Habololy Forum

Habololy Books => Guide to Psionics => Topic started by: Asinjin on February 15, 2019, 12:13:08 PM

Title: Basic Thoughts
Post by: Asinjin on February 15, 2019, 12:13:08 PM
Our first big project in a while, I want to move our system away from the 'might as well be a wizard with different spells'.

Here are some thoughts:

- No more leveled powers, rather they will be split into devotions and sciences (as in 2nd ed)

- Characters will take blocks of powers containing an effect, two devotions, and a science (as in 5th edition)

- Power points that can activate powers based on the cost of the power

- Powers will not have cost per round or duration per round, but rather a set time at activation

- Psionic focus as in 3rd edition, which will be required to activate powers

- Saves based on the relevant ability score of the power (using four of the six)

- Power points based on those same four powers
Title: Re: Basic Thoughts
Post by: Malchia on February 15, 2019, 02:42:14 PM
Would there be different basic classes or still Psion, Psychic Warrior, and Wilder?
Title: Re: Basic Thoughts
Post by: Asinjin on February 15, 2019, 05:43:46 PM
Would there be different basic classes or still Psion, Psychic Warrior, and Wilder?

There will at least be Psion and psychic warrior.
Title: Re: Basic Thoughts
Post by: Hero on February 18, 2019, 08:41:12 PM
I really hope “Basic Thoughts” is the title of the psion book.
Title: Re: Basic Thoughts
Post by: Hero on February 18, 2019, 08:44:21 PM
- Characters will take blocks of powers containing an effect, two devotions, and a science (as in 5th edition)
Is this what we’re calling a “discipline” in the other thread?
Title: Re: Basic Thoughts
Post by: Asinjin on February 18, 2019, 09:07:53 PM
I really hope “Basic Thoughts” is the title of the psion book.

 :o
Title: Re: Basic Thoughts
Post by: Asinjin on February 18, 2019, 09:08:07 PM
Is this what we’re calling a “discipline” in the other thread?

Yes
Title: Re: Basic Thoughts
Post by: Windblade on February 18, 2019, 09:25:47 PM
I really hope “Basic Thoughts” is the title of the psion book.

I just assumed that was the case. Haha!
Title: Re: Basic Thoughts
Post by: Asinjin on February 18, 2019, 09:55:39 PM
I just assumed that was the case. Haha!

My working title was Mental Discipline.
Title: Re: Basic Thoughts
Post by: Asinjin on February 21, 2019, 01:13:54 PM
I am thinking of two classes: Psion and Psychic Warrior.

For wilder, I am thinking it is a generic prestige class not unlike the oddsmaker instead of a class.  Thoughts?
Title: Re: Basic Thoughts
Post by: Malchia on February 21, 2019, 01:27:13 PM
I am thinking of two classes: Psion and Psychic Warrior.

For wilder, I am thinking it is a generic prestige class not unlike the oddsmaker instead of a class.  Thoughts?
Adding Wilder as a prestige class wouldn't be a bad idea. 

Would these newly revised Psion and Psychic Warrior classes be compatible with pre-existing prestige classes like the Psychic Theurge?   
Title: Re: Basic Thoughts
Post by: Asinjin on February 21, 2019, 01:30:33 PM
Adding Wilder as a prestige class wouldn't be a bad idea. 

Would these newly revised Psion and Psychic Warrior classes be compatible with pre-existing prestige classes like the Psychic Theurge?

I will have to revamp the prestige classes after this is done, but I will make it work.
Title: Re: Basic Thoughts
Post by: Malchia on March 08, 2019, 12:37:14 PM
When do you anticipate this handbook to be completed?
Title: Re: Basic Thoughts
Post by: Asinjin on March 08, 2019, 06:12:12 PM
When do you anticipate this handbook to be completed?

Summer
Title: Re: Basic Thoughts
Post by: Malchia on March 08, 2019, 06:17:23 PM
When it comes out, will we be allowed to retool any existing psionic characters or will they be grandfathered in to the current system?
Title: Re: Basic Thoughts
Post by: Asinjin on March 08, 2019, 10:42:51 PM
When it comes out, will we be allowed to retool any existing psionic characters or will they be grandfathered in to the current system?

