D&D (2024) What Should a Psion Be Able To Do?

You're using a colloquial definition, but other usage narrows magic down as a subset of the supernatural. Supernatural is the broader term, even though they are often used interchangably.
Okay, but in D&D 5e magic Is used how I’m using it. In most contexts it is, but most relevantly 5e uses it that way.

Unicorns and dragons are magical, they just aren’t the type of magic that is affected by anti-magic stuff, for instance. Fairies are magical but they don’t stop flying in the gaze of a beholder. It’s all magic.
 

log in or register to remove this ad

Okay, but in D&D 5e magic Is used how I’m using it. In most contexts it is, but most relevantly 5e uses it that way.

Unicorns and dragons are magical, they just aren’t the type of magic that is affected by anti-magic stuff, for instance. Fairies are magical but they don’t stop flying in the gaze of a beholder. It’s all magic.
Does 5E have a glossary or keyword entry you can quote? Prior editions had specifically Supernatural abilities.
 

Yeah, I think most of the things people have listed are things a Psion might be able to do, but they aren't things all Psions should be able to do. I don't like Psions being able to pick up random abilities at random power levels, that is what I associate with being a Wizard.
That is an interesting distinction. I don’t know that I like it for wizards either, but it might be an interesting way to differentiate the two.
 


Does 5E have a glossary or keyword entry you can quote? Prior editions had specifically Supernatural abilities.
It’s been discussed quite a lot in the last decade.

There is a sage advice answer IIRC about how while dragons fly magically, their flight is magical but not Magical, and explains the distinction, because 5e doesn’t do the “Supernatural which is totally not technically magical” thing.
 

It’s been discussed quite a lot in the last decade.

There is a sage advice answer IIRC about how while dragons fly magically, their flight is magical but not Magical, and explains the distinction, because 5e doesn’t do the “Supernatural which is totally not technically magical” thing.
Gotcha, thanks. That certainly fits into 5E's writing style.

I think it's fair to say that 5E is not going to introduce a greater variety of supernatural concepts - or even be more specific about what exists - as that is not 5E's design philosophy. However, those distinctions do exist outside of 5E, including previous D&D editions, and certainly in the larger discourse of fantasy and the ideas fantasy is based on and explores.
 

That is an interesting distinction. I don’t know that I like it for wizards either, but it might be an interesting way to differentiate the two.
Yeah, I can at least justify it in my mind for Wizards because the power is in discrete incantations written in their spellbooks.

If I absolutely had to use the all the parts of the existing casting system for Psionics, the cantrips would act as "anchors" for all the other spells. If you have cantrip A, you get spells B, C, and D at the appropriate level. No free floating powers or thematic gaps.
 

Having read most of the intervening pages, I have been swayed strongly to "Psions should be able to do anything magic (wizards) can do". I think, however, that Psions (like druids or my ideal of sorcerers), should stay strongly or entirely within their "Disciplines". (I did that same effort for Clerics, once upon a time for 3e.) So while a "Psion" should be potentially be able to throw a fireball or raise the dead or accomplish a wish, those three examples should take a Pyrokinetic, a Psychosoular (yeah, what word would that be), or a Portalpsi (another "what's the word").

If you, the Psion in question, don't have pyrokinesis, you aren't throwing fireball. But if you gained and trained it, maybe. Potentially - complicated sub rules - with limited crossover. Like a Telekinetic might be able to "fake" all the energy-kinesis at 2 (or more!) levels weaker, or some other creative mechanics (like scooping up flame from a bonfire and hurling it at foes, but not the actual creation of a propelled 20' radius fiery grenade); the portal specialist might open a portal to the elemental plane of fire, and allow a gout of flame to burst forth... but that still isn't the perfectly controlled bead of explosive combustion force the pyrokinetic is achieving.

On the other hand, the portal guy can open a portal to Elemental Air and trigger a gust of wind, while the Pyrokinetic is pointing at the backblast of air after the explosive combustion and hoping that counts. The telekinetic can lift the boulder, but the pyrokinetic is blasting it out of the way, or blowing it up. Telekinetic flight, pyrokinetic "rocket jumps".
 

If you, the Psion in question, don't have pyrokinesis, you aren't throwing fireball.
Pick 2 mini-spell lists at level 1.

Pyrokinetic gets fire spells
Telekinetic gets thunder wave
Cryokinetic gets ray of frost, and grease-but-ice.
Biokinetic gets healing
Ect...
Potentially - complicated sub rules - with limited crossover.
Or a subclass can give you cross over.

Polypsi,
When you take a long rest, you can choose any 3 spell from any of the psion lists.
As a bonus action, you can expend a psionic die to change your spell.

Or some such.
 

Remove ads

Top