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

[Parmandur]

I have a question.

Why the insistence that we need psionic classes?

Why not simply a series of feats with an additional feature that you can replace any class feature you gain after 1st level with a psionic feat. The feats would be something along the lines of warlock invocations- similar in power to a class feature. Would make each sort of psionic package a nice discrete element that could be added to anything - PC or NPC - without a lot of work.

So, you could have a character that is a little psionic on top of being a _____ or you could be mostly psionic with a chassis of another class.

Why do we have to have psionic classes?

Both approaches have been in D&D before.

 

[Auramancer]

Re-skin magic. Warlock short-rest chassis, using spell points. Poach some sorcerer metamagic. Can have different Discipline "pacts". Lots of room for invocations to complement.

 

[MGibster]

Thematically, I would be thrown off if my science fiction game used the same spell system as my fantasy game but just called is psionics instead. Granted, I realize this is D&D so we're still going to have Will, Con, and Dex saves so that's not a problem. But I expect the psionic powers to be different from most of the spells.

 

[Hussar]

Thematically, I would be thrown off if my science fiction game used the same spell system as my fantasy game but just called is psionics instead. Granted, I realize this is D&D so we're still going to have Will, Con, and Dex saves so that's not a problem. But I expect the psionic powers to be different from most of the spells.

But that’s the thing. They aren’t.

Psi bolt is just fire bolt that deals psychic damage. Or maybe something like dissonant whispers.

It’s pretty much going to be damage+rider effect or status effect- charm, fear, mind effect, or plot coupon.

 

[Twiggly the Gnome]

A new system built on the bare bones of the magic system.

• minor at-will abilities
• Up-casting for stronger abilities
• A currency for upcasting at-wills

Level gate the up-cast effects in the at-will discriptions, and there's no need for scores of discrete spell listings.

 

[Retreater]

Why bother basing it on D&D if you just throw away significant chunk of the mechanics?

Who said to throw away Magic? Have magic AND psionics.

 

[overgeeked]

A new system built on the bare bones of the magic system.

• minor at-will abilities
• Up-casting for stronger abilities
• A currency for upcasting at-wills

Level gate the up-cast effects in the at-will discriptions, and there's no need for scores of discrete spell listings.

Right. Something like telekinesis with a range and damage and weight limit that’s a cantrip and you can boost that based on “up-casting” to slots or spell points. Use the DMG list of damage as a rough guide. One ability with a few listed perks for expending a higher level slot or so many magic points.

 

[CleverNickName]

I have a question.

Why the insistence that we need psionic classes?

Why not simply a series of feats with an additional feature that you can replace any class feature you gain after 1st level with a psionic feat. The feats would be something along the lines of warlock invocations- similar in power to a class feature. Would make each sort of psionic package a nice discrete element that could be added to anything - PC or NPC - without a lot of work.

So, you could have a character that is a little psionic on top of being a _____ or you could be mostly psionic with a chassis of another class.

Why do we have to have psionic classes?

That's an interesting point.

 

[Minigiant]

I have a question.

Why the insistence that we need psionic classes?

Why not simply a series of feats with an additional feature that you can replace any class feature you gain after 1st level with a psionic feat. The feats would be something along the lines of warlock invocations- similar in power to a class feature. Would make each sort of psionic package a nice discrete element that could be added to anything - PC or NPC - without a lot of work.

So, you could have a character that is a little psionic on top of being a _____ or you could be mostly psionic with a chassis of another class.

Why do we have to have psionic classes?

We already have that in a way. And it's shallow for a reason.

Feats are worse than creating classes. With feats, you are just empowering characters by giving spellcasters more spells. Therefore you'll have to either:
do like TCOE and not go deep into psionics
OR
rewrite most of the classes' class features
OR
remove a few classes or rewrite their spell lists

Seeing that Morris' question is "how would you do it (in a SciFi setting)?", my assumption is not merely dabbling in psionics..

 

[Micah Sweet]

We already have that in a way. And it's shallow for a reason.

Feats are worse than creating classes. With feats, you are just empowering characters by giving spellcasters more spells. Therefore you'll have to either:
do like TCOE and not go deep into psionics
OR
rewrite most of the classes' class features
OR
remove a few classes or rewrite their spell lists

Seeing that Morris' question is "how would you do it (in a SciFi setting)?", my assumption is not merely dabbling in psionics..

You could certainly do a feat chain and a class option, for those who psionics to be their primary pursuit. That's the problem with feats. They represent a cool thing you can do outside of your primary focus as an adventurer. What if psionics is your primary focus?