D&D 5E (2024) Githzerai Psion? Thri-kreen Psion? Where's My Psion?

[Paul Farquhar]

It's a challenge; as with a lot of D&D class concepts, it's often easier to define them by exclusion (this character is not a "Class X") than by specifically required traits. (See: ranger).

If it uses a bunch of highly visible effects, especially elemental effects, probably not psionic. (Although see: Carrie, and the Emperor's Force Lightning) If it has strong medieval trappings, probably not psionic. If their abilities use some sort of ritual or spoken word triggers, almost certainly not psionic. If it heavily codes towards another well-known fantasy archetype (see: Gandalf), also not psionic.

Likewise, if their ability set is strongly defined by telepathy and telekinesis, it's likely a psionic-type character. If the manifestation requirement seems primarily mental/emotional, it's likely psionic. If it has more modern-day or science-fantasy trappings, it's more likely psionic.

Good. Now tell me why it’s cool, and why it’s a good fit for my campaign setting.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Good. Now tell me why it’s cool, and why it’s a good fit for my campaign setting.

Psychic powers are cool?

 

[TwoSix]

Good. Now tell me why it’s cool, and why it’s a good fit for my campaign setting.

I'm not in marketing.

 

[Corinnguard]

Hey, I just turned 49!

Congrats!

 

[Steampunkette]

Over the age of 50…

How old do you think I am, exactly?

Dan Dillion is in his 30s. Elisa Teague is bordering on 40. F. Wesley Schneider is 46. Ben Petrisor is 37. These are the people who designed Tasha's Cauldron of Everything and wrote about Psionics in 5e.

Do you think everyone who does game design for TTRPGs is 50+? Do you think everyone who likes the concepts behind Psionics were born in the 60s and 70s?

I really don't get where you're coming from on this particular angle of needless attack.

 

[Maxperson]

1) I don’t think the word “psionics” is used in any of the movies. People really need to get out of their bubble and stop assuming the connection is obvious.

Give me a break. If they make a class that has telepathy, telekinesis, remote viewing, and more that mental mutants/Jedi/11 and such possess and call it psionics, it's going to be obvious to any teenager who has experienced those things(almost all of them) to connect them to psionics.

2) There hasn’t been a popular X-Men film for 22 years. I don’t think there is much evidence for “aged well”.

Comic books are still popular, including the X-men, as well as other heroes and villains who have mental powers. And again, El(11) from Stranger Things is much more recent and is also popular.

 

[Maxperson]

So, why not use “psychic”, like Pathfinder does? As you say, you had to explain it a couple of years ago.

First, psionics is are more unique and flavorful name. And as I mentioned, not calling it psionics is a losing proposition since you alienate a significant portion of the player base, which doesn't happen if you call if psionics.

Second, he didn't have to explain it. He just confirmed what his son had already figured out on his own.

 

[Maxperson]

I liked psionics when I was a teen (I was 14 when the Complete Psionicists's Handbook for 2e was released), and I like psionics now.

Back in 1984, my friends and I loved rolling to see if we got psionics for our 1e characters. We were also 14. And had never heard the word before 1e. We still easily made the obvious connection to mental abilities.

 

[Maxperson]

Hey, I just turned 49!

Still in diapers! You'll be out when you're 50, and then back in them when you get older!

 

[Mind of tempest]

Hey, I just turned 49!

I am not even 30