Psionics - Revision history

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2023-06-22T15:10:44Z

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1d4chan>ThatOneBruvva: /* Pathfinder */

2023-02-02T18:29:42Z

Pathfinder

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:29, 2 February 2023
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	{{Pathfinder-Classes}}		{{Pathfinder-Classes}}

			{{3rd Party}}
	However, for those who want the more classic 3.X Experience, 3pp producer Dreamscarred Press also ported forward the Psionics system, with a few new bits. The biggest changes here are the total destruction any remnants of non-transparency between psionics and normal magic beyond their separate knowledge skills and counterspelling nobody uses anyways, replacing XP penalties (which no longer exist in PF) with negative levels on yourself, and ditching the convention of giving names to powers that are the same name as a spells but with ", psionic" tacked on in favor of unique names. This type of psioncs is ''technically'' canon in [[Golarion]], as there's a handful of mentions from back when Pathfinder was third party supplements for 3.5.		However, for those who want the more classic 3.X Experience, 3pp producer Dreamscarred Press also ported forward the Psionics system, with a few new bits. The biggest changes here are the total destruction any remnants of non-transparency between psionics and normal magic beyond their separate knowledge skills and counterspelling nobody uses anyways, replacing XP penalties (which no longer exist in PF) with negative levels on yourself, and ditching the convention of giving names to powers that are the same name as a spells but with ", psionic" tacked on in favor of unique names. This type of psioncs is ''technically'' canon in [[Golarion]], as there's a handful of mentions from back when Pathfinder was third party supplements for 3.5.
	*The '''[[Psion]]''' is still here and the primary casty-type with Wizard-tier Discipline specializations. Generalist option has been added, which gives up discipline access (without Expanded Knowledge) in exchange for bonus feats (which explicitly can be used for Expanded Knowledge, though still carry the penalty of being behind in level). No longer gets a psicrystal at first level, instead it gets a feat that can pick any psionic feat, including the one that gives you a psicrystal (a slight tweak that makes them more customizable). Further books added variant specializations akin to what Wizards sub-schools got, with the generalist getting a (much nerfed) version of [[Erudite]].		*The '''[[Psion]]''' is still here and the primary casty-type with Wizard-tier Discipline specializations. Generalist option has been added, which gives up discipline access (without Expanded Knowledge) in exchange for bonus feats (which explicitly can be used for Expanded Knowledge, though still carry the penalty of being behind in level). No longer gets a psicrystal at first level, instead it gets a feat that can pick any psionic feat, including the one that gives you a psicrystal (a slight tweak that makes them more customizable). Further books added variant specializations akin to what Wizards sub-schools got, with the generalist getting a (much nerfed) version of [[Erudite]].
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	*The '''Marksman''' is a low-tier Psionic class that focuses more on shooting things like a Ranger.		*The '''Marksman''' is a low-tier Psionic class that focuses more on shooting things like a Ranger.
	*The '''Cryptic''' is the Psionic [[Rogue]], only with strange ways to mess with people by screwing with reality in small ways.		*The '''Cryptic''' is the Psionic [[Rogue]], only with strange ways to mess with people by screwing with reality in small ways.
	*The '''Aegis''' is kind of like the opposite number to the Soulknife: rather than making weapons, these guys make suits of psionic armor (available in either barely-there skin, average armor, or heavy behemoth armor) and selecting a set of mods to give their armor special functions.		*The '''[[Aegis]]''' is kind of like the opposite number to the Soulknife: rather than making weapons, these guys make suits of psionic armor (available in either barely-there skin, average armor, or heavy behemoth armor) and selecting a set of mods to give their armor special functions.
	*The '''Tactician''' is a psionic mastermind, a combat leader with better powers. They focus on gathering allies into a collective consciousness and spreading out bonuses and benefits to the members when necessary.		*The '''Tactician''' is a psionic mastermind, a combat leader with better powers. They focus on gathering allies into a collective consciousness and spreading out bonuses and benefits to the members when necessary.
	*The '''[[Vitalist]]''' is the answer to anyone complaining that Psionics has shit healing. Like the Tactician, they work based on a collective and spread out any heals among the party. Unlike most healer classes, they're actually quite acceptable at things other than healing. Psionics makes it really easy to get powers from another list and one options built into the class focuses on vampiric healing.		*The '''[[Vitalist]]''' is the answer to anyone complaining that Psionics has shit healing. Like the Tactician, they work based on a collective and spread out any heals among the party. Unlike most healer classes, they're actually quite acceptable at things other than healing. Psionics makes it really easy to get powers from another list and one options built into the class focuses on vampiric healing.

