D&D 5E Psionics in a sci-fi D&D

[Micah Sweet]

(Not interested in “D&D doesn’t fit sci-fi” responses)

Assuming you accept the premise, would you prefer psionics to be magic reskinned or a totally new system?

Totally new system, akin to 2e's method, or maybe the Korrenberg third party supplement for Eberron. That's what my homebrew psionic rules are based on.

 

[Mind of tempest]

I would want a completely non-magic system. Psionics, as NOT spells, could not be countered or dispelled, etc.

Powers would not be "spells", and I would strive to keep them as far in effect from magic as possible.

Finally, I would remove many spells that IMO really should be iconic psionic powers.

I know many people might not like that idea, but oh well.

no no on this we more or less agree.

but I would take the other option as existence means more to me than all other criteria.

Psi is a choice of themes. Not a choice of mechanics.

Reskin normal magic.

The Warlock has the best mechanics for psi: mostly at-wills that are powerful, some things that take effort and rest, and an occasional daily nova.

I have considered using the dice mechanic from the psi quarter casters for some kind of caster rage mechanic?

 

[Composer99]

I'd have to say that it depends.

If psionics is going to be its own thing in the game, with no magic as such, it's simpler to just re-skin magic - using the warlock chassis as suggested by @Yaarel.

If, on the other hand, psionics would be co-existing with magic, then having it be its own thing is the way to go. - cribbing individual powers from magic spells such as telekinesis and whatnot, but its own thing all the same.

I'm going to assume the former case and cast my vote accordingly, but that might be a good thing to clarify.

 

[Crimson Longinus]

If the idea is to have "D&D, except it is scifi" then you actually want to retain significant amount of the recognisable mechanics. And magic mechanics are significant part of the D&D mechanics. Replacing spell mechanics because in this setting altering the reality with the power of your mind is called 'psionics' instead of 'magic' would be like replacing the combat mechanics because in this setting they use power swords and laser guns instead of axes and bows.

 

[Micah Sweet]

You also have to assume these psionic rules wouldn't just be used with a sci-fi setting, but would be a new option for more tradition fantasy gaming (I assume this is in reference to a forthcoming announced Level Up supplement). That being the case, having it be different from magic is the way to go.

 

[Minigiant]

Because of the limitless expansion of spell and spellcasting, I firmly believe there is not point in psionics as spells. Separate system.

And if it is inly aSciFi setting, there is more reason to separate spells for Psionics.

 

[tetrasodium]

I voted reskin magic but don't feel strongly either way with some caveats

Back in 2e when psionics were viscerally different so was magic. There was pretty strict vancian spellcasting where a caster prepared each slot. 2e is a bit distant for more than vague memories on the schools themselves but at least in 3.5 that magic/psi split was further influenced by the fact that spell schools made a huge impact on what certain classes could learn & at what cost.

In 5e spell schools are almost vestigial & it doesn't really use anything approaching vancian casting anymore. I think that the important part for some is that it feel different on some mechanical level beyond just spell selection & levelup does a great job of doing that between the various classes

 

[MGibster]

Assuming you accept the premise, would you prefer psionics to be magic reskinned or a totally new system?

I accept the premise and would prefer psionics to be a totally new system versus reskinned magic. If psionics were to be magic in all appearance and effects, why bother with it at all? Do something new an exciting with it.

 

[Hussar]

Because of the limitless expansion of spell and spellcasting, I firmly believe there is not point in psionics as spells. Separate system.

And if it is inly aSciFi setting, there is more reason to separate spells for Psionics.

Heh. I look at that premise and come to the opposite conclusion. If spells and spell casting can cover everything, then what's the point of having a separate system for psionics? Just use the existing spell system, bit of reskinning and add in some limitations to differentiate different types of psionics.

Path of least resistance for me.

 

[Minigiant]

Heh. I look at that premise and come to the opposite conclusion. If spells and spell casting can cover everything, then what's the point of having a separate system for psionics? Just use the existing spell system, bit of reskinning and add in some limitations to differentiate different types of psionics.

Path of least resistance for me.

What is there to reskin if spells do everything already? There's no where to go.

If you are determined to have psionics, you have to build off boundaries and capabilities of spells. Unless the goal is to let spell get more versatile and power? Especially if you used 5e where spells can be obtained by characters in a very "liberal" fashion.