Yakk
2022-10-11, 09:18 AM
I'm thinking about a short-rest Mystic, somewhat based on the D&D 5e UA stuff. I don't want to mimic the entire "I am every psi class merged", I'm not that ambitious.
To start with...
1. Psi-points seems key. But I don't like the "I have psi points, so I spam the same max efficiency ability using them" and alpha-strike addiction.
2. I like the UA die thing. Having a Psionic die that gets depleted based on its rolls seems fun.
3. I think I want it to be mainly short-rest based, with some lesser long-rest refreshing resources. Unlike the warlock, I don't want to wait until T3 to get said resources.
4. I'm ok with it using spells, especially from a curated list. Or even "causes the effects of a spell". Simply because rule bundles in spells are useful, and save on me having to rewrite everything.
5. The idea of Psionic Focus is fun, and expending it. It granting a passive bonus that you can expend for a boost, and you can regain it as an action, can move things away from alpha-strike dominance.
...
A really simple model is (Mystic level) psi points that refresh on a short rest, and you spend (spell level) points to cast a "spell", with said "spells" capped at 5th level.
This is quite close to what a Warlock gets spell wise.
A psionic die can be used to ... boost effective spell level? Add damage? Cantrips?
Focus can maybe grant a cantrip like ability (something at-will) or two. Maybe expending your focus is what you do to roll a psionic die. Regaining it is an action (free outside combat, expensive within).
Psionic dice could explode; on a max, you roll again and add. After said max, your die shrinks one step. (1d4 to 1d3, 1d3 to 1d2, 1d2 to gone).
1d4 then lasts 4 + 3 + 2 = 9 uses on average, with a 4% chance of lasting only 3 uses. Regaining your psionic die can be a long rest resource?
...
A different thought I had was that using your Psionic Die is how you cast "spells" at above 1st level. Like, you get fewer psi points, and each spell costs one -- and to cast a higher level spell, you roll a psionic die? That would make deciding what to do extremely tricky, as you don't know what power you have until you roll the die.
...
Yet another thought is some kind of build-up. Like, you start out with a die of a certain size, and each round it tends to grow, giving you access to greater power. This does lead to the question of "why not build power out of combat and enter combat full strength" however.
To start with...
1. Psi-points seems key. But I don't like the "I have psi points, so I spam the same max efficiency ability using them" and alpha-strike addiction.
2. I like the UA die thing. Having a Psionic die that gets depleted based on its rolls seems fun.
3. I think I want it to be mainly short-rest based, with some lesser long-rest refreshing resources. Unlike the warlock, I don't want to wait until T3 to get said resources.
4. I'm ok with it using spells, especially from a curated list. Or even "causes the effects of a spell". Simply because rule bundles in spells are useful, and save on me having to rewrite everything.
5. The idea of Psionic Focus is fun, and expending it. It granting a passive bonus that you can expend for a boost, and you can regain it as an action, can move things away from alpha-strike dominance.
...
A really simple model is (Mystic level) psi points that refresh on a short rest, and you spend (spell level) points to cast a "spell", with said "spells" capped at 5th level.
This is quite close to what a Warlock gets spell wise.
A psionic die can be used to ... boost effective spell level? Add damage? Cantrips?
Focus can maybe grant a cantrip like ability (something at-will) or two. Maybe expending your focus is what you do to roll a psionic die. Regaining it is an action (free outside combat, expensive within).
Psionic dice could explode; on a max, you roll again and add. After said max, your die shrinks one step. (1d4 to 1d3, 1d3 to 1d2, 1d2 to gone).
1d4 then lasts 4 + 3 + 2 = 9 uses on average, with a 4% chance of lasting only 3 uses. Regaining your psionic die can be a long rest resource?
...
A different thought I had was that using your Psionic Die is how you cast "spells" at above 1st level. Like, you get fewer psi points, and each spell costs one -- and to cast a higher level spell, you roll a psionic die? That would make deciding what to do extremely tricky, as you don't know what power you have until you roll the die.
...
Yet another thought is some kind of build-up. Like, you start out with a die of a certain size, and each round it tends to grow, giving you access to greater power. This does lead to the question of "why not build power out of combat and enter combat full strength" however.