184.97.221.99: /* Star Wars */

2022-02-28T00:12:22Z

Star Wars

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:12, 28 February 2022
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	Unfortunately for the person who wrote the above, this isn't how the Force works. The Force has a consciousness and will of its own, making Force abilities more akin to divine magic than psionics.		Unfortunately for the person who wrote the above, this isn't how the Force works. The Force has a consciousness and will of its own, making Force abilities more akin to divine magic than psionics.

	Unfortunately the person who wrote the second paragraph has drunk too deep from the cup of cartoon, Disney Star Wars nonsense. No one in the galaxy knows how the Force works. The Force definitely does not come from something ridiculous like a single being with two children, representing the Force in a way that totally fumbles George Lucas' original vision. No; that would be silly. It's whitewashed Buddhism in space, y'all. If you think hard, you can lift stuff with your mind, or fool people by waving your hand. If you're a big meanie, you can shoot lightning from your hands. Don't overthink it.		Unfortunately the person who wrote the second paragraph has drunk too deep from the cup of cartoon, Disney Star Wars nonsense. No one in the galaxy knows how the Force works. The Force definitely does not come from something ridiculous like a single being with two children, representing the Force in a way that totally fumbles George Lucas' original vision. (Even though the single being with two children was made when George was still running things before the dark times of Disney) No; that would be silly. It's whitewashed Buddhism in space, y'all. If you think hard, you can lift stuff with your mind, or fool people by waving your hand. If you're a big meanie, you can shoot lightning from your hands. Don't overthink it.

	==Star Trek==		==Star Trek==

1d4chan>Piroko: /* Warhammer 40k */

2021-03-27T03:18:29Z

Warhammer 40k

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:18, 27 March 2021
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	Psionics in 40k is really just fantasy magic because it has most of the classic tropes: rituals, magic circles, demon summoning, magic words, etc. But Games Workshop wants it to have a veneer of sci-fi so it still gets called psionics instead of wizards in space like it really is. Actual "sorcerers" in the setting are psykers who have made pacts with the Chaos Gods and wield what the Imperium considers black magic.		Psionics in 40k is really just fantasy magic because it has most of the classic tropes: rituals, magic circles, demon summoning, magic words, etc. But Games Workshop wants it to have a veneer of sci-fi so it still gets called psionics instead of wizards in space like it really is. Actual "sorcerers" in the setting are psykers who have made pacts with the Chaos Gods and wield what the Imperium considers black magic.

	In most fantasy and sci-fi settings, being a wizard is generally awesome, but being a psyker in WH40K is more trouble than it's worth. If you are born a psyker but don't get training, you will be prone to madness or even demon possession. If the Imperium finds you, they'll rip you from your family and community and ship you off to Earth to be judged if you're worthy of being turned into a slave. If you are judged capable of controlling your powers, you will be trained and turned into a "sanctioned psyker", which means you'll be a slave for life. Psykers, even the sanctioned ones, don't get to live free lives selling their talents to whoever can pay. They have to serve the Imperium either as psychic telegram operators or as psychic artillery on the battlefield. And if you're judged incapable of serving these roles because you're too weak, you will be sacrificed to the Emperor so that he can keep his magic lighthouse lit.		In most fantasy and sci-fi settings, being a wizard is generally awesome, but being a psyker in WH40K is more trouble than it's worth. If you are born a psyker but don't get training, you will be prone to madness or even demon possession. If the Imperium finds you, they'll rip you from your family and community ''[[grimdark\|(and maybe exterminate them for safety)]]'' and ship you off to Earth to be judged if you're worthy of being turned into a slave. If you are judged capable of controlling your powers, you will be trained and turned into a "sanctioned psyker", which means you'll be a slave for life. Psykers, even the sanctioned ones, don't get to live free lives selling their talents to whoever can pay. They have to serve the Imperium either as psychic telegram operators or as psychic artillery on the battlefield. And if you're judged incapable of serving these roles because you're too weak, you will be sacrificed to the Emperor so that he can keep his magic lighthouse lit.

	==Star Wars==		==Star Wars==

2601:1C0:CA00:B170:AD80:493A:31E0:1A70: /* Star Wars */

2021-03-26T19:31:44Z

Star Wars

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:31, 26 March 2021
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	Unfortunately for the person who wrote the above, this isn't how the Force works. The Force has a consciousness and will of its own, making Force abilities more akin to divine magic than psionics.		Unfortunately for the person who wrote the above, this isn't how the Force works. The Force has a consciousness and will of its own, making Force abilities more akin to divine magic than psionics.

