Should Psionics be part of the core in 4th edition?

[johnnype]

I don't expect this to be the definitive answer or even a scientific representation of all D&D gamers out there. I only intend it to be a reflection of a small portion of gamers out there.

What do you think?

 

[Crothian]

Nope

 

[Zaukrie]

Yes, I think so. However, I'm not one that thinks of psionics as "sci-fi" and not "fantasy". To me, it is just another kind of magic. I've never understood the argument that there is something about it that makes it not fit in D&D.

 

[frankthedm]

Optional section in the DMG, kind of like how Epic is in the 3.5 DMG.

 

[Gold Roger]

Psionics are already part of the Core, just look at some of the monsters in the MM.

But psionics as in psionic classes next to arcane and divine, no. It's simply not mainstream enough to warrant all the space it would take up and would piss of to many people.

 

[Nellisir]

No. I like it as it is now. And it's not a sf vs fantasy thing; it's a too many different sorts of magic thing. I don't want a 600 page core Player's Handbook with 500 pages devoted to spells, invocations, psionics, incarnum, and whatever other "alternate" magics people want to make core.

 

[Berandor]

Definitely. There are too many psionics-interested gamers out there who constantly run into DMs unwilling to learn a whole new book of rules for not-so-different special-cakes. I'm such a DM.

 

[Venator]

Nope. Give them their own rulebook please.

 

[frankthedm]

Yes, I think so. However, I'm not one that thinks of psionics as "sci-fi" and not "fantasy". To me, it is just another kind of magic. I've never understood the argument that there is something about it that makes it not fit in D&D.

Psionics hail from Sci-fi fiction where as spells and magic hail from fantasy. Psionics often tries to explain itself, usually saying science might understand someday how the mind can harness such energies and work with the laws of reality. Magic says science can’t understand it because magic changes the laws of reality

The pyrokineticist agitates your molecules till you burst into flames or tells your mitochondria to fatally overheat, the Pyromancer just summons up fire from god’s know where to roast you with a few magic words and gestures.

The Dimension drive bends space-time with a controlled singularity, creating a wormhole between two points. Teleport spells pops you to the chosen location by picturing it.

Aliens communicate telepathically, from the Vulcan Mind Meld to the Xenomorph Queen’s telepathy magnifying head crest. Wizards send messages with familiars or compells an air elemental to carry his words over the countryside.

 

[Umbran]

Psionics ought to be in their own book simply because it takes far too much room to do the whole thing justice.

I am not a big fan of psionics in D&D, and never felt a need to include them. But I recognize that if they are to be done, they need to be done in full - that means lots of classes, feats, items, and so on. Lots of space, and I don't feel the DMG or PHB would be well served by adding that much material that so many wouldn't use.