D&D 5E What's wrong with this psion?

[WayOfTheFourElements]

It's not spell scaling.

1. You can't cast a spell at with slot you don't have. If you are a 5th level sorcerer, you can't cast fireball as a 4th level spell since you lack 4th level slots.
2. Metamagic is general as they have to tag multiple spells. Augments are tailor made to each power.
3. If you convert Augments to Metamagic many of them would be useless as they would affect a very very small group of spells. Who would take a metamagic that raises weight limits or switches humanoid to get and giants?

How do these specific mechanics relate to mind powers in 5e D&D? Why must these mechanics simulate mind powers, while all other mechanics fall short?

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

I want NEW complaints to crop up for me to write about dammit!!! Come on, people! GIMME SOMETHING NEW TO TAKE YOU TO TASK FOR!!! I HAVE WORK I NEED TO AVOID DOING!!!

They need to nerf witch bolt; it's OP.

 

[TwoSix]

It's not spell scaling.

1. You can't cast a spell at with slot you don't have. If you are a 5th level sorcerer, you can't cast fireball as a 4th level spell since you lack 4th level slots.
2. Metamagic is general as they have to tag multiple spells. Augments are tailor made to each power.
3. If you convert Augments to Metamagic many of them would be useless as they would affect a very very small group of spells. Who would take a metamagic that raises weight limits or switches humanoid to get and giants?

???

You do know a lot of 5e spells have spell specific scaling, right? That's actually a specific mimic on how 3.5 psionic powers also scaled, and has nothing to do with metamagic. I mean, 5e spells are a lot more like 3.5 powers than 3.5 spells precisely because they don't scale with caster level, and can only be powered up by spending a larger slot (the 3.5 power equivalent of spending more power points.)

Plus, 3.5 psionics also had an explicit power point level, so even in old psionics you couldn't use powers higher than your expected level.

 

[ChaosOS]

To me you're 95% of the way there, but I'd like to see spell points. While power points were implemented differently in 3.5 and 4e, I've come to associate that level of granularity with psionics.

RE: Counterspell - I think for transparency purposes I'm fine with counterspell being an option sometimes. I will note though that RAW, you literally can't counterspell something enhanced by subtle spell, counterspell is contingent on seeing the VSM components.

Honestly though my favorite Psion chassis in homebrews has been short rest points-caster. Short rest, like warlock, makes them feel "weird" and "different", and the points and lack of patronage keeps them different from warlock. I'd also definitely have class features that trade off the components to hit that "No, Psions have O components not V" aspect. Otherwise though I'm fine with using spells as the base template for psionic abilities, with of course the expectation that some alternatives would be made available (like what they're doing with the new psionic spells in Tasha's)

 

[DEFCON 1]

They need to nerf witch bolt; it's OP.

We already had that argument here 4 and a half years ago! Come on!

 

[WayOfTheFourElements]

To me you're 95% of the way there, but I'd like to see spell points. While power points were implemented differently in 3.5 and 4e, I've come to associate that level of granularity with psionics.

No problem! The DMG has a variant for that.

 

[Eric V]

I think the healthy approach is to simply not have a strong opinion about what is "right" and "wrong" and simply let creative people do the best they can. I personally feel that way about most geek IP, but I understand I'm in a distinct minority on that.

Too true! A lot of creativity seems to die when the masses get to vote on it. I'd rather see what professional designers can get up to with few restraints.

 

[Weiley31]

I mean, technically, if your playing a Divine/Favored Soul Sorcerer, then yes, RP wise, your Sorcerer is casting "divine" versions of the arcane Sorcerer spells and is either getting their powers from a Deity or if they have celestial blood. Just like how when a Druid casts their spells, it's not divine or arcane or even Psionics, but it's power source is Primal. It may not be considered "Primal" rule wise, but from a lore viewpoint than it's certainly Primal. Especially if it comes from the planet.

I also blame Mike Myler for giving me an excuse/example of making/having Primal damage as refluffed Thunder Damage.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

We already had that argument here 4 and a half years ago! Come on!

They should remove delayed blast fireball from D&D because it's offensive to people who have issues with, um, their staying power.

 

[TwoSix]

They should remove delayed blast fireball from D&D because it's offensive to people who have issues with, um, their staying power.

Please consult a cleric if it's been more than 4 hours since your delayed blast fireball has been delayed.