			Unfortunately the person who wrote the second paragraph has drunk too deep from the cup of cartoon, Disney Star Wars nonsense. No one in the galaxy knows how the Force works. The Force definitely does not come from something ridiculous like a single being with two children, representing the Force in a way that totally fumbles George Lucas' original vision. No; that would be silly. It's whitewashed Buddhism in space, y'all. If you think hard, you can lift stuff with your mind, or fool people by waving your hand. If you're a big meanie, you can shoot lightning from your hands. Don't overthink it.

	==Star Trek==		==Star Trek==

1d4chan>Zimriel at 04:23, 9 February 2021

2021-02-09T04:23:08Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:23, 9 February 2021
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	~~{{stub}}~~		'''Psionics''' is similar to [[magic]], in that it is the ability to do shit that the laws of physics say you shouldn't, but is considered more inherently "science fictiony" than magic, which is seen as the realm of fantasy. See, back when fantasy and science fiction were first getting divorced, serious people called "parapsychologists" thought psionics might be real science, and the CIA offered millions of bucks available for anyone who could give [[Team Yankee]] psychic spies they could sic on the Soviet. No, seriously; Cambridge University awarded [[Carl Lynwood Sargent]] a fucking ''doctorate'' in that. Those millions of bucks over fifty or so years came up with jack shit, but by then everyone from [[Star Wars\|Jedi]] to [[Anne McCaffrey\|dragon-riding girls]] had psychic powers and they're not gonna let real science stop 'em from being [[awesome]].

	'''Psionics''' is similar to [[magic]], in that it is the ability to do shit that the laws of physics say you shouldn't, but is considered more inherently "science fictiony" than magic, which is seen as the realm of fantasy. See, back when fantasy and science fiction were first getting divorced, serious people called "parapsychologists" thought psionics might be real science, and the CIA offered millions of bucks available for anyone who could give [[Team Yankee]] psychic spies they could sic on the Soviet. Those millions of bucks over fifty or so years came up with jack shit, but by then everyone from [[Star Wars\|Jedi]] to [[Anne McCaffrey\|dragon-riding girls]] had psychic powers and they're not gonna let real science stop 'em from being [[awesome]].

	The general definition of psionics is that it is a power that stems from the user's mind, and as such it tends to focus more on mental effects; telepathy, mind control, hallucinations/illusions and so forth. Thematically, psionics is magic stripped of the traditional religious/shamanistic flavor, which means that psychics don't use magic words, magic wands, spellbooks, don't summon demons, don't draw pentagrams on the floor, don't do human sacrifice, etc. They just put their fingers to their heads and maybe squint their eyes a little.		The general definition of psionics is that it is a power that stems from the user's mind, and as such it tends to focus more on mental effects; telepathy, mind control, hallucinations/illusions and so forth. Thematically, psionics is magic stripped of the traditional religious/shamanistic flavor, which means that psychics don't use magic words, magic wands, spellbooks, don't summon demons, don't draw pentagrams on the floor, don't do human sacrifice, etc. They just put their fingers to their heads and maybe squint their eyes a little.

	==Dungeons & Dragons==		==Dungeons & Dragons==
	Psionics has a long tradition in [[Dungeons & Dragons]]~~, and two~~ of its most iconic [[aberration]]s, the [[Aboleth]] and the [[Illithid]], are defined by their connection to it (or to magic, depending on edition). However, it's long been the black sheep, to the point that [[Gary Gygax]] himself thought that it was a bad idea to include it.		Psionics has a long tradition in [[Dungeons & Dragons]]. Two of its most iconic [[aberration]]s, the [[Aboleth]] and the [[Illithid]], are defined by their connection to it (or to magic, depending on edition). However, it's long been the black sheep, to the point that [[Gary Gygax]] himself thought that it was a bad idea to include it.

