Monte Cook's Psionics Books

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

zombiegleemax

Jan 08, 2004 18:01:26
Has anybody taken a look at Monte Cook's "Mindscapes" books? They are published through Malhavoc. I was reading through his alternative rules for psionic combat in "A Psion's Guide" and they look shockingly similar to how psionic combat was represented in the novels.

Only reason I mention this is cause I generally like 3E psionics the way they are, except for psionic combat. Anyways, let me know if anybody's interesting in hearing the general rundown of how it works.
#2

zombiegleemax

Jan 08, 2004 18:07:09
I am interested in how good the Monte books are, how do they run Psi combat?
#3

nytcrawlr

Jan 08, 2004 19:01:20
Mindscapes rocks, blew me away.

Totally love how they did psionic combat.

I'm hoping they do something similar for PsiHb 3.5.
#4

zombiegleemax

Jan 08, 2004 19:07:05
Monte's Books are exceptionally well done. His ideas are fresh, creative, and more importantly, balanced. He seems to always find the same areas in D&D that could use some imporovements as I do.

I'll try to summarize what I can here for now. I can clarify any specific areas if you want.

First thing he did was move all the attack and defense modes out of psionic combat and made them into normal psionic powers.

Second thing he did was make up what's called a mindscape. Basically when two psionic creatures come within 60 ft. of each other, and can detect each other in the real world, a mindscape pops up in their minds. If at least one of the individuals desires contact, then their avatars appear in this mindscape and prepare for battle/greeting/whatever. Avatars appear as a perfect self image of the creature they belong to, but can be disguised. You can also duck out of the formation of a mindscape with a certain feat in his book. Mindscapes take the form of real world landscapes, ie. forest, mountains, desert, sea, and can be chosen or changed by combatants. Altogether, there are 6 mindscapes, one for each ability score. As you go up in psion/psy warrior levels, you can gain a greater control over which mindscape type springs up.

Third thing Monte added was what he calls "Modes". Essentially, a mode is the state of mind of a psionic creature. There are 12 modes, and all modes have an effect on psionic combat. Each mode has a name, a key ability that it is identified with, a modifier (for combat), and an effect.

Opposed Mode checks happens after initiative is rolled and modes are declared. Each opponent makes a mode check (d20 + mindscape type modifier + psionic combat modifier + mode check bonus). The highest result wins and gets to apply their mode's effect for the round.

Lastly, every psionic creature has a "resting" mode. You can change this default mode as a free action when not in a mindscape. Otherwise, you have to do it during psionic combat, which is still a free action but limited to your turn in initiative. You can't change it while surprised, and when more than one combatant is choosing their mode, the best initiative gets to choose last, so they get to see what the others chose before they pick their own.
#5

zombiegleemax

Jan 08, 2004 19:10:03
Ooops, posted twice :embarrass
#6

jihun-nish

Jan 08, 2004 19:44:15
Althought Malhavoc press is Monte's, all the psionic supplements(if thought could kill and Mindscape) are Bruce R. Cordel's doing. You know!! The master in psionic matter:D He's also the one who wrote the The Expanded psionic handbook.(coming in a few months)

Just thought I had to clarify this.
The books rocks by the way.
#7

zombiegleemax

Jan 08, 2004 19:52:35
Woops!!! My bad! Sorry Bruce!

Just assumed it was Monte cause of the Malhavoc stamp on there!
#8

zombiegleemax

Jan 10, 2004 17:58:52
Ok, I think I understand how you explained that. But what if there are more than two psions in the area?
#9

deceitfulelf

Jan 11, 2004 13:07:23
If more then 2 Psions are in the area then they also join. If a Psion enters in an area where there is already a Mindscape then they enter in the next round of combat. Personally I didn't like how Psions will automatically enter a Mindscape when in range of each other. I rule it that a Psion can run mindblank freely so that he'll be undetected until he manifestes a power of Level 1 or higher, at which time he will form a Mindscape with any Psion whose mind is open from manifesting a power or by choice.
#10

jihun-nish

Jan 11, 2004 19:32:08
Originally posted by Deceitfulelf
If more then 2 Psions are in the area then they also join. If a Psion enters in an area where there is already a Mindscape then they enter in the next round of combat. Personally I didn't like how Psions will automatically enter a Mindscape when in range of each other.

That's one of the reasons I'm actualy waiting for The Expended psionic handbook with anticipation.
I rule it that a Psion can run mindblank freely so that he'll be undetected until he manifestes a power of Level 1 or higher, at which time he will form a Mindscape with any Psion whose mind is open from manifesting a power or by choice.

I would rule something similar myself: at least until an official rule gets out better then what we have now
#11

dawnstealer

Jan 11, 2004 22:35:08
Have they changed it up a bit for non-psions? I always thought that it was a little weak that psions attacking non-psions were pretty much screwed if they tried a mental attack. In 2e, a psionicist attacking a nonpsion psionically would pretty much be a lopsided fight if the psionicist won initiative.

Hmmm, maybe answered my own question there. Even so....
#12

zombiegleemax

Jan 12, 2004 15:50:51
They did change it a little for non-psionic using creatures too. Basically, non-psionic creatures don't even detect the mindscape, so generally they are unaffected by psionic combat. They are still however just as susceptible to psionic powers, which now include the old psionic attacks and defenses.

The mindscape is a double-edged sword in that it can be good and bad depending on how its used. Bruce even stated in a side-bar that psions trying to use the mindscape as a type of "detect psionics" should not be allowed to do so. I would generally only popup mindscapes when the situation called for it. Essentially, if one or more psions/psywars wished to do combat. Otherwise, no mindscape would appear. If you didn't implement this on a place like Athas, you'd have mindscapes poping up all over the place and it would just become a headache for DM's. The rules seem to be geared towards a low-to-medium psionic campaign. In a high-pionic one such as Dark Sun, you'd have to tweak things just a smidge.

Still, it beats the hell outta the old system, both 3E and 2E.
#13

nytcrawlr

Jan 12, 2004 16:14:47
Originally posted by Tembo-Pie
I would generally only popup mindscapes when the situation called for it. Essentially, if one or more psions/psywars wished to do combat. Otherwise, no mindscape would appear. If you didn't implement this on a place like Athas, you'd have mindscapes poping up all over the place and it would just become a headache for DM's. The rules seem to be geared towards a low-to-medium psionic campaign. In a high-pionic one such as Dark Sun, you'd have to tweak things just a smidge.

Still, it beats the hell outta the old system, both 3E and 2E.

Agreed there, I was planning on using most of mindscapes for my upcoming campaign.

Still waiting to see what PsiHb 3.5 has in store for us though.
#14

zombiegleemax

Jan 12, 2004 19:09:40
You'll have to let me know how it goes! I'm anxious to see how Dark Sun runs in v3.5 these days. I'd run it myself, but I have an Alternity campaign to finish first ;)
#15

nytcrawlr

Jan 12, 2004 19:34:44
Already did in 3.0.

Ran a DS/RL crossbreed, went pretty well.

Unfortunately the rules weren't 100% at the time so I wasn't able to get a full picture then.