Rock, Paper, EGO WHIP!! [3.x]

[Sir.Swindle]

ok playground I really hate to bring up awful awful memories but in 3.0 Psionics there was the rediculous psionic combat system (cringe) yes it was a terrible combat option yada yada but whatever. In a game I want to run (Psionic Rokugan basically) I want less martially inclined nobles have Iaijutsu duel equivalents useing that psionic combat system.

My questions:
-was there anything inherently broken (overpowered modes, ect.) with the system other than it being clunky and useless in combat?
-I want everyone (barring people who have feats for it) to have about the same number of attacks and defenses, good idea? what should that number be?
-Would anyone (other than me) find this to be an interesting mechanic in a game from a player perspective?

[sonofzeal]

Mind Thrust was overpowered in that system.

Basically, not being a manifester gave you good defenses against all of them (like -4 DC to your save), but Mind Thrust had +8 to DC. Ridiculous.

The other problem was that the cost/benefit analysis just didn't really support it. You blew so many pp trying to compete that you were useless if you did, but kinda also screwed if you didn't.

[Flickerdart]

That was Mind Blast at +4 DC, the rest are at -8 (except Id insinuation at -9). It's also the most expensive one to manifest by far, and the crappiest one against psionicists as it damages CHA. It's a high-level mode by all its hallmarks, and while a low-level psion can use it, that drains him of all his power points and basically means he'll die. In an environment heavily populated with psions, Mind Blast is worthless completely.

[Sir.Swindle]

Mind Blast was designed to emulate the mind flayer ability of the same name which they typically use against regalar folk. Why they didn't just make it a power and not taint their psi combat system, only wizards knows.

Do the charts follow any secret formula or did they just toss darts at a board to determine the bonuses?

[Eldariel]

I recall Untapped Potential represented a modified 3.5 version of the mindscape battlefield. I think it was more interesting than the 3.0 version.

[jcsw]

I believe it was then simplified in Hyperconscious.

[Sir.Swindle]

Well I didn't expect that. Are the other systems still the stat based rock paper scissors type or is it like actual combat?

I only need the combat system to function for one on one duals against other willing psychics.

[sonofzeal]

I'd suggest making your own.

The only really necessary part is to have different effects if they work. That injects an element of actual strategy into a system that's essentially just random.

[Sir.Swindle]

Maby I'll just make my own and post it on the Homebrew section.

What i want to do is have each character have 3 attack and 3 defense modes with one each determined by their clan. I also wanted to take out the PP costs, since it would be entirely out of initiative dualing, but that would unbalance the entire system (if it was balanced before).