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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
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Shadowlord
Master of Realmslore
USA
1298 Posts |
 Posted - 16 Mar 2004 : 01:48:21
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| Interesting. This puts out a whole new way of approaching things in the Realms. I might even buy the tome..... |
The Chosen of Vhaeraun
"Nature is governed by certain immutable rules. By virtue of claw and fang, the lion will always triumph over the goat.Given time, the pounding of the sea will wear away the stone. And when dark elves mingle with the lighter races, the offspring invariably take after the dark parent. It is all much the same. That which is greater shall prevail. Our numbers increase steadily, both through birth and conquest. The dark elves are the dominant race, so ordained by the gods." Ka'Narlist of the Ilythiiri. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 16 Mar 2004 : 03:38:02
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I've already got my copy on pre-order. Despite what the collective nay-sayers talk about, I have always been a big fan of the 3e Psionics system. Now granted, it does have some small minor mechanics issues (with regards to it being too much like spellcasting), but the Psionics system and ruleset is flexible enough to allow DMs to correct some of these problems.
The Expanded Psionics Handbook is meant to address these concerns, as well as providing an alternate psionic system for magic-heavy campaigns.
I'm looking forward to it's release...
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Shadowlord
Master of Realmslore
USA
1298 Posts |
Posted - 16 Mar 2004 : 04:18:31
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Hmmm, I believe you've talked me into it.
I too am a fan of Psionics, but I haven't had much opportunity to use them. I once had a PC in a campaign where one of my friends played an illithid on the Surface of Toril. Needless to say, he was not well received... 
But other than that, Psionics have played a small, almost non-existent, role in my experiences. I'm looking forward to changing that.... |
The Chosen of Vhaeraun
"Nature is governed by certain immutable rules. By virtue of claw and fang, the lion will always triumph over the goat.Given time, the pounding of the sea will wear away the stone. And when dark elves mingle with the lighter races, the offspring invariably take after the dark parent. It is all much the same. That which is greater shall prevail. Our numbers increase steadily, both through birth and conquest. The dark elves are the dominant race, so ordained by the gods." Ka'Narlist of the Ilythiiri. |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 16 Mar 2004 : 04:21:14
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| I've never been a big psionic fan, but the Venom's Taste novel has me intrigued now like I've never been before. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 16 Mar 2004 : 04:51:16
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
I'm always intrigued by the reasons gamers give for not liking Psionics. Can I ask you then Sirius, your reason for not liking the Psionics system...?
Just never got into it and never ran into someone who I gamed with that was into it. I mean I've gamed in Germany, Saudi Arabia, and the United States with several groups and I don't recall anyone ever playing one or even being interested in playing one. I do vaguely recall it being discussed at one point and time and the way it was presented was just one of those raise your eyebrow moments in, are you kidding me?
Perhaps it's just the addition of something that had me reacting that way. However, I just never have been a big fan ever since I learned about it. That may change now....I'm intrigued by Lisa Smedman's work and hey, wasn't one of the X-Men using something that could be psionics. Hey, those two movies were decent, can you go wrong there?  |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 16 Mar 2004 : 06:47:36
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Yes, Jean Grey...the first X-Man. She is a mutant though, and not something that really connects with the d20 system (unless you're using the new Gamma World edition). Her abilities were that of telekinesis, telepathy...and...depending on whether you are following the comic book, or the movies...other less defined powers.
But, back to Psionics. Tell me then Sirius, did you use the Complete Psionics Handbook in any 2e campaigns...?
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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Lord Rad
Great Reader
United Kingdom
2080 Posts |
Posted - 16 Mar 2004 : 08:48:43
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
I have always been a big fan of the 3e Psionics system.
 Ya dont say!?
Let me know what you think of this tome, Sage. I have the 3rd ed. Psionics Handbook (which is great) but despite what they say, I hope that this isnt just a 3.5 rehash. |
Lord Rad
"What? No, I wasn't reading your module. I was just looking at the pictures"
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 16 Mar 2004 : 10:05:35
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quote:
Originally posted by Rad
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
I have always been a big fan of the 3e Psionics system.
Ya dont say!?
Hmmm...when did I ever lead you to believe that I enjoyed the use of Psionics in my campaigns?  Your reaction seems to suggest that I've made my opinions on Psionics public knowledge before...?
Anyway, I'll let you what I thought about the Expanded Psionics Handbook once I receive my pre-order (like VRG to the Shadow Fey...sorry Rad... ), which should be in the first-to-second week of April.
As for the rehash of existing material, from what I've read about the tome, the entire psionics system has undergone changes, much greater in scope and content than the original revised core-rulebooks.
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 16 Mar 2004 : 16:39:10
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quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
But, back to Psionics. Tell me then Sirius, did you use the Complete Psionics Handbook in any 2e campaigns...?
Nope, never purchased it or used it. Although it now sits just under ten feet from my computer on a bookshelf. However, that's because of the big merge of gaming products that took place years ago.
I thumbed through it the other night after finishing the Smedman novel. The book seemed pretty well put together. |
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DarkPsion
Acolyte
USA
8 Posts |
Posted - 16 Mar 2004 : 20:32:25
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I have always used a four power set up in my realms.
Arcane opposes Nature
Divine opposes Psionics
Nature (Druids & Faerie) draw upon the Weave as Arcane (Wizards & Sorcerers) do, but they focus more on affinity with the Weave, becoming a part of nature.
