D&D 5E (2024) [+] What does a non-spellcaster Psion need/look like?

[EzekielRaiden]

@EzekielRaiden

Is it possible for a Barbarian to serve as the Psionic noncaster?

It is easy for me to see the Barbarian as the power of ones own soul, especially Berserkr, then Beast becoming the soul of an animal, Zealot applying ones soul wholeheartedly. Finally the Tree is ones own soul as the microcosm interrelating the multiversal macrocosm.

I wonder if a new Barbarian subclass can emphasize the superheroish themes, including flight. Barbarian already has something like bodyarmor, but perhaps additional options can offer force armor or so on.

I could see others interpeting it so, but I would not do so myself.

The primary reason being that the Barbarian--even in 5e--is portrayed as something unthinking. Even if it has moved quite far away from the "wild-eyed madness" type origin, no longer looking quite like Cú Chulainn's "warp-spasms" ("ríastrad") that made him equally dangerous to friend and foe, the Barbarian Rage is still antithetical to powers of the mind. Remember that 5e Rage forbids not just spellcasting, but concentration of any kind. Now, I want to be clear that I am not saying that because I want psionics to resemble spellcasting, but because I see concentration as representing the powers of the mind, whether they be spells or psi powers, and thus Rage forbidding that is a pretty big impediment. Not necessarily an absolute dealbreaker (hence, I could see others doing it), but a pretty big one for what I'm looking for.

Here soon, I'll articulate some of my own ideas. As noted, I was intending for this thread to be a place for others to voice their ideas first, before I launched into my own thoughts. It's been about three weeks, I'd say that's enough time for folks to get their thoughts in!

 

[Yaarel]

I could see others interpeting it so, but I would not do so myself.

The primary reason being that the Barbarian--even in 5e--is portrayed as something unthinking. Even if it has moved quite far away from the "wild-eyed madness" type origin, no longer looking quite like Cú Chulainn's "warp-spasms" ("ríastrad") that made him equally dangerous to friend and foe, the Barbarian Rage is still antithetical to powers of the mind. Remember that 5e Rage forbids not just spellcasting, but concentration of any kind. Now, I want to be clear that I am not saying that because I want psionics to resemble spellcasting, but because I see concentration as representing the powers of the mind, whether they be spells or psi powers, and thus Rage forbidding that is a pretty big impediment. Not necessarily an absolute dealbreaker (hence, I could see others doing it), but a pretty big one for what I'm looking for.

Here soon, I'll articulate some of my own ideas. As noted, I was intending for this thread to be a place for others to voice their ideas first, before I launched into my own thoughts. It's been about three weeks, I'd say that's enough time for folks to get their thoughts in!

Psionics includes emoting. And taking on an animalistic mind. It relates to shapeshifting, mind first, then body.

 

[LuisCarlos17f]

A "psionic barbarian" is possible, but it would be more like the wilder class. I imagine something like a mixture of "abomination" (Marvel increible Hulk's archienemy) and a crazy Scarlet Witch when she is furious, or a mutant-like enemy like a kaiju with ray attacks style Godzilla.

Or we could give other example, Blanka, the greenskin with electric powers from Street Fighters.

It wouldn't be like the standar psion/mystic whose power comes from mental training but something more instictive, like no-sentient monsters with psionic powers.

Maybe the barbarian is the host of some symbiont-like creature with psionic powers, like Venom and Carnage, Spiderman's enemies.

 

[EzekielRaiden]

Psionics includes emoting. And taking on an animalistic mind. It relates to shapeshifting, mind first, then body.

I can see that being one specific specialization of it, sure. I don't see the Barbarian working as the baseline for all of it, is the problem.

Like this feels like saying that the Barbarian works for, say, Paladin, because you could view Rage as being a transcendental state of communion with something beyond you. Sure, you could do that, but where's the aura? Where's the divine smite? Etc.

Yes, there are elements that relate. There are also elements that don't, in both directions.

 

[Neonchameleon]

I just had a thought. I fundamentally do not see the point of the Psion we have been presented - a pretty generic caster trying to force itself between the sorcerer and wizard. But my first main RPG was GURPS and GURPS psionics is as different from GURPS magic as D&D magic is from Stars Without Numbers' psionic system. So why not steal that?

Or if we must have an Int based version of a Charisma caster as a Psion use the warlock for crying out loud. And write the Invocation-equivalent disciplines properly with no referencing anything that contains Components. In order to lift a 25lb rock a Psion should not be burning spell slots any more than a fighter is. Instead something more like "As an action You can telekinetically lift unattended objects in line of sight and 50ft telekinetically using up to 10lbs* your Int or Cha score. If you wish to split this load adding each new item takes an action and the conbined weight does not exceed your capacity. You may move all objects you have lifted up to 30' as a bonus action".