Replacing the sorceror with the psion

[Volaran]

Hi all. My DM is currently thinking of replacing the PHB sorceror with a modified version of the psion, the later fitting his idea of the sorceror niche in his campaign world better, despite not liking the psionic paradigm very much otherwise.

In any case, as the member of the group who hangs out at EN World, he asked me to canvas for suggestions or comments on his considered changes.

Currently, he plans to replace the psicrystal with a familiar, pretty simple. The problem arises with the combat modes. He's sure he wants to get rid of them, but he's debating back and forth over what to replace them with. The two candidates currently being a hit die increase or some kind of bonus feat progression.

Thoughts?

 

[Crothian]

Personally, I'd lose them for feats like the Wizard gets except psion related.

 

[Spatula]

Yah, one of the things that really seperates psions from spellcasters (and almost makes up for their powers) is the psionic feats, but the regular psion class has so few feats to work with. Giving them a bonus Psionic, Metapsionic, or Psionic Item Creation feat at 1st, 5th, 10th, 15th, and 20th would be a good step, IMO.

You should also think about turning some or all of the attack modes into powers of the appropriate level & discipline. At the very least mind blast should still be a part of the game as a 5th (or is it 4th? I forget the PP cost) level telepathy power.

 

[Volaran]

*nod* I'm rather inclined to go for the wizard feat progression with psionic related feats myself. Glad to have some agreement.

 

[tleilaxu]

i think its a good idea b/c i don't like sorcerers...

 

[hong]

The psionic combat modes are pointless and nothing more than a holdover from 1E. Dumping them will not weaken the class at all, because noone with any sense uses them anyway. Conversely, giving extra bennies because they've been removed shouldn't be necessary.

Other than that, it should work fine. One thing I'd do is to allow sorcs to spend extra power points to do extra damage with their spells. Eg instead of spending 5 points for a 5d6 fireball, they could spend 10 points for a 10d6 fireball. This would be subject to the usual caps on damage by spell level. If you don't allow this, then most sorcs will probably take Heighten Spell and do it anyway.

 

[Staffan]

The psionic combat modes are pointless and nothing more than a holdover from 1E. Dumping them will not weaken the class at all, because noone with any sense uses them anyway. Conversely, giving extra bennies because they've been removed shouldn't be necessary.

While I agree in principle, I think that the Mind Blast should remain (at least if you're doing a Psion instead of a kind-of-Sorcerer), but as a 5th level telepathy power (that would have to be chosen as part of the regular powers per level). instead of an attack mode.

Psionic combat as written in the PsiHB is more of a disadvantage than an advantage, because you'll almost never be able to successfully use them on a non-psion. However, you still have to keep some PPs in reserve in case you *encounter* another psion who decides to wail on you psionically - kind of like a sorcerer who always holds a couple of spells back in case another sorcerer casts feeblemind on him, except that the psion has far less oomph per day than the sorcerer to begin with.

 

[Spatzimaus]

I'm with these other guys. Change attack/defense modes to powers, except that you'd probably want to just give them to the players at the appropriate time instead of having them pick. Otherwise, no one would take them... why learn "Empty Mind" when you can only have 3 first-level powers and psionic enemies are rare?
So, as soon as you can cast level 1 spells, you can use any attack/defense modes that cost 1pp. Just a thought.

In exchange, you get free feats at 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20. Make it be "any Psionic Feat", not metapsionic or item creation. We actually did this IMC and it worked great; the Psionic Feats are really cool, and anyone who wants metastuff or item creation can just use their general Feats for those.
We were thinking that the level 1 Feat should be set (like how Wizards get Scribe Scroll) but couldn't figure out which Psionic Feat would be appropriate. Speed of Thought seemed to be in the lead, although Inertial Armor seemed popular too.

 

[Spatula]

The psionic combat modes are pointless and nothing more than a holdover from 1E. Dumping them will not weaken the class at all, because noone with any sense uses them anyway. Conversely, giving extra bennies because they've been removed shouldn't be necessary.

The above is not true, as losing Mind Blast does weaken the class. Mind Blast is a cone that stuns non-psions for 3d4 rounds and gives a hefty saving throw penalty as well (as opposed to the saving throw bonus that most attack modes give non-psions).

 

[Khorod]

Good idea. I agree with the consensus on this.
Mindblast a power, other modes freely gained, Psionic Bonus Feats.

Even in the general, this is a great way to get a Sorcerer with different flavor from the wizard.

But the psicrystals were the best innovation in the whole book.