[SCOOP] Psionics 3.5, The New Setting, and Dark Sun!!

[The Dragon]

You will notice by my postcount that I decided to create a new identity so I could post this. I don't want to get my source into any trouble.

Here is what I learned today from a friend inside Wizards. Sorry. I want say who, because I'm not sure if this info was supposed to go public or not yet.

Anyway, on to the goods.

It was stated a few days ago that Wizard's was concerned that their new setting might deviate from the norm to far. Why? Psionics. It seems that the new setting derived from the contest is indeed psionics heavy and they want to get an idea as to how well it would be accepted.

However, that wasn't the primary reason for the poll. The main reason, was the fact that Wizard's R&D department is looking to officially bring back Dark Sun [Whoohoo!] and was testing the waters for it.

The third bit of new news, was that Wizards is seriously considering a revision for the psionics book. Oddly enough though, I had been told earlier that this wasn't the case. I suppose things change.

With two new psionics heavy settings in the works, and the fact that the original psionics book sold really well [despite many gleaming errors], I'm betting we will see a Psionics Handbook 3.5

 

[BiggusGeekus]

Re: Dark Sun: Excellent!

Re: Psi 3.5: Bogus.

Re: new setting designed around psi: Excellent!

 

[Shadow64]

I never got to play in Dark Sun (read the books, read a lot of the setting material, never got to play) but I would love to see it revamped as a 3E world. It seems that a lot of people have made Dark Sun-like world for the home brews, so I'm pretty sure that a 3E edition of it would sell like hot cakes. I know I would pick up a copy.

 

[Simplicity]

HOORAY! A return of Dark Sun would be most welcome.
Now if I could just convince people to play it...

A revision of psionics would be nice too... I'm not entirely
sure I like all of the psionics rules as is. They tried to make
sure psionics wasn't super overpowering, and they succeeded. Psionics SUCKS in comparison to magic. IMO, they NEED to give psionics some "signature" powers that ARE slightly overpowered.
Where's the psionic fireball? Where's the psionic magic missile?

If they can bump down Haste, Harm, and Heal, then maybe they can bump UP some psionic abilities...

Here's one idea... Leave the Schism powers as is. Don't reduce it like Haste. Bump up Animal Affinity to be a +3 bonus... There are tons of psionic powers that are just duplicates of normal spells. Maybe psionicists should be better at some things.

 

[rounser]

Dark Sun was a setting where psionics fitted, but it wasn't standard Tolkienesque swords & sorcery, but rather, dark future type stuff where everything was alien and threatening, not just the psionics. It'd be great to have that setting back, had a lot of fun playing there.

Everything about WotC's contest suggested that they wanted a standard swords & sorcery fantasy setting, and as far as psionics taking a core role alongside standard S&S tropes, well...the idea isn't to my taste. Unless it's used as something rare, unusual or alien (i.e. moreso than magic is), it has a tendency to ruin that swords & sorcery fantasy atmosphere for me.

 

[Dragongirl]

No offense, but anyone can make an account and claim "sources" like this. I will take this with a grain of salt. It would be nice to see Dark Sun come back.

 

[I'm A Banana]

Dark Sun: YIPPEEE!

The new campaign setting: Hurm....I'll have to see the setting.

Psionics revision: Hurm....

This one is wierd. I'd like to see a psionics 3.5, but I wouldn't want them to overhaul the system, or turn it into a skill or feat system. I wouldn't mind turning psionic combat into just bonus psionic feats.

To a large extent, the psion works as it is. It could use a mild bump, but it doesn't need much. They mostly just need MORE. I use psionics fairly heavily IMC's, and they're fairly differentiated (I like the idea of psionics and magic being different). They're different then magic since they bridge the gap between buffs, charms, damage spells, etc. that is present in the Wizard/Cleric standard array, and they can do this in armor without a problem (which is an oft-overlooked benefit, I think).

Turn the psionic combat into psychic feats, and you're all good.

 

[The Dragon]

Sorry DG, but I can assure you this isn't a troll.

I'm hoping Anthony V. will come on here and shed some light.

I'd post my sources, but like I said, I don't want to see anyone get into trouble as I'm not sure this was suppose to go public yet.

I can understand a degree of skepticism though. All I can say is wait and see.

 

[Henry]

If these rumors are true, I have to say I am enthusiastic to hear them, as I loved Dark sun and am anxious to see the return of this fantastic setting.

The psionics could stand revision, particularly in the realm of psionic combat and in power scaling.

Thank you for the info!

 

[Simplicity]

You know what else I want to see?
Playing cards for psionic combat. Any psionic handbook should come with four decks... Two attack decks and two defense decks. The cards will just be the attack and defense powers. No need to look up things on that stupid table on page WHO KNOWS of the psionics handbook.