|
Will you be selling hard copies once it's all done, or only PDFs?We'll be doing printed books via Amazon and Lulu. :)
Hi - I really just started reading through these posts and I am really interested to see the final product!
One important question though ... are you saying the only option for an actual print copy of this will be print on demand? In other words, there will not be a traditional print run so people can purchase a copy here through Paizo, in a store etc?
I just wanted to make sure I was clear on this point
Thanks!
One important question though ... are you saying the only option for an actual print copy of this will be print on demand? In other words, there will not be a traditional print run so people can purchase a copy here through Paizo, in a store etc?
I just wanted to make sure I was clear on this point
Thanks!
That's the current plan. Our last run into the book distribution world was a big monetary loss for us.
If the sales go well, we may try going into distribution, but at this time, print on demand is our plan.
|
|
One important question though ... are you saying the only option for an actual print copy of this will be print on demand? In other words, there will not be a traditional print run so people can purchase a copy here through Paizo, in a store etc?
I just wanted to make sure I was clear on this point
Thanks!
That's the current plan. Our last run into the book distribution world was a big monetary loss for us.
If the sales go well, we may try going into distribution, but at this time, print on demand is our plan.
That's too bad but I certainly understand your reasons.
Best of luck to you - I'm sure the final product will be very cool.
Elyas - I am OK about the lack of illusions, but maybe a 'light control' power to work alongside 'control sound' would enable an image to be created akin to an illusion ... for myself, though, the idea of the energy powers isn't a bad one, as wild psychic powers being awesomely destructive is an idea that is quite well rooted.
Lich-loved - the power reads the same, so I guess we will have to wait and see the creature section. Given that Paizo toned down some conjured creatures, I think it's due at least a small hit with the nerf-bat.
That'd be a shame, really, because the Astral Construct just pales in comparison to the utility of the higher level summoned monsters, where you get lots of spell-likes and what-not. All ACs are good for is being tank/beaters, and they're temporary ones at that. I love the power and the customization, but I think it's hardly an overpowered power, especially since only Shapers can get it without a feat.
I guess we will have to see what they do - I'm not on the team, just a pain-in-the-neck commentator, critic and suggester of crazy ideas <grin>
One important question though ... are you saying the only option for an actual print copy of this will be print on demand? In other words, there will not be a traditional print run so people can purchase a copy here through Paizo, in a store etc?
I just wanted to make sure I was clear on this point
Thanks!
That's the current plan. Our last run into the book distribution world was a big monetary loss for us.
If the sales go well, we may try going into distribution, but at this time, print on demand is our plan.
I can live with print on demand either through Lulu or Amazon.
Doug
One important question though ... are you saying the only option for an actual print copy of this will be print on demand? In other words, there will not be a traditional print run so people can purchase a copy here through Paizo, in a store etc?
I just wanted to make sure I was clear on this point
Thanks!
That's the current plan. Our last run into the book distribution world was a big monetary loss for us.
If the sales go well, we may try going into distribution, but at this time, print on demand is our plan.
I can live with print on demand either through Lulu or Amazon.
Doug
So can I .. now it just needs to be released so I can order it :P
Shameless bump but I wanted an update on the status of the project.
Thanks,
Doug
Shameless bump but I wanted an update on the status of the project.
Thanks,
Doug
Sorry for the lack of updates - we've been posting them on the Dreamscarred Press forums and neglected to post here.
First - 4th level psion / wilder powers are now in Alpha and available - link here!
Second - Psionic Items are now finished and in review. They should be posted this week.
That leaves the following remaining for Alpha:
5th-9th level psion/wilder powers
Psychic Warrior powers (many of these are done due to being on both lists)
Shapechanging powers
Psionic Monsters (much of this is already done, as well)
The psion Beta is coming along. I'd put that off to focus on the power conversions.
The Alpha release of the 5th level psion/wilder powers are now available for review!
The Alpha for psionic items is also now available.
Thank you for keeping us up to date on progress.
Thank you for keeping us up to date on progress.
No problem. :)
6th level powers may also be out this week - they're currently in review after converting them all.
