D&D 5E Psionics in Tasha

[TwoSix]

If people spent as much time designing the class they want as they did complaining about WotC not designing it for them... they'd all be better off. At least they'd have something they wanted to play.

My latest 2 characters I've just made myself and gave them whatever features I deemed cromulent. Type up something nice in GMBinder and get the DMs approval. Much easier than digging through tons of books when I already know what I want my character to do and how to balance it.

 

[Aldarc]

If people spent as much time designing the class they want as they did complaining about WotC not designing it for them... they'd all be better off. At least they'd have something they wanted to play.

It's important to recognize that not everyone can so easily translate their class ideas or concepts to fully-fleshed out classes. Designing, writing, formatting, and play-testing can be a difficult and time-consuming process for a lot of people.

Plus, it's not always about individual tables, but also about creating a shared language and culture for D&D. You may regard this as seeking to impose their will on others, but I think it's less nefarious than that. I think people want to be able to enjoy things together and discuss things together. It's being able to discuss a shared psion together. It's being able to ask for advice on how to customize their official WotC psion on several forums without having to go through the process of first trying to establish "which 3pp psion?"

I don't think that casting aspersions on the discussion regarding psions, artificers, warlords, and the like really does the D&D community any favors.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

Heh heh... so amongst all this talk about needing to add psions as a class we also have everyone throwing away all the existing classes at the same time "Don't need the Sorcerer!" "Don't need the Cleric!" "Don't need the Warlock!" "Game only needs 7 classes!" "Game only needs 4 classes!"

Game only needs two classes.

Fighting .... person.

And non-fighting person. Fine, magic-using Person.

And I am not convinced of the need for a magic-using person.

 

[TwoSix]

Game only needs two classes.

Fighting .... person.

And non-fighting person. Fine, magic-using Person.

And I am not convinced of the need for a magic-using person.

It's not really standard D&D, but a game in which magic is something you learn about and acquire over the course of play would be very interesting.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

It's not really standard D&D, but a game in which magic is something you learn about and acquire over the course of play would be very interesting.

I'm trying to imagine a game in which the player starts out knowing nothing about magic, or maybe ... just one spell. They know so little that perhaps they can only cast the spell once a day.

And acquiring new magic is hard, and uncertain. They would have to venture forth, perhaps finding hidden magic written down on parchments or in books, and they might not even be able to understand it!

Slowly, over the course of time, they might acquire a little more knowledge, and a little more magic.

That would be an interesting approach. Some game should try it.

 

[Aldarc]

Sounds kinda like Ironsworn.

 

[TwoSix]

I'm trying to imagine a game in which the player starts out knowing nothing about magic, or maybe ... just one spell. They know so little that perhaps they can only cast the spell once a day.

And acquiring new magic is hard, and uncertain. They would have to venture forth, perhaps finding hidden magic written down on parchments or in books, and they might not even be able to understand it!

Slowly, over the course of time, they might acquire a little more knowledge, and a little more magic.

That would be an interesting approach. Some game should try it.

I know where you're going with this, but I was more advocating for an approach where any magical discoveries are fundamentally uncertain. Playing a class whose growth grants more magical power every level suggests an implicit promise to the player that more magic will be discovered.

But I'm on a big kick for more random/exploratory/roguelike play in D&D type games lately, so it's probably just me.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

I know where you're going with this,

That makes one of us. My brain functions somewhat like Toonces the Cat is driving it; I am unclear on the destination, but it will be exciting and terrifying before the inevitable fiery crash.

but I was more advocating for an approach where any magical discoveries are fundamentally uncertain. Playing a class whose growth grants more magical power every level suggests an implicit promise to the player that more magic will be discovered.

But I'm on a big kick for more random/exploratory/roguelike play in D&D type games lately, so it's probably just me.

Essentially, OD&D, AD&D (pre-UA), and B/X function in a rogue-like fashion in many ways.

To make it moreso, simply strip away until you are left with a bare minimum non-magic casting class (Fighter) and provide for the acquisition of magic items (baked into the game) and possibly advancement through "boons" and story-based encounters (a passing wizard teaches you how to cast an enchantment).

Also? ELF NEEDS FOOD BADLY.

 

[The Mirrorball Man]

To make it moreso, simply strip away until you are left with a bare minimum non-magic casting class (Fighter) and provide for the acquisition of magic items (baked into the game) and possibly advancement through "boons" and story-based encounters (a passing wizard teaches you how to cast an enchantment).

That’s cool, there are games like that, but it’s pretty much the opposite of D&D.

 

[Maxperson]

I know where you're going with this, but I was more advocating for an approach where any magical discoveries are fundamentally uncertain. Playing a class whose growth grants more magical power every level suggests an implicit promise to the player that more magic will be discovered.

But I'm on a big kick for more random/exploratory/roguelike play in D&D type games lately, so it's probably just me.

What I think would be a lot of fun would be a game where everyone played completely non-magical classes. During game play they might come across a grimoire that one understood and learned, granted the knowledge to cast Magic Missile 3xday. Another might find the holy relic of Lathander that while attuned, gives the ability to cast Light 3xday and Cure Wounds 1xday.

By limiting magic that way, you could even give some spells that are above where party level would otherwise have access. Since the PC isn't dropping spells as often, being able to cast a 4th level spell 1xweek at 5th level isn't game breaking. It could be very fun.

Edit: changed non-medical classes to non-magical classes.