Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Shado 05-09-07, 01:08 AM	I might have missed the relevant post, but just in case, has anyone checked out the previews for Star Wars Saga? http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=starwars/article/SagaPreview3 Looks like a system that might be adaptable to psionics to replicate the encounter based mechanics presented in ToB. Based on the info presented, I imagine a "Psionic Power" type skill that encompasses Autohypnosis and several 3.0 type "Talents." as anytime sort of abilities based on a skill check. Then you move into the actual power realm where a limited number of power points are spent to use powers with maneuver like restrictions (i.e. Useable once an encounter unless some other mechanic "recovers" it for you.) Could be interesting...
InkBlot 05-09-07, 03:02 PM	This would be very different, and... "interesting." Personally, I think that if you do this you should throw out the idea of powerpoints all together. They would just be a superflous overcomplication. I also don't like the idea of having to roll to use a power. Relegating some psionic abilities to skills isn't such a bad idea, but it would merely overcomplicate powers. To keep the game running smoothly, players should only be rolling one check each time they use an ability. When you shoot a beam of pyrokinetic fire you already need to roll to hit, having to roll again to see if you can manifest it at all is too harsh.
IceFractal 05-09-07, 03:16 PM	The thing that comes up with encounter-based magic systems is non-combat spells/powers. Now while psionics doesn't have as many of these as magic, there's still several: Quintessence 1/minute, for instance, gives you one hell of a stockpile, as does Minor/Major Creation (albeit temporary). With Psionic Divination, you can watch people 24 hours a day. Or, more significantly, set up a major network of Teleportation Circles by yourself. There's also buffs, but I presume those would be stances or short-duration boosts in a ToB style system. Actually, going through the list, I was surprised by how few "utility" powers there were. So it might not be impossible to manually change the few that would really have issues in a ToB setup.
InkBlot 05-09-07, 04:25 PM	I imagine that a ToB-esque psionics system would have a much greater variety of durations and manifesting times then ToB itself. It would help if there were a general rule that you can't manifest a power while a previous manifestation is active. There could be "augments" or something that increases the number of concurrent manifestations allowed, but this would need to be an expensive option. So you could only have so much quintessence manifested at a time. If you try to manifest more, the last lump evaporates. Also, we should keep in mind the rule from Complete Scoundrel about using skill tricks outside of combat; that you can use a trick only once per minute.
Tempest Stormwind 05-09-07, 04:31 PM	Friggin' dammit... SECOND TIME WotC's sniped me! During UTP's development, the PHB2 came out. The Combat Focus idea and the Penetrating Shot feat were both VERY similar to ideas I'd had which we were developing in UTP from far before the book came out (respectively, those ideas became the mantra concept and the crossbow marksman's second signature style). My next DSP project was an alternate divine casting system that removes the concept of clerics as a class, replacing it with divinely-empowered members of other classes (that is, clerics of Kord would actually be warriors, clerics of Olidammara would actually be scoundrels, and so on, instead of a clanky-tank with simple weapons approximating both. The clanky-tank divine champion that the cleric could be would be a PrC.). It was to be skills-and-feats oriented, and I was drawing slightly from SWd20 in a few areas. I put it on hold to see how Saga Edition would handle it. AND IT'S NIGH-FREAKING IDENTICAL TO MY CONCEPT, except for a few critical differences (it uses one skill instead of several (and the Saga Edition does away with skill points), it keeps a base class, and it uses a Tome of Battle-style appoach while I used a hybrid psionics/ToB approach, with each ability powered by a limited reserve of points, but the points could be recharged; think of it more like having the innate ability to store and expend more than one focus) which make it a mechanically smoother implementation. Don't believe me? Check the date when I posted my first draft of the idea (http://boards1.wizards.com/showpost.php?p=10795933&postcount=19), which was *before* I fleshed it out. I fleshed out a few basics, edited them in, and then decided to work it into a DSP book. Check the last editing date. Grrrrr.....
IceFractal 05-09-07, 04:37 PM	And you think that's coincidence? Obviously, WotC started Scrying on you a while ago. ;) Invest in some lead wallpaper.
TheKeyofE 05-09-07, 05:59 PM	Methinks Tempest should stop posting his stuff on the boards until it's completely finished and/or copyrighted? As for the ToB-esque Psionics, the idea has merit. I'd say work on it for a couple weeks/months and see what comes of it, then repost with your initial findings.
InkBlot 05-09-07, 06:01 PM	I think the most important thing to note with this idea is that if you follow it through you're not going to come out with material that has the same feel as the XPH. Psychics won't be just "mind wizards" anymore.