D&D Debuts Playtest for Psion Class

Wizards of the Coast is playtesting the Psion class for Dungeons & Dragons. Today, Wizards of the Coast provided a new Unearthed Arcana for the Psion, a new class for the current revised 5th edition of Dungeons & Dragons. The playtest includes base class rules plus four subclasses - the body-shifting Metamorph, the reality warping Psi Warper, the offensive-minded Psykinetic, and the Telepath.

The core mechanic of the Psion involves use of Psion Energy die. Players have a pool of energy dice that replenishes after a Long Rest, with the number and size of the dice determined by the Psion's level. These psion energy dice can either be rolled to increase results of various checks/saving throws or spent to fuel various Psion abilities.

While the Psion and psionics have a long tradition in D&D, they've only received a handful of subclasses in 5th Edition. If the Psion survives playtesting, it would mark the first time that Wizards of the Coast has added a new character class to D&D since the Artificer. Notably, the Psion and psionics are also heavily associated with Dark Sun, a post-apocalyptic campaign setting that many considered to be off the table for Fifth Edition due to the need to update parts of the setting to bring it current with modern sensibilities. However, the introduction of Wild talent feats (which replaces some Origin feats tied to backgrounds with psion-themed Feats) in the UA seems to suggest that Dark Sun is back on the table.

 

[GarrettKP]

The 5e PHB is still relevant, because unless 5.5e changes something, the 5e version is assumed to still be in play. If 5.5e is silent on the weave, then the 5e version still applies.

That only applies to game mechanics, not to lore. Nothing in the Spellcasting mechanics says it’s contingent on the weave existing in a setting. Spellcasting works, the weave is for the Forgotten Realms. Not D&D as a whole.

 

[dave2008]

"One D&D" is both 2014 and 2024 together. And in 2014 they included this:

Now you can say "That's not in D&D 2024's book!" all you like. But it's there, in a whole block in 2014. Which was the guiding principle for everything that lead to 2024's edition, which they've repeatedly said is not a "New Edition".

When they say this part of the 2014 book is no longer relevant or canonical or whatever specific term they want to use, great. Until then it's still in effect as far as I can tell.

And, at the very least, it was a pre-2024 stumbling block to making Dark Sun or any setting which didn't have the Weave or some equivalent.

First, I specifically mentioned the 5e24 rules in my post, so yes that is what I was talking about.

If you don't find it relevant they specifically took out the language about the Weave than there is nothing I an see other than I disagree. 5e24 and 5e14 are one system/edition, but that doesn't mean things are static. WotC has clearly chosen to try to be more inclusive in their approach. They very specifically took out most references to settings on the 2024 core books. The specifically removed references to the Weave.

It seems clear to me any Dark Sun product, if there is one, would not have a side-bar or rules revision to accommodate the Weave because it is 100% unnecessary from their perspective.

Ehhh... I think a setting that goes WAY HARD away from traditional or "Standard" fantasy is going to be a bigger problem for them to get past the board of directors.

After all, Theros sold less than 40,000 hard copies. And we know it sold 14,000 copies in the first month because it was a Hardcover Fiction best seller in July of 2020 from links on the Wikipedia page for it.

That said, I hope a 5e Dark Sun sells a million copies. I love the setting. I just don't anticipate it would sell well compared to Ravenloft.

Who knows, we will see. It just seems to me that a hot desert wind is blowing on the plains of WotC.

 

[Azzy]

I miss psicrystals.

 

[dave2008]

It wasn't included in the 2024 PHB. However it also hasn't been addressed. And "This is the law of the Multiverse and how magic functions everywhere across all time and space" feels like it needs a specific response, to me.

I guess I just don't see the need to address it. Its absence from 2024 books (and likely all non-setting books moving forward) does address the issue as far as I am concerned. I mean my games simple don't hang on every word and interpretation from WotC and I can't imagine many really do.

 

[Micah Sweet]

I can see that, sure.

It feeling like a workaround for Defiling and Preserving does make sense... but Defiling was meant to be the easy path to power in the setting. You got a shorter XP table if you were a defiler as a reward for embracing evil and would level up as a Wizard faster than if you were a Preserver.

So while it was certainly a way -to- sidestep... that wasn't the goal. Also everyone getting Wild Talents was a big deal. Previously you rolled for those.


