D&D 3E/3.5 Converting 3.5 Psionics to 5E?

[Zardnaar]

Has anyone converted the Expanded Psionics Book from 3.5 to 5E?

I have not been impressed so far with the 5E Mystic and was thinking of doing a quick and dirty conversion of the book to 5E. Some basic thoughts.

Base 5E class modeled off- Sorcerer

2 archetypes initially- Psion, Psychic Warrior

ASI 4,8,12
Saves, Constitution, Intelligence

1d8 hit dice

PSP's equal to the spell points variant rule in DMG.

Psionic powers mostly treated like spells and duplicate the 5E equivalents. A 3.5 dominate person effect is identical to 5E dominate, polymorph= polymorph, shapechange= true polymorph etc. Saves convert to 5E directly, fort saves = con etc. Class abilities are similar to the warlock. Unique 3.5 powers translate as is unless they are clearly OP/broken in 5E rules (gaining concentration mechanic). Psionic attack modes become in effect cantrips.

Thoughts?

 

[Xeviat]

I'm really liking the Mystic, but I'd support a rewrite. Spellpoint Sorcerer as a chassis would work. Psychic warrior was more of a halfcaster in 3.5, but so was the Bard, so fullcaster should work for it. I'm not sure about Psionic attack modes being cantrips; didn't they turn those into powers in 3.5?

Psionic Focus translates to 5E's psychic focus. You'll want to find a home for the fun Psionic feats since feats are different in 5th. I'd be happy to look over anything you put together.


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[Arnwolf666]

I kinda thought the 5E wizard was the 3.5 psion with concentration and everything.

 

[Zardnaar]

I'm really liking the Mystic, but I'd support a rewrite. Spellpoint Sorcerer as a chassis would work. Psychic warrior was more of a halfcaster in 3.5, but so was the Bard, so fullcaster should work for it. I'm not sure about Psionic attack modes being cantrips; didn't they turn those into powers in 3.5?

Psionic Focus translates to 5E's psychic focus. You'll want to find a home for the fun Psionic feats since feats are different in 5th. I'd be happy to look over anything you put together.


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Yeah I thought about it more and psychic warrior is gonna be its own class.

I might use the mystic in the end but it seems to lack something.

 

[Xeviat]

Yeah I thought about it more and psychic warrior is gonna be its own class.

I might use the mystic in the end but it seems to lack something.

What does your gut say it's missing? Because I'm seeing the Psion there, just with more of a fantasy flavor instead of a sci-fi flavor.


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[Zardnaar]

What does your gut say it's missing? Because I'm seeing the Psion there, just with more of a fantasy flavor instead of a sci-fi flavor.


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The mystic might not get enough psi points and the soul blade seems underwhelming since it only gets a single attack.

I'm not sure if the mystic is good enough and there are to many moving parts to evaluate the builds in concept and playtesting.

 

[Xeviat]

The mystic might not get enough psi points and the soul blade seems underwhelming since it only gets a single attack.

I'm not sure if the mystic is good enough and there are to many moving parts to evaluate the builds in concept and playtesting.

Mystic Psi points are based on Spell Points from the spell slots, so maybe more stuff they can do without Spell Points or possibly remove Psychic Restoration and replace it with something that recovers Pp like how wizards can restore spell slots.

The Soul Knife gets two attacks; it's a two-weapon fighter. The fact that it has too much competition for its bonus action is a problem. I'm working on my own Soul Knife version, but I think it would have been better as a fighter or rogue subclass.


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[Zardnaar]

Mystic Psi points are based on Spell Points from the spell slots, so maybe more stuff they can do without Spell Points or possibly remove Psychic Restoration and replace it with something that recovers Pp like how wizards can restore spell slots.

The Soul Knife gets two attacks; it's a two-weapon fighter. The fact that it has too much competition for its bonus action is a problem. I'm working on my own Soul Knife version, but I think it would have been better as a fighter or rogue subclass.


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They don't get dex to damage though.

 

[Xeviat]

They don't get dex to damage though.

For the offhand? They're a core caster, not a gish, so I don't think that's a big issue. 2d8+Stat at-will with action+bonus action is more damage than any other cantrip caster. You just have to choose their disciplines properly and hope that those bonus action "on your next weapon hit this round" get changed into reactions like the one Brute Force power or non-actions like Smite.

2d8+Stat (probably 12 at 1st level) is only slightly behind the rogue (3d6+Stat, or 13.5) or a TWFing or GWM fighter. Their damage doesn't grow well passively, but their PP grow and lethal strike or another booster can really add to their damage. Level 8 sees a jump too.


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[Zardnaar]

For the offhand? They're a core caster, not a gish, so I don't think that's a big issue. 2d8+Stat at-will with action+bonus action is more damage than any other cantrip caster. You just have to choose their disciplines properly and hope that those bonus action "on your next weapon hit this round" get changed into reactions like the one Brute Force power or non-actions like Smite.

2d8+Stat (probably 12 at 1st level) is only slightly behind the rogue (3d6+Stat, or 13.5) or a TWFing or GWM fighter. Their damage doesn't grow well passively, but their PP grow and lethal strike or another booster can really add to their damage. Level 8 sees a jump too.


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They don't seem that great at being a caster. They get alot less points over a spellpoint caster.

Do they compare that well to a warlock for example.