Would you like to see Psionics as core rules?

[nameless]

Re: The Worst Thing About Psionics in DD3E Is Its Lack of Support

<snip>

The way PsiHB stands now, ANY meaningful incorporation of psionics into 99.9% of campaigns requires substantial (read houserule) work on behalf of the DM. Where is the psionic items coming from? Whose updating the 'wondering monster' tables? ... etc. Of course, your DM may just let the psionic content 'slide in' with no adventure-support what-so-ever.

<snip>

So, my hoping for them being made into core is hoping that they're better 'integrated' into the game. The current neither-here-nor-there-but-optionally-whenever-you-have-the-time-to-work-it-in-yourself approach just doesn't cut it.

<snip>

This I think is the best reason. As an "official optional supplement" it makes Psionics the redheaded stepchild of D&D. Other material can't reference it, since it's not core, so it's doomed against expansion. If you just remove Psionic Combat modes, it's a spell point system with the extra [Psionic] feats thrown in for fun. For extra kicks, you can easily toss the psionic item creation feats and let them use the normal ones. Metamagic scales easily as well. Every part of psionics scales easily with magic, so all that's really necessary is putting in the 4 pages for the class entries, a couple of pages in the Magic entry, and then labeling the spells with an extra class type (Psion and PsyWar). It's low impact on the production, but would make all the difference in producing psionic-compatible material.

 

[Voneth]

Re: Re: The Worst Thing About Psionics in DD3E Is Its Lack of Support

Every part of psionics scales easily with magic, so all that's really necessary is putting in the 4 pages for the class entries, a couple of pages in the Magic entry, and then labeling the spells with an extra class type (Psion and PsyWar). It's low impact on the production, but would make all the difference in producing psionic-compatible material.

I totally forgot! Bruce did a "convert D&D spells into psionic powers" in ITCK. Every spell level = its psion power level and cost the same PP. He basicaly did a "find and replace" for components to manifestations and then allowed scaling spells (fireball) to use a "spend more points for more damage dice" rule.

Yeah, from the looks of that, if you added maybe two more lines to each spell entry and maybe 5 pages to explain the system (with the assuption that all resistances are the same no matter which magic system you use), and then 4 pages for classes, you could squeeze in psionics as an "spell point alternative."

Hey! you could even save space by ommiting the psi combat rules ... which they already did in d20 Modern. [sarcsam] and every one was so upset about that [/sarcsam]

 

[Welverin]

Re: Re: Re: The Worst Thing About Psionics in DD3E Is Its Lack of Support

Originally posted by Voneth I totally forgot! Bruce did a "convert D&D spells into psionic powers" in ITCK. <snip>

Yeah, from the looks of that, if you added maybe two more lines to each spell entry and maybe 5 pages to explain the system <snip>, and then 4 pages for classes, you could squeeze in psionics as a "spell point alternative."

Hey! you could even save space by omitting the psi combat rules <snip>

And seeing as how the chapter on spells is about 115 pages long, out of a 288 page book, a few of them can be sacrificed.

Originally posted by rounser Wishful thinking, unless you're completely willing to ignore the tech level.

Well since it’s not the technology that determines the genre, but what the story deals with, thus no wishful thinking is needed.

The technology in Star Wars is just there and science is not dealt with in any way, and that’s why it’s not sci fi.

Fantasy in the broad sense of the term they are, space opera sci fi they are, but swords & sorcery fantasy they are not.

Oh, so you do realize they’re fantasy, but reject them because they don’t fit one common sub genre?

 

[tleilaxu]

yes, because then they would have to include it in all new DND video games

 

[hong]

Re: Re: Re: Re: The Worst Thing About Psionics in DD3E Is Its Lack of Support

Well since it’s not the technology that determines the genre, but what the story deals with, thus no wishful thinking is needed.

The technology in Star Wars is just there and science is not dealt with in any way, and that’s why it’s not sci fi.

You could take this whole argument and apply it to star destroyers, and it would still be consistent.

Hey, do you know what this means? At long last, we will have an answer to the age-old question: who WOULD win, Elminster or a star destroyer? I don't know about you, but this has been keeping me awake at nights for AGES.

THANK YOU, Welverin, if that is your REAL nick!!!1


Hong "next up, Driz'zt vs the death star" Ooi

 

[Oni]

Question: What is out of genre about fantastical mental powers?

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Re: Re: Re: Re: The Worst Thing About Psionics in DD3E Is Its Lack of Support

Oh, so you do realize they’re fantasy, but reject them because they don’t fit one common sub genre?

Can't speak for anyone else here, but I'd say that explains part of MY irrational hatred of psionics.

I play D&D for the medieval sword & sorcery fantasy feel. Inherent mental powers, as opposed to "arcane" powers, just aren't part of my conception of that genre.

It IS splitting hairs. I want fantasy like Tolkien, and Conan, and Fritz Leiber's Lankhmar -- and I just don't see psionics as part of those worlds.

YMMV.

 

[Nifft]

I'm not a huge fan of psi as a genre, but as a point-based magic system, I like it quite a bit. So I'd be pleased to see it in Core rules.

---Nifft

 

[nHammer]

No.....I hate psionics

I don't use psionics in my game, and I would not play in a game that uses psionics.

 

[Kesh]

Wow. Quite a hotly contested issue!

Personally, I'd love to see the psionics rules integrated with D&D3.5. As was stated above, just add the point cost/manifestations to existing spells, and toss some components/domains onto some psionic powers, and you've got a new spell chapter with little effort.

Just add a brief explanation of the point-system & manifestations, maybe toss in the psion/psywar classes, and you're all golden.

Plus, it would let regular arcane/divine casters have access to new core spells (gotta love Concussion!).

I agree it could use some tweaking to give it a more fantasy feel, but that's just wording. Is a Sorcerer or Bard less of an arcane caster because they don't study tomes & scrolls? If they can draw upon mystic powers through sheer will, why are psions any different?