D&D General [Poll] How do you prefer psionics to work?

[Sithlord]

which bit it had two? plus the updating will change it no matter what we do.

The psionic handbook

 

[Sacrosanct]

Just reprint the 2E psionics handbook and adjust the damage for 5E. The perfect system

I want it to work like it did in 2nd ed

I admit my own personal bias towards 2e version, even if I recall it was a bit OP compared to others IIRC.

 

[loverdrive]

I prefer psionics to not exist. Or maybe, replace "normal" magic, but I definitely don't want to have both at the same time.

 

[steeldragons]

I prefer psionics to not exist. Or maybe, replace "normal" magic, but I definitely don't want to have both at the same time.

Now see, I quite like having both...and having them distinct/separate "powers/sources." It's become a decent set of plot hooks and setting developments having both Psychics and Mages/Wizards existing in the same world.

1. You get different Psychic "Orders"/organizations that are seeking out psychic individuals and trying to recruit them...and/or end any potential threat the reluctant psychic might/potentially become to their cause.
2. You have different cabals or, if you'll forgive the pun, "schools of thought" among arcane academics about the source and cause of Psychic ability and whence this "innate magic," as the grimoire-toting wizard-types would classify it, stems...How come THEY, masters of arcane spell and occult power, do not possess these amazing displays that require no gesture or incantation? Some hunt down Psychics for study (a fairly universal fear among those with mental abilities). Some seek to cooperate/research in amicable ways -like, "Help me figure out how I can formulate a new spell or potion that does what you do?" Maybe you'll even get paid. Still others simply want to recruit you for another layer of defense (or offense) for their magical/magic-working spaces.
3. You can have different mages (and illusionists) trying to pass themselves off as psychics, by presenting themselves with as many enchantment/mind-effecting magics as they can... and psychics trying to do vice versa.
4. Since everyone knows what a spell-caster looks and acts and sounds like...and druids...and priests/clerics...these guys who make things happen with NONE of that, and no leaves...and no holy symbol...and no spellbook or scroll or wand or anything... clearly, obviously, blatantly, this MUST be possessed by a demon and handled accordingly.

There're a lot of fun scenarios that can present themselves in a world with both spell-casters/"standard" magic-workers and Psychics/psychic powers that are not -or are not understood as- "magic," per se.

 

[hopeless]

Treat them the same as the other classes.
If necessary give them the equivalent of sorcery points like sorcerors have, but haven't they already shown some feats along these lines?

 

[loverdrive]

Now see, I quite like having both...and having them distinct/separate "powers/sources." It's become a decent set of plot hooks and setting developments having both Psychics and Mages/Wizards existing in the same world.

In terms of D&D, I think these hooks are perfectly handed with existence of Sorcerers.

I mean, there are Wizards, who learn and perfect formulas. There are Sorcerers, who just unleash magic, because they can. There are Warlocks, who siphon their abilities from horrible creatures that a human mind can't comprehend. And then there are Psionics who... wield something that looks like magic, but isn't magic?

But I think I'll stop before I start ranting about how much I hate the way D&D handles magic.

 

[grimslade]

In terms of D&D, I think these hooks are perfectly handed with existence of Sorcerers.

I mean, there are Wizards, who learn and perfect formulas. There are Sorcerers, who just unleash magic, because they can. There are Warlocks, who siphon their abilities from horrible creatures that a human mind can't comprehend. And then there are Psionics who... wield something that looks like magic, but isn't magic?

But I think I'll stop before I start ranting about how much I hate the way D&D handles magic.

Sorcerers are terrible. They are Wizard light, Now with Metamagic! They are a half-baked class who muddy up the difference between an innate caster with absolute control over their supernatural abilities and the incantation/ritualistic wizard class. The love for Vancian inspired D&D spellcasting baffles me. It is a terrible system. But 50 years on, here we are.

I would like to explore the narrow band of powers for the Psion, like superhero powers like Minigiant said above. You have your Telepath able to link minds, read thoughts, suggestion/dominate and rewrite memories. Since 5E needs combat a Mind Blast at will dealing psychic damage.
If we are committed to a point system, no using more than half your points on any single power. I would suggest a blend of points to power up abilities and battlemaster like psychic maneuvers to broaden abilities. A metapsionic style of power-ups to keep power descriptions smaller and give the system room for growth. Amplify Damage for adding a damage die. Expand Power to change the shape of the effect.
Use the psychic die mechanic to powers outside of your specialty. So limited number of times to boost.

 

[Minigiant]

too abstract to really work and have super limited would work better for a half-caste from a conceptual level.

How so?
It's simpler than a sorcerer.

 

[Sacrosanct]

Sorcerers are terrible. They are Wizard light, Now with Metamagic! They are a half-baked class who muddy up the difference between an innate caster with absolute control over their supernatural abilities and the incantation/ritualistic wizard class. The love for Vancian inspired D&D spellcasting baffles me. It is a terrible system. But 50 years on, here we are.

Sorcerers need 2 things to make them justified outside of just wizard light: spell point system, and origin powers. Less spells to choose from, less spells to have prepared, but use spell points instead of X slots per day, and then have the origin mean something with several ascending powers.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

Sorcerers need 2 things to make them justified outside of just wizard light: spell point system, and origin powers. Less spells to choose from, less spells to have prepared, but use spell points instead of X slots per day, and then have the origin mean something with several ascending powers.

I disagree. They’re justified as they are in 5e.

They do need new spells that are unique to them, though.