I am musing with the idea of introducing psionics into my campaign. I am one of the people who find psionics in its basic form to be too superior to magic. (This entails having free silent and still ability and being able to use any number of highest level abilities as long as you have the PP) For those who agree with me I would like to know what you think about charging twice the Power points or PSP for using any ability outside of ones discipline? This will only work for psions and wilders I have not as of yet decided on psychic warriors. I would just like some feedback. Thanks in advance.
Well yes, Psionics do have a few advantages to normal magic but that is overridden by the basic and unavoidable fact that PSIONICS SUCK! The system is not only overpowered but it is also painfully lame. It was a cool idea but WotC screwed it up (as they're want to do). I'll let Saern give you the complete List of Reasons Why Psionics Suck. He'll probably be along pretty soon.
...while I'm pretty sure "psionics suck" is an opinion, the OP did ask for some pretty specific things on how use psionics in a balanced fashion.
My thoughts (and I'm in the camp of "psionics are cool"):
Increase power point costs by 1/2, demand a Concentration check every time they use a power (DC = 10 + power level, maybe 15 + power level). Also, you could require them to be psionically focused before they use their powers, with a focus duration equal to their manifester level in rounds. (Again, enforce Concentration checks.)
Also, certain powers manifest that differently (visual, olfactory, auditory) - use that to your advantage as the DM. Have your NPCs make a Spellcraft check at a penalty to recognize powers being used.
I am one of the people who find psionics in its basic form to be too superior to magic.
Have you tried playing with them as-written over the course of a decent-length campaign? If not, then I suggest you try that first - the system may look overpowered, but I've found that, if anything, it's actually underpowered.
Once you have tried it as-written, then you'll be in a much better position to decide whether it still seems overpowered, and if so to determine by how much, and set the scaling factor appropriately.
As a house rule I have a set limit on expendable power points for spell, just so that a high level psion can't use every power point for a 100d6 energy blast.
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I am one of the people who find psionics in its basic form to be too superior to magic.Have you tried playing with them as-written over the course of a decent-length campaign? If not, then I suggest you try that first - the system may look overpowered, but I've found that, if anything, it's actually underpowered.
Once you have tried it as-written, then you'll be in a much better position to decide whether it still seems overpowered, and if so to determine by how much, and set the scaling factor appropriately.
Delericho is correct. Play the class over a long campaign and i too believe your opinions will change. I love psionics and play the characters often, that being said, over the long run one will find that they are indeed a bit underpowered. If, for some reason you still find them overpowered(doubtful), then you would have an easier time to scale them according to what you feel is best. Psionics can be a bit mis-leading on paper. Either way, psionics are fun to have in a campaign-you and your characters will enjoy the feel they bring in.
Thoth-Amon has left his mental signature
I've had a couple of players use psionics as our current campaign is centered around a poweful psion and his machiavellian schemes to subvert the politics of the silver marches (FR setting).
After using every NPC class in the XPHB and experimenting with various multiclass options I would say that while psionics can be a little more powerful than core magic users its not that more noticeable or anything to worry about. In fact this little balance issue is ironed out by the rarity of psionics in the game world, psionic characters aren’t going to be able to find psionic items and what have you quite as easily as a typical magic user may find something useful etc. :)
As a house rule I have a set limit on expendable power points for spell, just so that a high level psion can't use every power point for a 100d6 energy blast.
Um, that is in fact the actual rule. A psionic character cannot spend more power points on a single power than his manifester level.
I am one of the people who find psionics in its basic form to be too superior to magic.Have you tried playing with them as-written over the course of a decent-length campaign? If not, then I suggest you try that first - the system may look overpowered, but I've found that, if anything, it's actually underpowered.
Once you have tried it as-written, then you'll be in a much better position to decide whether it still seems overpowered, and if so to determine by how much, and set the scaling factor appropriately.
Delericho is correct. Play the class over a long campaign and i too believe your opinions will change. I love psionics and play the characters often, that being said, over the long run one will find that they are indeed a bit underpowered. If, for some reason you still find them overpowered(doubtful), then you would have an easier time to scale them according to what you feel is best. Psionics can be a bit mis-leading on paper. Either way, psionics are fun to have in a campaign-you and your characters will enjoy the feel they bring in.
Thoth-Amon has left his mental signature
Totally agree. My experience has been that there is a certian range of levels from about 4th-8th were Psionics are fantastic. Lots of PSPs lots of power - you'll kick butt and take names. After that things start to go downhill for the psionic. The big culprit is SR, everything in at the higher levels has freaken SR and psionic based casters can't get around SR for beans. Another weak area for a psionic are battlefield control type powers. So you have a mage type that is best as a blaster but does not have the ability to circumvent SR - not exactly ideal.
I'm in the minority that has come to really enjoy psionics. I've got 3 psionic characters now up to 8th level, and I don't find them overpowered if run per the rules.
Go over to the Psionics forum at WOTC and read through the extensive sticky on "Myths on why Psionics are overpowered" (paraphrasing). And as an earlier poster here pointed out, once you start getting into higher levels and dealing w/ SR, you'll have a better idea of your limitations. Of course, that's assuming you're using your power points to mentally batter an opponent. In truth, you can do so many different things w/ psionics.
To me, the power pt system is better than the Vancian magic system. That's why I finally switched over from standard mages to psions. That, and I just like the flavor. I find the sheer number of spells available--much like the monsters--just a bit overwhelming. Just an opinion...
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I am one of the people who find psionics in its basic form to be too superior to magic.Have you tried playing with them as-written over the course of a decent-length campaign? If not, then I suggest you try that first - the system may look overpowered, but I've found that, if anything, it's actually underpowered.
Once you have tried it as-written, then you'll be in a much better position to decide whether it still seems overpowered, and if so to determine by how much, and set the scaling factor appropriately.
I had never liked psionics, even in the earlier incarnatins of the game.
Then I saw 3E's version and thought it was WAAAAAY overpowered. Finally a player convinced me to let him play a psion. The fact was he was in no way overpowered. He seemed to fit right in as far as that goes. He had some cool abilities that got them out of some tricky spots, but nothing outrageous.
I have not been a fan of the sorcerer. Too little difference from Wizard to be worth a core class. I would have made the psion take the sorcerer's place as a core class.
Contributor
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I'm with the 'psionics is not overpowered' crowd. Having to boost every power to get maximum effect is costly.
In certain situations, Psionics outshine magic; like if you know the encounter right now is the only one you are having today. In an arena comabt I had a psion/scout burn all of his PP in about 3 rounds. And then I was mostly helpless for the rest of the day.
but man did I do a lot of damage in those three rounds!
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I am one of the people who find psionics in its basic form to be too superior to magic.Have you tried playing with them as-written over the course of a decent-length campaign? If not, then I suggest you try that first - the system may look overpowered, but I've found that, if anything, it's actually underpowered.
Once you have tried it as-written, then you'll be in a much better position to decide whether it still seems overpowered, and if so to determine by how much, and set the scaling factor appropriately.
I agree with Delericho. I love psionics, and initially thought the 3E sorcerer was a response to the übersinnlich of the 'Jedi of D&D,' and keep in mind there are now three books on Psionics. For a long time I didn't allow the powers in my game. Then along came Eberron. I re-looked the whole mechanic, and then tried incorporating Psionics as given in the rules--no problems, either it balances out or, like Del says, my psionicist is a tad underpowered.
For anyone loving or hating psionics please refer to my new thread regarding psionics. Please, support your responses with references, examples and comparisons.
Thank you Lilith for responding to my question.