	Seriously, long-running consensus on /tg/ is that Dungeons & Dragons' psionics is cursed - that these books are not RPG supplements, but grimoires of a sadistic cult, playing with your emotions, and to have any D&D psionics book present in the room will ensure you always roll poorly. Another common opinion is that psions in D&D are overpowered. This stems time and time again from game designers trying to make psychic powers something different than spellcasting, and fucking up the game design doing it. But despite all the bitching, Third Edition psionics is still ten times easier to understand than how wizards worked, and not as powerful as a cleric abusing the shit out of using turn/rebuke undead attempts as fuel.		Seriously, long-running consensus on /tg/ is that Dungeons & Dragons' psionics is cursed - that these books are not RPG supplements, but grimoires of a sadistic cult, playing with your emotions, and to have any D&D psionics book present in the room will ensure you always roll poorly. Another common opinion is that psions in D&D are overpowered. This stems time and time again from game designers trying to make psychic powers something different than spellcasting, and fucking up the game design doing it. But despite all the bitching, Third Edition psionics is still ten times easier to understand than how wizards worked, and not as powerful as a cleric abusing the shit out of using turn/rebuke undead attempts as fuel.
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	Where magic is affiliated with a great number of magical substances, psionics are affiliated with crystals. The origin for this is uncertain. It's either a holdover from [[Dark Sun]] where crystals associated with the psionic [[Thri-kreen]] are nearly as potent a material as iron, but far less scarce, and/or new age mysticism's use of crystals.		Where magic is affiliated with a great number of magical substances, psionics are affiliated with crystals. The origin for this is uncertain. It's either a holdover from [[Dark Sun]] where crystals associated with the psionic [[Thri-kreen]] are nearly as potent a material as iron, but far less scarce, and/or new age mysticism's use of crystals.

	==~~Green Ronin's Psychic's Handbook~~==		==Third-Party Psi==
	People who preferred [[Grognard\|the old way of doing things even if they weren't as good]] generally didn't like the 3rd edition psionics and its bodybuilding telekinetics; in 2004 [[Steve Kenson]] and [[Chris Pramas]] responded to this audience with the Green Ronin published Psychics Handbook, taking the general concept of 2nd edition psionics and updating it for 3rd edition D&D and its derivatives. it presents one class, 6 prestige classes, an advanced class for D20 Modern, about 45 skills and almost 50 feats.		People who preferred [[Grognard\|the old way of doing things even if they weren't as good]] generally didn't like the 3rd edition psionics and its bodybuilding telekinetics.

			[[White Wolf]], as you might expect, got their Sword & Sorcery Studios in on this fairly early. First Malhavoc Press had [[Bruce Cordell]] do ''[[If Thoughts Could Kill]]''. Then the 'Wolf figured, hey, [[Scarred Lands]] has these mysterious Ancient Aliens in the Slarecians, so... Anyway, none of this saved the setting, nor the 'Wolf. Did we mention that RPG psi is cursed?

			In 2004 [[Steve Kenson]] and [[Chris Pramas]] responded to this audience with the Green Ronin published Psychics Handbook, taking the general concept of 2nd edition psionics and updating it for 3rd edition D&D and its derivatives. it presents one class, 6 prestige classes, an advanced class for D20 Modern, about 45 skills and almost 50 feats.

	==Alternity==		==Alternity==

207.210.131.138: /* Star Wars */

2020-12-28T20:42:47Z

Star Wars

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:42, 28 December 2020
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	==Star Wars==		==Star Wars==
	The Force in [[Star Wars]] is just a fancy name for psionics. Ironically, although treated like magic, it functions more like classic psionics; Force Users predominantly produce mental effects (the famous "Jedi Mind Trick" is basically a psychic Charm Person spell) and telekinesis, although there are more [[cake\|exotic powers]] as well - most of these tend to be Dark Side, though. Jedi are often called "space wizards" by the fans, but ironically they mostly fight with their lightsabers, only occasionally spicing up their fencing skills with a few telekinetic jabs or amazing jumps.		The Force in [[Star Wars]] is just a fancy name for psionics. Ironically, although treated like magic, it functions more like classic psionics; Force Users predominantly produce mental effects (the famous "Jedi Mind Trick" is basically a psychic Charm Person spell) and telekinesis, although there are more [[cake\|exotic powers]] as well - most of these tend to be Dark Side, though. Jedi are often called "space wizards" by the fans, but ironically they mostly fight with their lightsabers, only occasionally spicing up their fencing skills with a few telekinetic jabs or amazing jumps.

			Unfortunately for the person who wrote the above, this isn't how the Force works. The Force has a consciousness and will of its own, making Force abilities more akin to divine magic than psionics.

	==Star Trek==		==Star Trek==

1d4chan>Piroko: /* D20 Modern */

2020-11-22T04:05:03Z

D20 Modern

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:05, 22 November 2020
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	==Green Ronin's Psychic's Handbook==		==Green Ronin's Psychic's Handbook==
	People who preferred [[Grognard\|the old way of doing things even if they weren't as good]] generally didn't like the 3rd edition psionics and its bodybuilding telekinetics; in 2004 [[Steve Kenson]] and [[Chris Pramas]] responded to this audience with the Green Ronin published Psychics Handbook, taking the general concept of 2nd edition psionics and updating it for 3rd edition D&D and its derivatives. it presents one class, 6 prestige classes, an advanced class for D20 Modern, about 45 skills and almost 50 feats.		People who preferred [[Grognard\|the old way of doing things even if they weren't as good]] generally didn't like the 3rd edition psionics and its bodybuilding telekinetics; in 2004 [[Steve Kenson]] and [[Chris Pramas]] responded to this audience with the Green Ronin published Psychics Handbook, taking the general concept of 2nd edition psionics and updating it for 3rd edition D&D and its derivatives. it presents one class, 6 prestige classes, an advanced class for D20 Modern, about 45 skills and almost 50 feats.

