Psionics...

[Andyr]

I've been thinking about how to best implement a psionics system for Lands of Intrigue for a while, and sparked by a recent thread at FW thought I'd post stuff in the public room here for peoples' input.

 

I've got some threads in the LoI workrooms which I'll transfer relevant points of across. At some point.

 

Here's a brief overview:

 

1. 2E vs 3.5E rules as a basis. 2E has 3 disciplines, and no power levels. 3.5E has 6 disciplines of power, organised like spell levels. I do want to have some sort of power point method.

 

2. I want to make 3 separate types of psionic character, with no racial restrictions. These are the Psion (similar to a mage), the Psychic Warrior (a warrior with a few powrs), and the Soulknife (a thief who can manifest a mental knife, but no other powers). The soulknife is already done.

 

One way I have thought I can do it is base the psion on a fighter or thief as a kit (so all races can pick them) then script it to turn you into a make. The mage's spellbook can be disabled, and abilties can be chosen to make something similar to a sorceror casting - wise, though abilities would be in the Special Abilities tab. I cannot directly copy the Sorceror. I can use this method for the Psychic Warrior too.

 

I intend to modify psionic creatures already in the game like Githyanki and Illithid, too, though changes would be optional.

 

Any comments, suggestions or requests for more information just say!

 

EDIT: Here's the Soulknife, as coded. Standard thief HLAs at the moment. I think. May well get rid of the normal power manifestation.

 

SOULKNIFE:A soulknife recognises his or her own mind as the most beautiful and deadly thing in all creation. With practice, they have learned to forge their mental strength into a semisolid blade of pure psychic energy. This weapon, known as a mind blade, means that even when unarmed the soulknife is but a thought away from a deadly strike.

 

Advantages:

- Can achieve Mastery in short swords.

- Can manifest Level 1 powers once per day per 10 levels.

- Can manifest a Mind Blade once per day per 10 levels. This short sword is a psionic weapon that lasts for 1 round/level, and counts as being of +5 enchantment. Each hit heals the Soulknife 1HP. Thac0 bonus and damage improve by 1 per 5 levels, to a maximum of +5 at level 25.

 

Disadvantages:

- Cannot set traps.

- Only gets 15 skill points per level.

[Corradun]

Did you explore using the mana-based spell system that Max created but making it available only to the psionic classes?

[SimDing0]

Might be fun if the mind blade's range increased with level as well. Think IWD's version of Mordenkainen's Sword (yet another way in which IWD is so much better than BG2).

[jester]

Yes, I must say that MS in IWD was my favourite mage weapon. Would be nice. No traps hurts a lot though. Not even HLA traps?

[Andyr]

Am taking suggestions. Range is a nice idea.

[Moongaze]

What types of Psionics are you planning on using? Specific "spheres" or a mix of them all?

Btw, glad my topic at FW sparked some creativity. ^^;;

[Andyr]

Yeh, figured it was time for a public thread.

 

Don't know whether to use the 2E 3 disciplines, or the 3E 6 disciplines.

[Corradun]

Actually 2E had 6 disciplines but the way they broke it down was different. The disciplines were Clairsentience, Psychometabolism, Psychokinesis, Psychoportation, Telepathy, and Metapsionics. Metapsionics was sort of a catch-all for any psionics that altered other psionics. You can get the PDF versions of the 2nd Edition books at RPGNow! Try these links if you are interested:

 

http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?cPa...b3bc4f648be9cf8

 

http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?cPa...oducts_id=1232&

 

The Complete Psionics Handbook and the Will and the Way are by far the most important to the 2nd Edition Psionics system.

[Andyr]

Ah, thanks.

[Barren Fischa]

Mayhaps you can implement mental combat with other psionic creatures? (Yuan-ti, Illithids...)

[Corradun]

In essence mental combat happens when a mage summons an elemental or lesser elemental, so perhaps we could use the same (or at least a similar) simulation for other creatures.

[Andyr]

Psionic attack and defence modes against specifically psionic foes were in 3E but dropped for 3.5E due to being largely pointless. I do not know whether they were in 2E or not...

[Bri]

They did have a variety of attack and defense modes, and some were better than others in 2nd Edition. I'm at school, so I don't have the book handy...Ah, gotta love Ego Whip.

[Corradun]

Psionic Attack Modes from 2E:

 

Psionic Blast

Psychic Crush

Mind Thrust

Ego Whip

Id Insinuation

 

Psionic Defense Modes:

 

Tower of Iron Will

Intellect Fortress

Mental Barrier

Thought Shield

Mind Blank

 

The PSP cost was progressively higher from bottom to top of the list ( i.e. Mind Blank cost 0 PSP's but Tower of Iron Will is 8 PSP's or something like that).

[Andyr]

Yeh, the 3E ones had the same names.

 

I'm not sure there are sufficient psionic enemies in the game to warrant inclusion of psionic combat modes. And they are almost useless against non - psionic creatures...