D&D 5E 5e Psion+++++thread
- Thread starter James Gasik
- Start date
Sword of Spirit
Legend
I was fine with 3.5e psionics. I think giving it a bit of its own flavor, more like the mystic in its later playtests would help, but my version needs to be comparable in power to a full caster. There needs to be the equivalent of 9th-level psionic effects--not just power levels. For example, astral projection and plane shifting sorts of things.
I'm very okay with effect overlap (ie, powers that mostly look like similar spells) but the creation of those effects is something I like different. With the possible exception of some sort of "psionically resonant crystals" or such as substitutes for costly material components, I need there to not be components necessary for manifesting. No verbal, no somatic, etc. For me, the absence of such components is what makes it feels like psionics instead of magic. On the other hand, I like "displays" like 3.5 had so others can (sometimes) tell that you are manifesting psionics. I think well-designed and flexible displays can also give a lot of cool flavor to psionics.
I prefer magic and psionics to interact with each other completely normally, but I'd be okay with slightly hampered interaction. I'm just not sure it's worth the effort. That goes into my idea about whether psionics is magic or not. The way I run it, even in-world, whether it should or should not be considered magic is debated. But it isn't arcane or divine, and it doesn't use the Weave (or another setting's equivalent) so it is at least a different kind of magic.
I like feats (and half-feats) as ways to represent wild talents. In addition the Telekinetic and Telepathic feats that already exist in 5e (though I change how they work), I'd include a psionic version of Magic Initiate.
I'm okay with subclasses for some classes, but I don't see a need for there to be psionic archetypes and versions for everything. I suppose on a world like Dark Sun it makes more sense to have extra subclasses, but that's probably one thing that can be a hard sell for some people--having the existence of psionics mean everything has psionic versions and options. Heck, that isn't even true for divine magic (or druidic/primal)! Okay, it is for arcane, but outside of someplace like Dark Sun, I don't see psionics being as pervasive as arcane magic.
And that makes me think of something that might be useful in a presentation of psionics. There could be a couple different degrees of psionic campaign presence you choose between, with recommendations for which options to use in each of them. I'd go with "high psionic" (Dark Sun or equivalent) and "low psionic" (everything else, with an emphasis that even the low psionic options might only be present rarely or in certain cultures) for simplicity.
I haven't checked out the Esper yet (I bounced off the name...sorry, I'll give it look), but there was a Psionicist class on DMsGuild that isn't there anymore (it looked like the document may have borrowed some WotC IP it wasn't entitled too, but I'm sure it was fixable if they wanted to). (This is not to be confused with the unrelated 2e conversion Psionicist class on DMsGuild.) It's too bad, because other than doing a few things I needed to house-rule (displays instead of components, not preparing powers), its basic setup and its details were closer than anything else I'd run into.
I'm very okay with effect overlap (ie, powers that mostly look like similar spells) but the creation of those effects is something I like different. With the possible exception of some sort of "psionically resonant crystals" or such as substitutes for costly material components, I need there to not be components necessary for manifesting. No verbal, no somatic, etc. For me, the absence of such components is what makes it feels like psionics instead of magic. On the other hand, I like "displays" like 3.5 had so others can (sometimes) tell that you are manifesting psionics. I think well-designed and flexible displays can also give a lot of cool flavor to psionics.
I prefer magic and psionics to interact with each other completely normally, but I'd be okay with slightly hampered interaction. I'm just not sure it's worth the effort. That goes into my idea about whether psionics is magic or not. The way I run it, even in-world, whether it should or should not be considered magic is debated. But it isn't arcane or divine, and it doesn't use the Weave (or another setting's equivalent) so it is at least a different kind of magic.
I like feats (and half-feats) as ways to represent wild talents. In addition the Telekinetic and Telepathic feats that already exist in 5e (though I change how they work), I'd include a psionic version of Magic Initiate.
I'm okay with subclasses for some classes, but I don't see a need for there to be psionic archetypes and versions for everything. I suppose on a world like Dark Sun it makes more sense to have extra subclasses, but that's probably one thing that can be a hard sell for some people--having the existence of psionics mean everything has psionic versions and options. Heck, that isn't even true for divine magic (or druidic/primal)! Okay, it is for arcane, but outside of someplace like Dark Sun, I don't see psionics being as pervasive as arcane magic.
