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SolidSnake
Here for a while
(1/30/03 1:18:37 pm)
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Psionics: Your experiences
As some of you may know I have been running a RttToEE for quite some time with a psionic character in the party (Psion, Savant), but I continuously question whether or not he is at a handicap as compared to his comrades. I was wondering if any of you all have a psion in one of your parties and what your experiences have been with them working in the dynamic of other core character classes. I have allowed Mind's Eye stuff and ITCK rules, but it seems as though the player isn't as effective as I had hoped...now this could be due to the fact that he isn't using all of his options strategically, but it is also may be the way the class is set up....I just don't know. I am really hesitant to mess with the rules on this class unless it is absolutely necessary. Anyways, any thoughts you guys have would be most appreciated (I know this seems like a "psionic rules" question, but I only ask as it relates to my RttToEE campaign...so I think I am in the clear on this one ).
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JLXC
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(1/31/03 12:24:36 am)
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Re: Psionics: Your experiences
Well my group seems to think my party Psion is "Broken" in power, though I think it's the Kewl factor and they are wrong.
I have a gnome Psion/Savant. She has Master Dorje and Greater Psionic Focus / Psychokinesis. (To single out the major Feats) She also has a Maxed out CON which gives her enough HPs to scare everyone.
Master Dorje is almost bent if you allow a Psion to purchase Rods with a single charge at cost, I don't allow that (Double cost and percentage chance for each getting harder with higher level ones in my game). Even still it makes the character much more flexible (the party Sorceror bitches all the time.)
I run out of power on a constant basis, it's bad. Of course I think it's because I'm the only one pulling the weight as the Cleric and Sorceror are constantly saving spells that they should be using "Just in case." Disintegrate is absolutely terrifying from her. Usually d20+19 to set the Fort Save! Combined with Greater Power Penetration, she shoots, she scores. Of course I go through my PP at record speed. If the party Sorceror had bothered to try to play a sorceror instead of a "Archer/Sorceror/Something" his character would so outshine mine as to be scary. Other than HPs for being a Savant, there would be no competition at all. The Sorceror just has so many more spells it is unbelievable.
I have tried to "Twink" her as much as possible and I tell you that she is just about as good as any other class. Of course this is a twinked to the max Psion/Savant. I tried several other types of psions and they absoultely were useless. Having no HPs, and No Armor, and No BAB, and very few spells = Pure Suck IMHO.
So in a game where combat plays a key role, I have found Psions that are not Savants to be worthless and worse yet, a liability to a party hoping they could fill that role.
Do not Meddle in the Affairs of Dragons,
for you are Crunchy & good with Ketchup
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Grumgarr
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(1/31/03 3:33:54 am)
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Re: Psionics: Your experiences
I can't comment on the Psion. There are none currently in play IMC. I do have a straight PsyWar (now 11th level) though, and he's pretty impressive.
He has a unique brand of combat effectiveness (all claw and fang) - his powers last all day and make him a virtually unkillable beast (Combination of Biofeedbackand Claws of the Vampire means he doesn't run out of hp so long as he keeps on hitting).
I houseruled Magic vs. Psionics so that Dispel Magic can undo Psi powers, but they get a four-level 'difference-buffer', so Displelling his powers is not easy (effectively 15th level).
He's been a level or two behind, but has caught up and I'm expecting his impact (pun absolutely intended) to increase.
He can now whip out +3 natural weapons (Metaphysical Body) to deal with DR and Inertial Barrier to keep damage down - his BAB is a little behind the pure fighters but he still gets 4 attacks a round (before Hustle or Haste).
PsyWars, at least, are not a weak option. Plus, he can try a Psionic Attack if he likes. Let's see the fighters do that!
Grumgarr
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Siobharek 
Still here? Wow.
