Imo? No.
Psionics have been a part of the setting for a while now. There just haven't been any rule support yet. I think it's a safe assumption that it'd be in the game eventually, but it'd be nothing like the 3.5 system.
Dreamscarred Press has published an Pathfinder version of the 3.5 psionics rules and have (unlike the 3.5 version) continued to support it with new material.
http://paizo.com/products/btpy8i42?Psionics-Unleashed
I think it's a safe assumption that it'd be in the game eventually, but it'd be nothing like the 3.5 system.
Directly stating that it won't be like the power point system, aka the '3.5 system', isn't quite 'off-handedly ignoring Jacobs' statements'. :)
I wouldn't be surprised if psychic magic / psionics is on the short list for new books after Mythic, as they've been saying this for years now, and customer demand for it has been rising lately. Especially after Distant Worlds.
At the very least, it's a far more educated guess to think that's up shortly than just about everything else, now that 'epic' is taken care of.
The Mythic Handbook as of the last news we've received, does not define post 20th level play, which is what defines epic. So we can't say that epic is in the bag.
With Mythic you can stat up demon lords, archdevils, and other threats not currently possible. So while it's a different system than epic, it probably makes development of epic rules rather pointless.
The Mythic Handbook as of the last news we've received, does not define post 20th level play, which is what defines epic. So we can't say that epic is in the bag.With Mythic you can stat up demon lords, archdevils, and other threats not currently possible. So while it's a different system than epic, it probably makes development of epic rules rather pointless.
I would think the game is backwords compatible enough to nab the old epic rules, not that they were fantastic. I'm not keen on mythic myself, and I'm not fond of it being "the epic" rather than a variant of "epic".
Why are we talking about epic in a post about psionics anyway? Personally, I'm not looking forward to Paizo's psychic magic. I have very little faith in it.
What is there to have or lose faith in?
Something well done? I like most of what I've read about dreamscarred presses material, I just wish I could find a game that allows 3rd party so I can use it myself.
Dreamscarred Press's great work not withstanding, I'd prefer a psionics more codified with Vancian magic for simplicity sake. I prefer Vancian to Spellpoints and would rather have all the magic in Pathfinder similar enough rules-wise to each other, with their differences in spell lists and fluff. Also, personally, I like the work DSP has done and would rather Paizo do their own version without it overshadowing DSP's version. Because it'd be "The Official Pathfinder Psionics" (regardless of quality).
That's not a problem with paizo or any other company. That's an issue between you and your GMs.What is there to have or lose faith in?Something well done? I like most of what I've read about dreamscarred presses material, I just wish I could find a game that allows 3rd party so I can use it myself.
I didn't say it was a problem with Paizo, I said my problem was Paizo was I thought they'd screw it up.
Unfortunately, even if they have all new spells just for them, psychic mages sounds like just another wizard or sorcerer. Which means... it's not really psionic.
If they can make divine casters different from arcane casters with the same mechanics but different fluff and spell lists, I'm sure they can do the same with psychic magic. To me, the fluff of psionics matters more than the spell point system. That system already exists for those that love it. For the rest of us that prefer Vancian system, I'd like to see the option for that. Also I hope they go with a better name than psychic magic. Like, I don't, maybe mysticism? And they could tie it more to magic of one's self, similar to ki, and maybe even magic of spirits. Classes like Mediums and Yogis would be cool. I don't know, that's what I'd like to see with psionics.
Unfortunately, even if they have all new spells just for them, psychic mages sounds like just another wizard or sorcerer. Which means... it's not really psionic.What makes one thing psionic, and one not? And again, as they've said, they're doing Psychic, not Psionics. The only thing you know about is that it's not going to be a point based power system. That doesn't mean it's going to be Vancian magic.
Trying to find the quote, but I think JJ did say they'd keep with Vancian. I'll hunt it down.
They don't want new systems of magic. One of the links I posted basically said that, in that it'd just be a third type of magic, like divine and arcane.
