Recharge Psionics: The Energy Adept [Archive] - Wizards Community

Recharge Psionics: The Energy Adept [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Ecureuil_Diabolique
08-27-07, 10:21 PM Recharge Psionics

At first I tried to make a magic system like psionics, only every round or minute you regained a certain amount of points to be used for your spellcasting with a cap to make sure your not waiting half of the day then going nova for the second half. It started to shape up, but then DMs Favourite reminded me that spell level equivalents had to exist for certain effects and spells. I then changed it over to psionics rather quickly.

The work so far is what how far I've gotten. I made a simple base class with an energy reserve and a certain value for regeneration. I used the PsiWar's progression because the Warlock has at-will abilities and their invocations cap out around 6th level or something like that. The spell list is basic, I didn't look for combos or anything and some of them I didn't even bother to look at the entries. I will get to that soon to make sure it balances well.

After I get all the mechanical kinks out of it I'll start writing up the fluff and finish it up.
Ecureuil_Diabolique
08-27-07, 10:23 PM Energy Adept
"Quote"
-Person, Energy Adept.
Favor Text
Making An Energy Adept
Text
Abilities: Text
Races: Text
Alignment: Text

Table: The Energy Adept Hit Die: D6
Base Attack Saves Energy Powers Max
Lvl Bonus Fort Ref Will Special Pool Known Lvl
1 +0 +0 +0 +2 Energy Reserve 2(1) 1 1
2 +1 +0 +0 +3 Detect Psionics 2(1) 2 1
3 +2 +1 +1 +3 4(2) 3 1
4 +3 +1 +1 +4 6(2) 4 2
5 +3 +1 +1 +4 Energy Revival 6(3) 5 2
6 +4 +2 +2 +5 8(3) 6 2
7 +5 +2 +2 +5 10(4) 7 3
8 +6/+1 +2 +2 +6 10(4) 8 3
9 +6/+1 +3 +3 +6 12(5) 9 3
10 +7/+2 +3 +3 +7 Perfect Energy Revival 14(5) 10 4
11 +8/+3 +3 +3 +7 14(6) 11 4
12 +9/+4 +4 +4 +8 16(6) 12 4
13 +9/+4 +4 +4 +8 18(7) 13 5
14 +10/+5 +4 +4 +9 18(7) 14 5
15 +11/+6/+1 +5 +5 +9 Energy Surge 20(8) 15 5
16 +12/+7/+2 +5 +5 +10 22(8) 16 6
17 +12/+7/+2 +5 +5 +10 22(9) 17 6
18 +13/+8/+3 +6 +6 +11 24(9) 18 6
19 +14/+9/+4 +6 +6 +11 26(10) 19 6
20 +15/+10/+5 +6 +6 +12 Perfect Energy Surge 26(10) 20 6

Class Skills (2+Int modifier, x4 at 1st level): Concentration, Craft, Decipher Script, Knowledge (Psionics), Knowledge (The Planes), Profession, Psicraft, and Use Psionic Device.

Class Features
All of the following are the class features of the energy adept.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: An energy adept is proficient with all simple weapons and light armors, but not with shields.
Energy Reserve: All energy adepts draw from a pool of psionic power called an energy reserve. Energy adepts continually store up energy from their surroundings and draw upon this stored psionic power to fuel their powers. The first number on the chart represents the maximum amount of energy an energy adept may store at any given time and the number in parenthesis is how much energy he regenerates every round or how much energy he regenerates every minute if his energy reserve is below 50%. An energy adept may only regenerate energy while he is psionically focused.
Powers Known: An energy adept begins play knowing one energy adept power of your choice. Each time he achieves a new level, he unlocks the knowledge of a new power.
Choose the powers known from the energy adept power list. An energy adept can manifest any power that has a energy point cost equal to or lower than his manifester level.
The total number of powers an energy adept can manifest in a day is limited only by his energy point reserve.
An energy adept simply knows his powers; they are ingrained in his mind. He does not need to prepare them (in the way that some spellcasters prepare their spells), though he must get a good night’s sleep each day to regain all his spent energy points.
The Difficulty Class for saving throws against energy adept powers is 10 + the power’s level + the energy adept’s Charisma modifier.
Maximum Power Level Known: An energy adept begins play with the ability to learn 1st-level powers. As he attains higher levels, he may gain the ability to master more complex powers.
To learn or manifest a power, an energy adept must have a Charisma score of at least 10 + the power’s level.
Detect Psionics: An energy adept may manifest Detect Psionics as a psi-like ability usable at-will.
Energy Revival: Once per day an energy adept may regenerate an amount of energy equal to the given amount on the class chart that he normally would as a swift action. An energy adept does not regenerate energy as usual during the round he activates this class feature.
Perfect Energy Revival: Once per day an energy adept may use his Energy Revival use to regenerate all of his expended energy.
Energy Surge: Once per day an energy adept may spend all of his energy reserve to manifest any two powers he knows, augmented with as many points as he wishes as long as it does not exceed his class level. A [Class Name] may only use this ability when his energy reserve is full.
Perfect Energy Surge: Now an energy adept may use his Energy Surge ability as a standard action.

