Sell me on Psionics

[Particle_Man]

Me like psionics

I like the XPH, although I kinda wish there were options for more specialized folks than the given psions. I am soon to play a Shaper and will likely voluntarily restrict myself to Metacreativity powers (with some exceptions, such as Sculpt Sound as an adjunct to Creat Sound) for the most part. So at first level that would be Bolt, Minor Creation, and Astral Construct. But there will come a time when (just using the XPH) I will have powers to choose outside of that disicpline, having "used up" all the metacreativity choices available to me)).

That said, one thing I like about my character is that with Astral Construct, I can make "guilt free" temporary servants. The usual other options involve temporary involuntary slavery (Summon Monster X or Summon Nature's Ally X) or ickiness (Animate Dead). It was one of the reason's I loved Gurps's Create Servant and Create Warrior spells, despite my other problems with Gurps's magical system.

I think one could come up with a pretty good "magical" archtype by sticking with the precognition/telepathy disciplines, btw.

I also like the simpler accounting (power points vs. valenced slots). Mind you, I will also have extra complications with the "menu" options on Astral Construct.

Dipping my toe into the Nova debate, I think that I would tend at higher levels to do one Overchannel per combat (for a souped up AC) and then leave it alone, as I tend to be a points miser unless absolutely necessary. Again, this is my personal playing style.

 

[Angellis_ater]

To the OP:

Another suggested supplement which really expands your options in alot of new ways (compared to the Complete Psionic) is Untapped Potential, and it's a whopping $5! I should also point out that I am currently writing a book for Dreamscarred Press, but that I chose to work with these guys BECAUSE of the quality of Untapped Potential.

Link: http://dreamscarredpress.com/main/i...facturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=29

 

[Cabral]

Actually, the Psions typically deal 7D6+7 points of damage in your examples here.

Only if the Psion chooses to deal cold or fire damage (which I believe are the two most common resistances/immunities). When dealing electricity damage, the psion deals the straight 7d6 damage and while dealing sonic damage, the psion deals 7d6-7.

 

[KarinsDad]

Only if the Psion chooses to deal cold or fire damage (which I believe are the two most common resistances/immunities). When dealing electricity damage, the psion deals the straight 7d6 damage and while dealing sonic damage, the psion deals 7d6-7.

Of course.

But when discussing Nova, a Psion would typically do the greater amount of damage and only do lesser amounts if there is a reason to do so. The greater amount is probably choosen 80% or more of the time because it is rare that the situation demands otherwise.

 

[Bacris]

Actually, I would often choose Electricity due to the boost to the save DC.

 

[The_Ditto]

Mind you, I will also have extra complications with the "menu" options on Astral Construct.

If you need help with the bookkeeping for Astral Constructs ... grab a copy of this spreadsheet I put together a while back ...

 

[KarinsDad]

Actually, I would often choose Electricity due to the boost to the save DC.

Often???

Bad choice most of the time.

Mathematically, it is always inferior. For example:

8D6+8 * 50% + 4D6+4 * 50% = 27
8D6 * 60% + 4D6 * 40% = 22.4

The reason is that:

x*9/7 * y% + x*9/14 * (100-y%) > x * (y+10)% + x*1/2 * (90-y%)
x*9/7 * (y% + 1/2(100-y%)) > x * ((y+10)% + 1/2 * (90-y%))
x*9/7 * (1/2y% + 50%) > x * (1/2y% + 55%)
9/7 * (1/2y% + 50%) > (1/2y% + 55%)
9 * (1/2y% + 50%) > 7 * (1/2y% + 55%)
y% > -85%

The percentage for not saving will always be a positive number (even if it is just not saving on a 1), hence, the greater sign in this equation is correct. Any other sign (like < or <=) would result in an invalid equation. The percentage for saving is always greater than a negative percentage which means that Electricity always averages less damage, regardless of the saving throw of your opponent.

It is so bad that even taking Spell / Power Resistance into account, the boost to that for Electricity only sometimes changes the damage from better for Fire to better for Electricity (although it does in some cases like when the opponent has an extremely high SR and it is rare that you get through it, but I won't bother to post numbers for that).


Even when the opponent normally saves on a 2 and now suddenly saves on a 4 (tripling the times he takes full damage from 5% to 15%), the extra damage is still greater:

8D6+8 * 5% + 4D6+4 * 95% = 18.9
8D6 * 15% + 4D6 * 85% = 16.1

The only time to select Electricity is when you know your opponent is more vulnerable to it than other forms of attack, or when you know your opponent has extremely good Fort save, Reflex saves and Spell Resistance. For example, Electricity may be slightly better against very powerful Dragons.

But as a general rule of thumb, never use Electricity or Sonic unless you know that your opponent is more vulnerable to them than Fire or Cold.

 

[Dark Seraph]

I have avoided using Psionics for similar reasons to the OP. If one was to consider using Psionics as a substitute to Magic (divine and arcane), which Books (PDF only) should one get to have a good solid grip on the core mechanics and flavourful options.

Thanks.
DS.

 

[Deekin]

Expanded Psionics Handbook and Untapped Potential. The XPH for the Core Rules and such, and Untapped Potential because it is the best expansion book. Hyperconscious has some ups, but it also has some material you will never use.

 

[wildstarsreach]

Ok well, the 15th wizard was a little sub-op and the wizard does get bonus feats so lets compare a 7 feated wizard versus 4 feated psion, I'll use your psion example who did 365 versatile damage in 40' radius. (albeit the radius isnt that important as the damage is)

Feats
WBF: Arcane Thesis: Fireball (-1 per/MM)
WBF: Repeat (+3)
WBF: Empower Spell (+2)
Eschew Materials (+0)
Energy Affinity/Substitution: Acid (+0)
Twin Spell (+4)
Maximize Spell

So then my wizard casts a repeated, empowered, eschewed, acidized, twinned fireball, which thanks to Arcane Thesis is a 7th level spell. Total modifers +10 (-5 from AT) = +4

1st Round: 105 (1, 7th level spell)
Two 52.5 damage Fireballs (acid damage)
2nd Round: 210 (+105=315) (1, 7th level spell)
Four 52.5 damage Fireballs (acid damage)
3rd Round: 260 (315+261=576)
* This round he will cast the same spell, but for the sake of battle lasting only 3 rounds, swap max for repeat.
Two 52.5 damage Fireballs (acid damage)
Two 77.5 damage Fireballs (acid damage)

So this wizard just did 576 points of damage. In 3 rounds, used 3 spells. Now this is just ONE example of how min/maxed nova a wizard can get, and I've got a wizard in my current game that can do worse than this. So if you do comparisons, ask for outside assistance there are much more powerful things than what your discussing if you want *NOVA*.

What is 'WBF'?