(1/31/03 5:03:34 am)
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Re: Psionics: Your experiences
I replaced Tippesh with a psion. She mass concussed my entire party pretty good. So good in fact, that the main warrior went in deliberately to take her down. IIRC, I forgot to have her manifest inertial barrier. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
Siobharek
...it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing. |
Andorax
Still here? Wow.
(1/31/03 7:27:44 am)
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Re: Psionics: Your experiences
I've found Shapers who go heavily into Astral Constructs to be exceedingly effective as well, even without the "Constructor" prestige class from The Mind's Eye.
I also have no doubt that, especially with as many human and humanoid creatures are lurking in the CRM, someone who twinks a Telepath as well as JXLC twinked his Savant could be outright terrifying. Why pretend to be a Cleric of the EEE when you can have the real thing for your very own?
I have no idea where the impresison that Psionics are underpowered comes from. I've heard all the arguments, then I've seen it in play. In play, I've found them to be quite effective.
"Whadda ya mean, Orcs get levels too?!?" |
SolidSnake
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(1/31/03 9:41:47 am)
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Cool
That is what I thought too...I guess if the guy isn't "twinked" he seems like he isnt as powerful and so the result is that the class itself is blamed. I think the guy playing him doesn't tend to "Jack" his PCs...this may be a problem given the gravity of this module though. He is an 8th level psion savant and does automatic damage to everyone he wants (SR aside), so I really don't understand why other players continual rag on his class and how it sucks. The problem, I think, is when people just don't create the character effectively from a mechanical standpoint...I had hoped that he would have figured out how to be effective in his field by now but I guess I will have to wait a while for his tactics to improve.
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Andorax
Still here? Wow.
(1/31/03 2:21:01 pm)
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Re: Cool
"...does automatic damage to everyone he wants (SR aside)..."
Concussion?
You might want to take him aside at some point (or email, phone, fax, whatever you use to communicate between sessions) and point out to him the rules for Ready an Action, followed by reminding him the DCs of making spellcraft checks when you're damaged mid-casting.
Concussion is a great concentration-breaker. "I ready an action to whomp him when he starts casting his next clerical *ooga booga* spell".
"Whadda ya mean, Orcs get levels too?!?" |
 Infiniti2000
Here to stay
(1/31/03 2:25:07 pm)
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ezSupporter
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Re: Cool
"I ready an action to whomp him when he starts casting his next clerical *ooga booga* spell".
Would that be a Tharizdun-granted spell only? I haven't seen it yet, though it seemed like the famous spell, "Cause Infinit2000 to Squirt Sprite Out of His Nose". 
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Boden Blagden
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(1/31/03 4:28:21 pm)
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Re: Cool
I think a Psion or Psionic warrior can be completely over powering. I had a guy playing a psionic warrior in my game and he used everything to his advantage as mcuh as he could. He used animal afinity and percetant power all the time along with psycho metabolism and such. He completely tryed to make his character invincible. His only bane really was wizards.
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SolidSnake
Here for a while
(1/31/03 8:44:27 pm)
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YES!
"You might want to take him aside at some point (or email, phone, fax, whatever you use to communicate between sessions) and point out to him the rules for Ready an Action, followed by reminding him the DCs of making spellcraft checks when you're damaged mid-casting"
He just recently got this...I was so proud!
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Aluvial
Here for a while
(2/1/03 6:25:09 am)
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Re: YES!
Biofeedback can equalize almost any other deficiency a psionic character may face.
The Psy War / Fighter in my campaign uses it to keep on his feet... Any heals after a bit of damage are basically doubled when they also knock out subual as well as heal HP. It's like burning a candle at both ends....
Aluvial
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SolidSnake
Here for a while
(2/1/03 7:19:14 am)
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Re:YES!
"Biofeedback can equalize almost any other deficiency a psionic character may face."
This is what I'm talking about! Why is there this stigma against the class? There are SO many options available to psions...and to think that I was about to cave until you guys reminded me how cool it was to be a psionicist again! Thanks guys.
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