Unearthed Arcana New Psion update, Dungeons and Dragons Unearthed Arcana

A new Unearthed Arcana is up, featuring a revised version of the Psion class. Per a D&D Beyond article, the Psion has seen considerable changes. Feedback for the class focused into three main areas - Psionic Energy Dice, Psionic Modes, and Spellcasting. Psionic Energy Dice are now more flexible and easier to obtain - a new feature called Psionic Reserves allows players to regain uses of Psionic Energy Dice and Telepathic Propel and Telepathic Connection allow players to use those abilities one time each without expending energy dice. Meanwhile, Psionic Modes has been cut from the class, with various aspects of the ability being incorporated into various subclasses as new features. Finally, the Psion now has an updated and expanded spelllist. The UA also contains seven brand new spells and updated versions of existing spells as well.

Additionally, the Metamorph, Psykinetic, and Telepath have all received updates. The Metamorph's abilities now often feature a roll of the Psionic Energy Die while they're being expended. The Psykinetic gains a Stronger Telekinesis feature with an improved Mage Hand spell use. Also, players can now use Telekinetic Propel without expending a Psionic Energy Dice. Finally, the Telepath has a new Telepathic Distraction feature that lets you interfere with another creature's attack roll if it's within range of your telepathy. Scramble Minds was redesigned to reduce the number of dice rolls needed to keep combat from getting bogged down.

 

[AdmundfortGeographer]

I am genuinely beginning to hate Vancian spellcasting. Its stranglehold on game mechanics is killing WotC's ability to actually design classes, because now nearly every class is a homogenous hodgepodge with only the tiniest tracery of differences.

I believe it is the cancer of 5E multiclassing. Designing and balancing classes against experience of how multiclassing in expected has stifled class design for a decade.

So to avoid the broken unexpected edge cases that can’t possibly be planned with eccentric new mechanics, class design sticking to the known quantity of spell slots makes a simpler class design and attempt for balance.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

But you have plenty of other non-WotC options to get what you want.

That’s the thing. A psion - any psion - is needed for WotC to make Dark Sun. And WotC need to make Dark Sun for it to be open to 3PP. If you happen to prefer a different version, then it will be a simple matter to swap the WotC psion out.

 

[Kurotowa]

Now here's another Psion character idea. The Hidden condition isn't broken by casting a spell, it's broken by casting a spell with Verbal components. And look at that, Psions get to omit Verbal components. So what can we do with that?

Let's dust off the old lore about Blues and make a Goblin Metamorph Psion. From hiding you take the Attack action. Start with Telekinetic Fling; it has Advantage because you're hidden and doesn't break stealth because it has no V components. Then attack with Viscera Launcher, again with Advantage because of stealth. Then because you're a Goblin, Bonus Action to Hide again.

Not exactly a high power build, but a fun little idea.

Edit: Attack rolls also break stealth, so it'd have to be Mind Sliver as the cantrip. Which is less cool. Maybe a Telepath Goblin Psion, then? Less my speed, but still an interesting niche idea.

 

[Zaukrie]

In play ime, it doesn't really change much to use points vs slots. You can call psionics not magic, but what really the difference? You're still causing the same effects mostly.

We could have the same arguments over and over, or we can realize the ship has sailed. If you want to be on a different ship, there are dozens of good ones out there.

 

[Remathilis]

Its stranglehold on game mechanics is killing WotC's ability to actually design classes, because now nearly every class is a homogenous hodgepodge with only the tiniest tracery of differences

You know that's what they said about ADEU design pre Essentials? There is nothing new under the Sun.

 

[Remathilis]

Seriously. While I do hope the official psion is fun to play, the biggest excitement about it for me is that it was the first indication they'd consider publishing Dark Sun.

They NEED a psion class if they are doing Dark Sun because any attempt to just use subclasses to do psionics will but heads right into arcane defiling rules or no deity/divine magic rules. You can't assume people will know or like that the draconic sorcerer is forced to defile but the aberrant mind sorcerer will not.

 

[mellored]

In play ime, it doesn't really change much to use points vs slots. You can call psionics not magic, but what really the difference? You're still causing the same effects mostly.

We could have the same arguments over and over, or we can realize the ship has sailed. If you want to be on a different ship, there are dozens of good ones out there.

Not neccicaraly.
If you cut the max spell level, then you can boost the number of times you can cast it. Possibly even at-will.

Personally I would probably do something like..

 Psion
1: You have X spell points. Spend 1 point to cast a Psion spell.
2: Get Psionic Dice, you can use as a bonus action.
3: Choose a subclass.
Level 5: All your Psionic spells are cast at 2nd level. They still cost 1 SP per spell.
7: Choose a second subclass.
Level 11: All your Psionic spells are cast at 3rd level.
14: Choose a 3rd subclass.
Level 17: All your Psionic spells are cast at 4th level.

Pyrokinetic
Level 3: cast burning hands at-will.
Level 7: cast scorching ray at-will
Level 14: cast fireball at-will.
20: cast wall of fire at-will.
Telekinetic
Level 3: cast catapult at-will
Level 7: cast cloud of daggers at-will
Level 14: cast Fly at-will.
Level 20: Otiluke's Resilient Sphere at-will.


Just as an example of a different way to do it.

 

[Zaukrie]

Not neccicaraly.
If you cut the max spell level, then you can boost the number of times you can cast it. Possibly even at-will.

Personally I would probably do something like..

 Psion
1: You have X spell points. Spend 1 point to cast a Psion spell.
2: Get Psionic Dice, you can use as a bonus action.
3: Choose a subclass.
Level 5: All your Psionic spells are cast at 2nd level. They still cost 1 SP per spell.
7: Choose a second subclass.
Level 11: All your Psionic spells are cast at 3rd level.
14: Choose a 3rd subclass.
Level 17: All your Psionic spells are cast at 4th level.

Pyrokinetic
Level 3: cast burning hands at-will.
Level 7: cast scorching ray at-will
Level 14: cast fireball at-will.
20: cast wall of fire at-will.
Telekinetic
Level 3: cast catapult at-will
Level 7: cast cloud of daggers at-will
Level 14: cast Fly at-will.
Level 20: Otiluke's Resilient Sphere at-will.


Just as an example of a different way to do it.

Sure, but they've made it clear for 10 years they aren't doing that. And, I'm not sure what really changes if they do. I'm done with this part of the discussion. People aren't moving their positions, we're just wasting time at this point.

 

[SkidAce]

That’s the thing. A psion - any psion - is needed for WotC to make Dark Sun. And WotC need to make Dark Sun for it to be open to 3PP. If you happen to prefer a different version, then it will be a simple matter to swap the WotC psion out.

And if my current players cant build it on Beyond easily, they would rather not.

 

[EzekielRaiden]

That is not why they stopped working on the Mystic. They stopped working on the Mystic cause the feedback was overwhelmingly negative. Players don’t want “spell like features” when they can just use spells.

And you have citations for this "overwhelmingly negative" claim, yes?