Dreamscarred Press released Psionics Unleashed to provide an updated version of psionics for Pathfinders players. This was released a while ago.
In light of recent additions such as Ultimate Magic and Combat, is Psionics Unleashed still Pathfinder-compatible, or did parts of it get left behind?
I know the answer is yes with respect to traits (referring to the end of the APG), alternative class feature options and archetypes, and, arguably, alternative favored class benefits (although the capacity for some of the races to take additional power points in place of skill or hit points does come to mind), which leads me to my second question.
Did Dreamscarred ever release any additional material for Psionics Unleashed?
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Dreamscarred Press released Psionics Unleashed to provide an updated version of psionics for Pathfinders players. This was released a while ago.
In light of recent additions such as Ultimate Magic and Combat, is Psionics Unleashed still Pathfinder-compatible, or did parts of it get left behind?
I know the answer is yes with respect to traits (referring to the end of the APG), alternative class feature options and archetypes, and, arguably, alternative favored class benefits (although the capacity for some of the races to take additional power points in place of skill or hit points does come to mind), which leads me to my second question.
Did Dreamscarred ever release any additional material for Psionics Unleashed?
I just noticed that due to the brevity of my previous posting, the fact that "Yep" was a link may have been lost on readers.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
While my view is admittedly biased as one of the writers and the publisher of the book, I can say it is certainly still Pathfinder-compatible.
Having picked up Ultimate Combat, and having read through the APG / UM material on the PRD, I can say that while Psionics Unleashed may not have the breadth of options that the Paizo-released material has, it is not invalidated.
As Cheapy posted, we're halfway through releasing Psionics Expanded, which adds all those options you mention - alternate racial traits, alternate favored class options, archetypes, as well as brand new classes, feats, powers, and items. It's our version of the APG (and it's subtitle - Advanced Psionics Guide - even has the same acronym ;) )
| 3 people marked this as a favorite. |
I don't like the premise, that ultimate magic or ultimate combat would stop a product from being good, either it had good writing, good design, good editing, good art, or it did not.
|
Just received Psionics Unleashed in the post today, and while I haven't had a chance to read every page yet, it looks to me a very solid gamebook that has a lot to offer to the Pathfinder game. I like the link that Cheapy posted, because it shows one of the reasons why I was interested in the sourcebook since I came across it: Dreamscarred Press have done an impressive job bringing the existing material from 3rd/3.5ed D&D up to date, but from their other titles available it shows that they are also keen to explore new possibilities for psionics (I like the sound of the Aegis and Vitalist core classes, can't wait to take a look).
I think the publication of aids such as Advanced Player's Guide or Ultimate Magic/Ultimate Combat in no way invalidates what's in Psionics Unleashed. If you're lucky to have any of all of those supplements, then the fun will be using them all together.
|
I don't like the premise, that ultimate magic or ultimate combat would stop a product from being good, either it had good writing, good design, good editing, good art, or it did not.
Pfft! Obviously they do! I was a big fan of the Core Rulebook, but the release of APG, GMG, UM and UC has made me realize that it's a useless waste of paper! I'm going to shred mine! And delete the PDF too...it's not even worth virtual space!
If you don't realize that was sarcasm, you probably shouldn't frequent the Web. It only gets wilder and woolier from here, kids. WWW = Wild Wooly Web
As Cheapy posted, we're halfway through releasing Psionics Expanded, which adds all those options you mention - alternate racial traits, alternate favored class options, archetypes, as well as brand new classes, feats, powers, and items. It's our version of the APG (and it's subtitle - Advanced Psionics Guide - even has the same acronym ;) )
I saw Cheapy's link (and immediately recognized it as a link; thanks Cheapy), and it looked as though only Psionics Unleashed is being released as a book and the other four (three? one had a link that made it look like it was still in progress) only exist as PDFs. You referred to the additional options by one name "Psionics Expanded". Are we to infer from this that those additional options will be released in printed book form at some future date, or are we stuck with just PDFs?
...it looked as though only Psionics Unleashed is being released as a book and the other four (three? one had a link that made it look like it was still in progress) only exist as PDFs. You referred to the additional options by one name "Psionics Expanded". Are we to infer from this that those additional options will be released in printed book form at some future date, or are we stuck with just PDFs?
Dreamscarred seems to be breaking up PsiExp into chunks and offering the option to buy only the PDF chunks you want or the whole thing as a complete integrated book. I'm sure they'll offer a print option of some sort, at least for the compiled PsiExp book.
Psionics Unleashed is, at least in my humble opinion, a better book than Ultimate Magic or Ultimate Combat. It lacks the horribly unbalanced additions the latest additions to the Paizo-roster added to feats and spells.