Which means I'll likely start on 7th level powers today or tomorrow.
Andreas expects to have a draft of the shapechanging powers ready for review by this week, possibly early next week. We're trying not to have a replica of the spells, but also move away from the balance issues that (Greater) Metamorphosis had.
I would do away with the soulknife and have it be a PrC or a feat tree.The Soulknife is a fairly popular base class and features prominently into the Eberron setting. It would be poor revision to remove it.
It could use a lot of redesign, though. The "weapon enhancement" class features need to be flushed I feel, as they just result in soulknives with more wealth to spend on other things, and I don't feel that "can afford a shinier suit of armor and shield" is very true to the concept. Just let them enhance their mindblades as if they were physical weapons.
Yes there needs to be a re design on the soulknife, keep the armor light to medium, and focul on the mind blade, and fighter feats for blades...
I like the Psionics Handbook overall and love playing psiwarriors :)
The soulknife needs a bit o'the tweeking- add some more fighter feats to the mind blade every so ofter from a list kinda like monks get every few levels :) Power attack, cleave, advanced 2 weapon combat etc.
Mostly the psionics just need to be brought to pathfinder specs.
Ie redraw up the races and classes so they fight the Pathfinder rules for skills and feats and such :)
I would like to see an arctic version of the Halfgiant! A nice Ulfen
frost giant like character... :)
|
I just want to voice my, seemingly insignificant, opinion about this project.
First, I want to say that I love psionics, and always try to implement them in all my games. I love DSP, their products, and their enthusiasm to bring Psionics to Pathfinder.
When it comes to the Psi-classes, I'm not a fan of the direction they're taking them. There's just too much going on, too many additions, and it feels to me like backwards compatibility was thrown out the window. If the end product is like this, I'm going to have to say it's something I'm not going to support.
I'd like to post more about this, but I've not the time at the moment.
I just want to voice my, seemingly insignificant, opinion about this project.
First, I want to say that I love psionics, and always try to implement them in all my games. I love DSP, their products, and their enthusiasm to bring Psionics to Pathfinder.
When it comes to the Psi-classes, I'm not a fan of the direction they're taking them. There's just too much going on, too many additions, and it feels to me like backwards compatibility was thrown out the window. If the end product is like this, I'm going to have to say it's something I'm not going to support.
I'd like to post more about this, but I've not the time at the moment.
All opinions and criticisms are welcome. Backward compatibility is balanced against ironing out problems with classes. The Wilder is good for backward compatibility while gaining some interesting new features. The soulknife is the opposite end of the spectrum - like a lot of combat classes, it needed serious re-writing as the original was underpowered enough to make the fighter in 3.5 look tough.
The ultimate backwards compatible class is one that has no changes.
Keep in mind, in this case, the psionic classes aren't meant to be backwards compatible with...er...themselves. The Dreamscarred psion can't be backwards compatible with the 3.5 psion because they're the same class. Much like you don't look at the Pathfinder ranger and go "It's nice, but...is it backwards compatible with itself?"
Backwards compatibility lies more with overarching mechanics changing, and I don't think there's been much of those.
The other flaw - or perhaps benefit - behind psionics, is that there's...well, there's not that much to be backwards compatible with. I mean, other then XPH, what was done for psionics? A few pages in one or two Eberron books? Mind's Eye online material? That's it*. A small handful of pages are the only things that would need to be updated to be ported over. This isn't like arcane or divine casters where there's a billion books all dedicated to giving them more toys (Hell, even XPH had arcane spells in them, because christ, we have to have something for wizards in every book, I guess), or melee classes where there were thirty PrCs in each new everything. Psionics were more or less limited to just their one book.
*CPsi is not going to be mentioned here because that book doesn't exist >:|
*CPsi is not going to be mentioned here because that book doesn't exist >:|
So say we all
I just want to voice my, seemingly insignificant, opinion about this project.
First, I want to say that I love psionics, and always try to implement them in all my games. I love DSP, their products, and their enthusiasm to bring Psionics to Pathfinder.
