Would Psionics work as a global tree like Harper?

[JOTMON]

My only P&P experience is from AD&D in the early 80s, but I do remember (vaguely) the psionics in that version.

Not knowing anything about 3.5, would psionics work as just a global enhancement tree, do you think?

I like it.

introduce the psionics scaling power depending on enhancement investment
Could even open up opportunity for a Epic Destiny.

[Saekee]

Hi,

Yes it does.

Psionics might also be a chance to add the very long overdue animation for a head explosion to the game.

Thanks.

And vorpal hits should send heads rolling, then bouncing along on the ground.

Well... Psionic is a type of magic that uses supernatural energy to harm and destroy enemies. It's far from arcane and divine magic. There is also pisonic class(caster), but it doesn't have to be strictly a class. Yes, this could potentially be a new global tree. Because pisonics could also be ranged and melee type... to be honest, everything is possible with little twist.

Since we already have Harper tree, I don't want turbine end it with only 1 global tree. Same goes to iconics. They need to come up with something new, possibly STR, DEX and WIS base next time. And I don't mind pisonic to be the next, as long as it will be the counter of Harper tree.

I don't think they can add this--sounds like a mess--but it sounds very xoriat-like. Not sure if there is a connection? Quests in which psionic enemies can hit you and that nice improved evasion or MRR/PRR means nothing?
Would psionics be based on a stat like Charisma? That would help out all those poor pallies and bards.

[walkin_dude]

Psionic powers allow you to spend more Power Points to increase the effect of the power

Sounds about like meta-magic feats ...

[deuxanes]

My only P&P experience is from AD&D in the early 80s, but I do remember (vaguely) the psionics in that version.

Not knowing anything about 3.5, would psionics work as just a global enhancement tree, do you think?

SSI has published 2 games (Dark Sun & Dark Sun 2 in the Dark Sun campaign setting) where psionicist was one of several allowed class options.

You had 3 different disciplines (telepathy, psychometabolism & psychokinesis). Every character had proficiency with a discipline of his choice. Only a psionicist had access to all disciplines and could improve/ train powers.

Telepathy offered some mind protecting and manipulating powers. Psychometabolism offered some buffs (manipulating your own body by willpower) and limited healing capabilities. Psychokinesis offered offensive ranged powers.

Dunno. Maybe it's the computer adaptation and sometimes interesting concept don't translate well within that medium. Clerics, druids and wizards had a better spell selections. On the other hand psionicists didn't use spell slots, but used up psionic points. The amount of psionic points was determined by wisdom, intelligence and constitution (similar to spell points). Certain powers cost a set number of psionic point at use. Others had an additional cost factor for maintaining that effect for a longer period of time (e.g. a set numer of psionic points per round/ phase until not enough psionic points remained). I have to admit that psionics/ psionicists made certain encounters easier, especially when battling other psionicists.

On one hand an implementation as a global ehancement tree would allow everyone to train psionics and implementation would be comparably easier than any other solution. But is there a need to do it this way? Characters are already powerful with destinies, enhancement trees, etc. What would it bring to the table? If there are resources to implement such an enhancement tree, wouldn't it be possible to implement such a class as well? If such a class gets implemented how should the class be set up compared to the general enhancement tree?

A character that specialised in the telepathy discipline would mabye have a similar fate as enchanters. Psychokinesis could most likely end up being some kind of ranged DPS. Psychometabolism could benefit melee builds. There are some other powers I didn't mention (i.e. clairsentience), but they only shine in PnP where they could be used as story ploy.

[Angelic-council]

I don't think they can add this--sounds like a mess--but it sounds very xoriat-like. Not sure if there is a connection? Quests in which psionic enemies can hit you and that nice improved evasion or MRR/PRR means nothing?
Would psionics be based on a stat like Charisma? That would help out all those poor pallies and bards.

Yes, I agree with you. Psionic is a class, while Harper is the organization. I don't think turbine will add this to the global tree for that reason. But.. one of the interesting thing about psionic is that, they use supernatural powers. It's exactly the same like - how monks use their Ki. Psi powers are magical, but some of them are natural.. and treated like an action skill. Thus, it's not affected by any anti magics. Every characters (also monsters) in D&D hold this super power, but it doesn't mean everyone can use it. Even if you are a fighter or ranger, you have some sort of psi connection, and it's up to them to awaken it. I learned quite a lot about psi abilities. And I like how it's physical natural. Because it means, it could also be a global power. About stats -- first thing that comes in my mind is the wisdom, as they use mental power. 2ndly charisma (usually) and possibly Con/STR.

[bartharok]

Yes, I agree with you. Psionic is a class, while Harper is the organization. I don't think turbine will add this to the global tree for that reason. But.. one of the interesting thing about psionic is that, they use supernatural powers. It's exactly the same like - how monks use their Ki. Psi powers are magical, but some of them are natural.. and treated like an action skill. Thus, it's not affected by any anti magics. Every characters (also monsters) in D&D hold this super power, but it doesn't mean everyone can use it. Even if you are a fighter or ranger, you have some sort of psi connection, and it's up to them to awaken it. I learned quite a lot about psi abilities. And I like how it's physical natural. Because it means, it could also be a global power. About stats -- first thing that comes in my mind is the wisdom, as they use mental power. 2ndly charisma (usually) and possibly Con/STR.

What would be fun, would be to have the different disciplines use different stats. That way you could build the toon according to your wishes, and have different classses have different strengths when it comes to psionics.

[Maldrak]

I don't really see it. Psionics isn't really that different from magic in 3.5.

The way magic works in DDO (with SP) is essentially like psionics already. Most powers and psionic items are just re-themed versions of spells and magic items. I don't see how psionic races and mobs would be much more trouble than any other races and mobs.

Oh - yeah, didn't mean to imply a mechanical overhaul - the code is the same - more or less-ish. It would be a massive CONTENT overhaul. Each Race would need to be added, alot of new "spells" would need to be added, new feats would need to be added, new classes would need to be added and balanced, alot of new trees (for all these new classes) would need to be added, new Equipment would need to be added (or alternate skins/tooltips provided). And that's just the DATA/Development side of things - each of the races would need skins, each class would need art for the tree, as would feats, equipment, consumables, etc. The art resources would increase significantly. It's CERTAINLY not beyond reason or anything, but it WOULD be on the magnitude of a massive expansion - IF done true to the PnP, which of course, the OP isn't suggesting.

[deuxanes]

Just have a look what would be realistic to implement:

http://lucasabandonware.free.fr/manu...ed%20Lands.pdf

See pages 79 - 86. It's not really that much new stuff since lots of existing spells could be reused under a new name.

[Spekdah_NZ]

Pillars of Eternity is out in a few days, I am eagerly awaiting my steam keys and other stuff from kickstarter.

It has a Cipher class which is based on the DnD Psion.

[Buffyanne]

I would like to see psionics added as part of an expansion to the Under dark where we get the Mindflayer city, connect ti Schyn thru one of the unused portals and develop a whole system of psionic combat that the Mind Flayers use where it bypasses PRR/MRR.