Unearthed Arcana Unearthed Arcana Revisits Psionics

The latest Unearthed Arcana from WotC revisits some psionic rules! “Shine with the power of the mind in this installment of Unearthed Arcana! Today we revisit several psi-themed options that we released in the past few months. Studying your feedback on those options, we’ve crafted this new collection of subclasses, spells, and feats, found in the PDF below.“

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[Hussar]

Again, I've never, ever seen anyone identify casters by VSM. They typically identify casters by the giant balls of fire springing from their hands.

But, I have to ask, where does this idea that psionics have no VSM come from in D&D? They very often have had visible "casting" In the past. Or, if they could be used "discreetly" (such as Aura Sight in 2e Psionics) it was called out as such. And, many of the powers do mention actual physical things (closing your eyes, visible effects, etc) that reveal that the psionicist is, in fact, doing mental mumbo jumbo.

3e had psi-crystals. 3e also had a feat for "silent" casting with Hide Power. All of the powers in 3e had a "Display" that effectively worked the same as VSM.

So, where does this notion that psionic powers are hidden come from?

 

[Parmandur]

Again, I've never, ever seen anyone identify casters by VSM. They typically identify casters by the giant balls of fire springing from their hands.

But, I have to ask, where does this idea that psionics have no VSM come from in D&D? They very often have had visible "casting" In the past. Or, if they could be used "discreetly" (such as Aura Sight in 2e Psionics) it was called out as such. And, many of the powers do mention actual physical things (closing your eyes, visible effects, etc) that reveal that the psionicist is, in fact, doing mental mumbo jumbo.

3e had psi-crystals. 3e also had a feat for "silent" casting with Hide Power. All of the powers in 3e had a "Display" that effectively worked the same as VSM.

So, where does this notion that psionic powers are hidden come from?

Most importantly, that's how the Psionic Monsters and PC Races in 5E already operate.

 

[Maxperson]

But, I have to ask, where does this idea that psionics have no VSM come from in D&D?

Well, 1e, 2e, 3e and 5e for starters. I'm leaving out 4e, because I don't know Psionics in that edition.

They very often have had visible "casting" In the past.

Wrong. They once had visibile EFFECTS in the past. 3e had visual, auditory and scent effects that went along with the power's effect. 1e and 2e did not have that, and no edition(except maybe 4e) had a component to "cast" the power.

Or, if they could be used "discreetly" (such as Aura Sight in 2e Psionics) it was called out as such. And, many of the powers do mention actual physical things (closing your eyes, visible effects, etc) that reveal that the psionicist is, in fact, doing mental mumbo jumbo.

But no components.

3e had psi-crystals. 3e also had a feat for "silent" casting with Hide Power. All of the powers in 3e had a "Display" that effectively worked the same as VSM.

First, psi-crystals were not a component as they were not required. Second, none of those things work as V, S, M. They were not a requirement to use the power. They were an after EFFECT.

So, where does this notion that psionic powers are hidden come from?

You. Our side is just saying no V, S, M.

 

[Fenris-77]

@Hussar - I know that giant balls is my first clue that I'm facing a caster. Great big balls. Of fire. Yup.

 

[Maxperson]

@Hussar - I know that giant balls is my first clue that I'm facing a caster. Great big balls. Of fire. Yup.

And if the person is casting hold person, charm or other spell that doesn't emanate from the caster? What's your clue then? Which one of the 20 people facing your group cast the spell if your group has gotten rid of V, S, M?

 

[Fenris-77]

And if the person is casting hold person, charm or other spell that doesn't emanate from the caster? What's your clue then? Which one of the 20 people facing your group cast the spell if your group has gotten rid of V, S, M?

joke: [jok] a thing that someone says to cause amusement or laughter, especially a story with a funny punchline.

 

[Maxperson]

joke: [jok] a thing that someone says to cause amusement or laughter, especially a story with a funny punchline.

Around here you can't ever be sure if there's no emoji to clue people in.

 

[Fenris-77]

Around here you can't ever be sure if there's no emoji to clue people in.

Sometimes I like to leave the emoji off so as not to telegraph the punchline too much.

 

[Parmandur]

Sometimes I like to leave the emoji off so as not to telegraph the punchline too much.

I, too, like to live dangerously.

 

[Eltab]

The plural of anecdote is not data.

This is false.
The path from anecdote to data requires a specialized trained professional to put in a full-time job collecting anecdotes on a very large scale, and subjecting the mass to rigorous screening.
No mere part-timer or amateur has the resources to do this and have his results be recognized as valid by an authority on the subject.