Playing An Energy Adept
Text
Religion: Text
Other Classes: Text
Combat: Text
Advancement: Text
Ecureuil_Diabolique
08-27-07, 10:24 PM Energy Adept Powers

Level 1 (1pp)
Attraction
Bolt
Catfall
Conceal Thoughts
Control Flames
Control Light
Create Sound
Crystal Shard
Daze, Psionic
Deceleration
Deflection Field*
Deja Vu
Disable
Dissipating Touch
Eidetic Lock*
Empathy
Endure Elements, Psionic
Energy Arc*
Energy Ray
Entangling Ectoplasm
Far Hand
Float
Force Screen
Hammer
Inertial Armor
Know Direction and Location
Matter Agitation
Mind Thrust
Missive
Sense Link
Skate
Synchronicity*
Telempathic Projection
Touch of Health*

Level 2 (3pp)
Bio Feedback
Body Equilibrium
Cloud Mind
Concealing Amorpha
Concussion Blast
Control Sound
Crystalstorm*
Detect Hostile Intent
Earth Walk*
Elemental Steward*
Energy Adaptation, Specified
Energy Emanation*
Energy Push
Energy Stun*
Identify, Psionic
Knock, Psionic
Levitate, Psionic
Missive, Mass
Psionic Lock
Recal Agony*
Sense link, Forced
Serenity*
Sustenance
Swarm of Crystals
Tongues, Psionic

Level 3 (5pp)
Darkvision, Psionic
Dimension Twister*
Dispel Psionics
Energy Bolt
Energy Burst
Energy Lance*
Energy Retort
Energy Wall
Eradicate Invisibility
Exhalation of the Bronze Dragon*
Heavy Earth*
Mental Barrier
Psionic Blast
Telekinetic Force
Telekinetic Thrust
Time hop
Touchsight
Ubiquitous Vision

Level 4 (7pp)
Aura Sight
Correspond
Dimension Door, Psionic*
Empathic Feedback
Energy Adaptation
Energy Flash*
Freedom of Movement, Psionic
Planar Apotheosis*
Suggestion, Implanted*
Telekinetic Maneuver
Trace Teleport
Wall of Ectoplasm

Level 5 (9 pp)
Adapt Body
Anticipatory Strike*
Celestial Conduit*
Ethereal Agent*
Major Creation, Psionic
Stomp, Greater
Stygian Dominion*
Telekinetic Buffer
True Seeing, Psionic

Level 6 (11pp)
Breath of the Black Dragon
Contingency, Psionic
Disintegrate, Psionic
Energy Barrage*
Ethereal Abduction*
Fuse Flesh
Inconstant Location*
Mend Wounds*
Mind over Energy*
Overland Flight, Psionic
Retrieve
Stygian Bolt
Suspend Life
Temporal Acceleration
Ecureuil_Diabolique
08-27-07, 10:24 PM Feats

Feats
Ecureuil_Diabolique
08-27-07, 10:25 PM Reserved 5/5
Ecureuil_Diabolique
08-31-07, 05:02 PM :bump: :weep:
Ra-Tiel
08-31-07, 06:45 PM Sounds interesting. :D However, I got a few comments to share.

There are some copy&paste errors in your text. In the description of Energy Reserve it says "the maximum amount of energy a mage may store at any given time". Then, in the description of Powers Known it says "begins play knowing one [Class Name] power of your choice".

Also, while it seems reasonably balanced, I'm not sure about the permanent bookkeeping you have to make. Every time you manifest a power with more than 3/5 your ML in PPs you're automatically dropping to "per minute" recovery. This makes the class very unreliable in combat, as one combat buff and one full ML power leave you completely empty.

On the other hand, you have the huge problem that you could theoretically run around with buffs like detect hostile intent, touchsight, freedom of movement or true seeing up and running all day long without problems.

May I suggest a different approach? Give the class a larger PP pool. And have that pool completely recovered on a per hour basis. This cuts down on the bookkeeping, while at least not worsening the "perma-buff" problem. If you know the computer game "Titan Quest", you could make it so that all currently active powers reduce the maximum PP pool size by their PP costs.

A simple example just for the sake of it:
Imagine you have an Energy Adept with a PP pool of 30 points. These 30 points are completely restored automatically each hour. If the adept decides to put up inertial armor for 8 PPs, his maximum is reduced to 22 PPs, and for as long as his power lasts, he will only recover up to 22 PPs per hour.
Ecureuil_Diabolique
08-31-07, 06:56 PM Thanks, I'll have to play around with that idea.

