Psionics are different [Archive] - Wizards Community

Psionics are different [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
JackAltrades
10-06-07, 03:36 PM I was wondering if anyone has successfully tried the Psionics are different rules. Is there a discussion thread on it? Does any one have any Ideas on how to keep it balanced?
Deekin
10-06-07, 04:19 PM The General Conculsion is that it is a bad idea, unless you also make Arcane magic and Divine magic non-transparent.
Amaril
10-06-07, 06:13 PM It's not that it's a bad idea; it just requires a lot of work. It also requires that the difference is common knowledge in your setting so that defensive measures against psionics and magic are equally available, otherwise one can overpower the other greatly.
JackAltrades
10-06-07, 11:14 PM I was thinking of a world where the opposite was norm... where magic was rare and psionics were dominant, and the lack of transparency allowed psionics to conquer. The psions had magic defenses but the mages had no such option. Congrats the world is now psionic, but magic still survives and struggles to return to power.

I know it can be unbalancing, in the extreme, I have just never seen a discussion on it. And am looking for input/feedback on the subject.
Novem
10-06-07, 11:19 PM I was thinking of a world where the opposite was norm... where magic was rare and psionics were dominant, and the lack of transparency allowed psionics to conquer. The psions had magic defenses but the mages had no such option. Congrats the world is now psionic, but magic still survives and struggles to return to power.

I know it can be unbalancing, in the extreme, I have just never seen a discussion on it. And am looking for input/feedback on the subject.

Impractical. Granted, I love the idea, but Psionics/Magic transparency can still be useful- they need not be different to conquer each other.
InkBlot
10-07-07, 02:33 AM I was thinking of a world where... where magic was rare and psionics were dominant, and the lack of transparency allowed psionics to conquer.

Have you ever heard of Dark Sun (http://athas.org/)?
JackAltrades
10-07-07, 11:49 AM In Dark Sun Psionics was naturally occuring and magic had to be discoverered. I was thinking more along the lines of an invading force.

And by being different, I think it would help with the concept.

"For all of your magical strength, your world put up a measily 3 hour fight! HA ha ha. Psionics is true power."

that kind of thing.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
JackAltrades 10-06-07, 03:36 PM	I was wondering if anyone has successfully tried the Psionics are different rules. Is there a discussion thread on it? Does any one have any Ideas on how to keep it balanced?
Deekin 10-06-07, 04:19 PM	The General Conculsion is that it is a bad idea, unless you also make Arcane magic and Divine magic non-transparent.
Amaril 10-06-07, 06:13 PM	It's not that it's a bad idea; it just requires a lot of work. It also requires that the difference is common knowledge in your setting so that defensive measures against psionics and magic are equally available, otherwise one can overpower the other greatly.
JackAltrades 10-06-07, 11:14 PM	I was thinking of a world where the opposite was norm... where magic was rare and psionics were dominant, and the lack of transparency allowed psionics to conquer. The psions had magic defenses but the mages had no such option. Congrats the world is now psionic, but magic still survives and struggles to return to power. I know it can be unbalancing, in the extreme, I have just never seen a discussion on it. And am looking for input/feedback on the subject.
Novem 10-06-07, 11:19 PM	I was thinking of a world where the opposite was norm... where magic was rare and psionics were dominant, and the lack of transparency allowed psionics to conquer. The psions had magic defenses but the mages had no such option. Congrats the world is now psionic, but magic still survives and struggles to return to power. I know it can be unbalancing, in the extreme, I have just never seen a discussion on it. And am looking for input/feedback on the subject. Impractical. Granted, I love the idea, but Psionics/Magic transparency can still be useful- they need not be different to conquer each other.
InkBlot 10-07-07, 02:33 AM	I was thinking of a world where... where magic was rare and psionics were dominant, and the lack of transparency allowed psionics to conquer. Have you ever heard of Dark Sun (http://athas.org/)?
JackAltrades 10-07-07, 11:49 AM	In Dark Sun Psionics was naturally occuring and magic had to be discoverered. I was thinking more along the lines of an invading force. And by being different, I think it would help with the concept. "For all of your magical strength, your world put up a measily 3 hour fight! HA ha ha. Psionics is true power." that kind of thing.