D&D 5E Psionics in Tasha
UngeheuerLich
Legend
I lost 2 int following this argument about what psionics are. All I can say is that it is an entirely thought out concept like magic or gods that grant powers.
I would also not refer to rules from nearly halve a century ago... a lot has changed since then. In the game and in the real world.
I would also not refer to rules from nearly halve a century ago... a lot has changed since then. In the game and in the real world.
UngeheuerLich
Legend
Actually, you don't need such a rule. To use counterspell you need to see the spell being cast. So with the psionic sorcerers ability or subtle spell you can't counterspell anyway...
see
Pedantic Grognard
Exactly.
The first version of D&D psionics was primarily about psionic combat, with some other talents attached. And the longest-lived single version of psionics, AD&D 1st edition's (1978-1989), was the same; the 1e DMG's glossary went so far as to define psionics as "Mental combat, possible only by very intelligent beings and some monsters. Psionics also encompasses certain other special mental abilities, such as telekinesis."
No other version of psionics ever lasted to see its sixth birthday, and the majority of those other systems (OD&D, 2e CPH, 2e S&P, and 3e, as opposed to 3.5 and 4e) had psionic combat.
So don't tell me your vision is, as the person I quoted, "the whole point of psionics from the start". You don't have tradition on your side. Argue that your vision enables better stories, or that you want a caster class based on point-fuelled powers, or whatever. That's cool. Just don't invoke the history of D&D psionics as your justification.
(Unless, of course, your vision for 5e psionics really is based around psionic combat. In which case, while I'll admit you have tradition on your side, I have to really question the soundness of your judgment. Psionic combat never worked well.)
Mistwell
Crusty Old Meatwad (he/him)
I remember that subsystem feeling like rock paper scissors. It looked complicated on paper, but in play it just felt like "did you happen to choose the right power to use this round or not?"
Great minds think alike. I posted my comment, then read yours.
Mistwell
Crusty Old Meatwad (he/him)
In 3rd and 3.5 editions, psionic energy and magic are mutually and equally vulnerable to a dispel magic spell or a dispel psionics power; spell resistance protects against powers just as it protects against spells, while power resistance protects against spells as it does against powers. In fact, it was a variant rule, known as "psionics are different," which was the only place where there was an attempt to enforce a separation between the two systems. And, it wasn't much of a separation really, even as a variant rule.
I have a Talislanta the Savage Lands game I'm going to run like this.What I think would be a lot of fun would be a game where everyone played completely non-magical classes. During game play they might come across a grimoire that one understood and learned, granted the knowledge to cast Magic Missile 3xday. Another might find the holy relic of Lathander that while attuned, gives the ability to cast Light 3xday and Cure Wounds 1xday.
By limiting magic that way, you could even give some spells that are above where party level would otherwise have access. Since the PC isn't dropping spells as often, being able to cast a 4th level spell 1xweek at 5th level isn't game breaking. It could be very fun.
Edit: changed non-medical classes to non-magical classes.
There is no magic but as the game goes on they will discover forgotten secrets and gain access to some magic.
They weren't spells though.
On the activator's level, the manifester wasn't casting a spell.
Azzy
ᚳᚣᚾᛖᚹᚢᛚᚠ
The only thing that differentiated 3e's psionic from magic is that the were called "powers" instead of "spells", and were "manifested" instead of "cast", and they had "displays" instead of "components". The difference was all superficial—and that's the way they should be in 5e, IMNSHO.
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