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

[UngeheuerLich]

This is basically why when I saw the 5e Mind Flayer I knew there wouldn't be psionics that made me happy. Someday I hope there's a version of D&D that thinks about where psionics fits in from the very begining of the design process, but not holding my breath on it.

No argument about that.

 

[DND_Reborn]

I wonder how many people have actually looked at KibblesTasty's Psion? 15 pages worth of psionic traditions over 4 subclasses and 6 disciplines, formated off the Mystic and based around the Warlock template from the looks of it. It's powered by Psi points and grants specialized powers, while in addition allows you to recreate certain spell effects as well (with the only component being Somatic.)

Basically the same way KibblesTasty took the original Artificer playtest and ran with it (and made something much more broad and intricate), they do the same here. Obviously it's not going to satisfy all of you because you each your own idiosyncratic needs for what your Psion "has" to have... but this is I'm sure a lot closer to what you want than the sorcerer subclass coming in Tasha's.

KibblesTasty's Psion Class

Yep. I've looked at it before. For people who want a non-caster full psion, it seems to work well.

I just don't want a full class. Actually, I don't even want subclasses. I just want a system I can add on like in 1E. I know that isn't what most people want, so that's fine.

 

[Eric V]

This

The DnD community only tolerates the wizard having a ton of little fiddy bits and a broad array of effects to memorize.

That's why the sorcerer is, in simple terms, a kneecapped wizard.
The cleric gets all its versatility from subclasses.
And mystic got downvoted.

It makes me wonder -who- votes on these things? Diehard classists who, as you say, only tolerate the wizard with fiddly bits? Newbies? Casuals?

This is why popular vote sucks...we'll never get the designers' best, most creative work.

So now, we're going to get a psion that satisfies those who didn't really care for psions in the first place, and that disappoints those who really wanted a psion. So what was the point?

 

[DND_Reborn]

This is why popular vote sucks...we'll never get the designers' best, most creative work.

Well said.

So what was the point?

So WotC can say it was finally done and can stop worrying about it. shrug

 

[humble minion]

So now, we're going to get a psion that satisfies those who didn't really care for psions in the first place, and that disappoints those who really wanted a psion. So what was the point?

If that's what happens (just for the sake of argument here) WotC would call it a very big win and feel pleased with themselves, because there's a hell of a lot lot more people out there who are 'meh' or negative on psions than there are hardcore psion fans, and if they could satisfy the former, then disappointing the latter is a price they'd cheerfully pay. WotC want a psion that satisfies people who pick up Tasha's, read about this 'psionics' thing, and decide to give it a go.

One thing us old-school types have to remember these days is that we are no longer the people who WotC are primarily designing products for. The target D&D 5e market in 2020 is aged 14-27, learned about D&D through Critical Role or Stranger Things, and has most likely never even heard of psionic defence modes or metacreativity. If WotC can throw us a bone while they cater for their main target audience, they will, and WotC have no shortage of creatives who cut their teeth on 2e/3e and love the settings etc so they will do that whenever they can. But all that is secondary. 5e WotC will always keep their majority focus on the majority market segment. And that's just not the people who played old-school psionics any more.

 

[DND_Reborn]

And that's just not the people who played old-school psionics any more.

LOL which is why I am very happy I still have my B/X, BECMI, 1E, and 2E books.

 

[Eric V]

If that's what happens (just for the sake of argument here) WotC would call it a very big win and feel pleased with themselves, because there's a hell of a lot lot more people out there who are 'meh' or negative on psions than there are hardcore psion fans, and if they could satisfy the former, then disappointing the latter is a price they'd cheerfully pay. WotC want a psion that satisfies people who pick up Tasha's, read about this 'psionics' thing, and decide to give it a go.

One thing us old-school types have to remember these days is that we are no longer the people who WotC are primarily designing products for. The target D&D 5e market in 2020 is aged 14-27, learned about D&D through Critical Role or Stranger Things, and has most likely never even heard of psionic defence modes or metacreativity. If WotC can throw us a bone while they cater for their main target audience, they will, and WotC have no shortage of creatives who cut their teeth on 2e/3e and love the settings etc so they will do that whenever they can. But all that is secondary. 5e WotC will always keep their majority focus on the majority market segment. And that's just not the people who played old-school psionics any more.

Could be! I wonder if that is reflected in the voting process, though. DnD is popular beyond ever now, because of the breakthrough to the casual playing audience. Is that audience voting on these things? We'll never know, but I would find it interesting if we could.

I think a "win" for WotC is just the bottom line in sales; I really don't think they care much beyond that.

 

[TwoSix]

One thing us old-school types have to remember these days is that we are no longer the people who WotC are primarily designing products for. The target D&D 5e market in 2020 is aged 14-27, learned about D&D through Critical Role or Stranger Things, and has most likely never even heard of psionic defence modes or metacreativity. If WotC can throw us a bone while they cater for their main target audience, they will, and WotC have no shortage of creatives who cut their teeth on 2e/3e and love the settings etc so they will do that whenever they can. But all that is secondary. 5e WotC will always keep their majority focus on the majority market segment. And that's just not the people who played old-school psionics any more.

I play with a bunch of people who are in their 40s and 50s and have been playing since B/X and 1e, and one thing they have in common is very little attachment to the idea of psionics in general. Psionics is really a niche interest even among D&D fans.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

I play with a bunch of people who are in their 40s and 50s and have been playing since B/X and 1e, and one thing they have in common is very little attachment to the idea of psionics in general. Psionics is really a niche interest even among D&D fans.

Without psionics, how can we have epic and exciting battles?

 

[TwoSix]

Without psionics, how can we have epic and exciting battles?

I guess we'll just have to suck it up with the 6 other full caster classes and 3 other half-caster classes already in print.