Editing Expanded Psionics Handbook

{{Short description|Dungeons & Dragons sourcebook}}
{{Infobox book
| name          = Expanded Psionics Handbook
| image         = En psionics hndbk v35 cover.jpg
| image_size = 250px
| caption = Expanded Psionics Handbook for D&D version 3.5
| author        = [[Bruce Cordell|Bruce R. Cordell]]
| genre         = [[Role-playing game]]
| publisher     = [[Wizards of the Coast]]
| release_date  = April 2004
| media_type    = Print ([[Hardback]])
| pages         = 224
| isbn          = 978-0-7869-3301-3
}}

The '''''Expanded Psionics Handbook''''' is a [[sourcebook]] written by [[Bruce Cordell]] for the [[Dungeons & Dragons v3.5|3.5 edition]] of the ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'' [[fantasy]] [[roleplaying game]] that contains rules and options for integrating psychic powers (also known as [[Psionics (Dungeons & Dragons)|psionics]]) into the game. Along with its predecessor, the ''[[Psionics Handbook]]'', the ''Expanded Psionics Handbook'' expands and adapts the psionics concept with a new emphasis on balance and playability.

== Contents ==

{{Blockquote|text= Your character’s mind is an infinite metaphorical plane, where all things are possible... A psionic character knows the mental pathways that lead to amazing edifices of thought and energy. Knowing the path, the psionic character walks it. Like a flare being thrown off a star, a power is manifested from a psionic character’s energy of consciousness. |author=Bruce R. Cordell|title=The Expanded Psionics Handbook}}

The ''Expanded Psionics Handbook'' contains a system for adding psionics to Dungeons and Dragons. Psionics use a different system from traditional D&D spellcasting, using a point pool to track a character's power usage.

The ''Expanded Psionics Handbook'' introduces four Base Classes, several [[Prestige class (Dungeons & Dragons)|prestige class]]es alters some rules and includes a new system for becoming psionically focused.  The base classes are the [[Psion (Dungeons & Dragons)|psion]] and [[Psychic Warrior (Dungeons & Dragons)|psychic warrior]] (both of which are reprints from the [[Psionics Handbook]]), the [[Wilder (Dungeons & Dragons)|wilder]], and the [[Soulknife (Dungeons & Dragons)|Soulknife]].  The prestige classes are the [[Cerebremancer]], [[Elocater]], Fist of Zuoken, Illithid Slayer, Metamind, Psion Uncarnate, Pyrokineticist, Thrallherd and the War Mind.<ref name="EPH">{{cite book |last1=Cordell |first1=Bruce |title=Expanded Psionics Handbook |date=April 2004 |publisher=Wizards of the Cost |pages=223}}</ref>

The ''Handbook'' also contains four new psionic races—the dromites, elan, maenads, and xelphs—provides psionic versions of dwarves, [[githyanki]], [[githzerai]], and yuan-ti. It adds several new psionic monsters, including the intellect devourer and temporal filcher, and adds the phrenic template, which can make any Dungeons and Dragons creature a psionic creature.<ref name="EPH"/>

== Publication history ==

The ''Expanded Psionics Handbook'' was published in 2004. Cover art was by [[Henry Higginbotham]], with interior art by [[Steven Belledin]], [[Brian Despain]], [[Wayne England]], [[Lars Grant-West]], [[Heather Hudson (artist)|Heather Hudson]], [[Jeremy Jarvis]], [[Chuck Lukacs]], [[David L. Martin|David Martin]], [[Monte Moore (artist)|Monte Moore]], [[Jim Pavelec]], [[Wayne Reynolds]], [[Arnie Swekel]] and [[Sam Wood (artist)|Sam Wood]].<ref name="EPH"/>

This book is intended as a 3.5 adaptation and revision of the ''[[Psionics Handbook]]'' for [[Editions of Dungeons & Dragons#''Dungeons & Dragons'' 3rd edition|3rd Edition]], which was released in 2001.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ryan|first=Michael|date=April 9, 2004|title=Product Spotlight: Expanded Psionics Handbook|url=http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ps/20040409a|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716195424/http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ps/20040409a|archive-date=July 16, 2014|access-date=August 1, 2013|publisher=[[Wizards of the Coast]]}}</ref> It was adapted for several reasons, including changes to the core [[D20 System|D20 system]] and balance concerns. Some players considered psions to be weaker than wizards and sorcerers.<ref name="EPH"/>

== Reception ==

The reviewer from ''[[Pyramid (magazine)|Pyramid]]'' found the book's [[Prestige class (Dungeons & Dragons)|prestige class]]es "more imaginative, with beings who leave their physical form behind for a life of mental existence, hunters who kill illithids, and the irresistibly heroic Fist of Zuoken".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sjgames.com/pyramid/sample.html?id=4986 |title=Pyramid: Pyramid Review: Expanded Psionics Handbook (for Dungeons & Dragons) |publisher=Sjgames.com |date=2004-09-24 |access-date=2014-05-13}}</ref>

Other reviewers, such as [[RPGnet]], were less positive. Reviewer Jesse Heinig said, "As an expansion for all manner of psionic-themed characters, the Complete Psionic book provides more depth and more unusual powers. Sadly, it lacks a little in breadth and some of its last-minute changes are evident around the frayed edges."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Heinig |first1=Jesse |title=Review of Complete Psionic - RPGnet d20 RPG Game Index |url=https://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/12/12155.phtml |website=www.rpg.net}}</ref>

==Reviews==
*''Backstab'' #48<ref>{{cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/backstab-048/page/n21/mode/2up | title=Backstab #048 | date=2004 }}</ref>

== References ==
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{{D&D Books}}

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[[Category:Dungeons & Dragons sourcebooks]]
[[Category:Role-playing game supplements introduced in 2004]]