roland Delacroix]

First, yeah noone will ever use psi attack modes. They suck.

Next, psi combat itself. Eric Noah has an excellent description, but i can't emphasize enought that both attacker and defender pick modes BEFORE knowing what the other is using.

The only WotC variant is that instead of rolling the d20 they can 'take 10' just like all other casters. DC would then be 10+THAT SPECIFIC ability mod+chart mod.

 

[hong]

I always wonder why Psi combat was included in the PsiHB. All it does is weaken the psion/psi warrior.

It's a holdover from 1E.