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

[Yaarel]

I normally use the term "scifi" to also include fantasy. So, Lord of the Rings is scifi. There are too many shows (that I like) that blur the genres: Star Wars, Dr Who, Star Trek, superheroes, and so on. Its all scifi.

Others trying to maintain some theoretical distinction, might use the broad term "speculative fiction", where I use scifi.



That said, for me, there is a difference between technology and magic. Technology is a "tool", and can be bought and sold.

Magic is something that requires a "relationship", is inherent, and allows for a mental intention to manifest directly as physical reality.

To the degree that psionics wills thoughts directly into existence, I consider it "magic", even if there is a scientific explanation for how it works.

 

[Minigiant]

And, since we're in the topic of "Psionics in a Sci-Fi D&D", then the worry about wizards disappears. This isn't straight up D&D, so, wizards, presumably, wouldn't exist in the setting. So, why are we worried about wizards getting psionic spells?

IOW, we're apparently concerned about a purely hypothetical.

Wizards aren't banned in scifi. What matters in scifi is the focus on and/or basis of some element of science. Psionics is fantastical as welland the excuse science is almost lways a major stretch.

Science fantasy is a subgenre of science fiction afterall.

 

[Krachek]

Sci-fi vs Fantasy? In sci-fi psionic work for real! That‘s a kind of Fantasy!

 

[Cadence]

I normally use the term "scifi" to also include fantasy. So, Lord of the Rings is scifi. There are too many shows (that I like) that blur the genres: Star Wars, Dr Who, Star Trek, superheroes, and so on. Its all scifi.

Others trying to maintain some theoretical distinction, might use the broad term "speculative fiction", where I use scifi.



That said, for me, there is a difference between technology and magic. Technology is a "tool", and can be bought and sold.

Magic is something that requires a "relationship", is inherent, and allows for a mental intention to manifest directly as physical reality.

Potions and magic items are technology?

 

[Hussar]

Sci-fi vs Fantasy? In sci-fi psionic work for real! That‘s a kind of Fantasy!

Well yes. Psionics is how sf writers bring magic into an at setting.

 

[Yaarel]

Potions and magic items are technology?

If the magic items are virtually identical to technology, and feel like one can by them in a store or make one in a lab, then yeah, it is technology.

If the magic item requires attunement and rapport, has a mindful presence in some way, furthers the mental intentions of its creator, and so on, then it starts to feel more like magic.

I guess the difference is like: magic behaves like a dream, versus, technology behaves like a chemistry book.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

And, since we're in the topic of "Psionics in a Sci-Fi D&D", then the worry about wizards disappears. This isn't straight up D&D, so, wizards, presumably, wouldn't exist in the setting. So, why are we worried about wizards getting psionic spells?

IOW, we're apparently concerned about a purely hypothetical.

This is really the big question that the OP doesn't mention. I assume @Morrus has some project in mind, but it's not clear if it's straight up D&D in space (Spelljammer) with existing classes and magic, a reskin (Esper Genesis), or something in between (Starfinder).

The answer to the original question is very different depending on which.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

And, since we're in the topic of "Psionics in a Sci-Fi D&D", then the worry about wizards disappears. This isn't straight up D&D, so, wizards, presumably, wouldn't exist in the setting. So, why are we worried about wizards getting psionic spells?

IOW, we're apparently concerned about a purely hypothetical.

My gut feeling on this is we should presumably continue to account for wizards, etc. as if it were standard D&D from a design standpoint. If you do, it makes it easier to evaluate/playtest for balance (you have already-published reference poinrs) AND it increases compatibility with the original game and whatever other stuff might be out there.

I mean, I can’t be the ONLY gamer out there who bought products related by system to yoink for inclusion in other games.

 

[Scars Unseen]

And as there is no actual magic in scifi, no separation is needed and there is no possibility of confusion.

I feel the exact opposite on this. The reason separation is needed isn't because of possibility of confusion. My reasons are basically twofold:

1. I don't feel that the mechanics that define the D&D wizard would do a sufficient job of capturing the feel of a science fiction user of psychic disciplines.
2. The wizard class is already so comprehensive that patterning a psion after the wizard would essentially just be a wizard with a restricted spell list. You could literally do that yourself by curating the spell list in about an hour, and if we're assuming that this is supposed to lead to a product, I'd be highly unlikely to spend money on something I could do so easily myself.

Whether it's to use as intended in a sci-fi setting or to scavenge mechanics for use in a fantasy D&D campaign, there is just nothing really useable in a wizard-based psion that I couldn't already get from the PHB.

 

[Mind of tempest]

I feel the exact opposite on this. The reason separation is needed isn't because of possibility of confusion. My reasons are basically twofold:

1. I don't feel that the mechanics that define the D&D wizard would do a sufficient job of capturing the feel of a science fiction user of psychic disciplines.
2. The wizard class is already so comprehensive that patterning a psion after the wizard would essentially just be a wizard with a restricted spell list. You could literally do that yourself by curating the spell list in about an hour, and if we're assuming that this is supposed to lead to a product, I'd be highly unlikely to spend money on something I could do so easily myself.

Whether it's to use as intended in a sci-fi setting or to scavenge mechanics for use in a fantasy D&D campaign, there is just nothing really useable in a wizard-based psion that I couldn't already get from the PHB.

so clearly we need something rather different in at least a few ways?