I'm aware that when a spell requires a caster to expend XP, the spell gains a material component whose price is roughly 5 times the XP cost. However, when dealing with psionics, one doesn't necessarily have to deal with material components. Aside from simply dropping the XP cost, what - if anything - has others done to convert XP costs to be 'Pathfinder' compatible?
From the XPH, powers that come to mind are: Incarnate, Psionic Contingency, Psychic Reformation, Psionic Sequester, Bend Reality, Matter Manipulation, Apopsi, Reality Revision, etc...
I'm aware that when a spell requires a caster to expend XP, the spell gains a material component whose price is roughly 5 times the XP cost. However, when dealing with psionics, one doesn't necessarily have to deal with material components. Aside from simply dropping the XP cost, what - if anything - has others done to convert XP costs to be 'Pathfinder' compatible?
From the XPH, powers that come to mind are: Incarnate, Psionic Contingency, Psychic Reformation, Psionic Sequester, Bend Reality, Matter Manipulation, Apopsi, Reality Revision, etc...
You might have to go to DreamScarred Press to see how they are handling that. Paizo does not have rules on Psionics.
You might have to go to DreamScarred Press to see how they are handling that. Paizo does not have rules on Psionics.
I suppose I could when I get a chance. I was curious how others were handling it that was already using point-based psionics in their Pathfinder games.
I suggest using gems, Astral Driftmetal, or some sort of resonant items as the cost.
Characters would use the gem as a focus to channel their will, or as way of enhancing concentration, and the gem would be consumed by the raw power being channeled.
The resonant items might be used as a source of extra psionic power.
I suggest using gems, Astral Driftmetal, or some sort of resonant items as the cost.
Characters would use the gem as a focus to channel their will, or as way of enhancing concentration, and the gem would be consumed by the raw power being channeled.
The resonant items might be used as a source of extra psionic power.
Thanks for the suggestion. I have to confess I've never been a fan of the 'gem' route as it's a bit too 'new agey' for my taste (and no offense to those who enjoy such). While your concept may work fine in a fantasy setting, I'm not sure so much in a modern / post-apocalypse setting -- due to issues of scarcity.
Thanks for the suggestion. I have to confess I've never been a fan of the 'gem' route as it's a bit too 'new agey' for my taste (and no offense to those who enjoy such). While your concept may work fine in a fantasy setting, I'm not sure so much in a modern / post-apocalypse setting -- due to issues of scarcity.I suggest using gems, Astral Driftmetal, or some sort of resonant items as the cost.
Characters would use the gem as a focus to channel their will, or as way of enhancing concentration, and the gem would be consumed by the raw power being channeled.
The resonant items might be used as a source of extra psionic power.
Ah, I wasn't aware that that was the direction your campaign was going. At that point I would look at resonant items (probably lots of those left over in a post-apocalyptic setting) as focuses.
Or another alternative would be having to buy special alchemical substances to alter body/brain function enough to get off a power. So, a hit of lsd lets you alter your perception enough to use your precognitive abilities. Thematic and provides a material cost that is more modern.
Yup... While it would break the "purely mental" aspect of what we knew as psionics, go with the gp expenditure for a kind of expendable focus.
Gems/crystals
inscribed psionic tattoos
mind altering drugs
charged psionic batteries or microchips for a more sci-fi feel
Another option would be to forgo the gp expenditure for some powers and perhaps require an extended manifestation time (full round or 2) where the psionicist must maintain their focus and remain unmolested from opponents (requiring a concentration check for each attack until completed). Obviously this option would be for more combat/encounter type powers, for balance reasons.
Posting for dot.
(Thanks for starting this thread, Urizen -- might get a good solution for the PF Gamma World project!)
Contemplating substituting Con damage for XP costs for psionic powers, at either 1 Con per power level (thus a 5th-level power costs 5 Con dmg) or half that (a 5th-level power costs 2 Con dmg). Too restrictive, not restrictive enough, just right, or back to the drawing board?
Contemplating substituting Con damage for XP costs for psionic powers, at either 1 Con per power level (thus a 5th-level power costs 5 Con dmg) or half that (a 5th-level power costs 2 Con dmg). Too restrictive, not restrictive enough, just right, or back to the drawing board?
It doesn't eat into resources the same way, while reducing in-play utility overly much imo.
I may be wrong, but I though Pathfinder dropped the "losing XP for spells" idea. If they did, then there is no reason for a psion to suffer from losing XP.
I may be wrong, but I though Pathfinder dropped the "losing XP for spells" idea. If they did, then there is no reason for a psion to suffer from losing XP.
They lose gold instead of xp.
Contemplating substituting Con damage for XP costs for psionic powers, at either 1 Con per power level (thus a 5th-level power costs 5 Con dmg) or half that (a 5th-level power costs 2 Con dmg). Too restrictive, not restrictive enough, just right, or back to the drawing board?It doesn't eat into resources the same way, while reducing in-play utility overly much imo.
