D&D 5E Let's Build A Better Psion

JiffyPopTart

Bree-Yark
I'm looking at psions as an ofshoot of the monk, not the wizard.

The monk has a list of powers that they use the points to use. My idea is to expand on this, Maki g this cl

If you are just going to reskin an existing class then why bother doing all this work in the first place? There is already a semiofficial wizard style psion, which people dont care for, which is the reason for this thread.
 

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CleverNickName

Limit Break Dancing
As controversial as it will be, I'm gonna say that psionics should key-off Wisdom instead of Intelligence.
Interesting idea. But don't stop there...tell us why Wisdom would be better than Intelligence.

For example, I like Intelligence because it's an under-utilized ability score in 5th Edition, and I like to find new and interesting places to use it. I also like how it models a person's "strength of mind," rather than their "strength of will" (Wisdom) or "strength of personality" (Charisma). But that's just my opinion; I'm happy to consider different points of view.
 

CleverNickName

Limit Break Dancing
I'm looking at psions as an ofshoot of the monk, not the wizard.

The monk has a list of powers that they use the points to use. My idea is to expand on this...

If you are just going to reskin an existing class then why bother doing all this work in the first place? There is already a semiofficial wizard style psion, which people dont care for, which is the reason for this thread.
I never considered the monk. I looked at Sorcerer (for the "sorcery points"), and Wizard because Intelligence and powerful brain and et cetera, but I totally glossed over ki points. WHY DID I NOT THINK OF MONK?! Do you mind posting your write-up in this thread as you work on it?

Reskinning an existing class is a quick way to get ideas down on paper, which is the first step in design (according to me). After that, we start making changes and substitutions over multiple iterations, until we have something that doesn't resemble anything else. Dreaming up a brand-new class, from a blank slate, and having it start out balanced and functional sounds like an incredible longshot to me.
 

Aldarc

Legend
I agree that Intelligence is under-utilized as a class ability score, though has improved somewhat with the release of the Artificer. Psionics deals with the mind, but not necessarily the learned, education, or deductive reasoning that is often associated with Intelligence. Wisdom, IMHO, represents the intuition, wisdom, mysticism, and extrasensory perception that seems to be part of psionics. I'm not gonna lose sleep if it's Intelligence, since there are several editions where Intelligence is the key stat for Psions.
 

Enrico Poli1

Adventurer
Kineticist (Psychokinesis specialist)

You move things and manipulate energy with your thought.

As Primary Requisite can freely choose Int, Wis or Con

Psionic Tradition:

1) – gains the Telekinetic Hand Cantrip (as Mage Hand but invisible)

- Telekinetic Push: as a bonus action, you can force a Large or smaller creature within 30’ to pass a Strenght save (DC = your Power DC) or be pushed back 15’. Can use a number of times equal to your Primary Requisite bonus before a long rest.

- Telekinetic Deflect: as a reaction, you can impose disadvantage on an attack (against you or not) within 60’. Can use a number of times equal to your Primary Requisite bonus before a long rest.

6) – Inertial Barrier: as a reaction, creates a semipermeable, mobile bubble of force around you in 10’. The bubble halves the Dmg from missiles and energy attacks (for example Breath Weapons) that cross the barrier, and falling Dmg is also halved for all creatures inside. You must use Concentration (up to 1 min) to maintain the bubble for more then 1 round. After a use, it recharges with a Long Rest.

10) – Control Body: as an action, you can try to control the body of a Large or smaller creature within 30’, as a puppeteer. The creature can resist with a Str save and can repeat it at the end of each round. When the creature is controlled, you can make it move and attack physically, but you must maintain Concentration (up to 1 minute) and must use 1 bonus action each round to control the creature.

- Gains Telekinesis as a bonus known power. You can use it for free once for long rest.

14) Megakinesis: you can use Telekinesis on one Gargantuan creature, or two Huge, four Large, eight Medium, sixteen Small; or Objects with a total weight of 100,000 pounds or less. When you use this power, you recover it with a long rest.
 

TwoSix

Dirty, realism-hating munchkin powergamer
Sure thing. My first thought is that in earlier editions, each of the disciplines had some powers that were specific to that discipline. (Powers like Schism, Astral Construct, Metamorphosis). Giving some subclass powers that mimic those powers would be interesting.

I'd also think a bonus spell list like clerics would be appropriate, or would make it more sense to give the psions less powers but make those powers more flexible in utility?
 

I agree that the core class should be a singular class with sub-classes. However, I also propose that there be a psionic subclass for some/most of the other classes (having a hard time justifying a psionic Druid, cleric, or wizard, but I'm sure there will be ideas). The Battlemind/Psychic Warrior should be a subclass of the fighter, not a subclass of Psion. Psionic Bard = Ardent, etc.
 

TwoSix

Dirty, realism-hating munchkin powergamer
I never considered the monk. I looked at Sorcerer (for the "sorcery points"), and Wizard because Intelligence and powerful brain and et cetera, but I totally glossed over ki points. WHY DID I NOT THINK OF MONK?! Do you mind posting your write-up in this thread as you work on it?

Reskinning an existing class is a quick way to get ideas down on paper, which is the first step in design (according to me). After that, we start making changes and substitutions over multiple iterations, until we have something that doesn't resemble anything else. Dreaming up a brand-new class, from a blank slate, and having it start out balanced and functional sounds like an incredible longshot to me.
Kibblestasty (one of my favorite homebrewers) has a Psion class that uses Monk ki points as its base; it's a very solid approach.

 

Celebrim

Legend
I wonder if people who plan to use psionics in their game will be specifically looking for a "power points" system specifically, though.

In my past experience discussing what a psion in, this is the heart and sole of it. People who like psionics like power points, end of discussion. They can't pin down why a psionic isn't a type of a sorcerer or a type of wizard from the flavor perspective, but they can point to the mechanical distinction between the two.
 


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