non-psionic buffer - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

non-psionic buffer

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
balican_gigolo
Jun 30, 2006 6:04:18 quick question.

Do you use the +8 non-psionic buffer that non-psionic characters benefit from?

I'm going to DM a game soon and want to maybe reduce it, or remove it altogether, to emphasize the importance of psionics in Athas.

Note: I will give the PCs a bonus psionic feat, which they can use to buy a psionic combat power.
#2
Sysane
Jun 30, 2006 8:16:52 Isn't that from 3.0 psionics? Specifically for psionic attack and defense modes? I'm pretty sure that the buffer mechanic doesn't exists in 3.5 anymore.
#3
dirk00001
Jun 30, 2006 9:38:15 Yea, as far as I'm aware there is no buffer unless you're using optional magic-psionic transparency rules, but even then I don't think the rule exists in that fashion...IIRC there's some rule that modifies saving throws depending on if it's a spell or power, but even that may be faulty memory on my part.
#4
balican_gigolo
Jul 01, 2006 1:33:11 oh well I'm way out here in China with no stores to buy new books and only have the 3.0 psionics handbook.

I'll SRD it...I didn't know it changed...

thanks.
#5
dirk00001
Jul 01, 2006 18:21:00 Can you order stuff online? Amazon (and several other large online stores) have all the 3.5 for a good % off of cover price. Although I prefer to support my local hobby stores when I can, whenever I'm getting more than 2 or so D&D books it's usually a lot cheaper to get them online (assuming I'm getting enough to warrant free shipping, basically).
#6
balican_gigolo
Jul 01, 2006 21:00:59 I can but the shipping cost is painfuly expensive. even more so for me, being paid in chinese dollars. 8yuan to the american dollar right now...

I've checked the srd documents and was a little dissapointed...
no more psionic attacks or defense
but also, there doesn't seem to be that much of a difference between an egoist, and say a nomad. They have very few powers that seperate them.

Obviously I haven't played with psions using 3.5 yet, but from what i read it doesn't feel the same...
#7
dirk00001
Jul 02, 2006 12:32:08 It isn't at all the same as 3.0 - they've basically turned psionics into a "variant spellcaster" of sorts, as far as how it works. In the end, though, I think it ended up working out for the better, and definitely made all the rules easier to work with. Just my take on it, though - I always thought attack/defense forms took way more time and effort to handle than they were worth.

As far as the difference between the types of psions - yea, they're pretty close to each other. The big difference lays in a couple unique powers that only certain classes get, like Astral Construct for a Shaper, or Energy Missile for a Kineticist. True, doesn't make for a whole lot of variation between 'em, at least not if you go for a "multi-use" psion, but if you tailor the character to their specific discipline then each psion type does, in game-play, end up having a different "flavor" to them. For instance, although you can make a telepath that does a little bit of everything, between their extra class skills and a focus on mind-affecting powers you can make one that is extremely focused in that arena.

The Complete Psionics book helped separate the specialities as well, IMO...but it's not OGC so that won't help you much.
#8
balican_gigolo
Jul 03, 2006 8:56:42 thanks for the info. I'm going back to Canada in august for a few weeks, I'm planning to bring back a book or two with me. Maybe complete psionics? Although I read about divine psionic classes or some such that didn't really turn me on....
#9
dirk00001
Jul 03, 2006 11:01:20 Complete Psionics has a lot less content than the other Complete series books do, but it's still really good IMO (at least for a psi-heavy world like Athas). If you're going to do that though I strongly suggest you buy the Expanded Psionics Handbook as well, CompPsi won't really make any sense if you're still using the 3.0 Psi Handbook.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 balican_gigolo Jun 30, 2006 6:04:18	quick question. Do you use the +8 non-psionic buffer that non-psionic characters benefit from? I'm going to DM a game soon and want to maybe reduce it, or remove it altogether, to emphasize the importance of psionics in Athas. Note: I will give the PCs a bonus psionic feat, which they can use to buy a psionic combat power.
#2 Sysane Jun 30, 2006 8:16:52	Isn't that from 3.0 psionics? Specifically for psionic attack and defense modes? I'm pretty sure that the buffer mechanic doesn't exists in 3.5 anymore.
#3 dirk00001 Jun 30, 2006 9:38:15	Yea, as far as I'm aware there is no buffer unless you're using optional magic-psionic transparency rules, but even then I don't think the rule exists in that fashion...IIRC there's some rule that modifies saving throws depending on if it's a spell or power, but even that may be faulty memory on my part.
#4 balican_gigolo Jul 01, 2006 1:33:11	oh well I'm way out here in China with no stores to buy new books and only have the 3.0 psionics handbook. I'll SRD it...I didn't know it changed... thanks.
#5 dirk00001 Jul 01, 2006 18:21:00	Can you order stuff online? Amazon (and several other large online stores) have all the 3.5 for a good % off of cover price. Although I prefer to support my local hobby stores when I can, whenever I'm getting more than 2 or so D&D books it's usually a lot cheaper to get them online (assuming I'm getting enough to warrant free shipping, basically).
#6 balican_gigolo Jul 01, 2006 21:00:59	I can but the shipping cost is painfuly expensive. even more so for me, being paid in chinese dollars. 8yuan to the american dollar right now... I've checked the srd documents and was a little dissapointed... no more psionic attacks or defense but also, there doesn't seem to be that much of a difference between an egoist, and say a nomad. They have very few powers that seperate them. Obviously I haven't played with psions using 3.5 yet, but from what i read it doesn't feel the same...
#7 dirk00001 Jul 02, 2006 12:32:08	It isn't at all the same as 3.0 - they've basically turned psionics into a "variant spellcaster" of sorts, as far as how it works. In the end, though, I think it ended up working out for the better, and definitely made all the rules easier to work with. Just my take on it, though - I always thought attack/defense forms took way more time and effort to handle than they were worth. As far as the difference between the types of psions - yea, they're pretty close to each other. The big difference lays in a couple unique powers that only certain classes get, like Astral Construct for a Shaper, or Energy Missile for a Kineticist. True, doesn't make for a whole lot of variation between 'em, at least not if you go for a "multi-use" psion, but if you tailor the character to their specific discipline then each psion type does, in game-play, end up having a different "flavor" to them. For instance, although you can make a telepath that does a little bit of everything, between their extra class skills and a focus on mind-affecting powers you can make one that is extremely focused in that arena. The Complete Psionics book helped separate the specialities as well, IMO...but it's not OGC so that won't help you much.
#8 balican_gigolo Jul 03, 2006 8:56:42	thanks for the info. I'm going back to Canada in august for a few weeks, I'm planning to bring back a book or two with me. Maybe complete psionics? Although I read about divine psionic classes or some such that didn't really turn me on....
#9 dirk00001 Jul 03, 2006 11:01:20	Complete Psionics has a lot less content than the other Complete series books do, but it's still really good IMO (at least for a psi-heavy world like Athas). If you're going to do that though I strongly suggest you buy the Expanded Psionics Handbook as well, CompPsi won't really make any sense if you're still using the 3.0 Psi Handbook.