|
Okay, i'm not sure if someone else hasn't already thought of this (and posted it), but i didn't find anything. So, here goes:
Generally speaking, i've notice two types of desires out of a "Pathfinder Psionics"
1 - Keep power points, but nova is a problem
2 - Keep with standard rules, but lake of diversity is a problem
So, i had a concept about merging the two thoughts together to eliminate both problems. For clarification, i'm defining "nova" as a psions ability to spend all of his points on his highest level powers while a sorc/wizard/druid/cleric has limited access and must rely on lower-level spells. Nova is not defined by the wilder ability of being able to spend more than normal points for a higher caster level.
Okay, so the idea is that Psionics will have both the standard per day/known system that sorcerers/bards/oracles/summoners have, but also have power points. You don't spend your power points to cast your powers, but to augment them (listed under the powers description) or to add metamagic (err metapsionic) feats.
Something sort of like this...
Psion 5 with a 18 Int
per day
0 (talents) - at will
1st - 6 +1 bonus
2nd - 5 +1 bonus
3rd - 3 +1 bonus
known
0 - 6
1st - 4
2nd - 2
3rd - 1
power points - 16
4 + Int first level, +2/level thereafter.
Class Features
Metamagic mastery - you can spend 2 power points to modify a power with a metamagic feat without increasing the casting time.
Far Mind - spend 1 power point to make a range touch attack using your Int modifier instead of your Dex modifier to deal 1d10 damage +1 damage per 2 caster levels.
Power Example
Charm - as charm person spell but,
Augment - spend 1 power point to include animals, monstrous humanoids, plants, and vermin.
I know i didn't give it the slow progression like the sorcerer, but that was just a thought of Int based spontaneous caster.
Thoughts, ideas, comments, like-dislike, suggestions?
Going nova is no more a problem with the psion than it is with the wizard or sorcerer. I've had the discussion with other posters, and the conclusion is that the power points system is a better way of managing resources, but you actually have less resources to manage (there is an analysis of this here in Dreamscarred's Psionics for Pathfinder forum is anyone is interested).
In actual fact, psions going nova is less of a problem, because the psion runs out of power points way faster than the wizard runs out of spells. In actual fact, the psions ability to nova is his only advantage of sorcerers and wizards - he otherwise has less casting power and less powers than they have spells.
|
|
Going nova is no more a problem with the psion than it is with the wizard or sorcerer. I've had the discussion with other posters, and the conclusion is that the power points system is a better way of managing resources, but you actually have less resources to manage (there is an analysis of this here in Dreamscarred's Psionics for Pathfinder forum is anyone is interested).
In actual fact, psions going nova is less of a problem, because the psion runs out of power points way faster than the wizard runs out of spells. In actual fact, the psions ability to nova is his only advantage of sorcerers and wizards - he otherwise has less casting power and less powers than they have spells.
That was actually really interesting... *bookmarked*
As for the 4th ed thing, no. I've never even seen 4th ed past players handbook 1...so.
My concept was to take a sorcerer, remove bloodline, give power points and a discipline instead. It was a starting point for mixing the two thoughts.
I always considered the best 'quickie' version of the psion would be to tool it up as a bloodline for the sorcerer.
Effectively: keep the HD/BAB saves skills and whatnot. Give them a limited spelllist (based on what appears to directly mimic classic psionic powers)and tool up a legitimate bloodline equivilent (or a couple if you want to have different types of psionicist.
They lose: some spells, some versitility those spells provide: (Face it though, they don;t have versitility of choice in the first place)
maybe change eschew materials to 'whenever the psioniscist uses a power from his psionic powers list, he may ignore material component costs of 1GP or less' (This keeps him from porting the same ability into another spellcasting class)
For their loss, compensate them with a small mechanical aid of some sort: maybe something akin to the focus feats from 3.5, or give them the ability to make some small adjustment to their stats in exchange for blowing a spellslot (blow a level 1 spell slot, gains a +1 enhancement bonus to strength checks for one minute. Blow a third level spellslot, heal 3 points of ability damage. ) (Ok not very optimal as written, but this is on the fly thought here.)
Batts
I always considered the best 'quickie' version of the psion would be to tool it up as a bloodline for the sorcerer.
Effectively: keep the HD/BAB saves skills and whatnot. Give them a limited spelllist (based on what appears to directly mimic classic psionic powers)and tool up a legitimate bloodline equivilent (or a couple if you want to have different types of psionicist.
That just makes the psion a sorcerer. What's the point in that?
I always considered the best 'quickie' version of the psion would be to tool it up as a bloodline for the sorcerer.
You mean something like this...?
There's a slightly different version (somewhat improved) that will appear in Wayfinder #2 as well.
That just makes the psion a sorcerer. What's the point in that?
It makes it so a GM doesn't have to import an entirely different rules sub-system into a game to duplicate the same general effect of a psion from a storytelling sense.
It makes it so a GM doesn't have to import an entirely different rules sub-system into a game to duplicate the same general effect of a psion from a storytelling sense.
... which as far as I can see kind of defeats the point of having psionics at all. Psionics is 'magic' that uses a different paradigm to arcane or divine magic, and this is reflected in the mechanics. You either use it or you don't. Don't get me wrong, I don't have an issue with 'psionic themed magic' or a 'psionic bloodline' sorcerer, but if you want to play a psion, you play a psion. It's sort of like being told you have to play a cleric when you want to play a wizard. They are different, and the differences are why you want to play them.
That's what I meant by 'quickie'. The sorcerer is very close to being a psion. so much so that for all intents and purposes, (say you want the psioniscisits of the thule mountians as antagonists) that you can use the sorcerer as the launch point.
I loved the 3.5 psionics rules, but I understand they were not as popular to others. A pure psioniscist would probably be 1/2 BAB D6 HD good will save, with 2 skill points per level.
the actual class abilities would also be on par. so I guess...
Access to a domain like feature (Psychokinesis domain, ESP domain, Telepathy domain etc)
spontaneous, charisma based abilities. I would say complete access to a small list (made larger and specialised by the domain)
Heighten spell automatically, allowing them to cast their 'Ego Lance' or their 'Intellect bastion' at higher effective levels.
No V/S/M. No arcane spell failure. as a caveat I'd probably throw in a mandatory concentration check.
In any case, I'm no designer, I just like to throw ideas around. Occasionally those ideas have to be quick fixes (I think all game masters need to work by the seat of their pants from time to time. Players just make that neccessary)
Batts