Unearthed Arcana Why UA Psionics are never going to work in 5e.

[Fenris-77]

I think groups that used psionics extensively outside Dark Sun are probably the minority though. I have no evidence of this mind, just my estimation of the gestalt.

 

[Maxperson]

I think groups that used psionics extensively outside Dark Sun are probably the minority though. I have no evidence of this mind, just my estimation of the gestalt.

Gestalt characters were fun.

 

[Aldarc]

However, if we simply apply logic, it makes sense that a system based on spell casting is more likely to be used and approved by DMs as it is easier to understand. And what you said was "most accepted," not best or most popular. So, from that viewpoint I can concede you are likely correct, but I still prefer not to make declarations without real evidence. But I know you feel otherwise - it is good to have all types at the table!

3.0 psionics was a mess, but a number of the things made 3.5 psionics more palatable: (1) magic and psionics were interchangeable when it came to spell effects (e.g., magic resistance works against psionic powers, anti-psionic zone worked against magic); (2) psions were no longer MAD; (3) no more psionic combat; (4) XPH introduced augments, where a psion could spend more points to upcast their spells, but there was a cap on how much they could spend.

Also worth pointing out that in the 3.5 system, the Psion (the most powerful psionic class) was only Tier 2 in most 3.X class tier lists. It was still below the Tier 1 juggernauts: cleric, wizard, druid, and artificer. It was effectively on par in power with the Sorcerer.

 

[Guest 6801328]

Then they don't count for this particular discussion. We're talking about people who want psionics to be a certain way based on prior editions.

Ah, then I misunderstood your point. I thought you were claiming this is what the overall market wants.

Carry on.

 

[Maxperson]

Ah, then I misunderstood your point. I thought you were claiming this is what the overall market wants.

Carry on.

No. I'm not saying what they want. I'm saying that 1) 3e psionics was the most widely played(outside of 1 narrow setting), 2) people that want one kind of psionics are generally okay with something else. People can like more than one thing and prefer one over the others.

WotC doesn't need to get 70% of the players behind a single system. They just need to put out the poll asking people to rank the various systems along something like, 1) Like alot, 2) like somewhat, 3) no strong opinion, 4) dislike somewhat, 5) dislike a lot. If they can get a system to 70% via 1, 2 and 3 combined, they're golden.

 

[Weiley31]

I haven't heard this before, how do we know this? Did WotC release some psionic historical data in an earlier UA that I missed?

While I'm probably not the best person to vouch for it, the Manifestation/Power Point System is the one Psionics system that I remember/am familiar with the most.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

No. That's wrong. You left out "A few" before "people" in the second sentence. The majority will be okay with psionics as some sort of spellcaster, just like 3e proved when it became the most accepted psionic system to date.

There are certainly a lot more than "a few", as you can see from reading this forum. And whist there might be "many" who are willing to accept "some sort" of spellcaster, when you get down to "what sort" there are major disagreements. The Mystic was "some sort" of spellcaster, the Psionic Soul Sorcerer is "some sort" of spellcaster.

 

[Maxperson]

There are certainly a lot more than "a few", as you can see from reading this forum. And whist there might be "many" who are willing to accept "some sort" of spellcaster, when you get down to "what sort" there are major disagreements. The Mystic was "some sort" of spellcaster, the Psionic Soul Sorcerer is "some sort" of spellcaster.

The Mystic was not shot down because of disagreements over the psionics portion. It was shot down, because it was too broad and stepped on too many toes. The Psionic Soul Sorcerer isn't a Psion, so I'm not sure why you are including it in a discussion about how to implement a Psion. I have my suspicions, though.

P.S. There haven't been a lot more than a few here who have said, "My way or the highway." That's just blatantly wrong. There have been a lot, though, who have been broadly accepting, but had a preference.

 

[Guest 6801328]

No. I'm not saying what they want. I'm saying that 1) 3e psionics was the most widely played(outside of 1 narrow setting), 2) people that want one kind of psionics are generally okay with something else. People can like more than one thing and prefer one over the others.

WotC doesn't need to get 70% of the players behind a single system. They just need to put out the poll asking people to rank the various systems along something like, 1) Like alot, 2) like somewhat, 3) no strong opinion, 4) dislike somewhat, 5) dislike a lot. If they can get a system to 70% via 1, 2 and 3 combined, they're golden.

Well as a huge advocate for voting reform I'm all in favor of non-binary voting.

But I think you're putting a lot of hope and energy into something with a very low probability of happening. And I would hate to see you suffer that disappointment. Because I care.

 

[Maxperson]

Well as a huge advocate for voting reform I'm all in favor of non-binary voting.

But I think you're putting a lot of hope and energy into something with a very low probability of happening. And I would hate to see you suffer that disappointment. Because I care.

I'm an odd combination of an optimist and a realist. I hold out hope and see the bright side of things, but I also see probabilities and understand what will likely happen.

In my last post I was just saying how it could be done, not how it will be done.