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

[Mind of tempest]

I think people keep walking over to issue that some people want to be Professor X while other people want to be Yoda and It's hard to make both of them in the same class.

Then you got the guy who wants to make a Cthulhu cultist with mind tentacle powers weaseling themselves into the same space.

the last one is a goo lock.
yoda is a multi class or a psionic half-caster
prof x is all in on the pure telepath build.

WOTC would never devote that much space to the Psion in 5e

they do to paladin and druid and those have far less conceptual base breath to work with.

Definitely talking about previous editions. Especially 2e psionics. If a DM has to learn about the 5 psionic attack and defense modes because of just one player or MTHAC0, that's already grounds for banning.

yeah that is a flaw in the design
also mthac0 sucks like thaco sucks I could do the same thing for half the cost with way less effort and get a better result.

 

[Mind of tempest]

So you think WotC are likely to REMOVE regular core classes (and subclasses) from the game and REPLACE them with different classes? That’s never happening, even on a setting by setting basis.

One thing that has been consistent about D&D psionics is it’s in addition to regular magic, not an alternative magic system.

you missed my point entirely.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

In my view, any spell that is Elemental (Air Fire, Earth Water) is nonpsionic.

Why? Pyrokinesis is a thing. Firestarter (1984 film) - Wikipedia

 

[Mind of tempest]

Why? Pyrokinesis is a thing. Firestarter (1984 film) - Wikipedia

yeah you have a point.
pyro and cryo kinesis should be psionic options

 

[Corinnguard]

So you think WotC are likely to REMOVE regular core classes (and subclasses) from the game and REPLACE them with different classes? That’s never happening, even on a setting by setting basis.

Not really. WoTC is more likely to create new classes and/or subclasses than to remove and replace the current core classes. Consider the new subclasses that are being currently playtested for the upcoming Forgotten Realms books in November. These new subclasses are tied to certain locales on the continent of Faerun. Ex. The Winter Walker Ranger and Icewind Dale.

Then you have the new 5.5e version of the Bladesinger Wizard in the FRPG and the new 5.5e versions of Artificer subclasses in the Forge of the Artificer that's debuting this August.

If they were to do any removing and replacing, they would be doing it for the next edition of D&D, not the current half-edition.

 

[Corinnguard]

In my view, any spell that is Elemental (Air Fire, Earth Water) is nonpsionic

You're forgetting the Kineticist class in Pathfinder and the Elementalist class from Level Up. Both classes deal with a limited form of telekinesis.

The Elementalist class is the 5e-adjacent successor of the Kineticist, and a good one too.

 

[Steampunkette]

I also used Thymokinesis in Paranormal Power as a catch-all "Bucket" of elemental psionic abilities and tied them to emotions, because that's what we tend to see in media relating to various powers.

Firestarter is a great example, as is Carrie for the same reason. But so is Elsa from Frozen. And most of the X-men with their wide variety of emotionally triggered powers.

There's also Electrokinetic characters to consider. Technically the "Real World Power" is called Electropsychokinesis or EPK but it's the whole "Someone gets angry and the lights flicker or burn out" type power in that regard.

Honestly, I think people underestimate how much ridiculousness there is in the idea of modern psychic abilities people write about or claim to have. Like cloud bursting.

There are people who believe they have the psychic power to stare at a cloud, enact their will on dozens of tons of water vapor, and cause the cloud to dissipate. It's such a niche phenomenon that when George Clooney does it in "The Men Who Stare at Goats" it's kind of a big deal because it 'works'... because clouds change all the time and you're bound to luck out and stare at one that does, eventually.

 

[SkidAce]

Earlier in the thread I mentioned using sorcerer (spell point (sp) no components (more or less) as the chassis for psionics.

@Maxperson said that wasnt suitable, and that psionics needed its own class. And I agree with that Max. But I cant wait for WotC, psionics has been a big part of my campaign since the mid/late 80s.

So I use sorcerer (Psion). Here's why I think it make suitable sub:

Low effort, still retains the flavor.
SPs give a different mechanic and flexibility.
You can take magic initiate (I convert to SPs) and treat as wild talents.
You can multiclass to emulate advanced learning (Fighter 5 / Psion 3)
Works with Beyond, don't need new classes that Beyond wont handle.

But the theme is the most important thing. Most Psions in my campaign get basic telepathy (like gith I think) and invisible mage hand (i.e. minor telekinesis). Then they usually dedicate to a theme (like the old disciplines).

So;
Minor telekinesis > fire bolt >burning hands > heat metal > fireball etc. =pyrokineticist
Telepathy > Charm > Hold Person > Dominate etc = control mentalist
Telepathy > Detect Thoughts > Modify Memory = mind reader
Telekinesis (used on your body ) Cure Wounds > Alter Self > Barkskin > Enhance Ability > psychometabilism.


Using these concepts, I have recreated all my old BEBG, NPCs and psionic items and plots.

I would consider changing/updating if Wizards ever came up with their own system, but I have low hopes of that at this point.

 

[Kobold Avenger]

I think the "use the Warlock chasis" idea is a good one like @Yaarel has been suggesting, if a Psion class uses power points for spells, then it's probably more prudent to recharge with short rests rather than long rests. It helps get around the 5th level (or highest level) spell slot nova (assuming that level 6+ spells like Warlocks, use a different resource).

 

[Maxperson]

Earlier in the thread I mentioned using sorcerer (spell point (sp) no components (more or less) as the chassis for psionics.

@Maxperson said that wasnt suitable, and that psionics needed its own class. And I agree with that Max. But I cant wait for WotC, psionics has been a big part of my campaign since the mid/late 80s.

So I use sorcerer (Psion). Here's why I think it make suitable sub:

Low effort, still retains the flavor.
SPs give a different mechanic and flexibility.
You can take magic initiate (I convert to SPs) and treat as wild talents.
You can multiclass to emulate advanced learning (Fighter 5 / Psion 3)
Works with Beyond, don't need new classes that Beyond wont handle.

But the theme is the most important thing. Most Psions in my campaign get basic telepathy (like gith I think) and invisible mage hand (i.e. minor telekinesis). Then they usually dedicate to a theme (like the old disciplines).

So;
Minor telekinesis > fire bolt >burning hands > heat metal > fireball etc. =pyrokineticist
Telepathy > Charm > Hold Person > Dominate etc = control mentalist
Telepathy > Detect Thoughts > Modify Memory = mind reader
Telekinesis (used on your body ) Cure Wounds > Alter Self > Barkskin > Enhance Ability > psychometabilism.


Using these concepts, I have recreated all my old BEBG, NPCs and psionic items and plots.

I would consider changing/updating if Wizards ever came up with their own system, but I have low hopes of that at this point.

This is a personal issue, but for me if a class doesn't fit right, it bugs the hell out of me to the point that it is unfun to play. So of I look down and see sorcerer abilities, it's a no go. If I do play a psion in 5e, it will have to be a third party creation until 5.5e makes one.