They don't want new systems of magic. One of the links I posted basically said that, in that it'd just be a third type of magic, like divine and arcane.
I agree with that. I just simply prefer the magic to be codified for simplicity's sake and leave the difference up to fluff and spell lists. This is actually a good post that shows some cool ideas for psychic magic.
Yeah. "Vancian Psychic Powers" just makes no sense at all to me.
I'd actually prefer a different system entirely. If psionics doesn't have a very different feel from magic, I'm not sure of the point.
There's still a different feel between arcane magic and divine magic, despite the fact that mechanically they are the same. What makes them different are:
- No divine caster class requires a spellbook.
- Divine casters pray to their god for magic and have to worship them. Arcane casters simply have to study their spellbooks/familiar or meditate/tune their guitar.
- In addition, many divine casters have alignment restrictions that they must follow to keep their powers.
- The spell lists are different between the two types, with some overlap.
- Some divine casters can spontaneously turn their spells into spells of a certain type. Arcane classes cannot.
I feel that Paizo can do psionics with a different fluff and feel while still maintaining the same rules for all magic. I like psionics, don't get me wrong. But I see them as a form of magic, and I don't see them married to the spellpoint system. I'd also rather it be codified with magic so things like dispel magic, spell resistance, and antimagic fields would work. I do like the Psionics–Magic Transparency aspect of psionics and how that's the default in DSP's psionics admittedly, but I have met local fans that vehemently despise it and play without it.
For psionics, psychic magic, or mysticism (or whatever one wants to call it), I could see the fluff being somewhat similar to divine magic. Only, instead of dedicated oneself to a deity, it's to a philosophy, or dedication to one's self. Something similar to what the monk has. I'd also like to see some Supernatural abilities for the classes, much like the witch's hexes have. Instead of praying or studying a spellbook, psychics can meditate via exercise, traditional mediation, or chanting. I don't think there should be any prepared psychic caster since it's more inborn with them, like a sorcerer. I could even see some spellcasting done with non-mental stats, like perhaps Con or Str, to represent good health from their practices. That last one might be a bit gonzo, I'll admit.
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Psychic magic, if and when we do something with it, will aim to have similar in-game themes, but will in most likelihood NOT use the 3.5 power point system—in fact, I'm gonna be pushing hard to make psychic magic use the standard spell rules we already have for divine and arcane magic.
Which is the main reason we'll be calling it psychic magic and not psionics. Same reason we called it mythic and not epic. They are both different takes on classic systems.
Psychic magic is a fair ways off still though. Again... if we do it at all. Until then, though, expect to see teasers about psycic stuff now and then, be it in the form of monster powers (such as the intellect devourer and neothelid from the Bestiary, or the new monsters in "Dragon's Demand"), or in the form of other themes in adventures and world material.
Psychic magic, if and when we do something with it, will aim to have similar in-game themes, but will in most likelihood NOT use the 3.5 power point system—in fact, I'm gonna be pushing hard to make psychic magic use the standard spell rules we already have for divine and arcane magic.
Which is the main reason we'll be calling it psychic magic and not psionics. Same reason we called it mythic and not epic. They are both different takes on classic systems.
Psychic magic is a fair ways off still though. Again... if we do it at all. Until then, though, expect to see teasers about psycic stuff now and then, be it in the form of monster powers (such as the intellect devourer and neothelid from the Bestiary, or the new monsters in "Dragon's Demand"), or in the form of other themes in adventures and world material.
Consider my interests piqued. I will be getting Dragon's Demand.
It can work like spells too. I was gonna write that it can't, but it does make sense. Read from a spellbook to prepare spells every morning? Meditate.
Spell components? Repeat words to help you achieve a sate of deep transe, focus on a crystal, clentch your fist (e.g. to close a door).
Damn, I like the power point system.
Then there's a well-supported system out there for you, that'll continue to have new material as it's main focus!