It will be your choice which system you would like to use for existing characters.
Title: Re: Basic Thoughts
Post by: Asinjin on March 30, 2019, 09:44:04 AM
Currently, the psion has to pick a discipline at 1st level.  In the 3rd ed rules that means that they have extra powers to select from which only psions of that discipline can select; and they get some extra class skills.  We will be getting rid of the powers which are only accessible to these specialists.

Should a psion still have to pick a specialty and they just get the bonus class skills?

Should a specialty be an option, which if they take they get someone else?  If so, what else?
Title: Re: Basic Thoughts
Post by: Asinjin on May 09, 2019, 11:18:27 AM
For Psychic Warrior; my thought is that they get a total of 11 disciplines, at every even level with an additional one at first.

For power points, they get 2 per level, plus the standard bonus when a discipline is taken.

Thoughts?
Title: Re: Basic Thoughts
Post by: Hero on May 13, 2019, 10:37:26 PM
We will have to determine how concentrating works in 3.5 because it is much different in 5th.  I think you can do a lot of things in 5th when concentrating on something where as in 3.5 it is an action.  Maybe we just make an initial concentration check and that abilities stays active until you have to concentrate on something else.
So in 3.5, "psionic focus" is a full round concentration check. You keep it until you voluntarily expend it on metapsionic/psionic feat, go to sleep/unconscious, die, or run out of power points. Maybe use that mechanic?
Title: Re: Basic Thoughts
Post by: Hero on May 13, 2019, 10:47:29 PM
Is the plan to require concentration on a power block in order to use those powers and gain the benefit of the continuous effect?

A full round action to switch powers (if we use the psionic focus mecahnic) would be severe drawback in that instance.

Maybe also consider concentration granting access to 1 continuous power, but the psion could use powers from any block of the same type (psychometabolic, telepathy, etc).
Title: Re: Basic Thoughts
Post by: Hero on May 13, 2019, 10:50:21 PM
Also, "discipline" in 3.5 means one of the six types (psychometabolic, telepathy, etc.). Using the "discipline" as the name for the power blocks and using the six types as "specialties" in the descriptions is a little confusing.
Title: Re: Basic Thoughts
Post by: Hero on May 13, 2019, 11:21:21 PM
I think restricting access to psionic powers to a set of 3 in a block based on concentration may be too limiting.

For example, if you were concentrating on the “Claw” power block, you would get a set of natural claw attacks as the continuous power. Neat. If you then wanted to add poison to your claw attacks via the “prevenom” power in the “Poison” block, you would have to switch concentration, thereby losing your claws.

Title: Re: Basic Thoughts
Post by: Asinjin on May 13, 2019, 11:39:29 PM
So in 3.5, "psionic focus" is a full round concentration check. You keep it until you voluntarily expend it on metapsionic/psionic feat, go to sleep/unconscious, die, or run out of power points. Maybe use that mechanic?

Yes, with the added that if you change disciplines, you can to re-focus.
Title: Re: Basic Thoughts
Post by: Asinjin on May 13, 2019, 11:41:04 PM
Is the plan to require concentration on a power block in order to use those powers and gain the benefit of the continuous effect?

A full round action to switch powers (if we use the psionic focus mecahnic) would be severe drawback in that instance.

Maybe also consider concentration granting access to 1 continuous power, but the psion could use powers from any block of the same type (psychometabolic, telepathy, etc).

That s the plan.  Perhaps we reduce the time to re-focus if you choose a different discipline with the same type?
Title: Re: Basic Thoughts
Post by: Asinjin on May 13, 2019, 11:45:24 PM
I think restricting access to psionic powers to a set of 3 in a block based on concentration may be too limiting.

For example, if you were concentrating on the “Claw” power block, you would get a set of natural claw attacks as the continuous power. Neat. If you then wanted to add poison to your claw attacks via the “prevenom” power in the “Poison” block, you would have to switch concentration, thereby losing your claws.

