D&D (2024) How should the Psion/Mystic be implemented in 1DnD?

[Minigiant]

1. A Psionic Spell list
2. A Psion class that is an Int Based Full Caster uses Psi Points by default with unique features
   1. Augmentation: Psions can augment select cantrips with Psi Points. Augmentation is part of the psion class and cannot be snagged by wizards or other spellcasters
   2. Talent: Talents are nonspells that scale and transform in power and scope via spell point
3. A Mystic Class that is a Int based Half Caster uses Psi Points by default
4. Other classes get psioinc subclasses to cover aspects psions and mystics don't
   1. Fighter- Psi Knight
   2. Cleric- Mind Domain
   3. Monk- Way of the Mind
   4. Rogue- Soul Knife
   5. Sorcerer- Aberrant Mind

 

[Krachek]

Some unlinked thought:

5ed have lived 10 years without a psion. Some subclass and feats have been added. That is my expectation for the next 10 years.

a barrier often mentioned is the V,S,M component for the spells. Maybe an official advice can state that we can rid of V,S,M without breaking the game. that way it will be more easier to imagine DND as a full psionic powered game.

my crush on psionic is the old way: having psionic on top of your actual classes. but in the actual frenzy about balance that would be too much!

 

[DEFCON 1]

People should find the best 3rd party Psion version they like online and use that, rather than waiting for WotC to make one. Same as a Warlord class or a Dark Sun setting re-up.

Because even if WotC makes one, they're not going to like how WotC did it. So they will have spent over a decade not using something they could have been using all along, just to not want to use the "official" version they waited patiently for.

 

[Dausuul]

I definitely think psions should have innate, always-usable abilities that cost nothing. Telekinesis to let you move unattended objects and strike with them (for a fixed amount of damage). Telepathy to let you sense conscious creatures and communicate with them. Et cetera. These should be stronger than cantrips, but not as powerful as leveled spells.

Then they should also have a selection of "power moves" with limited usage; mind control, hurling opponents around, and so forth.

What this leads to IMO is a warlock-like design, with at-will "invocations" and a few "spells" (not as many as a standard caster).

 

[James Gasik]

Is it too late to make this a "+" thread? I remember how this went last time...but ok.

A lot of people need/want/prefer psionics to be mechanically different from spellcasting, but I don't really trust the current WotC team with that task. What's more important to me that it "feels" different, that psionics are evocative of forbidden, unearthly knowledge. The weird pulp Science Fantasy at the heart of early D&D. The City of the Gods. Expedition to the Barrier Peaks. The Derro, dear God, the Derro!

That there's something fundamentally wrong about "mind magic". Bring back Ioun sacrificing herself to wall off the Far Realms, where the source of psionics lays. Mindscapes and strange planes where one's thoughts and will shape reality.

Michael Moorcock-esque strangeness.

It's ok if it's spell slots and spells, as long as the powers themselves do odd things, and manifest in odd ways. Mentalists need not use any components (other than the "telepath stance", "the glare", or nosebleeds...oh yes, nosebleeds, have these powers actually cause strain to use, even if it's only a hit point or two, to get the message across that BRAINS ARE NOT MEANT TO DO THAT!).

A Wizard should see a Psion in action and be like "Dear Mystra! How are you doing...that?!".

That's what I want. But I wouldn't mind some psionic races. Gimme Blues, Derro Savants, Shardmindcs, and those cute Dromites! I'll even accept Elans, but I'm really EH about Kalashtar and Maenads (and Half Giants, who are only psionic because everyone is on Athas!).

 

[mamba]

I definitely think psions should have innate, always-usable abilities that cost nothing. Telekinesis to let you move unattended objects and strike with them (for a fixed amount of damage). Telepathy to let you sense conscious creatures and communicate with them. Et cetera. These should be stronger than cantrips, but not as powerful as leveled spells.

why should they be stronger than cantrips, that seems to break game balance…

As to psionics overall, I never liked them, to me they are just magic by a different name. So having them outside the PHB, eg in the Planescape supplement works just fine for me

 

[SkidAce]

People should find the best 3rd party Psion version they like online and use that, rather than waiting for WotC to make one. Same as a Warlord class or a Dark Sun setting re-up.

Because even if WotC makes one, they're not going to like how WotC did it. So they will have spent over a decade not using something they could have been using all along, just to not want to use the "official" version they waited patiently for.

I FEEL TARGETED!!!!!

Lol, but you are probably right.

 

[SkidAce]

It's ok if it's spell slots and spells, as long as the powers themselves do odd things, and manifest in odd ways. Mentalists need not use any components (other than the "telepath stance", "the glare", or nosebleeds...oh yes, nosebleeds, have these powers actually cause strain to use, even if it's only a hit point or two, to get the message across that BRAINS ARE NOT MEANT TO DO THAT!).

How about old school "non-lethal damage" that goes away on a short rest?

 

[Frozen_Heart]

People should find the best 3rd party Psion version they like online and use that, rather than waiting for WotC to make one. Same as a Warlord class or a Dark Sun setting re-up.

Because even if WotC makes one, they're not going to like how WotC did it. So they will have spent over a decade not using something they could have been using all along, just to not want to use the "official" version they waited patiently for.

Some of us don't have DM's which will allow homebrew classes. And they don't work on DnD Beyond which many of us use.

 

[OldSchoolGamerGirl]

I like a mix of the 3e (Not 3.5) and 4e style for my psion

at will abailties that scale like cantrips but new at wills as well as you level.
psionic points
you can augment your at wills to do more with psionic points.
As long as you have any psionic points you can maintain psionic concentration, and some always on powers require you to have psionic concentration, and some require you to expend it, taking an action to reestablish it.

example:
Telekenetic.
at will you can move up to 5lbs of weight as if you were useing mage hand
at level 5 this increases to 10lbs
at level 11 this increase to 20lbs
at level 17 this increase to 40lbs
You can also as an action use it to make an attack useing cha vs targets AC to deal 1d6 force damage, increase to 2d6 at 5th 3d6 at 11th and 4d6 at 17th
you can spend 1 psi point to instead make it a 10ft cone attack or spend 3 psi points to make it a 20ft cone.
If you are maintaining your psionic concentration you can add your cha modifire to damage with any melee attacks that hit
If you expend you psionic concentration you can use the attack with 1 target or spend for the cone to replace 1 attack when you take the attack action.

Telepathy
at will you can communicate with 1 creature at a time within 30ft of you that has a language even if you don't share it.
At level 5 increase this to any and all creatures within 30ft
At level 11 increase this to any and all creatures within 60ft and you can be a hub 'connecting them' to speak with each other.
At level 17 increase this to any and all creatures within 120ft.
You can as an action make a creature within your telepathy range make a wis save DC 8+ cha mod+prof of take 1d4 psychic damage and have disadvantage on there next attack increase to 2d4 at 5th 3d4 at 11th and 4d4 at 17th
If you are maintain you psionic concentration you can make a cha save in place of any wis saves as long as you are not surprised
If you expend your psionic concentration as a bonus action you can sense any minds, there general direction from you within your telepathy range.