When it comes to the Psi-classes, I'm not a fan of the direction they're taking them. There's just too much going on, too many additions, and it feels to me like backwards compatibility was thrown out the window. If the end product is like this, I'm going to have to say it's something I'm not going to support.
I'd like to post more about this, but I've not the time at the moment.
Kind of my feeling as well.
The short version of my qualms: just as a Wizard is defined by his spells not his class abilities, so should the Psion. The Psion powers need to be evened out in power level (some nerfed some buffed) and new ones added for more versatility like battlefield control and party buffing.
Here's an example of what I mean. I made a whole bunch of powers and a prestige class for each discipline back when I was hardcore into psionics. This one is free of charge ;)
Combat Mind
Clairsentience
Level: Seer 1, Psychic Warrior 1
Display: Visual, Mental
Manifestation: 1 Standard action
Range: 30-ft.
Area: Manifester and all allies within within a 30-ft.-radius burst
Duration: 1 round/level
Saving Throw: No
Power Resistance: Yes (harmless)
All allies within the area gain a +1 insight bonus to attack rolls and AC.
Augment: For every 4 additional power points you spend, all affected gain an additional +1 to both attack rolls and AC.
|
|
All opinions and criticisms are welcome. Backward compatibility is balanced against ironing out problems with classes. The Wilder is good for backward compatibility while gaining some interesting new features. The soulknife is the opposite end of the spectrum - like a lot of combat classes, it needed serious re-writing as the original was underpowered enough to make the fighter in 3.5 look tough.I just want to voice my, seemingly insignificant, opinion about this project.
First, I want to say that I love psionics, and always try to implement them in all my games. I love DSP, their products, and their enthusiasm to bring Psionics to Pathfinder.
When it comes to the Psi-classes, I'm not a fan of the direction they're taking them. There's just too much going on, too many additions, and it feels to me like backwards compatibility was thrown out the window. If the end product is like this, I'm going to have to say it's something I'm not going to support.
I'd like to post more about this, but I've not the time at the moment.
It's funny you mention the Soulknife, I left a comment about that in the DSP forums.
I actually liked the variant soulknife in Untapped Potential. I thought this was good. I know more work needs to be done to bring it up to PRPG standards, but I think making it a full BAB class is not the way to go.
just as a Wizard is defined by his spells not his class abilities, so should the Psion
I couldn't agree more.
Here's an example of what I mean. I made a whole bunch of powers and a prestige class for each discipline back when I was hardcore into psionics. This one is free of charge ;)
Combat Mind
Clairsentience
Level: Seer 1, Psychic Warrior 1
Display: Visual, Mental
Manifestation: 1 Standard action
Range: 30-ft.
Area: Manifester and all allies within within a 30-ft.-radius burst
Duration: 1 round/level
Saving Throw: No
Power Resistance: Yes (harmless)All allies within the area gain a +1 insight bonus to attack rolls and AC.
Augment: For every 4 additional power points you spend, all affected gain an additional +1 to both attack rolls and AC.
I like this - why don't you post it up on the DSP site?
Kind of my feeling as well.
The short version of my qualms: just as a Wizard is defined by his spells not his class abilities, so should the Psion. The Psion powers need to be evened out in power level (some nerfed some buffed) and new ones added for more versatility like battlefield control and party buffing.
Not to ignore the rest of the posts, but this was the easiest to address:
We agree and that's what we're doing.
The psion class in particular is going to have an overhaul of the class abilities.
In no particular order:
The seer capstone is going to be overhauled (too powerful)
The nomad abilities are going to be changed (too blah) - including a very short-range teleport as the 2nd level power.
The kineticist is going to get more dealing with force and less dealing with energy
The shaper will be getting slight changes to make the abilities a little more exciting, but probably not much different in the terms of power.
Egoist is probably getting the fewest of the changes.
Telepath is getting some abilities toned down. Some beefed up. Some changed.
The reason you haven't seen any of this yet is we're finishing the Alpha before moving on to the Beta. The reason the soulknife was different is because Phil largely handled the soulknife (and mostly just the soulknife) for the project. Andreas and I are handling just about everything else and trying to make sure we advance the whole thing and not just one small facet.
