D&D 5E Is "Mystic" a bad class name?

[Yaarel]

For me, the name Mystic is perfect for a Cleric class psionic archetype.

Unearthed Arcana uses the term Mystic to cover an entire psionic class. It works alright. A benefit is, the Mystic can cover all of the mental aspects of the Telepath (Awakened), and all of the physical aspects of the Psychometabolist (Immortal). There are few English terms that can cover both. Especially if the terms need to be able to distinguish from ‘magic’.

 

[Remathilis]

Unearthed Arcana uses the term Mystic to cover an entire psionic class. It works alright. A benefit is, the Mystic can cover all of the mental aspects of the Telepath (Awakened), and all of the physical aspects of the Psychometabolist (Immortal). There are few English terms that can cover both. Especially if the terms need to be able to distinguish from ‘magic’.

Exactly. Either you use a real word that has certain connotations (mystic, psychic) or you make up a word that means nothing (psionicist, or worse battemind or divine mind *shudder*). To me, mystic has the least amount of baggage (some fairly obscure D&D classes and kits aside) and the right amount of mystique to it.

 

[pemerton]

Much like Zen, its essence cannot be described; it must be felt. At the heart of psionics is a tautology: only understanding brings understanding.

(1) That doesn't sound very sci-fi/pseudo-science.

(2) That sounds exactly like the sort of ineffable experience that a mystic would seek out!

 

[RotGrub]

Yes, well that's the whole problem isn't it.

These words have very different associations to people depending upon their individual experiences, and this whole thread's been spent arguing over them.

Yes, you're right.

IMO, there have been far to many associations throughout the editions of D&D for the name Mystic to work for everyone. Of course, it really doesn't mater what Mearls calls the class, some people will still use the old class name. He's basically just chasing the wind. We all know that changing things for the sake of change doesn't have a history of working in D&D.

 

[Hussar]

Yes, you're right.

IMO, there have been far to many associations in throughout the editions of D&D for the name Mystic to work for everyone. Of course, it really doesn't mater what Mearls calls the class, some people will still use the old class name. He's basically just chasing the wind. We all know that changing things for the sake of change doesn't have a history of working in D&D.

Really?

So you still play a thief do you? How's that Bohemian Ear Spoon working out? Paladin with a code?

Gimme a break.

 

[RotGrub]

Really?

So you still play a thief do you? How's that Bohemian Ear Spoon working out? Paladin with a code?

Gimme a break.

Yes, I still do call that class a Thief sometimes and yes I would rather play a LG paladin with a code.

 

[Hussar]

Yet you are not spending time criticizing those changes as "change for change's sake". Why not? Why is it fine to rename one class and not another? Especially considering thief and magic user have considerably lengthier pedigrees than mystic.

 

[Yaarel]

The Unearthed Arcana offers the Mystic as a psionic full class.

But many psi fans still need psionic options that use normal mechanics, and these work best as archetypes of classes.

Something like the following.

Bard psionic archetype: Telepath
(Enchantment, Illusion, Divination, mental effects, alter reality, Wish)

Wizard psionic archetype: Kineticist
(Telekinesis, Fly, invisible force, force objects, force damage, magic energy, Detect Magic, Dispel Magic, Ether, Etherealness, Light, Gravity)

Sorcerer psionic archetype: Wilder
(Elemental Energy, Aero-lightning-thunder, Hydro-cold, Pyro-fire-acid, Geo-bludgeon-pierce-slash, Stone Shape, Stoneskin, Fabricate)

Cleric psionic archetype: Nomad
(Psychometabolism, Psychoportation, Healing, Shapeshift, Transmutation, Teleport, Planeshift, Outofbody Projection)



Notice how psionic disciplines organize spells differently from schools.

There is a distinction between the invisible force of telekinesis, versus the flashier ‘elemental bending’ of pyrokinetics that manipulates the external element of fire. The Wizard gets the telekinesis and force damage, but the Sorcerer gets the elemental damages of fire and cold, lightning and thunder, etcetera.

Healing is psychometabolism, a kind of transmutation expressing the power of the mind via the body and soul. Psychoportation is an aspect of Psychometabolism, using the power of the mind to transport the body to a different location, including to other dimensions of existence. Outofbody projection sends the mind out to a remote location. The Nomad is a powerful healer, shapeshifter, and teleporter - and able to heal, shapeshift, and teleport others as well.

 

[aramis erak]

It's actually been used a total of 5 times.

1. 1e Monk
2. Faith's and Avatar's Divine Class (candle user)
3. Dragonlance 5th Age
4. 2e Wizard Kit
5. Al-Qadim

Any in 3e?

D&D BECMI & Cyclopedia's monk, not AD&D 1E's...

 

[RotGrub]

Yet you are not spending time criticizing those changes as "change for change's sake". Why not? Why is it fine to rename one class and not another? Especially considering thief and magic user have considerably lengthier pedigrees than mystic.

Thief is still a rogue and the wizard is still a wizard. I don't understand why you would expect me to criticize those two class names when they haven't changed since 2e.