WotC recognizes psionics and ki are the same

[Sound of Azure]

I considered doing something like that, but I think it hurts Monks too much to require them to expend their focus for use of their standard abilities, and since they don't have access to actual psionic powers they cant get Hustle to focus quickly and use more than one psionic focus expenditure a round. And as for the Wild Talent feat, I heavily considered doing that too, but I just decided to let their pool of ki uses count as giving them the psionic subtype.

I have always considered internal forces projected from the body into the outside world to equal both ki and psionics, while magic is the manipulation of outside forces of the universe (and I even consider some magic spells to incorporate the latent psionic powers of the spellcaster. The telepathy and telekinesis type spells, for example, I consider to temporarily activate the dormant psionic centers of the casters brain that produce those powers.)


I really love this article as a whole, letting Psychic Warriors get access to Mantles, and the soulbound weapon idea is brilliant, and I almost consider it a better way to handle the Soulknife concept.


I just wish they would fix the Soulknife and make it a more viable class. I give them Flurry of Blows with their mindblades. I consider Monks to e a very narrowly focused subtype of Psychic Warriors who lean a set-in-stone series of psionic abilities instead of a flexible list of powers, and then consider Soulknives to be an even more specifically focused subtype of Monks who seek to perfect their mindblades instead of just their unarmed attacks.

Well, in the case of Stunning Fist et al, I made them psionic feats as well, which is why they require focus expenditure. I'm kind of fond of that mechanic.

I thought the hyperconscious version of Soulknife was pretty good, though I haven't seen it in play yet. Interesting idea with the Flurry.

In any case, yeah. I rather like the synergy of the two "internal" arts- Ki and Psionics.

 

[Aaron L]

Well, in the case of Stunning Fist et al, I made them psionic feats as well, which is why they require focus expenditure. I'm kind of fond of that mechanic.

I thought the hyperconscious version of Soulknife was pretty good, though I haven't seen it in play yet. Interesting idea with the Flurry.

In any case, yeah. I rather like the synergy of the two "internal" arts- Ki and Psionics.

Interesting. Different methods, but we're aiming at the same target


Sounds good!

 

[Nyeshet]

Anyway, going with what Whiz said, would that mean that certain abilities (such as the monk's) are considered psionic? (I'm sure it's just flavor text, but I wouldn't be averse to it becoming the "official" view on things.)

Nor would I. I've considered in the past allowing Monks to take Psionic feats. Certainly feats like Up the Walls and Psionic Fist seem appropriate to the Monk . . . . It would also help make more sense of the Monk having Concentration as a class skill (ie: for psionic focus).


[Edit]

From the same article, would anyone playing a Soulknife *not* take the two substitutions offered? The first replaces Wild Talent with Hidden Talent - same effect, more or less, except that the second grants a single first level psionic power in addition to Power Points and ability to use Psionic Focus and take Psionic feats.

The second replaces the Psychic Strike class special with bonus feats. Two bonus feats, Psionic Weapon and Greater Psionic Weapon almost replace Psychic Strike anyway, leaving three bonus feats for use in anything from Hidden Talent to Deep Impact to Up the Walls.

All in all accepting the first is certainly better than not accepting it, and accepting the second is about as good as (as Psychic Strike does not require expedenture of focus and remains if the blade is dissipated), or perhaps slightly better than the normal Psychic Strike option - depending on how you play your character.

[/Edit]

 

[Dark Psion]

I'm not so sure I can get behind the professional work of a guy who credits himself "Dark Psion". I mean, it may be a geographical thing, but when an employee comes in where I work in a mask and cape and yells "I'm the Dark Psion", the reaction has historically been to give him a funny look and not to take what he says about the nature of psionics as canon.

Or maybe because Dark Psion is my screen name here and at WotC boards.

 

[JustKim]

I can see that it is.
(post contents © unqualifiable internet persona JustKim, all rights reserved)

 

[Pants]

Or maybe because Dark Psion is my screen name here and at WotC boards.

Nooooo... can't be that.

 

[hong]

Oh sure, "Pants", if that IS your REAL NAME.

 

[Solarious]

Ah, the triumphant return of The Mind's Eye, unburdened by the shackles of supplemental books. Just pure and simple psionics material. Very good upgrades or variants, nothing terribly broken from a glance. I likey.

*basks*

Re: Whizbang - Dreams is a great place to go with psionics, but why do people always forget that the mad ones are also very psi-friendly? I mean, hello, squidfaces are both Core and psionic, and the very soul of Lovecraftian influence on DnD. Eberron also embraces this explaination, but it doesn't always have to be limited to just 2 sources. Lots of psionic-like creatures you can use as a basis. Dopplegangers (and by association, Changelings ) are natural targets for developing Egotist/Telepath disciplines, and Couatl are there for the divine inspiration angle. And for more of that good'ole plops of slimy doom, Aboleths are frequently overlooked.

 

[Ashanderai]

My thoughts regarding this are echoes of what Whizbang Dustyboots, JustKim, and Glyfair have already said. I cannot accept crystals and "new age ideas" as appropriate flavor for ki. If I were to accept that, then I might as well accept aliens with laser rifles using kung-fu to to fight alongside Shaolin monks to overthrow a Pharaoh in India as an adventure for the PCs in my games. Utter nonsense.

 

[HeavenShallBurn]

My thoughts regarding this are echoes of what Whizbang Dustyboots, JustKim, and Glyfair have already said. I cannot accept crystals and "new age ideas" as appropriate flavor for ki. If I were to accept that, then I might as well accept aliens with laser rifles using kung-fu to to fight alongside Shaolin monks to overthrow a Pharaoh in India as an adventure for the PCs in my games. Utter nonsense.

Then would it be wrong if my first thought on reading your post were "sounds cool I've got to try that?"