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New Unearthed Arcana: Psionics!
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<blockquote data-quote="Yaarel" data-source="post: 7860927" data-attributes="member: 58172"><p>PSIONICS WIZARD TRADITION</p><p></p><p>This is an important subclass, because this might be the only version of Psion that we see, at least for a while.</p><p></p><p>It is something that I actually want − and have wanted for a long time. So my critique tends to be sharper. Because I care.</p><p></p><p>In sum, the Psionics Wizard seems extremely underpowered compared to other Wizard arcane traditions. The result is a feeling that the flavor is ok, but that the actual features are boring, disappointing, or even suck.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>CANTRIPS</p><p></p><p>Update the cantrip descriptions, rewriting them according to the psionic version. Friends no longer incurs hostility afterward. Message is strictly a telepathic cantrip without verbal and somatic components. Mage Hand is normally invisible, and normally uses a bonus action. These cantrips should always work these ways for everyone.</p><p></p><p>When the Wizard chooses one or more of these normal (updated) cantrips, it helps the character concept feel psionic at level 1.</p><p></p><p>TELEKINETIC FEATURES need to use size rather than weight, for ease of play. For example, the Mage Hand cantrip should move a Tiny object or a Tiny willing creature. Telekinetic abilities using spell slots need to improve incrementally while leveling: L1 Small, L5 Medium, L9 Large, L13 Huge, L17 Gargantuan.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>PSIONIC FOCUS</p><p></p><p>I am strongly dissatisfied with Psionic Focus as the level 2 Wizard feature.</p><p></p><p>Reliance on external objects distracts from the mind-over-matter flavor. A Psionic Wizard should be able to eschew every material component, and have a way to eschew a costly gp component. Being required to create an ‘object’ at level 2 is the opposite of what I want for the Psionic concept.</p><p></p><p>Note the feature is lame anyway, being a minor boost to damage, and becomes useless at higher levels if a magic item spell focus proves more useful.</p><p></p><p>I think this psionic focus was supposed to represent a ‘Psi Crystal’. However, I would rather treat the Psi Crystal as a separate spell, resembling Find Familiar. That way, those who like the flavor can cast it, and those who dont (me) can easily not cast that particular spell.</p><p></p><p>PSIONIC DEVOTION</p><p></p><p>I am both Satisfied and Dissatisfied with this feature.</p><p></p><p>This level 2 Wizard feature allows the modification of one of the three cantrips: Friends, Message, and Mage Hand. But as noted above,</p><p></p><p>I like the way these cantrips get modified. However I feel the cantrips should work this way in the first place. Update the cantrips so everyone can use these cantrips this way. For example, everyone who knows the Friends cantrip should be able to use it without incurring hostility.</p><p></p><p>LEVEL 2</p><p></p><p>With Psionic Focus being both undesirable and underwhelming, and with Psionic Devotion needing to be the core rather than specific to a subclass, the level 2 features need to be completely rethought from scratch.</p><p></p><p>Instead I would rather see an exciting feature choosing between Telepathy, Telekinesis, or Teleportation. Something dramatic and drool-worthy ... even at level 2.</p><p></p><p>Possibly, the Empowered Psionics class feature that is currently at level 10 should instead be here at level 2.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>THOUGHT FORM</p><p></p><p>At level 6, you can become a luminous being made out of "psionic energy", for 10 minutes. The flavor is cool. (I assume "psionic energy", "arcane energy", and the "force damage type" are all made out of the same stuff, or at least, all of this should be made out of ‘wishful’ ‘thought stuff’.)</p><p></p><p>Benefits. While in Thought Form, you can eschew the material component.</p><p></p><p>However, eschewing a material component should be normal for all casting anyway.</p><p></p><p>Plus, there still needs to be a way to eschew a gp component remains a desideratum.</p><p></p><p>Another Benefit of Thought Form is damage resistance: psychic and nonmagical attacks.</p><p></p><p>I would rather have:</p><p></p><p>• A Psionics Wizard never uses a material component. Not ever.</p><p>• An alternative to a gp component is available, such as for free once per short rest, long rest, or even for free once per week, depending on the spell.</p><p></p><p>• Thought Form grants fly speed, for the 10 minutes, including hover.</p><p>• Thought Form grants resistance to both psychic and force damage types, plus resistance to slash, pierce, bludgeon, including magical attacks.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>MENTAL DISCIPLINE</p><p></p><p>At level 10, you gain one spell that you can cast without component, and also without a spell slot once per long rest. Meh.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>EMPOWERED PSIONICS</p><p></p><p>At level 10, you add your Intelligence modifier to any spell that deals force or psychic damage.</p><p></p><p>Instead, maybe Empowered Psionics is what should be happening at level 2. This feature allows the Wizard to add the Intelligence bonus to psychic and force damage. Weapons add Strength or Dexterity damage, and it seems safe to add Intelligence at level 2.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>THOUGHT TRAVEL</p><p></p><p>At level 14, while in Thought Form, you can fly and can pass thru objects.</p><p></p><p>Instead, the fly should be happening at level 6. Really, maybe the pass thru objects should too.</p><p></p><p>Level 14 might need rethinking while its features go to level 6.