Arkhandus
First Post
Yeah, I much preferred the 2nd edition psionics system, even though it was more complex, it was a lot more unique and differed considerably from the magic system, so playing a psionicist in 2nd edition was really different than playing a mage or cleric. I think the 3.5 psionics book should try and lean more towards the 2nd edition system in terms of originality, without all the complexity....
Really, the 3.0 psionics system already simplified it a lot. The only real differences between psionics and sorcery are 1) no arcane spell failure, 2) psionic combat which isn't terribly complex but is rather odd, 3) displays instead of components, 4) spell levels replaced with power points in a simple way, and 5) some new powers mixed in with simple translations of arcane spells into psionic powers.
Though I hate how psionics are now universally weaker than magic, psions and psychic warriors themselves are slightly more powerful than sorcerers and bards, which is probably the reason. The whole "disciplines linked to all kinds of ability scores" thing is pretty stupid though, and makes no sense whatsoever, only complicates the system and limits psionic characters to an even more absurdly small selection of powers just because their ability scores aren't likely to be universally high. Power Stones are utterly worthless, and dorjes should be more of a blend of wands and staves. Psionic combat really needs to make more sense, and psionic creatures should not be so much more vulnerable.
Inner Power, Talented, Trigger Power, Body Fuel, and a few other feats really need to be fixed, as do the prestige classes. However, feats like Up The Walls, Stand Still, Speed Of Thought, and Great Sunder are pretty cool, heroic, and cinematic, like D20 and D&D are meant to be, and all kinds of fun can be had with a psychic warrior taking those feats. On that note, psychic warriors should have better power selection - how come they can't learn any healing or direct damage powers?
The Psionic Creature template really BADLY needs to be fixed and balanced, and psionic creatures shouldn't be able to manifest all their powers at will, or at least not their psionic combat modes (with the exception of mind flayers of course, since that's their bag). More psionic creatures need to be listed.....some of the 2nd edition ones like ustilagors, intellect devourers, and so on should return, and some new ones too, like psionic dragons (they are after all extremely intelligent and have aeons to develop their minds).
Aaron L.'s idea is pretty cool, though it seems doubtful that Wizards of the Coast will change psionics that much, sadly.... It really would be cool if clairsentient-skilled psions could simply receive occasional, unexpected visions and could just get a sudden bad feeling when danger approaches or something... When a psychoportively-skilled psion is about to be crushed under a falling boulder and notices it just a split second before it hits, his innate power should kick in and teleport him to safety, or make him suddenly ethereal, or something... When a telepath looks at someone, he should sometimes receive a sudden, random look into their mind, automatically sensing that something's not right or that this person has some important information regarding the character's current task.... And so on..... That'd be pretty cool, Aaron L.
Really, the 3.0 psionics system already simplified it a lot. The only real differences between psionics and sorcery are 1) no arcane spell failure, 2) psionic combat which isn't terribly complex but is rather odd, 3) displays instead of components, 4) spell levels replaced with power points in a simple way, and 5) some new powers mixed in with simple translations of arcane spells into psionic powers.
Though I hate how psionics are now universally weaker than magic, psions and psychic warriors themselves are slightly more powerful than sorcerers and bards, which is probably the reason. The whole "disciplines linked to all kinds of ability scores" thing is pretty stupid though, and makes no sense whatsoever, only complicates the system and limits psionic characters to an even more absurdly small selection of powers just because their ability scores aren't likely to be universally high. Power Stones are utterly worthless, and dorjes should be more of a blend of wands and staves. Psionic combat really needs to make more sense, and psionic creatures should not be so much more vulnerable.
Inner Power, Talented, Trigger Power, Body Fuel, and a few other feats really need to be fixed, as do the prestige classes. However, feats like Up The Walls, Stand Still, Speed Of Thought, and Great Sunder are pretty cool, heroic, and cinematic, like D20 and D&D are meant to be, and all kinds of fun can be had with a psychic warrior taking those feats. On that note, psychic warriors should have better power selection - how come they can't learn any healing or direct damage powers?
The Psionic Creature template really BADLY needs to be fixed and balanced, and psionic creatures shouldn't be able to manifest all their powers at will, or at least not their psionic combat modes (with the exception of mind flayers of course, since that's their bag). More psionic creatures need to be listed.....some of the 2nd edition ones like ustilagors, intellect devourers, and so on should return, and some new ones too, like psionic dragons (they are after all extremely intelligent and have aeons to develop their minds).
Aaron L.'s idea is pretty cool, though it seems doubtful that Wizards of the Coast will change psionics that much, sadly.... It really would be cool if clairsentient-skilled psions could simply receive occasional, unexpected visions and could just get a sudden bad feeling when danger approaches or something... When a psychoportively-skilled psion is about to be crushed under a falling boulder and notices it just a split second before it hits, his innate power should kick in and teleport him to safety, or make him suddenly ethereal, or something... When a telepath looks at someone, he should sometimes receive a sudden, random look into their mind, automatically sensing that something's not right or that this person has some important information regarding the character's current task.... And so on..... That'd be pretty cool, Aaron L.
