D&D Debuts Playtest for Psion Class

Wizards of the Coast is playtesting the Psion class for Dungeons & Dragons. Today, Wizards of the Coast provided a new Unearthed Arcana for the Psion, a new class for the current revised 5th edition of Dungeons & Dragons. The playtest includes base class rules plus four subclasses - the body-shifting Metamorph, the reality warping Psi Warper, the offensive-minded Psykinetic, and the Telepath.

The core mechanic of the Psion involves use of Psion Energy die. Players have a pool of energy dice that replenishes after a Long Rest, with the number and size of the dice determined by the Psion's level. These psion energy dice can either be rolled to increase results of various checks/saving throws or spent to fuel various Psion abilities.

While the Psion and psionics have a long tradition in D&D, they've only received a handful of subclasses in 5th Edition. If the Psion survives playtesting, it would mark the first time that Wizards of the Coast has added a new character class to D&D since the Artificer. Notably, the Psion and psionics are also heavily associated with Dark Sun, a post-apocalyptic campaign setting that many considered to be off the table for Fifth Edition due to the need to update parts of the setting to bring it current with modern sensibilities. However, the introduction of Wild talent feats (which replaces some Origin feats tied to backgrounds with psion-themed Feats) in the UA seems to suggest that Dark Sun is back on the table.

 

[Parmandur]

If not full 10, I could see maybe just 3. Energy manipulation background (pick from the 3), body manipulation background (pick from the 3), thought manipulation background (pick from the 4). Flavor each background thoroughly better than the plain grouping.

Nah, that doesn't match with what they have done for other Baclgrounds: these are likely to be fairly barebones in the same way, just...weird, in some big ways.

 

[Minigiant]

Yeah, I'm tired of the idea of psionics being tied to aberrations and the Far Realm. I like the idea of the intelligent Professor X type.

I do like that we have both options, though.

I wish a Dreamplane or Mindscape being a "core" plane which could be another option for psionics.

 

[pukunui]

Are there any M:tG planes with a psionic vibe they could use to re-introduce psionics rather than using either Dark Sun or Eberron's Sarlona?

 

[Zaukrie]

I'm excited! I'm giving it all 5s so we keep going on the development. I'd prefer a different chassis for the class, like power points...but I could live with this.

 

[Parmandur]

Are there any M:tG planes with a psionic vibe they could use to re-introduce psionics rather than using either Dark Sun or Eberron's Sarlona?

Not particularly: some Psionic stuff is in the Color Blue in general, but it is not a strong overall theme anywhere in Magic to my knowledge.

Given the centering of Wild Galents that seem at least somewhat similar those in 2E and 4E Dark Sun? Really strong chance they are at least pondering Dark Sun right now.

 

[bedir than]

Well, there's really no downside to saying such things.

There really is a downside right now.
It's quite political, but the downside involves threats of bombings, violent attacks, removal from the United States, being targeted by executive orders and more.

Hasbro and Wizards embrace of diversity is quite risky. They're sticking with it anyway because they do in fact believe that every one who is welcoming is welcome and that a diverse group is a strong group.

 

[Vael]

Surprised, but glad to see this.

I'll have to dig deeper into this, but my initial read is ... okay. I'm fine with leaving Psionics in the same spellcasting structure as a full caster ... one can simply add the Spellpoints system in the 2014 DMG in a sidebar. My biggest beef with the 3.5 XPH was that they simply rewrote all these spells and added "Psionic" in front, this is more integrated and makes it easier to keep expanding.

As a mainstream WotC Psionics release ... this seems solid. I'll have to look more at the psionic specific mechanics: the Disciplines, Energy Dice and Psionic Modes. But while I'm lukewarm on this, I'm also reasonably content with it? I dunno, need to settle on it a bit more.

 

[bedir than]

It seems the Psionic "thing" in 5e is dice that power things.
Soul Knife does uses there's for more than damage.
Psi Warrior does too.

Having the Psion do similar is a strong story echo

 

[Zaukrie]

what would you change for the abilities/spells/whatever if your game didn't have opportunity attacks?

 

[Dire Bare]

Dark Sun requires a strong moral stand against the mundane evils in the world just as much as the mystical.

And Hasbro, being a publicly traded corporation, cannot take a strong moral stance on literally anything.

They should sell the license to a 3rd party publisher to do it justice and give a general head nod toward it with a "We didn't write it and we don't specifically condone it, but if you want to buy it we'll take 50% of all proceeds."

Hard disagree.

WotC has included strong themes of diversity within D&D 5E, both the core books and many supplements.

On top of that, WotC supports LGBQT charities on a regular basis.

WotC's hesitance with publishing Dark Sun is that the setting has slavery as a strong component . . . not as "good" or "tolerated" thing, something for the PCs to oppose . . . but one that can be triggering for folks bothered by that inclusion, due to their own personal trauma, cultural trauma, or would just rather not play in such a dark setting. Good reasons to go slowly, IMO.

Doesn't mean we'll never get a 5E Dark Sun, just means that if we do, WotC is going to take their time with it and likely remove or downplay the slavery aspect. Which will trigger the hardcore fans, which is another reason for the hesitance . . .