Hey gang,
Given its traction in the community and history within D&D, psionics are highly likely to get an official treatment in 5E eventually. When that happens, what kinds of things would you like to see? Let's brainstorm--mash-up your themes and settings and go wild!
What do YOU want to see in 5E psionics?
I want psionics to be Vancian and mostly use existing spells. There's no reason a pyrokineticist cannot cast
burning hands and needs their own unique spell. Keep things simple. Let's not have psionic powers, let's have psionic magic: just like we have divine and arcane (and primal) magic.
We know there'll be spell point variant rules in the DMG. So if you want a full Psionic Strength Points (aka PSP) psion just use those rules.
Agreed. Sort of. As I said above, full points seems unnecessary. But some nod to psionic points seems like a good idea.
Until they revealed the sorcerer that's what I wanted from the psion: a Vancian class that could augment its spells with points.
I want psionic magic to be sorta different from divine and arcane. Which is tricky as the wizard and sorcerer are pretty different. I think I'd make the psion (and psionic magic) closer to both where you know a certain number of spells (like a sorcerer) but prepare them each day like a wizard. But you can spend power points during the day to swap out spells. But, psions might not have the same ability to use ritual magic.
I'm happy with WotC's proposed concept of pairing a psionic accessory with a superadventure/storyline. So there could be lots of monsters in the adventure product. And the player splatbook could have world information and psionic flavour in addition to PC races and classes.
Classes
I'd like to only see one new class: the psion. Or psionicist. Class options should be mostly subclasses. Although I can't think of many concepts that really *need* to exist. I'd rather not have a psionic barbarian for the sole purpose of having a psionic barbarian.
A psionic rogue that was a master of mental manipulation might be neat. Like The Shadow. Or body alteration to change their appearance. The Mind Thief. Oooo Mind Taker.
Psion class (with six subclasses, "psionic disciplines")
Agreed. This is just pretty standard. The disciplines should provide some set spells known and some other small powers. Possibly new uses for PSP.
Soulknife subclass for monk or rogue (but which one?)
Monk. It's strikes me as very monkish, combining martial arts with mental powers, and allows a place to slip in 4e monkish abilities.
Psychic warrior subclass for fighters
This is also a must. I might use the 4e name "battlemind" but keep the simple psionic warrior flavour.
Druid and/or Ranger "aberration-killer" subclass(es)
The druid would be awkward. We don't need a psionic version of every class. But the ranger could totally benefit from an Unnatural Slayer option, or additional options for the Hunter subclass.
An alienist subclass for wizards
A (better) mind domain for clerics
Meh. They have enough options. And mixing the two spellcasting is weird. We don't need a clerical build of wizard either.
Races
For a psionic/aberration book, the gith race might be nice. -yanki and -zeri for subraces. And the blue might be a neat way of sneaking a goblin race into the game without actually adapting the goblin powers. Keep the blue's mechanics simple and only vaguely psionic and you can reflavour as a regular goblin.
This might be better suited for an Eberron product (or web supplement).
Thri-Kreen PC race
Duergar PC race
These might work. Duergar might fit as a dwarf subrace.
Thri-kreen might be better in a Dark Sun product though. Ditto half-giants.
Monsters
I'd love a psionic aboleth, intellect devourer, brain mole, and the like. There's a few good psionic beasties.
Psionic mindflayers
Psionic couatls;
Sure.
