D&D Debuts Playtest for Psion Class

Parmandur said:

Yes, but they are presented as ten distinct Feats, with the note that they plan to use them for Backgrounds. So, given thwt, crowding the undoubtedly overstuffed FR books with that seems unlikely. Dark Sun or something new would seem most likely, but FR has too much other ground to cover, and this isn't enough time to iterate a new Class.

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maceochaid said:

I really can't understand what would be a a "pyrokinetic" background vs. a "clairsentient" background when it comes to the flavor of waking up one day and realizing you have a wild talent.

I also think that the ability score bumps are going to really gate wild talents to a select few classes. Treantmonk noticed that some of the wild talents give advantage to skills and some let you add your INT modifier to skills. He thought they were AB testing which system people preferred, but now I'm wondering if that could be a sign which backgrounds they are expecting to give an INT bump to, and which will not.

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Ruin Explorer said:

Your position is rational and consistent then, and I don't entirely disagree - I was slightly surprised "species" became the popular term like "folk" or "ancestry" or similar, because it is one of the more potentially problematic terms (and is also used scientifically inaccurately!).

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Staffan said:

To me, "ancestry" seems the better term, as it can cover a lot of non-biological bases as well. For example, in a human-only setting it could be used for different human cultures (e.g. like the Belgariad books). I wonder if Wizards chose not to use it because they didn't want to be seen as copying Paizo's idea.

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Parmandur said:

Yeah, it is an interesting question to contemplate, but that is what they have stated that is what they are doing. I think you might be onto something about which are inte ded for Intelligence boosting Backgrounds: and in current 5E rules, Backgrounds are precisely for gating optimization and suggesting quirky suboptimal builds grounded in narrative.

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Yaarel said:

With the commonality so transparent, probably distinguish an "elemental" power source.

Atmos-kinesis: Air (storm, Lightning)
Pyro-kinesis: Fire (light-darkness, Fire, Radiant)
Cryo-kinesis: Water (ice, Cold, Pierce-Slash-Bludgeon)
Psy-kineticist: Ether (propulsion, Force, Thunder)

This elemental power source is neutral. Other power sources can employ it, including arcane-divine and psionic-primal.

This helps minimize redundancy. Other classes, such as Sorcerer, Druid, and Paladin might also want to consider these origin feats.

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maceochaid said:

"Backgrounds representing their connection to wild talents will be included with these feats in a future book if they become official, but in the meantime a character who takes the Noble or Sage background can choose a Wild Talent" nothing here to me rules out the idea that they will present backgrounds that say "choose any Wild Talent feat." And I do feel that is still their best move.

But let's see what might feel right:

Atmokinesis
As a young person you realized you have control of the weather. You have hidden your talent, but were considered a lucky charm by a ship's crew or a merchant caravan and have traveled along with them, never letting them know you were more than a lucky charm.
Wisdom, Dexterity, Constitution
Cartography Supplies
Survival, Nature

Biokenesis
You developed an innate ability to stitch together wounded folk, and shape your own flesh. You have become an itinerrant healer concealing your gifts as standard medical knowledge
Strength, Constitution, Wisdom
Healer's Kit
Medicine, Persuasion

Clairsentience
You see things in your mind that others seem blind to. You served as a fortune teller to a local ruler, or in a traveling circus.
Intelligence, Wisdom, Dexterity
Navigator's Tools
Insight, Investigation

Cryokinesis
As a child when you were scared or threatened, a cold chill would hang around you. Feared as being some sort of fey spirit or devil you were abandoned by your village and now survive on your own apart from others.
Dexterity, Strength, Intelligence
Cartography Supplies
Survival, Insight


Empath
Your whole life you have an uncanny ability to bend people to your will. As you have started to embark on a life of adventure, you wonder if this is just natural talent, or supernatural power.
Charisma, Wisdom, Intelligence
Gaming Set
Persuasion, Insight

Fleshmorpher
After a horrific accident you found you have the ability to shift and change your shape.
Intelligence, Dexterity, Constitution
???
Acrobatics, Sleight of Hand

Mind Whisperer
You are able to insinuate your thoughts into the minds of others
Intelligence, Charisma, Dexterity
???
Deception, Intimidation

Psi Trickster
You can make people see things that aren't there
Intelligence, Charisma, Dexterity
Forgery Kit
Deception, Persuasion

Psykinetist
You learned that you are able to move things with your mind. Accused of witchcraft at a young age you have hidden your talents and use them only when you are unobserved
Dexterity, Strength, Intelligence
???
Athletics, Sleight of Hand

Pyrokineticist
As a child mysterious fires sprung up when you were angry or scared. Driven out of your village you have sought adventure to learn how to control your talents.
Intelligence, Strength, Dexterity
???
Intimidation, Survival

Not terrible. And even if I felt that the Wild Talent was centered on a theme of hunted mutant, at least I was able to give a greater spread of abilities and skills.

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Paul Farquhar said:

Thing with Dark Sun is ALL PCs have a wild talent. So if you tie it to background you are limiting the players to only 10 possible backgrounds. No outlander for you.

Rules are more guidelines than your actual rules..

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