D&D 5E Dark Sun doesn't actually need Psionics

[Charlaquin]

It's divine in the sense that it comes from the residue power of the dead gods, but it's not divine in the sense of a cleric's spells or faith. I would not say that it's trying to fit a square peg into a round hole of its core themes since the 4e Dark Sun Campaign Setting book talks about how psionics arose in the "The Gods Are Silent theme of Dark Sun:

I guess. I never cared for the “psionics arose to fill the niche left by the absence of divine magic” explanation. It relies on a weird assumption of some sort of natural tendency towards a certain number of power sources in the world, which I don’t think suits Dark Sun at all.

 

[Aldarc]

I guess. I never cared for the “psionics arose to fill the niche left by the absence of divine magic” explanation. It relies on a weird assumption of some sort of natural tendency towards a certain number of power sources in the works, which I don’t think suits Dark Sun at all.

Interestingly enough, in Timothy Brown's Dragon Kings RPG - a spiritual successor of sorts to Dark Sun - psionics are actually a novel force that inhabitants are only beginning to discover. This also could have been a potentially interesting angle for the Dark Sun setting.

 

[Charlaquin]

Interestingly enough, in Timothy Brown's Dragon Kings RPG - a spiritual successor of sorts to Dark Sun - psionics are actually a novel force that inhabitants are only beginning to discover. This also could have been a potentially interesting angle for the Dark Sun setting.

Yeah, I like the sound of that much better than its near-ubiquity in classic Dark Sun.

 

[TwoSix]

I guess. I never cared for the “psionics arose to fill the niche left by the absence of divine magic” explanation. It relies on a weird assumption of some sort of natural tendency towards a certain number of power sources in the works, which I don’t think suits Dark Sun at all.

Sure, but having two supernatural sources in tension/opposition does help Dark Sun feel more like a D&D setting, as opposed to another apocalyptic fantasy setting. That can have value if you feel like having Dark Sun be more D&D-like has value.

 

[Aldarc]

Yeah, I like the sound of that much better than its near-ubiquity in classic Dark Sun.

Psionics could even be the big unknown or the wrench in the system for the Dragon-Kings: "WTF is this new odd magic that the people now have access to?"

 

[bulletmeat]

It's divine in the sense that it comes from the residue power of the dead gods, but it's not divine in the sense of a cleric's spells or faith. I would not say that it's trying to fit a square peg into a round hole of its core themes since the 4e Dark Sun Campaign Setting book talks about how psionics arose in the "The Gods Are Silent theme of Dark Sun:

I kind of like this idea. Maybe, w/the gods out of the astral plane and absorbing that power, it begun to or has been for a while leaking into Athas and mutating the creatures of the world.

 

[nevin]

Well, historically, players accepted and seem to have fond nostalgia for the latter in regards to Dark Sun. Wizards were outright gimped in 2e. So, there's at least historical evidence that players will accept a penalty. Still, that's not a great reason -- "It worked before" is marginally convincing. Instead, let's look at what gimping arcane casters will do and assume you're correct that players will not like that -- they will avoid playing arcane casters. That seems like a solid win for the theme of the game, doesn't it?

Still, that's not to say that gimping is the best or proper way to implement defiling/preserving. But the argument that players won't like playing gimped characters kinda fails when you consider that this is actually one of the design goals: to discourage arcane characters.

no I'm saying players in general won't like that design decision and Dark sun was never popular enough alienate anyone. I loved the 2e version but non of the version have ever been wildly popular.

and I think you'll find most people that love that idea will just go play other games that don't have magic. I predict a lose lose with the game for that idea. it'll become more niche than it already was

 

[Wolfram stout]

I think Psionics needs Dark Suns. While many of us remember Dark Suns with psionics not playing much of a role, the fact is that it could have (and for lots of groups did) play a huge role. This was the one setting that the psionic fan could dive into, without having to badger or beg for the DM to let them use Psionics.

WOTC comes out with a full fledged psioncs system and the FR DM, the Dragonlance DM, the Homebrew DM may or may not incorporate it, or incorporate it just enough to satisfy the one psionic superfan in the group.

But, WOTC comes out with a Dark Sun Campaign setting, and psioncis has its chance to shine.

 

[nevin]

I think Psionics needs Dark Suns. While many of us remember Dark Suns with psionics not playing much of a role, the fact is that it could have (and for lots of groups did) play a huge role. This was the one setting that the psionic fan could dive into, without having to badger or beg for the DM to let them use Psionics.

WOTC comes out with a full fledged psioncs system and the FR DM, the Dragonlance DM, the Homebrew DM may or may not incorporate it, or incorporate it just enough to satisfy the one psionic superfan in the group.

But, WOTC comes out with a Dark Sun Campaign setting, and psioncis has its chance to shine.

then don't need character classes power below PHB . if you want defilers to have more power give em more power and some serious downsides for taking it. I've said I loved DS. It is my opinion if the setting comes out nerfing any base class it's doa.

This forum reads like we are discussing turning it into Gamma World one of the least popular games (and I love it too) in the d&d lineup just above boot hill.

 

[bulletmeat]

no I'm saying players in general won't like that design decision and Dark sun was never popular enough alienate anyone. I loved the 2e version but non of the version have ever been wildly popular.

and I think you'll find most people that love that idea will just go play other games that don't have magic. I predict a lose lose with the game for that idea. it'll become more niche than it already was

It will really depend on players for this instance then. Maybe the best bet for defile magic is to give two options; one that shows defiling as a norm and defiling as a bonus. Let the group decide.