Author Topic: Basic Thoughts  (Read 5949 times)

Offline Asinjin

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Re: Basic Thoughts
« Reply #15 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.
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Offline Asinjin

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Re: Basic Thoughts
« Reply #16 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?
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Offline Asinjin

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Re: Basic Thoughts
« Reply #17 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?
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Offline Hero

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Re: Basic Thoughts
« Reply #18 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?

Offline Hero

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Re: Basic Thoughts
« Reply #19 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).

Offline Hero

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Re: Basic Thoughts
« Reply #20 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.

Offline Hero

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Re: Basic Thoughts
« Reply #21 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.


Offline Asinjin

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Re: Basic Thoughts
« Reply #22 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.
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Offline Asinjin

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Re: Basic Thoughts
« Reply #23 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?
The hand that rolls the Dice rules the world.

Offline Asinjin

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Re: Basic Thoughts
« Reply #24 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.
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Offline Hero

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Re: Basic Thoughts
« Reply #25 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?”

Offline Hero

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Re: Basic Thoughts
« Reply #26 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.

Offline Asinjin

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Re: Basic Thoughts
« Reply #27 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.
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Offline Hero

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Re: Basic Thoughts
« Reply #28 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?

Offline Asinjin

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Re: Basic Thoughts
« Reply #29 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.
The hand that rolls the Dice rules the world.