I've posted it on Athas Online. You can download it here:
http://www.sederqvist.com/ao/3e/psicombat.doc
Please provide feedback in this thread.
And there's a slight :D mistake (typo) in the harbinger sizes; 15th level is a darn long time to wait to form a fine construct that deals so little damage, dontcha think?
Why do people insist on double spacing after a period when using modern word processors? The days of typewriters is over, it's the 21st century, deprogram your brain of this evil thing that was taught to you in typewriter class, heh.
Sorry, but it's just hard to read and follow the sentences when you have too much spacing in the doc. Especialy for someone like me who reads really slow...
On a more positive note, I like what it's trying to accomplish. I once again have issue with static DCs, but that's an issue I have with D&D d20 overall, and I'll save that rant for later.
The Psionic Combat Bonus needs a bit of tweaking me thinks, seems way to low to be used as a BAB for psionic attacks.
"• Stony Barrens: +2 on psionic attacks for Harbingers whose natural habitat is the Sandy Wastes. –2 to Harbingers from any other terrain."
Shouldn't that read "Stony Barrens" and not "Sandy Wastes"?
"Fine: Power Point Damage: 1; Power Points: 1; Manifester level 15th"
I'm assuming that should be 1st and not 15th.
Not sure I get the way constructs work either. Any way that can be spelled out clearer?
Overall I am liking what I am seeing and am glad someone cared enough about the old Harbinger/Construct rules to clean them up.
It looks very interesting, although I can't really test it right now since I'm still without players. I've always felt the old psionic combat rules had better imagery. This system would probably set breaks to combat encounters, though. Will try when I can... if ever.
And there's a slight :D mistake (typo) in the harbinger sizes; 15th level is a darn long time to wait to form a fine construct that deals so little damage, dontcha think?
I set it that way because the smaller the harbinger, the harder it would be to detect. I was operating on the assumption that only masters of the Way would be able to make their presense so minute. But perhaps the level restriction is a bit much, any suggestions?
I would also really like to see more psionic harbringers- so maybe I will come up with some when I have the time. I think that the PP books would be a great place to get some ideas for some that are not covered.
Great Job!! :D
Very cool- I have always thought that DS was missing something when they no longer had the psionic combat. I was wondering- would you be willing to write out a 4 or 5 round simulation of psionic combat to let everyone see exactly how it works.
I would also really like to see more psionic harbringers- so maybe I will come up with some when I have the time. I think that the PP books would be a great place to get some ideas for some that are not covered.
Great Job!! :D
I'll get on it when I get the chance
I'll get on it when I get the chance
Cool beans dude!! ;)
Jho’Raam came out this day to track down an enemy of his Mighty King, The Lion of Urik, King Hamanu. This day would test the king’s agent abilities for this enemy was a student of the Unseen Way. It will be incumbent upon Jho’Raam to subdue the traitor and would most likely entail engaging the upstart with the Way. For the king seldom sent his agents unequipped to handle such dangers.
Jho’Raam and his contingent of Half-Giant soldiers had tracked the insurgent to an oasis at the foot of the Forest Ridge for just over ten days, following his ever-changing trail through many false leads, double backs, and attempts at psionic deception. At last his prey was in sight, a pathetic half-elf seemingly exhausted by his ordeal in the wilds of Athas. That was one thing about appearances however; they were often deceiving. The king’s agent and his detachment of soldiers encircled the traitor, cutting off escape.
It was when the half-elf traitor realized he was surrounded that he decided to make his stand. He stared intently at the nearest Half-Giant for a moment, they suddenly that same Half-Giant turned on his fellows, crushing a soldier’s head in one massive blow. As the other soldiers turned on their fellow to subdue him, for they knew of the traitor’s ability with the way, the half-elf made a break for it and felt a sharp sting in his left side that felt rather chilling. As he looked over his shoulder to see what could have caused such pain, he was horrified to see that the earth surrounding his pursuer had turned to infertile ash!
Defiler! Thought the trapped half-elf traitor. His outrage at such a desecration of the land bolstered his courage and gave him the power to face his enemy. He stared down the defiler, intent on using the Way to make him pay for destroying his beloved world. His surprise was complete when the defiler returned his stare.
