D&D 5E 5E psionics

[sidonunspa]

The Basic Rules do mention the Mindflayers and psychic damage, so the roots are in place.

Correct

 

[Dragonhelm]

I really want to see 2e psionics over 3rd.

I was a huge fan of the 2e psionics system. I also digged the 3.5 system, though I didn't get to play it as much.

If I was to take a guess, I would say that 5e psionics would be a tamed-down version of the 3.5 system, though maybe with a few 2e-isms thrown in.

I do wonder how it's going to work since psionics traditionally uses power points (or psionic strength points, thank you!) while the sorcerer also appears to use some sort of spell point system.

I also wonder if we will see more than one psionic class.

 

[Goemoe]

We will get something for Eberron and for Dark Sun. Both settings use psionics and I hope we get a good sized system. They did a good job to have many casting classes, which still feel very different. Perhaps they can do some psionic classes with great stuff too. Mike said,

We want to avoid simply creating new options for the sake of creating another book of new material. I think it’s easy to overwhelm players and DMs by releasing a torrent of new material every month. Instead, we want to carefully curate new stuff that we put out, ensuring that it is of the highest quality and is as useful as possible to your game.

I somehow fear, they won't find psionics useful enough to build up some strong rules. As a fan of psionics(are different) and an Eberron GM, I just need them

Perhaps I will have to look for private psionics projects.

 

[sidonunspa]

One thing I would like to see expanded upon in the new psionics system is the "focus" mechanic created in 3.X

maybe we can have a collection of focus (concentration) spells which have a secondary effect when the caster spends his focus.... oh I like that... ::starts taking notes:::

you can also turn all the classic psionic attacks /defenses into cantrip-like powers with the defenses being cast as a reaction.

 

[dream66_]

I think for now at least, I'll play a Great Old One Warlock, it already has everything I want out of a psion, which scares me as I'm afraid that like 4e they'll give others more telepathy than the give the psion.

 

[Wrathamon]

I was not a fan of the 3e take on psionics ... it just felt like refluffed spells with a spell point system, instead of slot based.

I would rather see a system that was more like the 1st edition system ( I'm not familiar with 2nd editions take) but integrated better with the game.

I could see it as an additional layer on top of what characters normally get or similar to feats, where the player sacrifices a stat bump for a new ability.

 

[Kobold Avenger]

I'm against the 2e version of psionics, or anyone pushing for Psionics to use a vastly different system.

If psionics uses a vastly different subsystem, it will insure that psionics will be rejected by even the more open-minded gaming groups. There aren't that many DMs who want to learn a completely new system just so they can accommodate one player who wants something different and therefore superior.

So for the sake of psionics actually getting used, it needs to go back to having powers/spells with levels much like it did in 3e and 4e.

Psionic combat was proven to be untenable in the transition between 3e and 3.5e, and it's best that's dropped too.

Those complaining about "well if you do that, psionics would be like any other spellcasting class!" Well that's the point of it. They need to be like other spellcasting classes with some variations and slightly different themes. Otherwise they're even less likely to be accepted at the table by DMs.

Now the room for differentiation that's acceptable is new spells, new class-features, or variations of other class's features like Warlock invocations or a pool of short rest recoverable points. And if there's a psionic power that does exactly what a spell such as Charm Person does, then the psion should get Charm Person.

 

[Goemoe]

I'm against the 2e version of psionics, or anyone pushing for Psionics to use a vastly different system.

If psionics uses a vastly different subsystem, it will insure that psionics will be rejected by even the more open-minded gaming groups. There aren't that many DMs who want to learn a completely new system just so they can accommodate one player who wants something different and therefore superior.

Well, no. The spellcasting classes in 5E are more different already than in any edition before. They look different and they play different. When you create a 10th level wizard, sorcerer, cleric and warlock, even a bard, you get totally different characters to play. They might share a spell or two, but that is all. Even sorcerer and wizard have never been that different before, which I like.

You don't need to copy any class system to create some nice psionic classes. And I don't want psionics to be just a variant magic class. Psionics are different, they are no form of magic. If you go for psionics = magic something, you don't need psioncs at all. I don't care how open or close minded any gaming groups are. D&D is no USA only game. It will be viewed and played different all over the world anyway.

5E excels (in my view) in taking something from every previous edition of D&D and get the components in a well rounded mix together. If they do this with psionics I am very much interested in the results. The question is only, will they do it, when and how will the do it?

 

[1of3]

Yes. I'd be totally OK with going so far as psionics using spell slots. It doesn't really matter what the underlying mechanics is. Plus the spell slot method already prooved rather flexible. But more important, I'd focus on the specific strengths and weaknesses of psionics.

- No words or gestures, but shining light show.
- Some independence from antimagic environments, like spend a first level slot to cast a cantrip in no magic zone.
- Bonuses to telepathy spells.

Instead of spells slots, psionics could also use ki-points. There is already an established connection between monks and psionicists as per 4e, and the Monk uses ki to power spells.

 

[Dahak]

I suspect that a Psionics Handbook will be released containing several ways of handling the topic, including emulating earlier edition versions. This would likely include a core fifth edition version that combines elements of all the earlier systems, and is freely available as a Basic supplement. That version would also be the default assumption for The Dark Sun campaign book.