Can Psionics be deleted and built-in to D&D? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Can Psionics be deleted and built-in to D&D? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Bladesinger Boy
02-02-06, 06:10 PM This is probably a better question to ask when the "Complete Psionics" book comes out in April ( http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dndacc/953670000 ), but do you guys think Psionics, or maybe I should say he psionics approach to casting, can be built into standard D&D and Psionics no longer an optional accessory?

I see a few options open for this:

1) the 3rd type of magic: Psionics. Make Psions and Psychic Warriors standard core classes, and maybe with that add another core race. Alongside the arcane and divine spells, list the psionic powers by level.
1b) complications include: "school" of psionics compared to standard 8 magic schools, SR = PR always or never?, theological function of psionics (arcanists use the weave, divinists use a godly connection, but is psionics a natural mind power > can it only be learned by sentient creatures?)

2) Delete Psionics, replicate psionic-like effects properly in normal magic and abilities. Think of the creation of the 3rd ed Sorceror. Between feats, metamagics, and spell class abilities, psionics-like abilties are possible by standard builds. Psionics overtly becomes phased out; implicitly it's alrayd in the system. Talking about "psions" now refers to genres of characters build involving Stilled or Silenced spells, spontaneous casting, certain PrCs that promote these abilities, and/or mind based powers like Enchantment or Divination (it's a perceptual event, the knowledge gleaned).
2b) complications: is something being left out, has a good enough job been done for integrating all options Psionics present? Are all Sorcerorss now too Psion like, or are Psions too advanced and at a Prestige Class level to be a low level options? Are metamagics more numerically efficient for certain uses; does it down-power "Psion style" metamagic Sorcs (or Clerics or Wizards)?

I personally lean towards the second, Integrated Psionics. What do people think, what options can you think of to facilitate either option?
Kalriem
02-02-06, 10:52 PM This is probably a better question to ask when the "Complete Psionics" book comes out in April ( http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dndacc/953670000 ), but do you guys think Psionics, or maybe I should say he psionics approach to casting, can be built into standard D&D and Psionics no longer an optional accessory?
Do I think that psionics can be built directly into a standard D&D, no longer an optional accessory?
Yes. I consider the XPH the fourth core rulebook. Do I think it needs to be changed to do this? No. Psionics is fine as is.

1) the 3rd type of magic: Psionics. Make Psions and Psychic Warriors standard core classes, and maybe with that add another core race. Alongside the arcane and divine spells, list the psionic powers by level.
1b) complications include: "school" of psionics compared to standard 8 magic schools, SR = PR always or never?, theological function of psionics (arcanists use the weave, divinists use a godly connection, but is psionics a natural mind power > can it only be learned by sentient creatures?)

It seems you are making things unnecessarily complicated. Why are you trying to fix something that isn't broken?
1) Psionic disciplines do not, and do not need to compare or conform to the magic schools. They're fine just the way they are.
2) SR & PR always equal, as stated on page 55 of the XPH under Psionics Magic Transparency.
3) Your mind is a powerful thing. Psionics is this power made manifest, and can only be learned by creatures of an Intelligence score of at least 1. Creatures with the hivemind ability are the exception to this rule.
DarknessEternal
02-03-06, 12:20 AM 1) the 3rd type of magic: Psionics.
The psionics board threw a temper tantrum when that was discussed earlier this week despite the book actually calling it magic.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Bladesinger Boy 02-02-06, 06:10 PM	This is probably a better question to ask when the "Complete Psionics" book comes out in April ( http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dndacc/953670000 ), but do you guys think Psionics, or maybe I should say he psionics approach to casting, can be built into standard D&D and Psionics no longer an optional accessory? I see a few options open for this: 1) the 3rd type of magic: Psionics. Make Psions and Psychic Warriors standard core classes, and maybe with that add another core race. Alongside the arcane and divine spells, list the psionic powers by level. 1b) complications include: "school" of psionics compared to standard 8 magic schools, SR = PR always or never?, theological function of psionics (arcanists use the weave, divinists use a godly connection, but is psionics a natural mind power > can it only be learned by sentient creatures?) 2) Delete Psionics, replicate psionic-like effects properly in normal magic and abilities. Think of the creation of the 3rd ed Sorceror. Between feats, metamagics, and spell class abilities, psionics-like abilties are possible by standard builds. Psionics overtly becomes phased out; implicitly it's alrayd in the system. Talking about "psions" now refers to genres of characters build involving Stilled or Silenced spells, spontaneous casting, certain PrCs that promote these abilities, and/or mind based powers like Enchantment or Divination (it's a perceptual event, the knowledge gleaned). 2b) complications: is something being left out, has a good enough job been done for integrating all options Psionics present? Are all Sorcerorss now too Psion like, or are Psions too advanced and at a Prestige Class level to be a low level options? Are metamagics more numerically efficient for certain uses; does it down-power "Psion style" metamagic Sorcs (or Clerics or Wizards)? I personally lean towards the second, Integrated Psionics. What do people think, what options can you think of to facilitate either option?
Kalriem 02-02-06, 10:52 PM	This is probably a better question to ask when the "Complete Psionics" book comes out in April ( http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dndacc/953670000 ), but do you guys think Psionics, or maybe I should say he psionics approach to casting, can be built into standard D&D and Psionics no longer an optional accessory? Do I think that psionics can be built directly into a standard D&D, no longer an optional accessory? Yes. I consider the XPH the fourth core rulebook. Do I think it needs to be changed to do this? No. Psionics is fine as is. 1) the 3rd type of magic: Psionics. Make Psions and Psychic Warriors standard core classes, and maybe with that add another core race. Alongside the arcane and divine spells, list the psionic powers by level. 1b) complications include: "school" of psionics compared to standard 8 magic schools, SR = PR always or never?, theological function of psionics (arcanists use the weave, divinists use a godly connection, but is psionics a natural mind power > can it only be learned by sentient creatures?) It seems you are making things unnecessarily complicated. Why are you trying to fix something that isn't broken? 1) Psionic disciplines do not, and do not need to compare or conform to the magic schools. They're fine just the way they are. 2) SR & PR always equal, as stated on page 55 of the XPH under Psionics Magic Transparency. 3) Your mind is a powerful thing. Psionics is this power made manifest, and can only be learned by creatures of an Intelligence score of at least 1. Creatures with the hivemind ability are the exception to this rule.
DarknessEternal 02-03-06, 12:20 AM	1) the 3rd type of magic: Psionics. The psionics board threw a temper tantrum when that was discussed earlier this week despite the book actually calling it magic.