Unearthed Arcana Unearthed Arcana: Psionics and Mystics Take Two

February's Unearthed Arcana article from WotC's Mike Mearls has been posted. This time around, the topic is psionics again "This month, Unearthed Arcana returns to the mystic character class and the rules for psionics. Based on the playtest feedback you sent us, there are a number of changes you can expect." The article expands the Mystic class to 10th level, and adds a variety of new options.

Find the article right here.

 

[mellored]

Is Lethal Strike not affected by the Psi Limit? A level 5 Mystic has a Psi Limit of what, 5, unless I'm misreading the table.

It's limited to 5 per discipline use, not 5 per turn.

If you make 5 attacks, each one get's 5d10.

 

[SkidAce]

Re: why dont highly intelligent devils and angels have psioncs?

Because ever since the gods rose out of the aether, they twisted psionics into divine power, such that they gained status and power from worship and the belief in philosophies.

If their minions (devils and angels) had psionics, that would be undoing the divine dominion that "protects the cosmos" (with the best intentions of course).

It also explains why those with psionic power are hunted and persecuted like medieval witches were.




At least in Alfaysia.

 

[Ruin Explorer]

It's limited to 5 per discipline use, not 5 per turn.

If you make 5 attacks, each one get's 5d10.

Interesting - yeah that works given the Discipline in question doesn't activate until AFTER the attack hits and isn't an action of any kind. In fact it's slightly more efficient because any misses don't cost Psi.

I agree with you, though - this doesn't seem very OP compared to similar daily spenders.

Really shockingly flavourless, though. Hope that's solely because this is early but...

 

[mellored]

you now what make this better? mystic 5 / assassin 3/ battlemaster 3 / pali 2 / favored soul 6

haste, quick BB or GFB and more spell slots.

Yes.

Good call on quicken and haste. And better call on actually making use of the multi-attack from favored soul.

Plus, you end up with a useful melee cantrip attack and a few more quicken's. You'll still be relying on your party for the rest of the dungeon, but not quite as heavily.

 

[mellored]

Interesting - yeah that works given the Discipline in question doesn't activate until AFTER the attack hits and isn't an action of any kind. In fact it's slightly more efficient because any misses don't cost Psi.

Yes, any attack, including OA's, haste, or whatever.

I agree with you, though - this doesn't seem very OP compared to similar daily spenders.

Basically the same as paladin smite.

 

[Raisyx]

Since the shell of this class mimics that of the Cleric, we can start making some educated guesses at what 11 thru 20 will look like.


View attachment 73985

Levels 11, 13, and 15 give us additional disciplines learned and new spell tiers.

Levels 12, 16, and 19 gives us additional ABSIs

Level 14 increases damage on "Cutting Resonance" but this is already included in the article, another small buff to a previous ability should be put here or else this is a dead level for the Awakened Mystic

Level 17 is the first brand NEW thing we should expect, coming from our choice of Order, meaning Mystic is already easily playable from 1 to 16.

Levels 18 and 20 would be new abilities for the Base Mystic class.

We may also expect some new Disciplines and/or Talents, especially since total Disciplines by level 20 is would be 11 unless WotC decides to cap it off at an earlier point.

 

[zaratan]

Basically the same as paladin smite.

but stronger, since you can do 5d10 for the same cost a pali do 4d8, and mystic is a "full caster", pali is half. Ok, as single classes they are balanced that way, but multiclassing...

still, to do 5d10 you need deep 5 lvl in mystic, you can do 5d8 with divine smite deeping 2 lvls as pali and the rest as a full caster. Who knows, maybe this bring the balance.

Still want to know how psionic will interact with barbarian rage and druid wild shape.

 

[mellored]

but stronger, since you can do 5d10 for the same cost a pali do 4d8

Pally can do 2d8 at the cost of the mystic doing 1d10. Also, pallies get multi-attack.

Ok, as single classes they are balanced that way, but multiclassing...

I could see making the psi limit being per turn.

 

[zaratan]

Pally can do 2d8 at the cost of the mystic doing 1d10. Also, pallies get multi-attack.
.

No, a lvl 1 spell worth 2 spell points. Psionic can get 4d10/day at level 1, pali get 4d8/day at lvl 2.

 

[mellored]

No, a lvl 1 spell worth 2 spell points.

That makes me feel better about mystics.

Psionic can get 4d10/day at level 1, pali get 4d8/day at lvl 2.

Pallies get +2 on every attack from dualist. Then +1d8+str on every attack at 5. d10 hit dice, lay on hands, channel divinity, aura's, ect...


Currently, i wouldn't play a mystic over pally (from an optimization standpoint). A little bit stronger nova isn't worth it.

And 5 levels of multi-classing isn't worth it either. Unless your doing a theoretical build just to see how big of a nova you can get.