D&D (2024) Githzerai Psion? Thri-kreen Psion? Where's My Psion?

[TwoSix]

This is a rather dated idea of what intelligence is, in both scientific and D&D terms. The science says there are many dimensions to intelligence, including things like social intelligence (charisma), and so on. In gameplay terms, the INT stat is pretty much narrowed down to book smarts, with the player themselves expected to supply those aspects of intellect not covered by wisdom and charisma. So, no, the INT stat is not "mental muscle" in 5e.

It certainly isn't less "mental muscle" than WIS and CHA, though.

Like with most of the caster classes, the actual casting stat used should be fungible. Any skill in enchantment magic or telepathy can easily be represented with high CHA; divination and precognition can be a high Wis, etc.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Book smarts are what make you good at psychic things in many pieces of media.

Examples?

 

[Micah Sweet]

This is a rather dated idea of what intelligence is, in both scientific and D&D terms. The science says there are many dimensions to intelligence, including things like social intelligence (charisma), and so on. In gameplay terms, the INT stat is pretty much narrowed down to book smarts, with the player themselves expected to supply those aspects of intellect not covered by wisdom and charisma. So, no, the INT stat is not "mental muscle" in 5e.

What does the real nature of intelligence have to do with the popularity of a narrative concept?

 

[Paul Farquhar]

What does the real nature of intelligence have to do with the popularity of a narrative concept?

People update the rules as their understanding changes.

 

[EzekielRaiden]

Examples?

I already gave you some. Superhero comics are another example.

But I'm done having to cite chapter and verse only to be told all of my examples are bad and wrong and badong.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

I already gave you some. Superhero comics are another example.

Specific examples. Which comic book psychics are more powerful because of book smarts? Because I can think of some powerful comic book psychics who are not so good in the thinking department.

 

[TwoSix]

I don't really know comic books, but mind flayers are a pretty canonical example of hypercognition being associated with psychic potential.

 

[Micah Sweet]

People update the rules as their understanding changes.

To quote a post above, "Examples?"

 

[GarrettKP]

I’d love a Psion class that is a mix of Artificer and Warlock. Instead of magic items or invocations, give them a selection of Psionic Disciplines in the main class to supplement limited magic capabilities, and have the subclasses focus on major enhancements to a Cantrip as their core feature.

A Telepath that enhances Message, a Telekinetic that enhances Mage Hand, an Empath that enhances Friends, etc.

So a high level Telekinetic can start using mage hand as a weapon to attack or throw enemies around, a Telepath eventually can use message to mess with people’s minds, etc.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

To quote a post above, "Examples?"

Gygax explained the intelligence stat in terms of IQ. This was his understanding, and reflected the science of the 1970s. As other, younger designers have taken over they have updated descriptions and usage to reflect what they understand intelligence to be.

Intelligence: Reasoning and memory

-2024 free rules (I don't know the names of the authors)​