I have a spreadsheet of the changes for the psion. It's something along the lines of 60 pieces of feedback from the Alpha thread that I'm using to keep track of specific feedback about specific points of the class. So don't feel like the Alpha Psion is going to be the finished product - player feedback has given a LOT of insight and changes that will be implemented for the psion.
The psion's class abilities will be nice features that are useful - but by and large, his powers will be his main focus. I'm currently playtesting a slightly-updated nomad. His nomad abilities (including the upcoming short-range teleport) are nice for him, but he manifests powers as his primary function.
Kind of my feeling as well.
The short version of my qualms: just as a Wizard is defined by his spells not his class abilities, so should the Psion. The Psion powers need to be evened out in power level (some nerfed some buffed) and new ones added for more versatility like battlefield control and party buffing.Not to ignore the rest of the posts, but this was the easiest to address:
We agree and that's what we're doing.
The psion class in particular is going to have an overhaul of the class abilities.
In no particular order:
The seer capstone is going to be overhauled (too powerful)
The nomad abilities are going to be changed (too blah) - including a very short-range teleport as the 2nd level power.
The kineticist is going to get more dealing with force and less dealing with energy
The shaper will be getting slight changes to make the abilities a little more exciting, but probably not much different in the terms of power.
Egoist is probably getting the fewest of the changes.
Telepath is getting some abilities toned down. Some beefed up. Some changed.The reason you haven't seen any of this yet is we're finishing the Alpha before moving on to the Beta. The reason the soulknife was different is because Phil largely handled the soulknife (and mostly just the soulknife) for the project. Andreas and I are handling just about everything else and trying to make sure we advance the whole thing and not just one small facet.
I have a spreadsheet of the changes for the psion. It's something along the lines of 60 pieces of feedback from the Alpha thread that I'm using to keep track of specific feedback about specific points of the class. So don't feel like the Alpha Psion is going to be the finished product - player feedback has given a LOT of insight and changes that will be implemented for the psion.
The psion's class abilities will be nice features that are useful - but by and large, his powers will be his main focus. I'm currently playtesting a...
I do want to see more powers in whatever core book gets published too. More utility/party buff powers.
Just as an example, if the Nomad's discipline ability is tied to short range teleportation, maybe you could make it like the old Dimension Door where it actually opens a portal through the astral plane. Just thinkin out loud. Or something along the lines of the wizard conjuration power, but doable as a swift action. I'll definitely keep looking. Make sure you post something here when the Beta is released, I am anxious to see the changes.
Just wondering....but, when IS this Psionic Book going to come out? Has a date been set yet?
Just wondering....but, when IS this Psionic Book going to come out? Has a date been set yet?
Weird. I thought I had replied to this...
Well, the answer is that we've already missed our internal deadline due to some unforeseen circumstances that have cropped up in the past 6 months. Any date we tried to give now would be throwing out an arbitrary date. I think once we get the final Alpha documents out (especially the 9th level powers and the psionic monsters), we'll be at a better place to give a time frame.
The good thing is that much of the artwork is already completed.
When can we expect the psychic warrior powers?
Doug
When can we expect the psychic warrior powers?
Doug
Many of them are already in the psion/wilder powers lists. Only a few to be worked over later, I think.
Many of them are already in the psion/wilder powers lists. Only a few to be worked over later, I think.When can we expect the psychic warrior powers?
Doug
Pretty much what Dabbler said.
There are a few powers left that weren't in the Psion/Wilder list - those will be next after 9th level powers, which are currently underway.
Additionally:
The 6th, 7th, and 8th level powers are all posted for review for the Alpha Release.
And the 9th level powers are now released in Alpha form, as well!
This leaves Psychic Warrior powers (which I only have 9 to finish and send for review), Psionic Monsters, and shapechanging powers, and Alpha is complete!
Beta will contain some new powers to cover some gaps identified in the Alpha release, along with some material to support psicrystal staves and crystal masks, and probably a new prestige class, so it won't just be changes to the Alpha material. New material will probably be about 5-10 pages.
And the 9th level powers are now released in Alpha form, as well!
