Psion to debut in July

[Fallen Seraph]

Well we got confirmation the Psion will be up in the Character Builder on the 7th: Wizards Community - View Single Post - Monthly D&D Insider Update - July 7th

Hey all. I wanted to take a couple minutes to give everyone an idea of what to expect for the July 7th D&D Insider update.

First, here’s what to expect in the Character Builder update:

• Psion Class – Early PH3 material, developed and ready to play!
• Eberron Player’s Guide Data.
• Information from May Dragon and Dungeon.
• Updated Hybrid rules and information.
• Ability to Duplicate and hide power cards.
• Other changes to the character sheet and power cards such as primary background information appearing in the Summary text and bold faced headers on power cards.

I’m definitely looking forward to checking out the psion mechanics and playing around with different builds, and I’m guessing a lot of you feel the same. Just in time to combine it with the Kalashtar from Eberron.

While I’m excited about those changes, as a DM, the thing that got me really going was the inclusion of traps and hazards in the Compendium. That’s right – starting July 7th traps and hazards will be added and updated on a regular basis just like the rest of the crunchy information from the published material. I know this is something that a lot of us in the community have wanted, so thanks to everyone for submitting requests and feedback along those lines.

That about wraps it up for me - Just a couple more notes. As usual, you should expect to see an article with more information as we get closer to the data release on the 7th - I just wanted to share what I had at this moment. Also don’t forget - the price change happens July 2nd, so if you like what you’re seeing and you want to lock in the current price, you only have a couple days left.

 

[Rechan]

HOLY CRAP.

Traps and hazards in the Compendium?!

Now all they have to do is add skill challenges, and I'll melt into a puddle of happy DM goo.

 

[Mouseferatu]

You'd be surprised how picky people can be regarding literal definitions of things

That's not about people being picky. That's about the English language. A "hard copy" of a book is any book that's actually printed on solid material. People who insist that "hard copy" must refer to "hard cover" aren't being picky, they're being flat-out factually wrong, and we need not cater to them.

 

[Dice4Hire]

I cannot immagine why anyone would think the psion would be a striker, and I for one certainly hope the psion is not a striker.

I'm definattly counting on Controller, maybe Leader perhaps, but I'm sure it'll be Controller why would anyon think striker?

Well, look at the choices, basedon the old versions of Psions.

Leader: Psions do not heal, or are very bad at it. Gaining healing or leading would be a massive about face. Maybe for a new prionic class, but not the psion.

Controller: In 3.5 Psions were good at dealing with single targets, not areas, or such. They have telepathy and changing their own or other's forms, not hindering terrain or affecting large numbers of opponents. Much more like warlocks than wizards.

Defender: Nope, jsut not possible, but certainly for a different psionic class.

Striker: Fits well.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

Well, look at the choices, basedon the old versions of Psions.

based on 2e and 3e (I have no memories of 1e psi stuff) I would say psion will be broken up and gobble the other psi classes from 3.5...

Defender Psmetabolic/psiwarrior
Controler Telacantic/Pyrocantic
Leader Telapath/adrent
striker psicoportive/ soul knife

now as to witch one got to keep the name...who knows...

my guess will be:
Controler with builds for second lead and second strike

 

[Dragonhelm]

So what will be the Psion's mechanic? Any ideas?

I personally think it will be something like the 3.5 gaining focus. Maybe a move action that can be lowered to a minor with a feat that requites some kind of concentration check. When successful, it allows the psion to add an effect, not extra daamge, to a psionic ability/power/spell (manifestation?)

Maybe weakened to start and stronger abilities in certain situations or at higherlevels or PPs?

I am hoping that they maintain the ability to augment a power. That's a staple of the psion/psionicist from at least the 2nd edition days. I used to love rolling power score. The augment idea in 3.5 was a nice continuation of that.

While a part of me loves the idea of psionic strength points, I'm certain the format of 4e powers will remain. What I think they might do instead of power points/psionic strength points is allow the use of an action point to augment a power. Or, an augment goes into place on a critical hit with a power.

I also hope to see the crystal motif remain. That was severely cool. Maybe they'll have their own version of the crystal proselyte.

 

[Moon_Goddess]

I still see controller vs. striker as being about what they do compared to how many they effect with it,

I don't see any reason we can't have a single target or couple target controller,
Invoker is full of 1, 2, or 3 targets powers, and the Druid is still controllery in beast form.

To me the Psion has always been about hindering the enemy and helping the allies more importantly than damaging them. So that sounds like the job of a controller, or a leader, not a striker.

 

[Dragonhelm]

Leader: Psions do not heal, or are very bad at it. Gaining healing or leading would be a massive about face. Maybe for a new prionic class, but not the psion.

In 2e, psionicists could use powers like Lend Health (which I think became Empathic Transfer in 3.5 ) and Share Strength. These are two leaderish type of powers.

Leaders aid others. So psionic powers can be used in a variety of ways to do that. You might use telepathy to boost your buddy's Will defense, or to give him courage (i.e. resistance to fear effects), or maybe psychometabolism to restore HP. I'm certain we'll see all sorts of new powers.

All of that being said, I imagine this will be for a class other than the psion. I'm hoping the class isn't religion-based. Let's see some other types of leaders.

Controller: In 3.5 Psions were good at dealing with single targets, not areas, or such. They have telepathy and changing their own or other's forms, not hindering terrain or affecting large numbers of opponents. Much more like warlocks than wizards.

Possibly, though the psion could really be redefined in 4e. There could be energy powers, telekinetic powers that work on several people, energy powers (?), and so on and so forth.

Defender: Nope, jsut not possible, but certainly for a different psionic class.

Pyschic warrior.

Striker: Fits well.

It does, but we already have the monk. I imagine striker could be a secondary role.

 

[Rechan]

IIRC, the Psionic Leader is going to be the Empath. At least, that's what it was called about a year ago on the Tome Show when someone was discussing leaders.

 

[ProfessorCirno]

Keep in mind, Controller isn't just area of attack damage, it's based on battlefield control. I think a lot of old powers are going to get the same 4e reflavoring that Maze did - telepathy powers won't mind control or charm, it'll be "make enemy do x once" kinda thing. Nomad powers? That's definately controller style battlefield control. Kineticist? Mix of controller and striker. Egoist is going to be a tricky one, and I think it's going to be abandoned entirely, or merged into whatever the psionic defender (I'm guessing psychic warrior) is going to be. Seer will be turned into rituals. Lastly, I have no clue how Shaper is going to work. Probably it's own class.

Overall? I'd lean towards controller with secondary striker.