The Expanded Psionics Handbook Confirmed Information Thread

[Robbert Raets]

Well, you have to take a level in a magic using class to be a magic using character (arcane or wizard), so why would you expect this to be different?

Well, the articles in Dragon clearly show that there will be inherenly psionic races (they even made up a new one, just for the article) which start out with a few power points, (apparantly) without regard to class.

What dos Symbiot do?

Psymbiot. It grants a +2 bonus on practically all d20 rolls a creature that maintains its psionic focus and has enough ranks in Knowledge (psionics).

 

[Falconnan]

I am a bit disappointed of what they say is true. I was hoping for a sort of generalist in the psionic classes--a psionicist. Psions were cool, but there were obvious problems.
1. Psychometabolism should have had Con, not Str, as its primary. For psychokinesis, the opposite. This would have left incorporeal creatures totally SOL, but hey . . .
2. The old system made use of the die roll for saves. This being gone is one less die roll, though we have been thinking of instituting it for all save DC's in a campaign my friend runs.
3. Lack of variety in items in the original publication. In our campaigns, we have generally run with the concept that a magical enhancement or psionic enhancement to a weapon can be applied as either. In other words, you could have a shocking burst weapon be of psionic origin or magical origin.

The reason I bring up #3: Are there going to be more types of psionic weapon enhancements? Any word on this?

 

[Plane Sailing]

Well, the articles in Dragon clearly show that there will be inherenly psionic races (they even made up a new one, just for the article) which start out with a few power points, (apparantly) without regard to class.

I guess that won't be much different from gnomes that get some free cantrips (if they still get that in 3.5e? I've not checked).

I was responding partly tongue-in-cheek to a poster who rather sounded as if they wanted the old 1e/darksun "make a lucky roll and get a fantastic mental power for free" back again, and that just ain't gonna happen (thank goodness!)

Cheers

 

[sledged]

I guess that won't be much different from gnomes that get some free cantrips (if they still get that in 3.5e? I've not checked).

I was responding partly tongue-in-cheek to a poster who rather sounded as if they wanted the old 1e/darksun "make a lucky roll and get a fantastic mental power for free" back again, and that just ain't gonna happen (thank goodness!)

Cheers

Perhaps they'll have a feat that allows any character to use minor psionic powers. I remember FRCS having a similar feat allowing a character to cast a few 0-level spells.

 

[Gez]

Gnomes still get free cantrips, but (kinda sadly, maybe), they are now spell-like abilities. I preferred them to be spells, rather than spell-like. Of course, SLA are more consistent, since every one else with fixed racial inherent spells use this, and giving a virtual level of wizard would have been much more powerful; but I liked it better.

 

[GrayPumpkin]

Anyone a real street date? (I need that book early in april, new campaign starts).

This should no way be taken as official but according to my FLGS they are expecting it the week of April 12th.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

I am a bit disappointed of what they say is true. I was hoping for a sort of generalist in the psionic classes--a psionicist. Psions were cool, but there were obvious problems.

The psion is a generalist and then some. He has access to all psion powers, and then some special ones from his discipline. Just like a cleric and his domains.

2. The old system made use of the die roll for saves. This being gone is one less die roll, though we have been thinking of instituting it for all save DC's in a campaign my friend runs.

It just slows the game down. Plus it isn't that much of a hassle to house rule it to use a d20 instead of 10.

 

[jeffh]

That's it - skill synergy!
It all works out:

Bluff: +4 = 5 (ranks) -1 (Cha Bonus)
Conc.: +6 = 5 (ranks) +1 (Cha Bonus)
Dipl.: +3 = 0 (ranks) -1 (Cha Bonus) +2 (synergy Bluff) +2 (synergy Sense Motive)
Inti.: +1 = 0 (ranks) -1 (Cha Bonus) +2 (synergy Bluff)
Listen: +0 = 0 (ranks) +0 (Wis Bonus)
Psicraft: +9 = 5 (ranks) +2 (Int Bonus) +2 (synergy Knowl.(psionics))
S.Mot.: +5 = 5 (ranks) +0 (Wis Bonus)
Spot: +0 = 0 (ranks) +0 (Wis Bonus)

and (not on card)
Knowledge (psionics) +7 = 5 (ranks) +2 (Int Bonus)

5 skills maximized, 25 skill points as a human with 2 sp for class and Int Bonus +2, that's exactly right.

Ooh, good one. I must admit, synergy bonuses never crossed my mind.

Mine has hereby become the second most plausible theory in this thread. I'm pretty sure yours is the correct one. Either way I think we can say 2 skill points is correct, not 4.

He's still missing a feat, though!

 

[Kae'Yoss]

More Power(s)!!!

Interesting Tidbit from the PGtF: THe book sports a psionic PrC, the Cognition Thief, suitable for Psions (especially Telepaths) and wilders. It doesn't grant an effective manifester level every level, but at the levels you don't get an increase, you get bonus powers known, from the telepath discipline. The paragraph for these Bonus Powers Known states that you get these powers just as if you advanced in a level, and they take no time and cost no XP to learn.

It seems that psions aren't limited by ther class-gained powers any more, but can get additional powers by spending time and XP learning them

 

[Tarril Wolfeye]

It seems that psions aren't limited by ther class-gained powers any more, but can get additional powers by spending time and XP learning them

That seems to be like it works for a Wizard , but paying XP for new powers instead of money.
Makes sense; Psions will be based on Int like a Wizard, so they should use the "scientific" approach to powers. But it makes them even more like Wizards and less like something unique.