Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Nicholas the Paladin 09-14-07, 04:53 AM	Hi Guys, I'm considering making my next character a psionic character. I have no experience in this field and have some basic questions: - I believe that there are 2 base book about psionics: the 'complete psionics' and the 'expanded psionics'...is the only difference that the first is 3rd ed and the second is 3.5ed edition? - Is psionics easily adatable in previously non-psionic campaigns: - thematically it can be explained but - mechanically, are there things to consider ? (we used psionics in 2nd edition and it gave us some problems: mainly because of psionic attacks on non-psionic characters) Thanks !
EternalZzyx 09-14-07, 06:05 AM	The expanded psionic handbook is the one you need, being the basic 3.5 rules for psionics. Complete psionic, is also a 3.5 book and is a member of the complete series. It is however, mainly useless, illogical*, or a combination of the two, (it has some good stuff, yes, but not worth the money.) so don't bother. Just go with the expanded psionic handbook. I would say it is, if you use the transparency rules (default) then you can integrate it easily, as magic defences will work against it (and psionic defences will work against magic). Mechanicaly you only really need to remember that you can only spend your manifest er level in power points on a single power at a single time. (the book does say this, but quite a lot of people miss that bit.) I never played 2nd edition psionics, but have heard bad things about it (and 3rd edition psionics as well.) but the 3.5 expanded psionics handbook is nicely balanced (in my opinion, some disagree, but there is a thread debunking those misconceptions stickied hereabouts) *such as the human (and associated races) descendants of mindflayers...
The_Shaman 09-14-07, 06:55 AM	I think it mostly depends on how transparent magic and psionics are. If you're going by the default mode - full transparency unless the spell/power says otherwise (some do) then it's just a matter of learning the mechanic, which imo is simple enough. The flavor of psionics is relatively easy to adapt, too - at the heart of it, it's a point-based system that does not call on any external powers (so no components or rituals, just channeling the power). For example, I've found the psychic warrior quite suited to any combatant using a lot of "special powers," ki and all that.
Tempest Stormwind 09-14-07, 09:47 AM	- I believe that there are 2 base book about psionics: the 'complete psionics' and the 'expanded psionics'...is the only difference that the first is 3rd ed and the second is 3.5ed edition? See the FAQ at the top of the forum. The "Psionics Handbook" (brown cover, illithid on it) is 3e. It blows. The "Expanded Psionics Handbook (Grey cover, gems and brains motif) is the 3.5 core book. It rocks. "Complete Psionic" (brown cover, brown-skinned, green-haired fellow with two glowing swords) is the expansion to 3.5 (much like Complete X is an expansion to core). It is of questionable quality. - Is psionics easily adatable in previously non-psionic campaigns: - thematically it can be explained but - mechanically, are there things to consider ? (we used psionics in 2nd edition and it gave us some problems: mainly because of psionic attacks on non-psionic characters) See the FAQ at the top of the forum. Yes, more easily than most. See the Truenaming Psionics link in my sig if you don't like the default flavor (which is similar to 2e in many ways). If you follow the rules (especially the Golden Rule of Psionics and psionics-magic transparency), not so much; 3.5 psionics is easily the best edition of them of all time, and is often harkened as streamlined, intuitive, and better balanced than core. (This sounds like an advertising video; I assure you it isn't.) Thanks ! You're welcome.