What to expect from a psionic elocater?

[Storyteller01]

We have a character looking into playing one in a DS campaign. The distance covered doesn't bother me, and we nerfed psionics so that save DC's don't increase with augmentation (we reinstated the heighten power feat from 3.0). Unfortunately, the player has been known for instances of creative interpretations. Is there anything abuse-wise I should know about?

 

[pallandrome]

yeah, easy, creative interpretation is subject to the GM and the GM alone. If it seems a bit fishy, say no.

 

[The Thayan Menace]

Logos!

Unfortunately, the player has been known for instances of creative interpretations. Is there anything abuse-wise I should know about?

Yes ... GM interpretation always trumps player interpretation.

-Samir

 

[Storyteller01]

Yes ... GM interpretation always trumps player interpretation.

-Samir

True, but I'd like to catch these before the game if possible.

 

[The Thayan Menace]

Which Incarnation?

Is this 3.5 Dark Sun ... or 2.0?

-Samir

 

[Bacris]

We have a character looking into playing one in a DS campaign. The distance covered doesn't bother me, and we nerfed psionics so that save DC's don't increase with augmentation (we reinstated the heighten power feat from 3.0).

Wow, I don't think I'd play a psionic character with that rule... Unless you also took away the free scaling that casters get with their spells...

Instead of nerfing the system, which from my personal experience is far more balanced than core magic, why not simply go over with the player what he intends to do with the psion?

Biggest things to watch for:

Manifester Level cap
How psionic focus works
Psychic Reformation abuse (easily one of the most abusable powers in the system)
Synchronicity abuse (easily interpretted to grant you infinite actions per round)
Make sure to use psionic-magic transparency so you don't have to worry about PR / SR differences. Just treat them the same.
Make sure you rule whether crystal shard (and similar magic effects) bypasses DR or not.

Those are the biggest possible problems I've seen...

 

[Storyteller01]

Wow, I don't think I'd play a psionic character with that rule... Unless you also took away the free scaling that casters get with their spells...

Versatitly is still there. It keeps things working smoothly. Neither psion nor spellcaster can increase their save DC's without feats. everything else is the same, including being able to increase damage, change damage type, etc.

 

[starwed]

Is there anything abuse-wise I should know about?

Well, if he's planning for a scout build, that extra 5' step comes in mighty useful, but I wouldn't call it abuse. And you should pin down exactly how the scorn earth ability will work ahead of time; that's the obvious ability that's open to creative interpretation.

Neither psion nor spellcaster can increase their save DC's without feats.

While I don't want to derail the thread, I think you're looking at things the wrong way. When a psion augments an energy power up to 17 power points, he's no longer paying the cost of a 1st level spell. He's paying for a 9th level spell, and that's why the save DC increases as well. That's the whole point of the augmentation system, to make powers you take at 1st level still useful right up to the endgame.

Nerfing the DCs like this won't reduce a psion's power but rather his versatility; if he wants to be a blaster, he'll just take the higher level energy powers. I'd say don't do this... Plus, if there is any setting where you should give psionics the benefit of the doubt, it is dark sun. ^_^

 

[Storyteller01]

He's been mentioning a 1000 ft spring attack. How would this work?

 

[Storyteller01]

I'd say don't do this... Plus, if there is any setting where you should give psionics the benefit of the doubt, it is dark sun. ^_^

Should have been more precise... We're playing Dragon Star.