D&D 4E 4e Psionics speculation

[Andor]

How will psionics in 4e distinguish itself from more mainstream magics? Given the fixed format of (at-will, encounter, daily) powers now it's difficult to see how they can present them as an alternate system as has been done in the past. Will it simply be a matter of style and naming? (Pyrokinesis instead of Fireballs! Crystals instead of animal parts! How different!)

What do you think the class breakdown will be?

Striker - Soulknife
Defender - Psiwarrior
Controller - Psion
Leader - ????

Probably it'll be a new class like the Warmind. (Progressing to Battlemind.)

 

[Chucklesnj]

WotC has said that one of the reasons they removed a lot of the mind-effecting spells from the wizard spell lists was to allow differentiation from other classes. I cannot remember if Psion was given as the specific class that would be doing the enchanting, but it was certainly implied.

 

[zoroaster100]

I hope psionics does not use a different system, as the attempt to do so in previous editions has led to balance problems. I hope that the designers succeed in creating a different flavor and tactical difference with the psionic classes while still using the same core system as the other classes.

 

[am181d]

They've said that psionics in 4e will focus on classic charm and ESP-type abilities. In 4e, classes will distinguish themselves by their abilities. For instance, they've talked about introducing dedicated illusionists, dedicated summoners, dedicated necromancers, etc. So we can assume that certain mind-centric powers will be reserved for the psionicists, whatever they might wind up being called. (Might I suggest "psychic"?)

 

[Wepwawet]

Psionic Leader: Ardent

But yeah, unlike 3.x which uses a whole different system to do the same things as regular spellcasters, 4E will differentiate them through style, flavour and scope.

 

[Alisair Longreach]

I really hope we will only get two psionic classes: The Psion and the Psychic Warrior.

The Psion should be a Psionic Controller able to mind large groups of minions and also have some telekinetic and clairsentient powers.

The Psychic Warrior should be a Psionic Defender with Soulknife abilities as powers.

 

[Atlatl Jones]

I really hope we will only get two psionic classes: The Psion and the Psychic Warrior.

The Psion should be a Psionic Controller able to mind large groups of minions and also have some telekinetic and clairsentient powers.

The Psychic Warrior should be a Psionic Defender with Soulknife abilities as powers.

That's what I hope too. None of the other psionic classes ever felt neccessary to me.

 

[VBMEW-01]

I wouldn't mind seeing the Psion heaped into another power type. I just never got overly excited about them. I dearly hope they aren't treated in a special way. Perhaps enchantments and illusions into them?

All that said, I do want them to come back, as they have a place in DnD. I just want them to have a better defined niche.

 

[Andor]

I really hope we will only get two psionic classes: The Psion and the Psychic Warrior.

The Psion should be a Psionic Controller able to mind large groups of minions and also have some telekinetic and clairsentient powers.

The Psychic Warrior should be a Psionic Defender with Soulknife abilities as powers.

That is a good point. There is no particular reason that all power soures should supply all roles. Source/Role symmetry is a false goal.

 

[cdrcjsn]

I'm hoping to see the Psionic power source have:
Psion - Controller
Psychic Warrior - Defender
Monk - Stiker

with the Soulknife powers and abilities divided between the PsyWar and the Monk.