“In the name of the Mighty King, The King of the Mountains and the Plains, King Hamanu of Urik, surrender and live, resist and die!” Jho’Raam shouted in the traitor’s mind. The Half-Giant soldiers recognized a battle of minds and quickly surrounded the traitor to cut off his escape should he be fortunate enough to come out on top. The traitor took up his most defiant stance and prepared for the assault that was to come. Jho’Raam, likewise prepared himself for the battle and launched the first probing strike…
What follows is an example of Psionic Combat using the system I developed to demonstrate its strengths and weaknesses. The combatants will only display their psionic combat stats for simplicity. Also for ease no items will be used. The reason the Psicraft ranks are included is as a possible alternative to the Will save being used as the BAB for psionic combat. If that is the case though the DC's will have to be increased to compensate for the vastly higher attack rolls. Just a thought...
I'll also be making a change to make it clear that you only spend the pp once for each construct/harbinger for each psionic battle or until it is changed, same goes for the terrain, if it wasn't clear already
Jho’Raam, 5th/5th/1st Psion (Telepath)/ Defiler/ King’s Defiler; Lawful Evil; Int 20 (+5);
Power Points: 32/37; Psionic Combat Modes: 4; Will Save: +12; Psicraft +13
Harbingers: 2
Psion (Self): Small; Any Land (Scrub Plains); Mind Invasion; PP 1; ML 1st
Tembo: Medium; Mountains; Shatter Inhibitions; PP 3; ML 3rd
Constructs: 2
The Chasm: DC 13; Emptiness; +2/-2; PP 1; ML 1st
The Armor: DC 17; Mental Barrier; +2/-4; PP 3; Manifester level 5th
Opponent’s Save DC base: 15 + power level;
Manifester Level check bonus: +5; Manifester Level: 5th
Half-Elf Psion, 7th Psion (Telepath); Neutral Evil; Int 20 (+5)
Power Points: 54/63; Psionic Combat Modes: 5; Fort Save +3; Will Save +7; Psicraft +15
Harbingers: 2
Psion (Self): Small; Any Land (Mountains); Mind Invasion; PP 1; ML 1st
Kirre: Large; Forest; Mind Blast; PP 5; ML 6th
Constructs: 3
The Chasm: DC 13; Emptiness; +2/-2; PP 1; ML 1st
Confusion: DC 15; Mental Barrier; +2/-3; PP 1; ML 3rd
Wall of Sorrows: DC 17; Intellect Fortress; +2/-4; PP 3; ML 5th
Opponent’s Save DC base: 15 + power level;
Manifester Level check bonus: +7; Manifester Level: 7th
**********
Round 1:
Initiative Order: Jho’Raam (14+5=19), Half-Elf Psion (11+5=16)
Choose Terrain: Initial - Scrub Plains (+0/+0)
Harbingers: Self (Jho’Raam), Self (Half-Elf Psion) *Note that if the characters wanted when they chose their harbingers, they could have elected to make their “Self” of Medium size despite not meeting the prerequisites.
Constructs: The Chasm (Jho’Raam), Wall of Sorrows (Half-Elf Psion)
Catching the traitor off guard, Jho’Raam enters his mind using the Way and creates a field of Scrub Plains. Inside the traitor’s mind, Jho’Raam boldly strides to where his mental representation resides. Almost immediately upon making eye contact within this mindscape, the traitor erects a Wall of Sorrow to discourage any direct attacks.
