The trap that is Brain Burst

[Aetrion]

Brain Burst is not a well designed ability, because it’s in that category where it’s simply impossible to balance.

In order for it to be powerful with how slow and difficult it is to deploy it has to be pretty much the most powerful single target attack in the game.

In order for it to not overshadow every other form of attack when it is that powerful and become mandatory to succeed it has to have limited uses.

However…

It also has to have infinite uses, because it’s the default way to generate peril for the Psykinetic.

So they basically painted themselves into a corner with this ability.

I wrote a topic with some ideas how to fix it and other issues with the Psyker a few days ago, if anyone wants to have a look:

My full Psykinetic redesign

Well, we’ve talked about the Psyker being broken long enough, I might as well just go ahead and write down how I would design the class if I was redesigning it. The idea here is to redesign the Psykinetic to have three distinct build lines, similar to how the Sharpshooter allows you to make a Grenadier, a Sniper or a Fire Support specialist. I’m going to try and give the Psykinetic a talent line that creates a Psyker who mostly fights with mundane weapons, a Brain Burst assassin type who can u…