			==Alternity==

			The psionics system in [[Alternity]] would form the basis of its later form in D20 Modern. In Alternity, psionic powers are divided into four broad skills: biokinesis, esp, telekinetics, and telepathy. A character that focuses on psionics is a mindwalker and may purchase skills from all four groups as normal. Psionic characters that are not mindwalkers are called talents, are limited to picking one broad skill, and can only spend points on two of its specialty skills (one to rank 6 and another to rank 3).

	==D20 Modern==		==D20 Modern==

146.198.98.227: /* Warhammer 40k */ Corrected accidental "DnD" to "40k" as it should be.

2020-11-21T17:22:43Z

Warhammer 40k: Corrected accidental "DnD" to "40k" as it should be.

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:22, 21 November 2020
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	[[Warhammer 40,000]] is ''the'' premier /tg/ example of the "psionics is just space magic!" design. Psionics in the 40kverse derives from the ability to mentally tap into the Warp, a parallel universe of pure, unbridled emotional energy, where thought and matter are interchangeable. As <s>all</s> ''most'' minds are inherently linked to this dimension, psykers just have the ability to exploit that link, psionics consists of either using the Warp as a way to directly connect to and influence the minds of others, or drawing Warp energy into the material universe and using it to temporarily rewrite the laws of reality.		[[Warhammer 40,000]] is ''the'' premier /tg/ example of the "psionics is just space magic!" design. Psionics in the 40kverse derives from the ability to mentally tap into the Warp, a parallel universe of pure, unbridled emotional energy, where thought and matter are interchangeable. As <s>all</s> ''most'' minds are inherently linked to this dimension, psykers just have the ability to exploit that link, psionics consists of either using the Warp as a way to directly connect to and influence the minds of others, or drawing Warp energy into the material universe and using it to temporarily rewrite the laws of reality.

	Psionics in ~~D&D~~ is really just fantasy magic because it has most of the classic tropes: rituals, magic circles, demon summoning, magic words, etc. But Games Workshop wants it to have a veneer of sci-fi so it still gets called psionics instead of wizards in space like it really is. Actual "sorcerers" in the setting are psykers who have made pacts with the Chaos Gods and wield what the Imperium considers black magic.		Psionics in 40k is really just fantasy magic because it has most of the classic tropes: rituals, magic circles, demon summoning, magic words, etc. But Games Workshop wants it to have a veneer of sci-fi so it still gets called psionics instead of wizards in space like it really is. Actual "sorcerers" in the setting are psykers who have made pacts with the Chaos Gods and wield what the Imperium considers black magic.

	In most fantasy and sci-fi settings, being a wizard is generally awesome, but being a psyker in WH40K is more trouble than it's worth. If you are born a psyker but don't get training, you will be prone to madness or even demon possession. If the Imperium finds you, they'll rip you from your family and community and ship you off to Earth to be judged if you're worthy of being turned into a slave. If you are judged capable of controlling your powers, you will be trained and turned into a "sanctioned psyker", which means you'll be a slave for life. Psykers, even the sanctioned ones, don't get to live free lives selling their talents to whoever can pay. They have to serve the Imperium either as psychic telegram operators or as psychic artillery on the battlefield. And if you're judged incapable of serving these roles because you're too weak, you will be sacrificed to the Emperor so that he can keep his magic lighthouse lit.		In most fantasy and sci-fi settings, being a wizard is generally awesome, but being a psyker in WH40K is more trouble than it's worth. If you are born a psyker but don't get training, you will be prone to madness or even demon possession. If the Imperium finds you, they'll rip you from your family and community and ship you off to Earth to be judged if you're worthy of being turned into a slave. If you are judged capable of controlling your powers, you will be trained and turned into a "sanctioned psyker", which means you'll be a slave for life. Psykers, even the sanctioned ones, don't get to live free lives selling their talents to whoever can pay. They have to serve the Imperium either as psychic telegram operators or as psychic artillery on the battlefield. And if you're judged incapable of serving these roles because you're too weak, you will be sacrificed to the Emperor so that he can keep his magic lighthouse lit.