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

[Mind of tempest]

That is kinda what the Aberration Sorcerer already is: psychic powers "unlocked" by having an Aberration bloodline.

In other words, normal 5e spellcasting mechanics.

and we all found it unsatisfactory?

 

[Cadence]

I kind of want to see into a parallel universe where D&D has always been more free-form, non-vancian, spell point, at-will powers, etc.. with its arcane/divine magic system - and then to see how this conversation is going there.

 

[jmartkdr2]

you may have a point but what mechanic would be the centrepiece of the psion then?

Power points is a popular choice.

Another big one is spells without components - you don't need to say anything or hold anything or use your hands - you just think really hard and magic happens. That's not a huge buff but it's not really the Spellcasting feature anymore. (even if specific psionic effects are just spells)

Plus a new spell list, of course. Many repeats but a few exclusives.

 

[Mind of tempest]

Power points is a popular choice.

Another big one is spells without components - you don't need to say anything or hold anything or use your hands - you just think really hard and magic happens. That's not a huge buff but it's not really the Spellcasting feature anymore. (even if specific psionic effects are just spells)

Plus a new spell list, of course. Many repeats but a few exclusives.

I am thinking of something more active as well.

 

[jmartkdr2]

I am thinking of something more active as well.

Psionic Attack Modes? It fits the pseudosciency vibe, is a classic dnd psion reference, and while it could be handled with spells so could most 'class exclusive' features (ie turn undead, wild shape, bardic inspiration). Defense Modes could be used as well, although they should probably be usable against no-psionic effects.

 

[Cadence]

Psionic Attack Modes? It fits the pseudosciency vibe, is a classic dnd psion reference, and while it could be handled with spells so could most 'class exclusive' features (ie turn undead, wild shape, bardic inspiration). Defense Modes could be used as well, although they should probably be usable against no-psionic effects.

Will type save (wisdom or charisma?) for the untrained?

 

[Hussar]

Why is a "good alchemy system" different from a general magic system? Why don't we just refluff sword attacks as fire bolts and have nothing but fighters?

Because mechanics inform the fiction, and if psionics is the same as wizardry you haven't come close tto the trope of "psychic powers."

Huh? In 5e, it's the artificer that has an "alchemy" system and it's pretty much straight up standard casting with a couple of tweaks. So, are Alchemists not flavorful enough? Are they just wizards?

As I've said, regardless of how much psionics is like magic, if you reskin a caster as a psionic, you are intentionally making your character less powerful/versatile to fit a theme. It just doesn't feel good. Psionics should at least have it's own class/classes with it's own abilities, even if it uses the magic system.

I have no real problem with psionic characters getting a new class. That's fine. A new class with three or four subclasses? Sure, I can buy that. Psionics are certainly flavorful enough to make a good go of that. It's the "new magic system that doesn't interact with the existing one" that I draw the line at.

For example, if we go with the "psionics is totally different" angle, that means that a psionic character can't use any of the "caster" items. No wands (by and large) or various other magic items. Which means now I have to have a whole suite of magic items just for this one class, many of which are just replications of existing items - so, no Pearl of Power, but, a Crystal of Mind Power, things like that - and that's a non-starter for me. And, of course, if we have this entirely new system for this class, do we then have to apply it to monsters too? Again, this is a non-starter for me. Too much work for a single class.

My basic argument boils down to a pragmatic one. If adding psionics to the game requires more than, say, about six pages (which is what the artificer takes) or so, then I'm just not interested. It's too complicated, for me, and too much work.

 

[Minigiant]

That is kinda what the Aberration Sorcerer already is: psychic powers "unlocked" by having an Aberration bloodline.

In other words, normal 5e spellcasting mechanics.

The Aberrant Sorcerer required the bloodline.

Psionics usually goes with having a strong enough brain or personality raise your chances. The random charismatic child in some random village being mentored by a roaming psionic.

Plus the Aberrant mind sorcerer had the baggage of the 5e designers seeing it as just a blaster.

 

[Hussar]

The Aberrant Sorcerer required the bloodline.

Psionics usually goes with having a strong enough brain or personality raise your chances. The random charismatic child in some random village being mentored by a roaming psionic.

Plus the Aberrant mind sorcerer had the baggage of the 5e designers seeing it as just a blaster.

Really? Lots of psionic characters in Marvel and whatnot are not particularly smart or strong personalities - Psylocke comes to mind. Not a character I would associate with that and since she's a mutant - Aberrant bloodline in other words - doesn't she fit the bill? And, note, Jedi, the typical go to for D&D psionics are not based on brain or personality but, simply winning the Mitichlorian lottery - effectively an Aberrant bloodline.

The notion of your Int, Wis and/or Cha raising your chances of being psionic seems pretty much a D&Dism more than something you find in fiction.

 

[jmartkdr2]

Huh? In 5e, it's the artificer that has an "alchemy" system and it's pretty much straight up standard casting with a couple of tweaks. So, are Alchemists not flavorful enough? Are they just wizards?

I'm in favor of them being their own class, and not happy with any of the existing options. "Just refluff an existing option" is what I'm arguing against.