We may have to test this out to find out if it is.  At higher levels, you can maintain two blocks at once.  Also, blocks that are part of a chain can all be maintained.  So by 11th level, you could have four blocks active at once.  I think going more than that might be too powerful.
Title: Re: Basic Thoughts
Post by: Hero on May 16, 2019, 06:18:04 PM
Also, "discipline" in 3.5 means one of the six types (psychometabolic, telepathy, etc.). Using the "discipline" as the name for the power blocks and using the six types as "specialties" in the descriptions is a little confusing.
Ooh, how about calling the power blocks “talents?”
Title: Re: Basic Thoughts
Post by: Hero on May 26, 2019, 01:43:39 PM
Will powers be augmentable?

In 3.5, augmentation is how powers scale with level. For instance, basic Mind Thrust deals 1d10 damage. Augment allows you to spend more PP to deal more damage (+1 PP = +1d10), with a cap based on manifester level, so that way a 15th level psion isn’t stuck with a power that only deals 1d10 damage. 3.5 powers were designed to be augmentable - if we don’t use that mechanic, we’ll need to figure out how to scale them so they stay relevant, or psionics won’t have much relative output at mid to high levels.
Title: Re: Basic Thoughts
Post by: Asinjin on May 26, 2019, 03:59:08 PM
Will powers be augmentable?

In 3.5, augmentation is how powers scale with level. For instance, basic Mind Thrust deals 1d10 damage. Augment allows you to spend more PP to deal more damage (+1 PP = +1d10), with a cap based on manifester level, so that way a 15th level psion isn’t stuck with a power that only deals 1d10 damage. 3.5 powers were designed to be augmentable - if we don’t use that mechanic, we’ll need to figure out how to scale them so they stay relevant, or psionics won’t have much relative output at mid to high levels.

The augmentation rules as they exist will have to change.  Not sure in what form we will keep them.  Open to thoughts.
Title: Re: Basic Thoughts
Post by: Hero on May 26, 2019, 05:05:30 PM
The augmentation rules as they exist will have to change.
What are the issues with the existing 3.5 augmentation rules?
Title: Re: Basic Thoughts
Post by: Asinjin on May 26, 2019, 11:25:07 PM
What are the issues with the existing 3.5 augmentation rules?

I have lowered the cost of most powers.
Title: Re: Basic Thoughts
Post by: Asinjin on May 31, 2019, 12:18:13 PM
Recap so far:

- hp will be d4 (same)
- Fort and Will good saves (adds Fort)
- 2+ skill points per level (same)
- all simple weapons (improvement)
- light armor (improvement)
- base skills (same)
- bonus feats (same)
Title: Re: Basic Thoughts
Post by: Asinjin on December 02, 2020, 09:55:47 PM
Entering a discipline takes a move action and cannot be done more than once per round.
Title: Re: Basic Thoughts
Post by: Hero on July 26, 2022, 11:10:31 AM
How do DCs work now if powers no longer have levels?
Title: Re: Basic Thoughts
Post by: Malchia on August 27, 2022, 06:11:53 PM
Is there any way we could get a revised/updated copy of Mental Discipline posted to OneDrive?  The version available now doesn't have much usable information, nor does it feature the Psychic Warrior class.  Almost all entries are highlighted in yellow and either incomplete or placeholders pasted in from another supplement.  I realize it's a work in progress, but I'd like to learn more about the new system and am unable to in its current state.

Also, is there a list of all disciplines, talents, and feats in one easy to access document?  I can't seem to find anything short of trolling through all these postings and it's really time consuming.  If all these things could be included in the handbook, even better.
Title: Re: Basic Thoughts
Post by: Asinjin on August 28, 2022, 12:15:54 PM
Most up to date one added to onedrive.
Title: Re: Basic Thoughts
Post by: Malchia on August 28, 2022, 05:42:50 PM
Most up to date one added to onedrive.
I checked the file details and saw the updated time stamp, so I guess I must've already had the most current version, because it's the same one I saw before with incomplete entries and no Psychic Warrior.