Jho’Raam’s Attack: +12 vs. DC17 (5+12-1=16 miss)
Half-Elf Psion’s Attack: +7 vs. DC 13 (12+7+2-1=20 hit); Damage: 2 (1d4)
Results:
Jho’Raam: PP 28/37
Half-Elf Psion: PP 50/63
Jho’Raam conjures a mental spear and hurls it at the traitor but it slams into the Wall, and even though Jho’Raam’s Will was quite determined the Wall was sufficient to withstand the attack. The traitor on the other hand appeared beyond Jho’Raam’s Chasm and used a right hook to pummel his attacker. Though momentarily taken aback by this sudden turn of events, Jho’Raam quickly recovered his wits and counter attacked with all his might…
Round 2:
Initiative Order: No change; Jho’Raam (14+5=19), Half-Elf Psion (11+5=16)
Choose Terrain: No change - Scrub Plains (+0/+0)
Harbingers: No change; Self (Jho’Raam), Self (Half-Elf Psion)
Constructs: The Armor (Jho’Raam), Confusion (Half-Elf Psion)
Jho’Raam’s Attack: +12 vs. DC15 (12+12-1=23 hit); Damage: 4 (1d4); Will Save vs. DC 17 (12+12=24 success)
Half-Elf Psion’s Attack: Attempt to use Psionic Charm on Jho’Raam (Failed)
Results:
Jho’Raam: PP 25/37
Half-Elf Psion: PP 41/63
Jho’Raam, now toe-to-toe with his enemy, donned his Armor and kicked at the traitor hoping to disrupt the Half-Elf’s ability to fight, hitting him square in the chest, also catching glimpses of the traitor’s troubled past. The traitor, rolling with the blow attempts to use friendly words carrying the weight of psionic power to influence Jho’Raam into becoming his friend. The King’s agent, hardened against such simple tricks smiles knowingly at his foe, redoubling his effort to crush his enemies mind.
Round 3:
Initiative Order: No change; Jho’Raam (14+5=19), Half-Elf Psion (11+5=16)
Choose Terrain: Changed by Half-Elf Psion - Mountains (+1 attack and damage/–2 others)
Harbingers: No change; Self (Jho’Raam), Self (Half-Elf Psion)
Constructs: The Armor (Jho’Raam), Confusion (Half-Elf Psion)
Jho’Raam’s Attack: +12 vs. DC15 (6+12-1-2=15 hit); Damage: 3 (1d4);
Half-Elf Psion’s Attack: +7 vs. DC 17 (7+7+2+1-1=16 miss)
Results:
Jho’Raam: PP 25/37
Half-Elf Psion: PP 38/63
Jho’Raam follows up his kick with an uppercut, not fooled at all by the traitor’s confusing array of thoughts and images, sending the traitor flying back. The traitor looks around quickly then suddenly the terrain in the mindscape changes to rocky, mountains with steep inclines and deep draws. Feeling more at home on such a surface, the traitor launches himself at Jho’Raam, hoping to knock him into a deep draw, giving him the upper hand. Much to the Half-Elf’s surprise, he found that Jho’Raam was quite sturdy and merely bounced off his impressive Armor. Again Jho’Raam smiles, letting the traitor know once again, he as underestimated his opponent…
Round 4:
Initiative Order: No change; Jho’Raam (14+5=19), Half-Elf Psion (11+5=16)
Choose Terrain: No change - Mountains (+1 attack and damage/–2 others)
Harbingers: No change; Self (Jho’Raam), Self (Half-Elf Psion)
Constructs: The Armor (Jho’Raam), Confusion (Half-Elf Psion)
Jho’Raam’s Attack: Attempts to Manifest Crisis of Breath on Half-Elf Psion (success)
Half-Elf Psion’s Attack: none; Blacked out due to save failure; Fort Save vs. DC 18 (10+3=13 failure)
Results:
Jho’Raam: PP 20/37
Half-Elf Psion: PP 41/63; Disabled due to save failure.
As the traitor lie on the ground from his last failed attack, Jho’Raam quickly grabs him by the throat, choking the life from him backed by the Unseen Way. At once the Half-Elf began to panic and fought against the sudden loss of breath to no avail. Slowly the world went black for him. Suddenly he found himself once again in the real world with his enemy standing above him with a triumphant grin on his handsome features. Though his physical hands never once touched him, the traitor knew he had been undone from within his own mind. Stark horror replaced shock as he saw Jho’Raam raise his spear for the killing blow…just before he blacked out…and then he knew no more…
As you can see psionic combat can be quite taxing. Even though they don’t have to repay the costs to maintain an existing harbinger (for that fight only) you can see how changing defense modes after every round can result in a rapid loss of power points. Don’t forget also that damage caused during psionic combat is applied to power point reserves as well, further accelerating the drain. Anyway, if there are suggestions for changes to the system, I’ll be glad to hear them.
Oh and for those that will undoubtedly notice the discrepincy between my signature and the stats provided for the purpose of this combat...see if you can figure out what that means :evillaugh