It wasn't included in the 2024 PHB. However it also hasn't been addressed. And "This is the law of the Multiverse and how magic functions everywhere across all time and space" feels like it needs a specific response, to me.

YMMV, of course. But so long as it's "Still 5th Edition D&D" then it still has 5e's baggage 'til they drop it, IMO.

"A Note About Psionics"

"Dark Sun is a world of powerful psionics. Every player character has at least one psionic talent, as do many of the non-player characters and monsters. A thorough understanding of The Complete Psionics Handbook is required for full enjoyment of any DARK SUN campaign"

So let's check the Psionics Handbook.

"Is Psionics Magical?"
Many people assume that psionics is just another type of magic. The AD&D* game already has two types of magic - one wielded by wizards and the other by clerics. So it is not unreasonable to ask, "Does the game need a third type of magic?"

The answer is no, the game probably does not need a third kind of magic.

But the question is misinformed because psionics is not magic. Magic is the ability to shape, control, harness, and utilize natural forces that infuse the game world and surround the characters. It is based on the principle that, through the use of words, gestures, and catalyzing materials of unique power, these external energies can be controlled.

The key element of that statement is external energy. Magical effects are produced externally by manipulating outside forces. The power does not come from inside the wizard or priest but from somewhere else.

Psionics is the complete opposite of this. The psionicist shapes, controls, harnesses, and utilizes natural forces that infuse his own being. His effort is focused inward rather than outward. He must be completely in touch with and aware of even the tiniest workings of his body and mind.

This type of knowledge comes from long and intense meditation coupled with physical extremes. The psionicist finds enlightenment in both complete exhaustion and complete relaxation, in both pain and pleasure. The mind and body are only parts of a much greater unity. Indeed, discussing one without the other, as so many people do, seems nonsensical to a psionicist; they cannot be separated. The body produces energy and vitality, the mind gives it shape and reality.

Neither does the psionicist study or pray for his powers. He carries them with him wherever he goes. As long as his mind and body are rested - i.e., as long as he has not depleted his psionic strength - his powers are available to him."

So no. Psionics in original Dark Sun are not magic.

Excellent! That's how I remembered it anyway, but I don't have my 2e book with me.

 

[Klemvore]

So how's it done.

click on the link in the post and find out....

 

[Micah Sweet]

I miss psicrystals.

Easy enough to implement in 5e with a spot of design. Then you don't have to miss them!

 

[GarrettKP]

I miss psicrystals.

They (kinda) exist in 5e already. In Rime
of the Frost Maiden.

 

[Klemvore]

So how's it done.

So there is a link up there you can click and see exactly how it's done.

 

[Steampunkette]

That doesn't really fly. Either those answers of his also amount to a "nuh uh," or you were out of line in mischaracterizing my response that way. The posts don't become different based on our past histories.

After our previous arguments and the way they've gone down, where you often provide no argument or position -except- to try and argue that I and others are wrong, it truly feels like it's an almost automatic response.

It took me four posts of asking you to actually take a position of your own, all the while pulling one line out of my posts to discuss and argue, before you were willing to write a post about what you believe is actually going on.

I've never had to do that with Dave2008. He makes a post containing his opinion and entertains disagreements with it, or disagrees with other people's points, sure. But it never comes across as nay saying because he's got a position that I can read and go "Oh. Yeah. That makes sense." and then build a synthesis.

And once you did that, I went "Oh. Yeah. That makes sense." and then built a synthesis with your position, too.

Hypocrisy, however, would be holding you to a different standard than I hold Dave2008 apropos of nothing. Just "Because". No rhyme or reason to it.

But I don't do it for no reason. I do it because of my previous experiences with you.

Because I -don't- want to engage in another 20 pages of trying very hard to pin down your position on a topic while you take my posts line by line and dissect them to try and build a negative argument that amounts to "You're wrong." without any kind of attempt to explain what would be "Right".

I'm happy you're able to walk into our discussions clean slate. I'm glad you think I'm a first rate designer. And I do my best to try and understand your positions. I'd love it if you'd respond with a positive argument expressing your positions and what you think is "Right" rather than digging into what you think is "Wrong" more often.

I think you and I would have a lot more constructive discussions that way, because it allows for synthesis and comparison of position.