Yeah, I copy/pasted form when I tried doing this with magic, thus the "mage" thrown in there. Then I tried to replace that with "[Class Name]" because I wasn't sure what to call it when I started.

I'll go and fix those spots.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Ecureuil_Diabolique 08-27-07, 10:21 PM	Recharge Psionics At first I tried to make a magic system like psionics, only every round or minute you regained a certain amount of points to be used for your spellcasting with a cap to make sure your not waiting half of the day then going nova for the second half. It started to shape up, but then DMs Favourite reminded me that spell level equivalents had to exist for certain effects and spells. I then changed it over to psionics rather quickly. The work so far is what how far I've gotten. I made a simple base class with an energy reserve and a certain value for regeneration. I used the PsiWar's progression because the Warlock has at-will abilities and their invocations cap out around 6th level or something like that. The spell list is basic, I didn't look for combos or anything and some of them I didn't even bother to look at the entries. I will get to that soon to make sure it balances well. After I get all the mechanical kinks out of it I'll start writing up the fluff and finish it up.
Ecureuil_Diabolique 08-27-07, 10:23 PM	Energy Adept "Quote" -Person, Energy Adept. Favor Text Making An Energy Adept Text Abilities: Text Races: Text Alignment: Text Table: The Energy Adept Hit Die: D6 Base Attack Saves Energy Powers Max Lvl Bonus Fort Ref Will Special Pool Known Lvl 1 +0 +0 +0 +2 Energy Reserve 2(1) 1 1 2 +1 +0 +0 +3 Detect Psionics 2(1) 2 1 3 +2 +1 +1 +3 4(2) 3 1 4 +3 +1 +1 +4 6(2) 4 2 5 +3 +1 +1 +4 Energy Revival 6(3) 5 2 6 +4 +2 +2 +5 8(3) 6 2 7 +5 +2 +2 +5 10(4) 7 3 8 +6/+1 +2 +2 +6 10(4) 8 3 9 +6/+1 +3 +3 +6 12(5) 9 3 10 +7/+2 +3 +3 +7 Perfect Energy Revival 14(5) 10 4 11 +8/+3 +3 +3 +7 14(6) 11 4 12 +9/+4 +4 +4 +8 16(6) 12 4 13 +9/+4 +4 +4 +8 18(7) 13 5 14 +10/+5 +4 +4 +9 18(7) 14 5 15 +11/+6/+1 +5 +5 +9 Energy Surge 20(8) 15 5 16 +12/+7/+2 +5 +5 +10 22(8) 16 6 17 +12/+7/+2 +5 +5 +10 22(9) 17 6 18 +13/+8/+3 +6 +6 +11 24(9) 18 6 19 +14/+9/+4 +6 +6 +11 26(10) 19 6 20 +15/+10/+5 +6 +6 +12 Perfect Energy Surge 26(10) 20 6 Class Skills (2+Int modifier, x4 at 1st level): Concentration, Craft, Decipher Script, Knowledge (Psionics), Knowledge (The Planes), Profession, Psicraft, and Use Psionic Device. Class Features All of the following are the class features of the energy adept. Weapon and Armor Proficiency: An energy adept is proficient with all simple weapons and light armors, but not with shields. Energy Reserve: All energy adepts draw from a pool of psionic power called an energy reserve. Energy adepts continually store up energy from their surroundings and draw upon this stored psionic power to fuel their powers. The first number on the chart represents the maximum amount of energy an energy adept may store at any given time and the number in parenthesis is how much energy he regenerates every round or how much energy he regenerates every minute if his energy reserve is below 50%. An energy adept may only regenerate energy while he is psionically focused. Powers Known: An energy adept begins play knowing one energy adept power of your choice. Each time he achieves a new level, he unlocks the knowledge of a new power. Choose the powers known from the energy adept power list. An energy adept can manifest any power that has a energy point cost equal to or lower than his manifester level. The total number of powers an energy adept can manifest in a day is limited only by his energy point reserve. An energy adept simply knows his powers; they are ingrained in his mind. He does not need to prepare them (in the way that some spellcasters prepare their spells), though he must get a good night’s sleep each day to regain all his spent energy points. The Difficulty Class for saving throws against energy adept powers is 10 + the power’s level + the energy adept’s Charisma modifier. Maximum Power Level Known: An energy adept begins play with the ability to learn 1st-level powers. As he attains higher levels, he may gain the ability to master more complex powers. To learn or manifest a power, an energy adept must have a Charisma score of at least 10 + the power’s level. Detect Psionics: An energy adept may manifest Detect Psionics as a psi-like ability usable at-will. Energy Revival: Once per day an energy adept may regenerate an amount of energy equal to the given amount on the class chart that he normally would as a swift action. An energy adept does not regenerate energy as usual during the round he activates this class feature. Perfect Energy Revival: Once per day an energy adept may use his Energy Revival use to regenerate all of his expended energy. Energy Surge: Once per day an energy adept may spend all of his energy reserve to manifest any two powers he knows, augmented with as many points as he wishes as long as it does not exceed his class level. A [Class Name] may only use this ability when his energy reserve is full. Perfect Energy Surge: Now an energy adept may use his Energy Surge ability as a standard action. Playing An Energy Adept Text Religion: Text Other Classes: Text Combat: Text Advancement: Text