As Cheapy posted, we're halfway through releasing Psionics Expanded, which adds all those options you mention - alternate racial traits, alternate favored class options, archetypes, as well as brand new classes, feats, powers, and items. It's our version of the APG (and it's subtitle - Advanced Psionics Guide - even has the same acronym ;) )I saw Cheapy's link (and immediately recognized it as a link; thanks Cheapy), and it looked as though only Psionics Unleashed is being released as a book and the other four (three? one had a link that made it look like it was still in progress) only exist as PDFs. You referred to the additional options by one name "Psionics Expanded". Are we to infer from this that those additional options will be released in printed book form at some future date, or are we stuck with just PDFs?
They plan to compile Unleashed and Expanded into a single humongous hardcover sometime next year.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
We're releasing Psionics Expanded in 6 parts because Dreamscarred Press has two full-time members - me and Andreas - and both of us have full-time jobs outside of publishing. 20-40 page PDFs are significantly easier to get released than 200 page books. Once all 6 parts are done, yes, we'll be compiling into a single book that is available as PDF and as a printed book.
That should be early 2012, since I don't think we'll have the remaining parts of Psionics Expanded complete in the next two months.
Later in 2012, we'll be combining the two books into a single hard cover.
I loved 3.5 Psionics and I love what Dreamscarred has done with it.
If it's still an option, make the pre-release/playtest purchase and get the previous 3 pdfs for PsiEx. It's worth it.
Even if just for the artwork of the Blue Aegis. ;)
Yeah I have always liked the psionics, it meshes fantasy and sci-fi in to one! not to mention it doesn't use the vancian system- I hate vancian magic, its like playing a card game with spells, whilst I do enjoy card games, managing spells in DnD can be a hassle (especially for a wizard)
I plan to get a pdf copy soon and hope to put it to good use on my next campaign!
Once all 6 parts are done, yes, we'll be compiling into a single book that is available as PDF and as a printed book.
That should be early 2012, since I don't think we'll have the remaining parts of Psionics Expanded complete in the next two months.
Later in 2012, we'll be combining the two books into a single hard cover.
Good to hear. I hope you won't mind if I wait until a final copy before I buy a copy.
Good to hear. I hope you won't mind if I wait until a final copy before I buy a copy.
I never mind that someone is planning to buy one of our books. :)
In light of recent additions such as Ultimate Magic and Combat, is Psionics Unleashed still Pathfinder-compatible, or did parts of it get left behind?
I'm really not certain if I understand the question. How would Psionics Unleashed get left behind? That's like asking if Bestiary 2 got left behind...
Neither Ultimate Magic nor Ultimate Combat added psionic classes to Pathfinder. While both added some alternative rule systems, none of them completely invalidated the existing system. Things like Words of Power and Piecemeal Armor are optional systems. And they work just fine next to Psionics Unleashed.
I could see the question being relevant if Paizo ever released Ultimate Mind Magic which some people might jump to instead of Psionics Unleashed. But three books one three different topics hardly make any one of the books invalid.
|
Well I always like the 3.5 Expanded Psionic Handbook and jumped on this when the book came out. I really like what they did with it. I currently have one of my players running a Psion in my current game. I am waiting for some extra funds to pick up the expanded pdfs hopefully this weekend.
Keep up the good work.
Well I always like the 3.5 Expanded Psionic Handbook and jumped on this when the book came out. I really like what they did with it. I currently have one of my players running a Psion in my current game. I am waiting for some extra funds to pick up the expanded pdfs hopefully this weekend.
And how is it working out? Is the psion along core classes? Any issues?
In light of recent additions such as Ultimate Magic and Combat, is Psionics Unleashed still Pathfinder-compatible, or did parts of it get left behind?I'm really not certain if I understand the question. How would Psionics Unleashed get left behind? That's like asking if Bestiary 2 got left behind...
I think that he meant that Psionics Unleashed was "left behind" because it didn't have anything like traits, archetypes or alternative class or racial features. That the options of the system had expanded while Psionics did not take advantage of places where it could grow.
The answer, of course, is no, since that's what Psionics Expanded is meant to add in. But I do agree that there really wasn't a way for it to be left behind.
I can see why it would be annoying to play a psionics character and not have the breadth choices that the core/base classes from the Paizo books have been getting since the APG. That doesn't mean it gets "left behind" though, as others have commented.
What I meant was this:
The Pathfinder Core Rulebook is released and comes with rule "x".
