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Psionics is Different option

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
col08
Jan 22, 2008 4:05:21 Hi All. Long time lurker, first time poster.

Firstly, well done to all those involved in keeping the Dark Sun world alive. I think it's one of the most unique worlds in D&D (in my limited experience) and would hate to see it disappear.

I only just started getting into the Dark Sun world when it originally started (2E) but RL got in the way and D&D was a pastime the fell by the wayside. I'm now getting back into it via PBEM/forum and am thinking of running an online DS campaign. I'm thinking of using the Psionics is Different option but would appreciate feedback of anybody who has used this option. What are the advantages and disadvantages? For those that do use it, has it been worthwhile?
#2
Zardnaar
Jan 22, 2008 12:10:15
Hi All. Long time lurker, first time poster.

Firstly, well done to all those involved in keeping the Dark Sun world alive. I think it's one of the most unique worlds in D&D (in my limited experience) and would hate to see it disappear.

I only just started getting into the Dark Sun world when it originally started (2E) but RL got in the way and D&D was a pastime the fell by the wayside. I'm now getting back into it via PBEM/forum and am thinking of running an online DS campaign. I'm thinking of using the Psionics is Different option but would appreciate feedback of anybody who has used this option. What are the advantages and disadvantages? For those that do use it, has it been worthwhile?

I don't use that option as it unbalences Psionics to much and they're already one of the most powerful classes in the game. An example would be that every creature printed with magic resistence has no reistence to Psionics. In theory its fair as creatures with power resistence have none vs magic but theres very few creatures with power resistence- probably less than 20 or so in WoTC books.

In practice (and my players agree) virtually no one would play a Wizard as a Psion is just better under these rules. Theres a few other issues as well like Antimagic being useless vs Psionics and yet it blocks out virtually everything else supernatural like breath weapons.
#3
ruhl-than_sage
Jan 22, 2008 13:49:32 If you do you just have to give a lot of creatures with Magic Resistance Power Resistance too.
#4
Pennarin
Jan 22, 2008 14:11:37 Hopefully 4E will solve the whole debacle of spell and power resistance.

Now it will probably be "power" resistance, power in this case meaning martial, divine, etc etc.
#5
Zardnaar
Jan 22, 2008 22:28:08
If you do you just have to give a lot of creatures with Magic Resistance Power Resistance too.

Well Psionics is basically a varient magic sstem now and I would say better than magic except that magic is better supported in the game rules. Psionics is different rule varient may work if you houseruled MR=PR and I would also rule Anti magic/psionic aura work on the other one as well.

I've been trying hard lately to balence out 3.5 as I have little intention on switching to 4th ed straight away. Basically hit Druid, Cleric, and Wizard with the nerf bat o doom (Psions catch a bit in the crossfire as well- polymorph effects for example).
#6
Kynesis
Jan 31, 2008 22:08:18 I strongly favor keeping Psionics Different, though I did debate it for a long time.
Despite having a (highly proficient) rules lawyer in my group, I focus on the mechanism and intention of the spell / power rather than its source (magic / divine / psionic).
By way of example:

Where a creature has magic resistance to charm effects, its the charm feature that stands out as being important so I grant its SR to protect it from all spells & powers that are charm based.

Where a creature has magic resistance to spells because the creature is highly magical, I restrict that resistance to magic only (same for purely psionic creatures)

Where a creature has special resistance (or are affected especially strongly) by one particular spell (golems for example) its the effect rather than the source that rules - psionic fire on an iron golem has the same effect as magical fire, for example.

Where area effect spells that dampen or prohibit spells are concerned I tend to go with the intention of the spell, which is to dampen / prohibit all supernatural effects within the area - Anti-magic shell for example or the concentric rings about The Spire.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 col08 Jan 22, 2008 4:05:21	Hi All. Long time lurker, first time poster. Firstly, well done to all those involved in keeping the Dark Sun world alive. I think it's one of the most unique worlds in D&D (in my limited experience) and would hate to see it disappear. I only just started getting into the Dark Sun world when it originally started (2E) but RL got in the way and D&D was a pastime the fell by the wayside. I'm now getting back into it via PBEM/forum and am thinking of running an online DS campaign. I'm thinking of using the Psionics is Different option but would appreciate feedback of anybody who has used this option. What are the advantages and disadvantages? For those that do use it, has it been worthwhile?
#2 Zardnaar Jan 22, 2008 12:10:15	Hi All. Long time lurker, first time poster. Firstly, well done to all those involved in keeping the Dark Sun world alive. I think it's one of the most unique worlds in D&D (in my limited experience) and would hate to see it disappear. I only just started getting into the Dark Sun world when it originally started (2E) but RL got in the way and D&D was a pastime the fell by the wayside. I'm now getting back into it via PBEM/forum and am thinking of running an online DS campaign. I'm thinking of using the Psionics is Different option but would appreciate feedback of anybody who has used this option. What are the advantages and disadvantages? For those that do use it, has it been worthwhile? I don't use that option as it unbalences Psionics to much and they're already one of the most powerful classes in the game. An example would be that every creature printed with magic resistence has no reistence to Psionics. In theory its fair as creatures with power resistence have none vs magic but theres very few creatures with power resistence- probably less than 20 or so in WoTC books. In practice (and my players agree) virtually no one would play a Wizard as a Psion is just better under these rules. Theres a few other issues as well like Antimagic being useless vs Psionics and yet it blocks out virtually everything else supernatural like breath weapons.
#3 ruhl-than_sage Jan 22, 2008 13:49:32	If you do you just have to give a lot of creatures with Magic Resistance Power Resistance too.
#4 Pennarin Jan 22, 2008 14:11:37	Hopefully 4E will solve the whole debacle of spell and power resistance. Now it will probably be "power" resistance, power in this case meaning martial, divine, etc etc.
#5 Zardnaar Jan 22, 2008 22:28:08	If you do you just have to give a lot of creatures with Magic Resistance Power Resistance too. Well Psionics is basically a varient magic sstem now and I would say better than magic except that magic is better supported in the game rules. Psionics is different rule varient may work if you houseruled MR=PR and I would also rule Anti magic/psionic aura work on the other one as well. I've been trying hard lately to balence out 3.5 as I have little intention on switching to 4th ed straight away. Basically hit Druid, Cleric, and Wizard with the nerf bat o doom (Psions catch a bit in the crossfire as well- polymorph effects for example).
#6 Kynesis Jan 31, 2008 22:08:18	I strongly favor keeping Psionics Different, though I did debate it for a long time. Despite having a (highly proficient) rules lawyer in my group, I focus on the mechanism and intention of the spell / power rather than its source (magic / divine / psionic). By way of example: Where a creature has magic resistance to charm effects, its the charm feature that stands out as being important so I grant its SR to protect it from all spells & powers that are charm based. Where a creature has magic resistance to spells because the creature is highly magical, I restrict that resistance to magic only (same for purely psionic creatures) Where a creature has special resistance (or are affected especially strongly) by one particular spell (golems for example) its the effect rather than the source that rules - psionic fire on an iron golem has the same effect as magical fire, for example. Where area effect spells that dampen or prohibit spells are concerned I tend to go with the intention of the spell, which is to dampen / prohibit all supernatural effects within the area - Anti-magic shell for example or the concentric rings about The Spire.