This leaves Psychic Warrior powers (which I only have 9 to finish and send for review), Psionic Monsters, and shapechanging powers, and Alpha is complete!
Beta will contain some new powers to cover some gaps identified in the Alpha release, along with some material to support psicrystal staves and crystal masks, and probably a new prestige class, so it won't just be changes to the Alpha material. New material will probably be about 5-10 pages.
Will there be alternative means to suggest 'fuel-source' if you want a crystals-free psionics campaign setting?
Will there be alternative means to suggest 'fuel-source' if you want a crystals-free psionics campaign setting?
Yes. :)
Will there be alternative means to suggest 'fuel-source' if you want a crystals-free psionics campaign setting?Yes. :)
Thank you four score and twenty. I may be in the minority or perhaps the lone gunman, but I just don't care for crystals. It's just too new-ageism for my tastes. =)
Thank you four score and twenty. I may be in the minority or perhaps the lone gunman, but I just don't care for crystals. It's just too new-ageism for my tastes. =)Will there be alternative means to suggest 'fuel-source' if you want a crystals-free psionics campaign setting?Yes. :)
Make that lone gunmen! I also can't stand my psions to be Atlantis-lovin' crystal-wavers!
Annnnnd, psychic warrior powers are now posted.
Two documents remain for the Alpha: powers overview and psionic monsters. Monsters are almost done, as are the powers overview. Hopefully will be posted next week!
Make that lone gunmen! I also can't stand my psions to be Atlantis-lovin' crystal-wavers!Thank you four score and twenty. I may be in the minority or perhaps the lone gunman, but I just don't care for crystals. It's just too new-ageism for my tastes. =)Will there be alternative means to suggest 'fuel-source' if you want a crystals-free psionics campaign setting?Yes. :)
Good to know I'm not going on a solo adventure here, then. =)
I'm surprised you can even take Psionics then. You can't get more New Age than the whole kit and kaboodle. At least it's something that's atmospherically different than eye of newt and bat guano. And the crystal effect of psionic weapons helps differentiate them from standard magic weapons.Thank you four score and twenty. I may be in the minority or perhaps the lone gunman, but I just don't care for crystals. It's just too new-ageism for my tastes. =)Will there be alternative means to suggest 'fuel-source' if you want a crystals-free psionics campaign setting?Yes. :)
I would prefer my psionics to be more like Star Wars' 'The Force'. And when you put the strain on things and need the 'XP' burn (or whatever is going to be used as an equivalent for Pathfinder), it'd be similar to the defilers of Athas, self-cannibalism, or feeding off the life essence of the people around you.
I had a chance to look over the psychic warrior powers. Everything looks good to me with the following comments. I agree Bite of the Wolf nees to be changed I personally would make augmentable similar to Claws of the Beast. The changes to Claws of Energy and Weapon of Energy both look good and makes the powers more internally consistent. For the archer archetype there is still the problem of hustle - psionic meditation - fell shot - many shot - deadly aim allowing mulitple arrows to be shot at the BBEG with a touch attack to resolve. Maybe an edge case but one Paradigm fixed by not allowing hustle in Living Arcanis. So I would look at that extreme case. I am anticipating the beta to be very good based on what I have seen with the alpha material. The way you are setting up the psychic warrior Paiso will have their hand full trying to make the Magus its equal.
Thank you four score and twenty. I may be in the minority or perhaps the lone gunman, but I just don't care for crystals. It's just too new-ageism for my tastes. =)Will there be alternative means to suggest 'fuel-source' if you want a crystals-free psionics campaign setting?Yes. :)
Well you're clearly just someone who didn't watch The Dark Crystal on repeat his entire childhood like myself. I digs it.
I would prefer my psionics to be more like Star Wars' 'The Force'. And when you put the strain on things and need the 'XP' burn (or whatever is going to be used as an equivalent for Pathfinder), it'd be similar to the defilers of Athas, self-cannibalism, or feeding off the life essence of the people around you.