Psionics Unleashed is released based on the rules in the Core Rulebook, including rule "x", possibly with an addition to rule "x" that works so long as rule "x" is interpreted in a certain way, a way which is completely viable at this time because no new material has been released for the Core Rulebook.
Then, either errata or additional supplementary books for the Core Rulebook is released. This addition either changes entirely how rule "x" works, invalidating the bit of Psionics Unleashed that relied on it, or it leaves rule "x" mostly alone and just narrows how broadly it can be interpretted, again, thereby invalidating the part of Psionics Unleashed that was written before the change had been made.
Yes, I realize that any optional rules released in the supplementary books can be ignored. I was just concerned about the main ruleset.
What I meant was this:
The Pathfinder Core Rulebook is released and comes with rule "x".
Psionics Unleashed is released based on the rules in the Core Rulebook, including rule "x", possibly with an addition to rule "x" that works so long as rule "x" is interpreted in a certain way, a way which is completely viable at this time because no new material has been released for the Core Rulebook.
Then, either errata or additional supplementary books for the Core Rulebook is released. This addition either changes entirely how rule "x" works, invalidating the bit of Psionics Unleashed that relied on it, or it leaves rule "x" mostly alone and just narrows how broadly it can be interpretted, again, thereby invalidating the part of Psionics Unleashed that was written before the change had been made.
Yes, I realize that any optional rules released in the supplementary books can be ignored. I was just concerned about the main ruleset.
As with most options books psionics unleashed is pretty transparent to and core rules errata. Changes paizo maded dont cause anything in Deamscarred's product to not work. This is particularly true due to the fact that it is a whole new subsystem. You wouldnt have any greater difficulty with the product then you would the day it was released.
Good to hear. I hope you won't mind if I wait until a final copy before I buy a copy.I never mind that someone is planning to buy one of our books. :)
I was referring to the waiting (delayed gratification, oh noez).
If I still have your attention, though, I did want to ask a couple of questions.
1) And if you're not allowed to answer this, I understand, but will PsiEx include any material for utilizing psionics along with firearms (the Soulbolt being able to manifest a gun, or a PsyWar being able to manifest his own ammo)?
2) (Suspiciously Specific Nitpick Ahead) Will PsiEx include anything to help Fold Space be more tactically attractive? With the Dimensional Agility feat from UltCom, we have a means to let Monks, Magi, and other combative users of the Dimension Door spell continue to take actions during their turn (I never understood the purpose of that caveat in the first place). Will PsiEx include its own feat to do the same, or a sidebar saying that Fold Space gets to be treated as Dim Door for these purposes, or should teleporting melee combatants refrain from touching Dim Door at all costs?
1) And if you're not allowed to answer this, I understand, but will PsiEx include any material for utilizing psionics along with firearms (the Soulbolt being able to manifest a gun, or a PsyWar being able to manifest his own ammo)?
Not currently, no. Although we are working on additional material that expands the options from PsiEx.
2) (Suspiciously Specific Nitpick Ahead) Will PsiEx include anything to help Fold Space be more tactically attractive? With the Dimensional Agility feat from UltCom, we have a means to let Monks, Magi, and other combative users of the Dimension Door spell continue to take actions during their turn (I never understood the purpose of that caveat in the first place). Will PsiEx include its own feat to do the same, or a sidebar saying that Fold Space gets to be treated as Dim Door for these purposes, or should teleporting melee combatants refrain from touching Dim Door at all costs?
We're considering it.
One last question.
PsiUn took the Psionic Item Creation feats and (for the most part) merged them with the pre-existing Magic Item Creation feats. Furthermore, there are plenty of powers that basically duplicate already existing spells.
Is there a method for combining the two to let Psionic Item crafters make other existing magic items? I.e., if I have a manifester who knows Fold Space and he has Craft Wondrous Item/Universal Item, you'd think he'd be able to make a Cape of the Montebank (just an example, but I think Dim Door is the only spell required to make that item).
I mean, Soulknives can imbue their mind blades with magic item weapon properties from both the PsiUn book and the Pathfinder Core Rulebook, right? So if other Psionics-users can't already do something similar, shouldn't they be able to?
Is there a method for combining the two to let Psionic Item crafters make other existing magic items? I.e., if I have a manifester who knows Fold Space and he has Craft Wondrous Item/Universal Item, you'd think he'd be able to make a Cape of the Montebank (just an example, but I think Dim Door is the only spell required to make that item).
I could have sworn their was already a rule to cover this... maybe that was from 3.5.
In short - yes, if you have a power that does a similar effect and is of a similar level - such as Fold Space and Dimension Door - then you should be able to substitute "Manifester Level" for "Caster Level", etc.