D&D 5E Psionics in a sci-fi D&D

[Baron Opal II]

are all point systems copyrighted to them or can we use something similar?

You cannot copyright math, just the expression of the rules.

So, you could create a system with what I mentioned earlier, you just have to express the point values differently, give different names to the powers, &c. The seed can be identical, just your expression unique to you.

Which is harder than it seems, sometimes.

 

[cbwjm]

perhaps something a bit more stripped down and practical as it could be a bit trying to learn?

Yeah, I think it could be altered to fit with 5e and simplified. Probably that means a set amount of effort/psi points each level. You could probably still limit the number of disciplines a psychic could initially learn from in the 5e version, though I'd expect that subclasses would cover the disciplines and the psychics could take powers from any discipline, perhaps being stronger or having unique powers with their discipline of choice.

 

[tomBitonti]

Oh yes, I agree completely.

My point is, trying to argue that one version of psionics is better than another on the basis of "scientific plausibility" is an epic fail.

The thing is, there are different qualities of mechanics that can be invoked, and that does make a difference. For example, compare Niven‘s teleportation disks with basic D&D teleportation. Niven adds one magical step, then binds it to physics as much as possible. Conservation of energy and of momentum limit the connected locations. On the other hand, D&D allows any locations to be connected, regardless of the consequences. I wonder how much power can be generated by a pair of permanent portals, one 1000’ above the other, with a large pipe and a 1000’ column of water.
TomB

 

[Hussar]

Some alien species have brains that allow for psychic potential, which can be enhanced with training. Pretty straightforward.

That’s not an explanation. It explains why some might be able to do it but not how

 

[tomBitonti]

One of the differences is that Psionics doesn’t have Casting, in the sense of casting a spell in D&D. One concentrates and causes an effect. Perhaps there is a step to aid in concentration (say, as is shown with Vulcan mind melds.). There are at most simple requirements: touching an object to read it. Seeing a teleportation destination. A focus may be required.
TomB

 

[Hussar]

By the same token, Casting in D&D doesn't necessarily have casting. Meta magic allows for silent casting, still casting and eschew material from 3e ignored components for the most part. And, frankly, only wizards have a spell book, everyone else casts magic as an innate ability or something granted to them by some sort of "power".

I guess this is why I just don't really get it. If the magic system in D&D has no problems incorporating magic that comes from a god, magic that comes from internal bloodlines, magic that comes from some sort of "power" and magic that comes from learning, then why does magic that comes from your brain need an entirely new system? New class? Sure, I can totally see that. No worries there. But new system? Just for this? It seems rather extreme.

And, considering the way the wind is blowing with the release of the Monsters book from WotC, more complicated is not a direction they seem to be heading. If anything, I think you will see a lot of simplification in the game mechanics in the next five years.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

That’s not an explanation. It explains why some might be able to do it but not how

Space elves are magic.

Nuf said.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Psionics in Stars without Number (revised) is powered by what they call Effort. Your effort is equal to 1 + your highest psionic skill score + the highest modifier from wisdom or constitution. Your skill in a discipline is in a range of 0 to 4. A psychic character can begin play with two disciplines at level 0 or one discipline at level 1. So if your highest modifier is +2, you'll start with 3 or 4 points of effort depending on how focused your psychic is. If, after a few levels, you've mastered a discipline and reach level 4, then you'd have 7 points of effort at least.

When you use powers, effort is used up, sometimes for the entire day, sometimes just for a scene (a scene is basically an encounter), and sometimes just while the power is in use. The discipline of metapsionics has a technique that completely removes the effort cost of another power, though this is quite an investment since it's a level 4 technique.

You can also use an action to torch, which grants you a free point of effort but might burn an attribute point (reducing an ability score by 1)

Disciplines have a core technique which can be a minor power that becomes more powerful as you increase your skill in the discipline or, as in the case of metapsionics, it provides a bundle of abilities like additional points of effort and the ability to detect other psychics.

It's quite a cool system, though I can imagine that some might have an issue with keeping track of effort as it is committed for different durations. Easy enough to come up with a system to help remember that though.

So, the same as the Mystic.

 

[Mind of tempest]

okay so we have an idea for a system do we have an exact idea of what the system will be working with as scif fi class systems are a bit different from say fantasy RPG in tone.

so do we know what types of psionic we want to have? I know what I want but I would like to know what you guys think?

 

[Paul Farquhar]

okay so we have an idea for a system do we have an exact idea of what the system will be working with as scif fi class systems are a bit different from say fantasy RPG in tone.

so do we know what types of psionic we want to have? I know what I want but I would like to know what you guys think?

We have absolutely no idea what @Morrus has in mind. There are many different subgenres of science fiction for a start. Is it Space Opera (Star Wars)? Planetary Romance (John Carter's Mars)? Post-Apocalypse? Portal/Cross-Genre (Barrier Peaks)? Something I haven't though of?

Sub-genre and general tone has a big bearing on what sort of psionics you would want.