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>IN SUM</p><p></p><p>The Psionics Wizard seems extremely underpowered compared to other Wizard arcane traditions. The result is a feeling that the flavor is ok, but that the actual features are boring, disappointing, or even suck.</p><p></p><p>Things like eschew the material component should be happening at level 1, and be always on.</p><p></p><p>Telekinesis needs to improve incrementally while leveling.</p><p></p><p>The Psionics Wizard needs much, much, much more oomph. More desirable. More exciting.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Yaarel, post: 7860927, member: 58172"] PSIONICS WIZARD TRADITION This is an important subclass, because this might be the only version of Psion that we see, at least for a while. It is something that I actually want − and have wanted for a long time. So my critique tends to be sharper. Because I care. In sum, the Psionics Wizard seems extremely underpowered compared to other Wizard arcane traditions. The result is a feeling that the flavor is ok, but that the actual features are boring, disappointing, or even suck. CANTRIPS Update the cantrip descriptions, rewriting them according to the psionic version. Friends no longer incurs hostility afterward. Message is strictly a telepathic cantrip without verbal and somatic components. Mage Hand is normally invisible, and normally uses a bonus action. These cantrips should always work these ways for everyone. When the Wizard chooses one or more of these normal (updated) cantrips, it helps the character concept feel psionic at level 1. TELEKINETIC FEATURES need to use size rather than weight, for ease of play. For example, the Mage Hand cantrip should move a Tiny object or a Tiny willing creature. Telekinetic abilities using spell slots need to improve incrementally while leveling: L1 Small, L5 Medium, L9 Large, L13 Huge, L17 Gargantuan. PSIONIC FOCUS I am strongly dissatisfied with Psionic Focus as the level 2 Wizard feature. Reliance on external objects distracts from the mind-over-matter flavor. A Psionic Wizard should be able to eschew every material component, and have a way to eschew a costly gp component. Being required to create an ‘object’ at level 2 is the opposite of what I want for the Psionic concept. Note the feature is lame anyway, being a minor boost to damage, and becomes useless at higher levels if a magic item spell focus proves more useful. I think this psionic focus was supposed to represent a ‘Psi Crystal’. However, I would rather treat the Psi Crystal as a separate spell, resembling Find Familiar. That way, those who like the flavor can cast it, and those who dont (me) can easily not cast that particular spell. PSIONIC DEVOTION I am both Satisfied and Dissatisfied with this feature. This level 2 Wizard feature allows the modification of one of the three cantrips: Friends, Message, and Mage Hand. But as noted above, I like the way these cantrips get modified. However I feel the cantrips should work this way in the first place. Update the cantrips so everyone can use these cantrips this way. For example, everyone who knows the Friends cantrip should be able to use it without incurring hostility. LEVEL 2 With Psionic Focus being both undesirable and underwhelming, and with Psionic Devotion needing to be the core rather than specific to a subclass, the level 2 features need to be completely rethought from scratch. Instead I would rather see an exciting feature choosing between Telepathy, Telekinesis, or Teleportation. Something dramatic and drool-worthy ... even at level 2. Possibly, the Empowered Psionics class feature that is currently at level 10 should instead be here at level 2. THOUGHT FORM At level 6, you can become a luminous being made out of "psionic energy", for 10 minutes. The flavor is cool. (I assume "psionic energy", "arcane energy", and the "force damage type" are all made out of the same stuff, or at least, all of this should be made out of ‘wishful’ ‘thought stuff’.) Benefits. While in Thought Form, you can eschew the material component. However, eschewing a material component should be normal for all casting anyway. Plus, there still needs to be a way to eschew a gp component remains a desideratum. Another Benefit of Thought Form is damage resistance: psychic and nonmagical attacks. I would rather have: • A Psionics Wizard never uses a material component. Not ever. • An alternative to a gp component is available, such as for free once per short rest, long rest, or even for free once per week, depending on the spell. • Thought Form grants fly speed, for the 10 minutes, including hover. • Thought Form grants resistance to both psychic and force damage types, plus resistance to slash, pierce, bludgeon, including magical attacks. MENTAL DISCIPLINE At level 10, you gain one spell that you can cast without component, and also without a spell slot once per long rest. Meh. EMPOWERED PSIONICS At level 10, you add your Intelligence modifier to any spell that deals force or psychic damage. Instead, maybe Empowered Psionics is what should be happening at level 2. This feature allows the Wizard to add the Intelligence bonus to psychic and force damage. Weapons add Strength or Dexterity damage, and it seems safe to add Intelligence at level 2. THOUGHT TRAVEL At level 14, while in Thought Form, you can fly and can pass thru objects. Instead, the fly should be happening at level 6. Really, maybe the pass thru objects should too. Level 14 might need rethinking while its features go to level 6. IN SUM The Psionics Wizard seems extremely underpowered compared to other Wizard arcane traditions. The result is a feeling that the flavor is ok, but that the actual features are boring, disappointing, or even suck. Things like eschew the material component should be happening at level 1, and be always on. Telekinesis needs to improve incrementally while leveling. The Psionics Wizard needs much, much, much more oomph. More desirable. More exciting. [/QUOTE]
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