Ecureuil_Diabolique 08-27-07, 10:24 PM	Energy Adept Powers Level 1 (1pp) Attraction Bolt Catfall Conceal Thoughts Control Flames Control Light Create Sound Crystal Shard Daze, Psionic Deceleration Deflection Field* Deja Vu Disable Dissipating Touch Eidetic Lock* Empathy Endure Elements, Psionic Energy Arc* Energy Ray Entangling Ectoplasm Far Hand Float Force Screen Hammer Inertial Armor Know Direction and Location Matter Agitation Mind Thrust Missive Sense Link Skate Synchronicity* Telempathic Projection Touch of Health* Level 2 (3pp) Bio Feedback Body Equilibrium Cloud Mind Concealing Amorpha Concussion Blast Control Sound Crystalstorm* Detect Hostile Intent Earth Walk* Elemental Steward* Energy Adaptation, Specified Energy Emanation* Energy Push Energy Stun* Identify, Psionic Knock, Psionic Levitate, Psionic Missive, Mass Psionic Lock Recal Agony* Sense link, Forced Serenity* Sustenance Swarm of Crystals Tongues, Psionic Level 3 (5pp) Darkvision, Psionic Dimension Twister* Dispel Psionics Energy Bolt Energy Burst Energy Lance* Energy Retort Energy Wall Eradicate Invisibility Exhalation of the Bronze Dragon* Heavy Earth* Mental Barrier Psionic Blast Telekinetic Force Telekinetic Thrust Time hop Touchsight Ubiquitous Vision Level 4 (7pp) Aura Sight Correspond Dimension Door, Psionic* Empathic Feedback Energy Adaptation Energy Flash* Freedom of Movement, Psionic Planar Apotheosis* Suggestion, Implanted* Telekinetic Maneuver Trace Teleport Wall of Ectoplasm Level 5 (9 pp) Adapt Body Anticipatory Strike* Celestial Conduit* Ethereal Agent* Major Creation, Psionic Stomp, Greater Stygian Dominion* Telekinetic Buffer True Seeing, Psionic Level 6 (11pp) Breath of the Black Dragon Contingency, Psionic Disintegrate, Psionic Energy Barrage* Ethereal Abduction* Fuse Flesh Inconstant Location* Mend Wounds* Mind over Energy* Overland Flight, Psionic Retrieve Stygian Bolt Suspend Life Temporal Acceleration
Ecureuil_Diabolique 08-27-07, 10:24 PM	Feats Feats
Ecureuil_Diabolique 08-27-07, 10:25 PM	Reserved 5/5
Ecureuil_Diabolique 08-31-07, 05:02 PM	:bump: :weep:
Ra-Tiel 08-31-07, 06:45 PM	Sounds interesting. :D However, I got a few comments to share. There are some copy&paste errors in your text. In the description of Energy Reserve it says "the maximum amount of energy a mage may store at any given time". Then, in the description of Powers Known it says "begins play knowing one [Class Name] power of your choice". Also, while it seems reasonably balanced, I'm not sure about the permanent bookkeeping you have to make. Every time you manifest a power with more than 3/5 your ML in PPs you're automatically dropping to "per minute" recovery. This makes the class very unreliable in combat, as one combat buff and one full ML power leave you completely empty. On the other hand, you have the huge problem that you could theoretically run around with buffs like detect hostile intent, touchsight, freedom of movement or true seeing up and running all day long without problems. May I suggest a different approach? Give the class a larger PP pool. And have that pool completely recovered on a per hour basis. This cuts down on the bookkeeping, while at least not worsening the "perma-buff" problem. If you know the computer game "Titan Quest", you could make it so that all currently active powers reduce the maximum PP pool size by their PP costs. A simple example just for the sake of it: Imagine you have an Energy Adept with a PP pool of 30 points. These 30 points are completely restored automatically each hour. If the adept decides to put up inertial armor for 8 PPs, his maximum is reduced to 22 PPs, and for as long as his power lasts, he will only recover up to 22 PPs per hour.
Ecureuil_Diabolique 08-31-07, 06:56 PM	Thanks, I'll have to play around with that idea. Yeah, I copy/pasted form when I tried doing this with magic, thus the "mage" thrown in there. Then I tried to replace that with "[Class Name]" because I wasn't sure what to call it when I started. I'll go and fix those spots.