Psychics instead of Psionics - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Psychics instead of Psionics

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
zombiegleemax
Jul 16, 2004 14:18:06 I've been a Player for over 15 years and a DM since the first DS boxed set came out and the one thing I really liked about the setting was all the integration of psionics. Granted the 2e psionics had its problems but it somehow 'felt' right and the fact that it used a different system than magic helped with that 'feel'.

I haven't played DS in about 2 or 3 years but with the advent of the two articles in Dragon and Dungeon (about which I will not comment) I am again considering running a DS campaign.

My question is as follows, has anybody tried using a skill-like psi system like the Star Wars Force Powers or the more recent Psychic's Handbook by Green Ronin Press for Athas? Having read the 3e psionics handbook and the XPH I fid them sorely laking and representative of the whole 'video game' mentality so prevalent in the new editions.

For those not familiar with 'psychic' abilities they are basically skills that mimic the classical psionic powers (i.e. Clairsentience, Psychometabolism, Psychokinesis, Psychoportation & Telepathy) and Feats that allow access to these skills and create enhanced efects. Use of the skills causes non-lethal damage or fatigue. I think there's a few good homebrews out there for anyone to check out.
#2
Dragonhelm
Jul 16, 2004 14:46:37 I've not used a skill-and-feat system for Dark Sun, but I do find such systems to be enjoyable. I've played with the Force system for Star Wars (which captures the feel of the d6 Force rules nicely), and had lots of fun.

I have the The Psychic's Handbook myself, and while I haven't had a chance to use it yet, I can say that it is a good alternate to the XPH. If you liked the 2e system at all, you'll love this.

I definitely recommend it.
#3
nytcrawlr
Jul 16, 2004 15:26:02 /me adds that to his list then

I remember there being a decent skill/feat psionic system back in the day when 3.0 first came out, and it was a D20 system obviously.

Can't remember the guy who did it, but he had a whole site dedicated to alternate D20 rules for use in D&D.
#4
Dragonhelm
Jul 17, 2004 18:20:08 Are you thinking of Ken Hood's skill-and-feat system?
#5
zombiegleemax
Jul 17, 2004 19:05:06 I've looked at Ken Hood's system and it was very good although i think it was a little too close to his setting (I think it was called Sleeping Imperium) and a little too sci-fi for DS.

I've always felt that psi should be very discreet and not at all flashy otherwise what's the difference from magic?

In my previous DS campaigns and the one i intend to start up again i restrict disciplines to clairsentience, psychometabolism and telepathy with other powers as wild talents. However the PrCs in the Psychic's Handbook are very interesting (the Pyro in particular is très kewl) and i was thinking of letting the players have the more advanced (and more far-fetched) powers as PrCs, anybody got any good ideas for a TK and maybe even a teleporter?
#6
nytcrawlr
Jul 19, 2004 15:12:44
Originally posted by Dragonhelm
Are you thinking of Ken Hood's skill-and-feat system?

That would be the one, merci.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 zombiegleemax Jul 16, 2004 14:18:06	I've been a Player for over 15 years and a DM since the first DS boxed set came out and the one thing I really liked about the setting was all the integration of psionics. Granted the 2e psionics had its problems but it somehow 'felt' right and the fact that it used a different system than magic helped with that 'feel'. I haven't played DS in about 2 or 3 years but with the advent of the two articles in Dragon and Dungeon (about which I will not comment) I am again considering running a DS campaign. My question is as follows, has anybody tried using a skill-like psi system like the Star Wars Force Powers or the more recent Psychic's Handbook by Green Ronin Press for Athas? Having read the 3e psionics handbook and the XPH I fid them sorely laking and representative of the whole 'video game' mentality so prevalent in the new editions. For those not familiar with 'psychic' abilities they are basically skills that mimic the classical psionic powers (i.e. Clairsentience, Psychometabolism, Psychokinesis, Psychoportation & Telepathy) and Feats that allow access to these skills and create enhanced efects. Use of the skills causes non-lethal damage or fatigue. I think there's a few good homebrews out there for anyone to check out.
#2 Dragonhelm Jul 16, 2004 14:46:37	I've not used a skill-and-feat system for Dark Sun, but I do find such systems to be enjoyable. I've played with the Force system for Star Wars (which captures the feel of the d6 Force rules nicely), and had lots of fun. I have the The Psychic's Handbook myself, and while I haven't had a chance to use it yet, I can say that it is a good alternate to the XPH. If you liked the 2e system at all, you'll love this. I definitely recommend it.
#3 nytcrawlr Jul 16, 2004 15:26:02	/me adds that to his list then I remember there being a decent skill/feat psionic system back in the day when 3.0 first came out, and it was a D20 system obviously. Can't remember the guy who did it, but he had a whole site dedicated to alternate D20 rules for use in D&D.
#4 Dragonhelm Jul 17, 2004 18:20:08	Are you thinking of Ken Hood's skill-and-feat system?
#5 zombiegleemax Jul 17, 2004 19:05:06	I've looked at Ken Hood's system and it was very good although i think it was a little too close to his setting (I think it was called Sleeping Imperium) and a little too sci-fi for DS. I've always felt that psi should be very discreet and not at all flashy otherwise what's the difference from magic? In my previous DS campaigns and the one i intend to start up again i restrict disciplines to clairsentience, psychometabolism and telepathy with other powers as wild talents. However the PrCs in the Psychic's Handbook are very interesting (the Pyro in particular is très kewl) and i was thinking of letting the players have the more advanced (and more far-fetched) powers as PrCs, anybody got any good ideas for a TK and maybe even a teleporter?
#6 nytcrawlr Jul 19, 2004 15:12:44	Originally posted by Dragonhelm Are you thinking of Ken Hood's skill-and-feat system? That would be the one, merci.