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Message: <blockquote data-quote="jgsugden" data-source="post: 9670359" data-attributes="member: 2629">My desire for psionics is:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">It feels different than magic.  It should have different mechanics than magic, and should not feel like a reskinned or augmented wizard or sorcerer.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">It should evoke the tropes of Super Heroes and Force Users.  I want the class to feel like Professor X, Nightcrawler, Johnny Storm, Green Lantern and other comic characters.  In the case of Psychic Warriors, Jedi and Sith are good models.  [Edit: What I mean here is that I want thematic power sets that all interrelate rather than being just a random collection of useful spells - I want their powers to tie together].</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">I prefer Power Points as a mechanic.  Power Points are an iconic element of the Psionics world I grew to appreciate within D&D, and I would appreciate seeing a return to that as a standard.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Psionic Offenses and Psionic Defenses should be utilized well.  Those classic 10 offenses and defenses from the AD&D PHB should be utilized well.  In my optimal use, they create a rock, paper, scissors style advantage/disadvantage when psionic PCs/NPCs fight as well as providing independent benefits.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Psionics should utilize few, but versatile, powers.  A wizard has a spellbook full of options.  A sorcerer has a suite of ever prepared powers they can modify with metamagic.  I want the Psionic classes to go further away from wizard and have very few spheres of powers that allow for many things to be done within the sphere.  For example, a Prokinetic might be able to create flame cones, missiles, walls, explosions, etc..., but they might also be able to turn their body into flame and fly when doing so, or be able to fit through narrow gaps while fire.  A telepath might have mind reading and domination/charm abilities, but might also be able to make people remember things they forgot, change memories, put illusions in someone's mind, invade dreams, avoid language barriers, etc... </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Psionics should be capable of overload. Psionics should not have an upper cap that is like a finite limit as we see in spellcasting with the limitation of the highest level spell slot to which the PC has access.  Instead, I want them to have the capabilities to push beyond 'safe' limits and do something special - but at a risk that can backfire.  You might launch a psychic blast at enemies that does above normal damage for someone of your level - but you risk doing that damage to yourself or your allies ... or perhaps blowing out your psychic abilities for a bit. </li> </ul>I have a system that does it.  I built it a long time ago and updated it throughout 3E/3.5 and then revised it again for 5E, although it has seen little (PC) use as I generally do not announce it until players encounter psionics within the campaign (they're rare).  It works.  It is fun.  It would need a lot of work to make it accessible to others as it is a bit too convoluted.</blockquote>

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