D&D 5E Everything wrong with the Wizard Psionics subclass

[Parmandur]

I'd like to agree with that, but the bit that worries me are the psionic spells bearing names of well-known psionic attacks and defences from editions past. That could mean that i) the psionicist wizard is intended to replace the 'classical' psion, or ii) that any future psionic class will use spells... I'm not sure I like either option...

That's a given at this point: whether dispersed as Subclasses or in a Class with some new mechanics, Psionic powers will be treated as Spells in 5E, and indeed have been for 5 1/2 years so far.

 

[Sacrosanct]

Which means no components, no somatic, and no verbal needed for their abilities. A cleric can't do that. A bard can't do that. A wizard can't do that. A warlock can't do that. A druid can't do that. A sorcerer can't do that. It takes different mechanics to accomplish that, not just fluff.

I don’t know if I’d call “just like a wizard but without components” as a totally different mechanic. Especially since if I were a betting man, I’d bet most groups ignore components anyway.

 

[Parmandur]

I don’t know if I’d call “just like a wizard but without components” as a totally different mechanic. Especially since if I were a betting man, I’d bet most groups ignore components anyway.

I don't feel that last part is a safe assumption, by a long stretch.

The early draft Mearls was playing with for a new mechanic set was a Class that would play with Concentration in some creative ways, and use Spell slots as a resource to power up effects.

 

[Sacrosanct]

I don't feel that last part is a safe assumption, by a long stretch.

The early draft Mearls was playing with for a new mechanic set was a Class that would play with Concentration in some creative ways, and use Spell slots as a resource to power up effects.

Maybe most was the wrong word. Many is probably better. But I rarely see groups, even in AL, pay much attention to tracking components unless it’s some super costly one

 

[Parmandur]

Maybe most was the wrong word. Many is probably better. But I rarely see groups, even in AL, pay much attention to tracking components unless it’s some super costly one

Well, material components are designed to be mostly hand-waved in 5E via the Focus mechanic, aside from things like Raise Dead which are gated a bit.

Keeping track of verbal and somatic components, though, is pretty big, and I've never seen anyone handwave them

 

[Sacrosanct]

Well, material components are designed to be mostly hand-waved in 5E via the Focus mechanic, aside from things like Raise Dead which are gated a bit.

Keeping track of verbal and somatic components, though, is pretty big, and I've never seen anyone handwave them

Either way, if that’s the only difference, I don’t know if I’d call that a different mechanic in the whole of what spellcasting mechanics are.

 

[Mistwell]

Well, material components are designed to be mostly hand-waved in 5E via the Focus mechanic, aside from things like Raise Dead which are gated a bit.

Keeping track of verbal and somatic components, though, is pretty big, and I've never seen anyone handwave them

You need a hand empty or a feat. Other than that, it's the same thing. I wouldn't call that a meaningfully different mechanic, particularly since a sorcerer already has a specific ability to do just that.

 

[Morrus]

Is this the geek version of making a donation to Planned Parenthood under Mike Pence’s name?

Keep politics off the forum, please.

 

[Maxperson]

I don’t know if I’d call “just like a wizard but without components” as a totally different mechanic. Especially since if I were a betting man, I’d bet most groups ignore components anyway.

So first, cherry picking one of three things that are all linked to disagree with and then arguing it's not a totally different mechanic is pretty hokey. Second, I've never seen a group that ignored the diamond dust requirement for raise dead, or any of the other costly components. You really think most groups do that?

 

[Maxperson]

Either way, if that’s the only difference, I don’t know if I’d call that a different mechanic in the whole of what spellcasting mechanics are.

It literally cannot be anything other than a different mechanic. If you bind a wizard's hands, he cannot cast any spell with a somatic component. A psion could. If you take away his component pouch, he literally cannot cast any spell that requires a component. A psion could. If you gag the wizard, he cannot cast any spell with a verbal component. A psion could. That's mechanically different.