D&D 5E (2014) Psionics in a sci-fi D&D

[tomBitonti]

Musing on psionics in various books, movies, and TV shows ...

The Vulcans, and Betazoids in Star Trek, and the Empath ("The Empath"). Also, the Telosians ("Menagerie", "The Cage"). I'm not sure what to make of the Medusan's madness effect, or whether to consider as psionic Gary and Elizabeth's powers ("Where No Man Has Gone Before") or Wesley's or Q's abilities. Star Trek abilities seem to range from fairly weak, to medium but with a cost, to incredibly powerful. The more powerful abilities are the ones that don't know how to categorize.

Psions in general from Babylon 5, have Mind Reading, Telekinesis, Machine Bonding, projection, and at the highest level disintegration and other abilities (Jason Ironheart).

Teleportation shows up in Bester's "The Stars My Destination", and perhaps in "Leaper". Although, while having seen the target location previously is a requirement, the ability in "Leaper" seems more a supernatural ability than psionic.

I'm on the fence in regards to Carrie's abilities ("Carrie"). They seem psionic, but seem better framed as supernatural.

In "Hellboy", Liz Sherman is a classic firestarter. Does that make her a sorcerer or a psion? Abe Sapien seems to be more clearly a psion. Hellboy himself is a caster of some sort, and Rasputin seems to be an Alienist wizard. I can fit him as Warlock or Sorcerer. Wizard because he casts prepared spells -- although those could be framed as rituals. Warlock because he has additional powers bestowed by his patron. Sorcerer because he also has what look like at-will supernatural abilities. In any case, not a psion.

To me, "Star Wars" force abilities don't frame very well as psionic abilities. They do have power crystals (in light sabers, and in certain powerful weapons), and The Emperor uses technology to boost his abilities. (I'm discounting most of the new abilities in the last trilogy. I can't fit them into my prior conception of the force.) But the Emperor seems to use technology more to facilitate his force use than to actually generate force effects. To me, the force just doesn't feel psionic.

TomB

 

[tetrasodium]

Musing on psionics in various books, movies, and TV shows ...


Psions in general from Babylon 5, have Mind Reading, Telekinesis, Machine Bonding, projection, and at the highest level disintegration and other abilities (Jason Ironheart).

the techno-organic shadow tech those telepaths were connected to is was what allowed "machine bonding", the first races pretty explicitly use organic technology & sometimes that included modifications to the younger races that aided in treating the younger races like tools & weapons. Tech was basically magic with the source of that tech (human<centauri<mimbari<technomages<first ones like vorlons & shadows) determining the level & capabilities of that tech to some degree but tech was regularly kludged together into a solution tech could handle. psionics was always more towards hard science based magic with limitations that required genetic tinkering to overcome rather than harry potteresque magic or startrek's treknobable solution of the week.

 

[Mind of tempest]

2017's prey had psionic powers thus here Neuromod might have some stuff morph being promising as reality manipulation would be a good extension of the teleportation powers.

 

[Minigiant]

we are not dealing with 4e thus it might be a bit more of a problem for a largely spelled based system.

4E psions would be close to my preference.

1. 2 at-will powers for minor psionics
2. 1-4 long rest disciplines for major psionics
3. 1-2 Bonus powers and discipline based on subclass
4. A pool of 2-5 focus points that boost the power of powers and disciplines and recharge per short rest.

Psions would have fewer options than even Sorcerers but would have a lot of power or utility in the few elements they can affect with their minds.

This wouldn't work with the spell paradigm. Spells are balanced around slot level. Cantrips are balanced around "caster level".

 

[Mind of tempest]

4E psions would be close to my preference.

1. 2 at-will powers for minor psionics
2. 1-4 long rest disciplines for major psionics
3. 1-2 Bonus powers and discipline based on subclass
4. A pool of 2-5 focus points that boost the power of powers and disciplines and recharge per short rest.

Psions would have fewer options than even Sorcerers but would have a lot of power or utility in the few elements they can affect with their minds.

This wouldn't work with the spell paradigm. Spells are balanced around slot level. Cantrips are balanced around "caster level".

it would be terrible for 5e and the nature of dm fiet (no idea how to spell that word) would make the class too situational, something more robust is needed.

 

[Minigiant]

it would be terrible for 5e and the nature of dm fiet (no idea how to spell that word) would make the class too situational, something more robust is needed.

Fiat
My goal would not to have them be situational.

The way I see psionics is you only get one "school" and you have to level up or specialize to get access to other "schools". It is wizards in many video games. The telepath would only have telepathy. The telepath has Send Thoughts and can use it to send messages, frighten, stun, dominate, distract, charm, or cause psychic damage. The telepath wont have Telekinesis, Pyrokinesis, Clairsentience, Mantles, Dark Force, etc until they get to level 5 and choose another power.

Because to me, characters in SciFI don't have access to all the science the way D&D wizards and clerics have access to all the magic. However their usage of super science is versatile. Kinda like super heroes.

 

[Hussar]

And yet we've had threads on this very forum discussing how to expand martial capabilities with many suggestions that go beyond using the AC system. I'm not sure you should be so quick to make claims as to what "no one" wants.

And yet ... we're 50 years into the game and none of those things have been added to the game. I think my point stands.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

The way I see psionics is you only get one "school" and you have to level up or specialize to get access to other "schools". It is wizards in many video games.

How would a telepath defend themselves from zombies or golems? At least an enchanter could cast Mage Armor or Shield.

 

[Cadence]

How would a telepath defend themselves from zombies or golems? At least an enchanter could cast Mage Armor or Shield.

A chainsaw and a rocket launcher, respectively.

 

[Minigiant]

How would a telepath defend themselves from zombies or golems? At least an enchanter could cast Mage Armor or Shield.

Zombies aren't immune to psychic damage.

Clay golems are CR 9. By then a telepath would have learn another discipline and maybe have a subclass discipline.

In my mind, a level 6 psionic focused character would have access to 2-3 disciplines.