Reply to thread

Message

<blockquote data-quote="Eirikrautha" data-source="post: 6481414" data-attributes="member: 6777843">That's metamagic/warlock enhancement.&nbsp; We've already got that.&nbsp; I'm obviously not explaining myself well (that's what happens when you try to type from an Ipad... I'll switch over to my PC so this doesn't take an hour to type), so let me try to show you why I think this &quot;class&quot; approach can't work unless done in a very specific way.Let's start with &quot;Why magic?&quot;&nbsp; Why even include magic in the game.&nbsp; Because it allows narrative effects that normal human behavior can't accomplish.&nbsp; It's not just &quot;opening a door in a different way,&quot; it's &quot;open a door you CAN'T without magic.&quot;&nbsp; Spells are in the game because they affect the narrative of the game in ways a sword can't.&nbsp; Can I kill stuff with a sword?&nbsp; Yes.&nbsp; Can I persuade with words?&nbsp; Yes.&nbsp; Can I make someone an automaton with words? No, I need a &quot;spell.&quot;&nbsp; Can I mend broken bones instantly with a skill? Nope, need spells.&nbsp; Can I fly without wings? Nope, spell.&nbsp; I can kill something with a sword.&nbsp; Can I kill several things 20 feet apart at once with my sword?&nbsp; Can I render them motionless or make them fall asleep with my sword?&nbsp; Need spells for that.So magic adds to the game, not because it is a different way of doing the same things, but because it does something totally different.&nbsp; Now tell me what psionics does that magic can't.&nbsp; Nothing (in fact, psionics is more limited in effect than magic).&nbsp; It has no narrative purpose.&nbsp; Telling me that psionics will do such-and-such that magic does, but in a different way, and I'll tell you to reflavor the sorcerer.&nbsp; Psionics needs to do what magic CAN'T do.&nbsp; And that's a steep hill to climb.If WotC really wanted to do a full on psionic ruleset with classes, then they need to do something like the hacking/net portion of Shadowrun.&nbsp; Psionics needs to be its own &quot;space.&quot;&nbsp; In 1e, it took place at a faster rate than combat (not that I'm suggesting that) and was different depending on whether the target was also psionic.&nbsp; Unless you had a very weak target (low Int and Wis), it would only do minor things to a non-psionic (stun, mild insanity, etc.).&nbsp; So it had its own space to work in that magic didn't influence.&nbsp; This was a reason why the astral and ethereal planes were invented (partially), to give psionics a home battleground different than normal space. That's why a psionics &quot;class&quot; is a waste of time if all psionics does is affect the normal world like a spell does.&nbsp; It has to have its own narrative power, which requires its own narrative space.&nbsp; Without this, you're just reskinning magic.&nbsp; Which I would hope that WotC would understand... but I'm not hopeful.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Eirikrautha, post: 6481414, member: 6777843"] That's metamagic/warlock enhancement. We've already got that. I'm obviously not explaining myself well (that's what happens when you try to type from an Ipad... I'll switch over to my PC so this doesn't take an hour to type), so let me try to show you why I think this "class" approach can't work unless done in a very specific way. Let's start with "Why magic?" Why even include magic in the game. Because it allows narrative effects that normal human behavior can't accomplish. It's not just "opening a door in a different way," it's "open a door you CAN'T without magic." Spells are in the game because they affect the narrative of the game in ways a sword can't. Can I kill stuff with a sword? Yes. Can I persuade with words? Yes. Can I make someone an automaton with words? No, I need a "spell." Can I mend broken bones instantly with a skill? Nope, need spells. Can I fly without wings? Nope, spell. I can kill something with a sword. Can I kill several things 20 feet apart at once with my sword? Can I render them motionless or make them fall asleep with my sword? Need spells for that. So magic adds to the game, not because it is a different way of doing the same things, but because it does something totally different. Now tell me what psionics does that magic can't. Nothing (in fact, psionics is more limited in effect than magic). It has no narrative purpose. Telling me that psionics will do such-and-such that magic does, but in a different way, and I'll tell you to reflavor the sorcerer. Psionics needs to do what magic CAN'T do. And that's a steep hill to climb. If WotC really wanted to do a full on psionic ruleset with classes, then they need to do something like the hacking/net portion of Shadowrun. Psionics needs to be its own "space." In 1e, it took place at a faster rate than combat (not that I'm suggesting that) and was different depending on whether the target was also psionic. Unless you had a very weak target (low Int and Wis), it would only do minor things to a non-psionic (stun, mild insanity, etc.). So it had its own space to work in that magic didn't influence. This was a reason why the astral and ethereal planes were invented (partially), to give psionics a home battleground different than normal space. That's why a psionics "class" is a waste of time if all psionics does is affect the normal world like a spell does. It has to have its own narrative power, which requires its own narrative space. Without this, you're just reskinning magic. Which I would hope that WotC would understand... but I'm not hopeful. [/QUOTE]

Verification