I appreciate that there are different takes on Psionics. It's not this monolithic thing. There are perhaps not as many examples of it in fiction than types and sources of "magic" but still. I prefer my Scanners, Babylon 5 telepaths, Carrie, Dead Zone, Traveler from Star Trek sort of vibe.
I appreciate that there are different takes on Psionics. It's not this monolithic thing. There are perhaps not as many examples of it in fiction than types and sources of "magic" but still. I prefer my Scanners, Babylon 5 telepaths, Carrie, Dead Zone, Traveler from Star Trek sort of vibe.I would prefer my psionics to be more like Star Wars' 'The Force'. And when you put the strain on things and need the 'XP' burn (or whatever is going to be used as an equivalent for Pathfinder), it'd be similar to the defilers of Athas, self-cannibalism, or feeding off the life essence of the people around you.
I don't mind those, either. I just picked something at the top of my head. Carrie didn't need crystals. ;-)
I don't mind those, either. I just picked something at the top of my head. Carrie didn't need crystals. ;-)
true... all she needed to fuel her deadly psionic rage was a bucket of stale pigs blood... :oP
For the archer archetype there is still the problem of hustle - psionic meditation - fell shot - many shot - deadly aim allowing mulitple arrows to be shot at the BBEG with a touch attack to resolve.
Unless I'm missing something, you would only get to use Fell Shot to power a single attack, meaning of your full attack action, even with Many Shot, only 2 strikes would be touch attack. You've never been able to recharge your psionic focus in the middle of an attack action, unless your DM is houseruling how your full attack action works.
Can you clarify this outlier case a bit more?
From my perspective, even with Hustle / Psionic Meditation:
Start full-attack.
Swift action to gain Move Action.
Still have to finish attack action before you can use a move action...
For the archer archetype there is still the problem of hustle - psionic meditation - fell shot - many shot - deadly aim allowing mulitple arrows to be shot at the BBEG with a touch attack to resolve.Unless I'm missing something, you would only get to use Fell Shot to power a single attack, meaning of your full attack action, even with Many Shot, only 2 strikes would be touch attack. You've never been able to recharge your psionic focus in the middle of an attack action, unless your DM is houseruling how your full attack action works.
Can you clarify this outlier case a bit more?
From my perspective, even with Hustle / Psionic Meditation:
Start full-attack.
Swift action to gain Move Action.
Still have to finish attack action before you can use a move action...
An 8th level psychic warrior has a bab of +6 so is only eligible for 2 shot during a full attack. Using the feat combination above the psychic warrior would use a single attack with 2 arrow against the opponent's touch AC. If the archer can shot from a position of safety I cannot see why they would never use this option.
An 8th level psychic warrior has a bab of +6 so is only eligible for 2 shot during a full attack. Using the feat combination above the psychic warrior would use a single attack with 2 arrow against the opponent's touch AC. If the archer can shot from a position of safety I cannot see why they would never use this option.
Well, let's put this into perspective:
This psychic warrior has spent:
6 feats at a minimum (psionic meditation, psionic shot, point blank shot, fell shot, rapid shot, manyshot) and chosen one of his 8 powers known (hustle).
By 8th level as a psychic warrior (1, 1p, 2p, 3, 5, 5p, 7, 8p), this character would have 8 feats, so he has spent 75% of his available feats to pull off this combination. Hustle is a 2nd level power, meaning 3 power points per expenditure. At 8th level, a psychic warrior only has 20 base power points. Assuming a Wisdom of 16, since this character needs a Dex of 17 or higher to pull off this combination, that gives him 12 bonus power points. Meaning a power point pool of 32. So, this psychic warrior is expending 10% of his daily resources every time he wants to pull off this attack.
That's... that's a lot of resources to get 2 attacks at a touch per round.
I'll consider your feedback, but extreme character design like that has a lot of problems in and of itself in creating one-dimensional characters who are invalidated by the appropriate type of defense.
Basically, it's a nice trick, but one to pull when you don't have a chance of hitting normally and otherwise, you just shoot away as normal. By 8th level you are likely +4 behind a fighter (+2 from BAB, +1 each from weapon training and Greater Weapon Focus), so that touch attack is going to be really needed from time to time!