Arcane manipulates and even tears at the Weave, often damaging it. They try to impose their will upon Nature.
Divine (Clerics & Paladins) call upon strength from without, but Psionic (Psion & Psychic Warriors) draw upon the strength from within their own soul. Many Divine casters see this as taking something that belongs to the gods.
If you look at these the same way the four elements are arranged, then each can interact with the two nearby powers, but has limited effects over the opposed power. (-5 to Detect, Dispel and DCs). Note that spells & powers that target effects (Dispel Charm) interact freely.
As to the Expanded Psionic Handbook, it will be good. Those of us in the Metamind behind the Mind’s Eye have put a lot of work into “fixing” the problems of the PsiHbk in the Mind's Eye(http://www.wizards.com/dnd/archive.asp?x=dnd/psi,3) and Bruce Cordell has been paying attention to everyone’s gripes.
What’s in the XPH?
Races for playing Psionics includes Duergar, Githyanki, Githzerai, Thri-Kreen and Half Giants ( http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/iw/20040215a&page=3) (from Dark Sun) and several New Races; Elan, Dromite, Maenad and Xeph.
One thing that sets Psionics apart from other classes are psionic feats. They are like having a permanent spell that cannot be dispelled and they get a slight revision. In 3.0, you had to maintain a reserve of power points to keep your feat active, but using your powers of course drained those reserves. Now you make a Concentration check to achieve Psionic Focus and you keep it till you are knocked out, sleep or sacrifice it. Some feats become active with Focus, others require you to sacrifice focus to use them. You can also sacrifice focus to reduce the cost of a metapsionic feat by 2 or “take 15" on a Concentration check.
Also the vestigial tail of 1st edition psionics is finally gone, psionic combat. The attack and defense modes are now powers. If you want psi combat, they refer you to Mindscapes from Malhavoc. It is a simpler version that doesn’t drain your power points to use.
There are 4 Psionic classes in the XPH (and there will be a 5th in next month’s Dragon). The Psion gets a boost in power points and now gains bonus feats like a Wizard does. The old MAD problem (Multiple Ability scores per Disciple) has been changed to Intelligence as Primary ability score. Psychic Warriors benefit from the Psionic Focus rules so they can now actually use their few powers without losing their feats. The PsyWar uses Wisdom as Primary Ability score. The two new classes are Wilder (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/iw/20040215a&page=4) and Soul Knife, previously a prestige class, now promoted to full class. The Wilder is a wild psion who has had very little official training. They have a limited number of powers, but can do a variety of things with them. The Soul Knife is a rogue-like PsyWar that can create blades of psionic force.
There are twice as many prestige classes, including a Psionic/ Wizard PrC similar to the Mystic Theurge.
And speaking of powers, many psionic powers are now Augmentable. You can put additional power points into the power’s manifestation to enhance the power; increase the save DC, increase the damage or affect larger creatures. You cannot spend more power points that your manifester level on a single power though. And all the broken combos have been fixed, no more infinite Fissions.
Psionic monsters gain Psi-Like ability, instead of Spell-Like, and these may have built in Augmentations. Psi Crystals are now constructs and are given a full monster write up.
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Shadowlord
Master of Realmslore
USA
1298 Posts |
Posted - 16 Mar 2004 : 21:16:38
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| Well, you certainly seem to be well-informed. Care to throw anymore Psionic tidbits our way? |
The Chosen of Vhaeraun
"Nature is governed by certain immutable rules. By virtue of claw and fang, the lion will always triumph over the goat.Given time, the pounding of the sea will wear away the stone. And when dark elves mingle with the lighter races, the offspring invariably take after the dark parent. It is all much the same. That which is greater shall prevail. Our numbers increase steadily, both through birth and conquest. The dark elves are the dominant race, so ordained by the gods." Ka'Narlist of the Ilythiiri. |
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The Sage
Procrastinator Most High
Australia
31774 Posts |
Posted - 17 Mar 2004 : 00:19:57
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There's really not that much more to post Shadowlord. Most of the information that DarkPsion posted has come from 'Preview' articles, and several other columns from various sites (include WotC). It's pretty much all that is available.
Besides, you only have a few short weeks until the tome's official release anyway...
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Candlekeep Forums Moderator
Candlekeep - The Library of Forgotten Realms Lore
http://www.candlekeep.com -- Candlekeep Forum Code of Conduct
Scribe for the Candlekeep Compendium -- Volume IX now available (Oct 2007)
"So Saith Ed" -- the collected Candlekeep replies of Ed Greenwood
Zhoth'ilam Folio -- The Electronic Misadventures of a Rambling Sage |
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DarkPsion
Acolyte
USA
8 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2004 : 01:56:38
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quote:
Originally posted by Shadowlord
Well, you certainly seem to be well-informed. Care to throw anymore Psionic tidbits our way?
A Seer sees many things....*Stares into my crystal ball*...*The mists of the future start to clear*....
Revealing......NDA?
The Gods confound us again! |
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SiriusBlack
Great Reader
USA
5517 Posts |
Posted - 18 Mar 2004 : 04:09:40
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quote:
Originally posted by DarkPsion
Revealing......NDA?
The Gods confound us again!
The National Denomination Agency is preventing us from finding out????  |
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Do you want to run a Psionic campaign in FR...?