1 vote for too restrictive. I haven't play-tested any of this yet, so I'm kind of estimating the effect different options would have.
Although I'm having a bit of trouble imagining the resonant materials (crystals do seem the most obvious choice, but also kind of cheesey), I do want to conform as closely as possible with PF rules, so this might be the only real option. 5 gp per XP in material costs?
Michael,
Just an FYI to check this response out.
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Contemplating substituting Con damage for XP
Too restrictive, not restrictive enough, just right, or back to the drawing board?
Con damage is no penalty.
In no way can it (or any other fluid resource like rounds to cast) compensate for XP.
XP and Gold are the only resources that directly set the players back anything. If you sub XP for something that just requires a spell to clear, then you create a spell that generates gold essentially.
Con damage is no penalty.
In no way can it (or any other fluid resource like rounds to cast) compensate for XP.
XP and Gold are the only resources that directly set the players back anything. If you sub XP for something that just requires a spell to clear, then you create a spell that generates gold essentially.
I agree.
Since this is a post apocalyptic setting and not necessarily based from a fantasy background, gold isn't going to be something that's widely available. Heck, it would be a variable depending on the locale as to what exactly the form of currency might be. Bartering would be most likely.
Something needs to be involved that takes the form of consumables that will keep these powers from being gamebreaking. Negative levels is a start (and one doesn't actually lose XP - you just have to pay it back) and losing a fraction of one's power points that slowly regains back at X rate is another. Those could be the long term effects while the short term effect (akin to going nova) would be for the character to experience some sort of fatigue / exhaustion that would affect him with some type of modifier penalty for the remainder of the encounter and/or the day.
Contemplating substituting Con damage for XP
Too restrictive, not restrictive enough, just right, or back to the drawing board?Con damage is no penalty.
In no way can it (or any other fluid resource like rounds to cast) compensate for XP.
XP and Gold are the only resources that directly set the players back anything. If you sub XP for something that just requires a spell to clear, then you create a spell that generates gold essentially.
1 vote for back to the drawing board! :)
I'm thinking the required substance will be something worth approx. 5 currency units (domars in my case) per XP for sure, but what that substance may be, I'm not sold on yet. Crystals? Some kind of psionically charged metal or battery? Hmmmmmm . . . .
"I'll give you one-and-a-half pigs for a piece of that psi crystal!"
Ugh. Please, no crystals! :)
I try to think from a Mad Max and/or Zombie setting. If you throw an esper in there, what would they use for resource to fuel instead of XP cost? If it was setting specific, the problem would be solved easier. But what may be a resource in one setting may not be in another's sandbox. For me, it ultimately comes down to some form of penalty from using one's body as fuel and having to replenish over a period of time.
Ugh. Please, no crystals! :)
I try to think from a Mad Max and/or Zombie setting. If you throw an esper in there, what would they use for resource to fuel instead of XP cost? If it was setting specific, the problem would be solved easier. But what may be a resource in one setting may not be in another's sandbox. For me, it ultimately comes down to some form of penalty from using one's body as fuel and having to replenish over a period of time.
Well then how about an option of expending your focus to use the power, with a delay in between for when you can regain it... perhaps 1 round per level of the power.
Afterall, maintaining and expending ones focus is central to many of a Psi's abilities/feats.
Well then how about an option of expending your focus to use the power, with a delay in between for when you can regain it... perhaps 1 round per level of the power.
Afterall, maintaining and expending ones focus is central to many of a Psi's abilities/feats.
Way too generous. Let's put it in terms of a wizard's spell. Wish is a 9th level spell. Converting to PF removes the XP cost to cast it. If we were using no other resources but your own body, based on your description -- you'd lose your focus for only 9 rounds -- or the equivalent of 54 seconds.
Maybe in combat it's a big deal, but outside of combat...
Does that make sense?
Perhaps some kind of rare psycho-stimulant substance must be ingested that sells for the appropriate amount? Like spice from Dune, or a precious herb or fungus that opens "the Doors of Perception"?
Players might try to circumvent the gp costs for the item in question by harvesting it themselves, but as long as the GM factors the value of the stuff into the amount of treasure given to the party, and the players factor its value as part of the esper's share of treasure, it should balance out, right?
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As I was reading through this thread, the same idea formed, Michael. Perhaps there's some vine that fuels all psychic powers, but some of the abilities are so strong that they require direct and immediate access to a concentrated amount of plant stuff, or distilled berry juice. Very rare. Hideously expensive. Likely a lethal poison to anybody not psionic.
There's no reason that material components couldn't be added for these purposes. For flavor reasons, they could take the form of expensive focusing or power crystals that get cracked or burned out during use. Other options such as meditative incense, herbs, etc. could always present themselves.
For each your own depending on how you want to run your version of the post-apocalypse setting, I suppose. Not a big fan of crystals; a bit too 'new agey' for my tastes. I was bringing it up in discussion in the Dreamscarred Press thread about this very topic and a couple of other good ideas were thrown about here.