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Hyperconcious: How useful?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
netherek
Jan 18, 2007 14:31:15 I came across Hyperconcious by Bruce Cordell, whom also wrote the EPH. I was curious as to how good is it in relation to d20, and how much of it is useful to DS in particular?

Is it at least better than Complete Psi?

With the string of not so noteworthy d20 outside of Conan OGL I am quite reserved in making future d20 (D&D in particular) purchases.
#2
Kamelion
Jan 18, 2007 14:50:41 It's very good - a great supplement to the core psionics rules (as opposed to an expansion thereof, which is how I see Complete Psionic). It adds depth and complexity to the core psionics system, has some very useful feats to complement those in XPH, and adds a bunch of imaginative powers to the basic set. Head on over to Monte Cook's boards for some more in-depth discussion.
#3
ruhl-than_sage
Jan 19, 2007 12:54:58 I didn't like it at all. Just goes to show you, different strokes for different folks.
#4
Kamelion
Jan 19, 2007 16:20:58 You can get it as a (relatively) cheap pdf if you'd rather not shell out the cash for hardcopy and run the risk of it turning out to be rubbish
#5
fnordbear
Jan 20, 2007 7:35:05 For a Dark Sun specific game, the first half of the book I did not find very useful as it deals mainly with a combination adventure/pseudo setting which does not incorporate in to darksun very well without a major revision.

The second half of the book is golden. It is chock full of new powers/feats/abilities that fit Darksun more or less fine (though you may wish to alter a few for flavor) The prestige classes are a bit of a mixed bag though. Some I think fit Athas fine, some not. To give specific examples: There is a class devoted to the concepts of Godminds, this would take some revision to fit Athas at all (no gods, no god minds). A seperate class called the Ghostbreaker is golden(Im playing one in a darksun game currently!) A 5 level PRC with full manifesting progression that grants a psionic character the ability to turn undead and considering the prevailence of undead nastiness on Athas this class is a particular boon to a party.

From the DM side of things there are some nice monsters in there that can be dropped in Darksun with no problem, some others not so much (Mmm Psionic Lich), again your mileage may vary.

All in all I find this to be an awesome book for a Darksun or a regular D&D (with psionics game).

Hope that helps.
#6
netherek
Jan 20, 2007 12:36:48 I heard it has Psionic Combat or Mindscape, how well does that work?
#7
squidfur-
Jan 20, 2007 20:40:18 I'm yet to test out the Mindscape rules, as my group and I have had a rather heavy dose of life hit us in the face, and our playtime has diminished excessively (not to mention that we're smack dab in the middle of Dragon Crown, so very little psionics as of now). However, said rules rather easy to pick up, and should fit in rather nicely. A few slight tweaks might be required to make it perfect, setting wise, but otherwise, it should be ok.
#8
nomadicc
Feb 11, 2007 22:09:30 Mindscapes are a great way to "substitute" a rule system in for the old Harbinger, etc rules in 2e.

I think Hyperconcious is a great supplement. Generally, I'd say that Bruce Cordell knows his $#!+ when it comes to psionics, seeing as he designed both the ExPH and CP!

As has been said, some of the material isn't quite DS, but a good majority of it (feats, psionic items, classes) is very useful!
#9
netherek
Feb 12, 2007 1:55:31 How well done is the mindscape in relation to DS? I want Psi to be more then simple I use A power and B defense etc. etc. but with Psi combat gone I am curious on how it works in the XPH...
#10
kelsen
Feb 12, 2007 19:14:56 In my view the best adaptation of the old psionics from 2e is the system presented in Star Wars d20.

With a little more development, this systen, based on skills and feats, could work great with DS and restore the old feel of 2e where the psionics mechanics were completely different from magic.

However if you use 3.5e rules (or even mindscapes, if thoughts could kill, etc.), psionic are just spellcasters with powerpoints. Better not have then.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 netherek Jan 18, 2007 14:31:15	I came across Hyperconcious by Bruce Cordell, whom also wrote the EPH. I was curious as to how good is it in relation to d20, and how much of it is useful to DS in particular? Is it at least better than Complete Psi? With the string of not so noteworthy d20 outside of Conan OGL I am quite reserved in making future d20 (D&D in particular) purchases.
#2 Kamelion Jan 18, 2007 14:50:41	It's very good - a great supplement to the core psionics rules (as opposed to an expansion thereof, which is how I see Complete Psionic). It adds depth and complexity to the core psionics system, has some very useful feats to complement those in XPH, and adds a bunch of imaginative powers to the basic set. Head on over to Monte Cook's boards for some more in-depth discussion.
#3 ruhl-than_sage Jan 19, 2007 12:54:58	I didn't like it at all. Just goes to show you, different strokes for different folks.
#4 Kamelion Jan 19, 2007 16:20:58	You can get it as a (relatively) cheap pdf if you'd rather not shell out the cash for hardcopy and run the risk of it turning out to be rubbish
#5 fnordbear Jan 20, 2007 7:35:05	For a Dark Sun specific game, the first half of the book I did not find very useful as it deals mainly with a combination adventure/pseudo setting which does not incorporate in to darksun very well without a major revision. The second half of the book is golden. It is chock full of new powers/feats/abilities that fit Darksun more or less fine (though you may wish to alter a few for flavor) The prestige classes are a bit of a mixed bag though. Some I think fit Athas fine, some not. To give specific examples: There is a class devoted to the concepts of Godminds, this would take some revision to fit Athas at all (no gods, no god minds). A seperate class called the Ghostbreaker is golden(Im playing one in a darksun game currently!) A 5 level PRC with full manifesting progression that grants a psionic character the ability to turn undead and considering the prevailence of undead nastiness on Athas this class is a particular boon to a party. From the DM side of things there are some nice monsters in there that can be dropped in Darksun with no problem, some others not so much (Mmm Psionic Lich), again your mileage may vary. All in all I find this to be an awesome book for a Darksun or a regular D&D (with psionics game). Hope that helps.
#6 netherek Jan 20, 2007 12:36:48	I heard it has Psionic Combat or Mindscape, how well does that work?
#7 squidfur- Jan 20, 2007 20:40:18	I'm yet to test out the Mindscape rules, as my group and I have had a rather heavy dose of life hit us in the face, and our playtime has diminished excessively (not to mention that we're smack dab in the middle of Dragon Crown, so very little psionics as of now). However, said rules rather easy to pick up, and should fit in rather nicely. A few slight tweaks might be required to make it perfect, setting wise, but otherwise, it should be ok.
#8 nomadicc Feb 11, 2007 22:09:30	Mindscapes are a great way to "substitute" a rule system in for the old Harbinger, etc rules in 2e. I think Hyperconcious is a great supplement. Generally, I'd say that Bruce Cordell knows his $#!+ when it comes to psionics, seeing as he designed both the ExPH and CP! As has been said, some of the material isn't quite DS, but a good majority of it (feats, psionic items, classes) is very useful!
#9 netherek Feb 12, 2007 1:55:31	How well done is the mindscape in relation to DS? I want Psi to be more then simple I use A power and B defense etc. etc. but with Psi combat gone I am curious on how it works in the XPH...
#10 kelsen Feb 12, 2007 19:14:56	In my view the best adaptation of the old psionics from 2e is the system presented in Star Wars d20. With a little more development, this systen, based on skills and feats, could work great with DS and restore the old feel of 2e where the psionics mechanics were completely different from magic. However if you use 3.5e rules (or even mindscapes, if thoughts could kill, etc.), psionic are just spellcasters with powerpoints. Better not have then.