Looking for better Modern Psionic rules - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Looking for better Modern Psionic rules

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
jaisin_tam
Oct 05, 2008 17:09:39 Howdy!

I've been working through the small D20 Modern Psionic FX rules, but I feel I'm missing the point. Some of the character concepts that have been crossing my screen (Player Reqs.) for paranormal powers do not seem to translate well.
For example, An older version of Charlie (Firestarter II) Pyrokinetic, the “Heroes” villain Sylar (TK, Cryokenetics,, etc.) or even Jean Grey from the X-Men, do not translate well.

What optional or external Psionic rules do you prefer or recommend?
#2
Skrittiblak
Oct 05, 2008 18:31:52 Sounds like what you're really looking for is a "Powers" system. Green Ronin has a popular one out.
#3
masada
Oct 05, 2008 23:11:38 You could adopt portions of the True20 system where powers are feats. In my experience d20 Modern and True20 are very compatible. But it is still a different system. Psionics didn't get much official love in d20 Modern.
#4
penchant
Oct 07, 2008 22:58:36 I ran a similar type of game. Rather than worry about rules systems, I simply had players make up modern characters as normal and come up with a themed powerset. Then I just jotted them down in game statistics.

One wanted to be like Namor, so water breathing (easy) super strength (a x 10 multiplier to lifting capacity and a +10 damage bonus) and we agreed not to go for flight.

The second wanted fire powers, so an at will dice pool for fire effects. The character had 10 dice of fire that regenerated 1 die per round. Flight cost 3 dice per round and a fire shield cost 2 per round. The player could also spend the dice in fire attacks, of course, which we just gave as a ray with a 60' range. This gave the player a resource management mechanic that he really liked (and hated) to play with.

If you aren't publishing a book, then play fast and dirty with the rules. If they kill opponents easily then just throw more at them. Supers are supposed to chew through normals anyway.
#5
ranger_reg
Oct 09, 2008 1:30:42
Sounds like what you're really looking for is a "Powers" system. Green Ronin has a popular one out.

Green Ronin put out The Psychic's Handbook using the mechanical concept of powers as skills (some may see resemblance of Star Wars d20 RPG -- Original and Revised Editions -- Force Powers system).
#6
jaisin_tam
Oct 15, 2008 18:01:24 My copy of the Psychic's Handbook just showed up in the mail today, so I'll peruse it at work tonight.

Thanks for the suggestions. It helped!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 jaisin_tam Oct 05, 2008 17:09:39	Howdy! I've been working through the small D20 Modern Psionic FX rules, but I feel I'm missing the point. Some of the character concepts that have been crossing my screen (Player Reqs.) for paranormal powers do not seem to translate well. For example, An older version of Charlie (Firestarter II) Pyrokinetic, the “Heroes” villain Sylar (TK, Cryokenetics,, etc.) or even Jean Grey from the X-Men, do not translate well. What optional or external Psionic rules do you prefer or recommend?
#2 Skrittiblak Oct 05, 2008 18:31:52	Sounds like what you're really looking for is a "Powers" system. Green Ronin has a popular one out.
#3 masada Oct 05, 2008 23:11:38	You could adopt portions of the True20 system where powers are feats. In my experience d20 Modern and True20 are very compatible. But it is still a different system. Psionics didn't get much official love in d20 Modern.
#4 penchant Oct 07, 2008 22:58:36	I ran a similar type of game. Rather than worry about rules systems, I simply had players make up modern characters as normal and come up with a themed powerset. Then I just jotted them down in game statistics. One wanted to be like Namor, so water breathing (easy) super strength (a x 10 multiplier to lifting capacity and a +10 damage bonus) and we agreed not to go for flight. The second wanted fire powers, so an at will dice pool for fire effects. The character had 10 dice of fire that regenerated 1 die per round. Flight cost 3 dice per round and a fire shield cost 2 per round. The player could also spend the dice in fire attacks, of course, which we just gave as a ray with a 60' range. This gave the player a resource management mechanic that he really liked (and hated) to play with. If you aren't publishing a book, then play fast and dirty with the rules. If they kill opponents easily then just throw more at them. Supers are supposed to chew through normals anyway.
#5 ranger_reg Oct 09, 2008 1:30:42	Sounds like what you're really looking for is a "Powers" system. Green Ronin has a popular one out. Green Ronin put out The Psychic's Handbook using the mechanical concept of powers as skills (some may see resemblance of Star Wars d20 RPG -- Original and Revised Editions -- Force Powers system).
#6 jaisin_tam Oct 15, 2008 18:01:24	My copy of the Psychic's Handbook just showed up in the mail today, so I'll peruse it at work tonight. Thanks for the suggestions. It helped!