And that makes me think of something that might be useful in a presentation of psionics. There could be a couple different degrees of psionic campaign presence you choose between, with recommendations for which options to use in each of them. I'd go with "high psionic" (Dark Sun or equivalent) and "low psionic" (everything else, with an emphasis that even the low psionic options might only be present rarely or in certain cultures) for simplicity.
I haven't checked out the Esper yet (I bounced off the name...sorry, I'll give it look), but there was a Psionicist class on DMsGuild that isn't there anymore (it looked like the document may have borrowed some WotC IP it wasn't entitled too, but I'm sure it was fixable if they wanted to). (This is not to be confused with the unrelated 2e conversion Psionicist class on DMsGuild.) It's too bad, because other than doing a few things I needed to house-rule (displays instead of components, not preparing powers), its basic setup and its details were closer than anything else I'd run into.
James Gasik
We don't talk about Pun-Pun
and Vader is Dutch for Father- supposedly unintentional (I think George was going for inVader, similar to how Palpatine was inSidious), but it really ties into the plot twist of Empire Strikes Back).That's one meaning of it. I doubt Vader was supposed to be an elf.
Cat Sith is really cool, though.
LuisCarlos17f
Legend
"Get on stage with a bagpipe"? I am Spanish and this is the first time I read that expression. and then I don't understand the meaning.
* About maenads:
(From wikipedia)
In Greek mythology, maenads (/ˈmiːnædz/; Ancient Greek: μαινάδες [maiˈnades]) were the female followers of Dionysus and the most significant members of his retinue, the thiasus. Their name, which comes from μαίνομαι (maínomai, “to rave, to be mad; to rage, to be angry”),[1] literally translates as 'raving ones'.
* The elans are potentially interesting because nobody trusts them if they seem too perfect. It is like in a movie where a new teenage student arrives to the high school and she is too pretty, with the best grades and too good playing sports.
- the mystic who trains to master mind over matter. The sorcerrer would be like a mechanic fixing and controlling machines and the psion like an inventor creating her own tools in a survival videogame.
* A memerist could be helpful to heal sanity.
* What about psionic powers with emotional or thought components?
---
OK, this may be a nonense but I hope this to be enough fun to be told here.
I ask Grok (the Elon Musk's/Twitter/X's AI) to design new possible psionic classes and here you are:
Shattermind - The Soulbreaker
Concept: A psionic warrior who uses his mind as a lethal weapon, inspired by concepts of "mind over matter" and unleashed rage.
Description: A combatant who channels anger or trauma into psychic blasts and devastating attacks.
Basic mechanics:
Hit die: 1d10 (combat-focused).
Primary attributes: Strength and Charisma.
Psychic Rage: Enters a rage state (like the Barbarian, but psionic):
Psychic damage bonus (+2, scales with level).
Resistance to psychic and bludgeoning damage.
Mind Blast: Spends break points (level + CHA) for:
Psionic Wave: 1d8 psychic damage in cone (Intelligence save).
Fragmentation: Reduces enemy AC by 2 (1/day).
Subclasses:
Inner Fury: Increased damage and resistance.
Broken Echo: Reflects damage taken as psychic.
Background: Cursed warriors, survivors of thought experiments, or souls fragmented by pain.
* About maenads:
(From wikipedia)
In Greek mythology, maenads (/ˈmiːnædz/; Ancient Greek: μαινάδες [maiˈnades]) were the female followers of Dionysus and the most significant members of his retinue, the thiasus. Their name, which comes from μαίνομαι (maínomai, “to rave, to be mad; to rage, to be angry”),[1] literally translates as 'raving ones'.
* The elans are potentially interesting because nobody trusts them if they seem too perfect. It is like in a movie where a new teenage student arrives to the high school and she is too pretty, with the best grades and too good playing sports.
- I sympathize with the Blues because they could suffer the worst ostracism, not only by civilized peoples but also among members of their own tribe.
- I see three of four types of possible psionic manifesters:
- the mystic who trains to master mind over matter. The sorcerrer would be like a mechanic fixing and controlling machines and the psion like an inventor creating her own tools in a survival videogame.
- the "mutant" who didn't ask the gift, and she couldn't keep under control, or she didn't want (example Stephen King's Carrie or Firestarter).
- the ardent who wants to enchace her "inner spark" to server a greater cause. Jedi knights could be like a close example.
- the "host", somebody chosen or cursed by a spirit like some characters from Dandadan. Do you remember the spiritist and medium classes from Pathfinder?
* A memerist could be helpful to heal sanity.
* What about psionic powers with emotional or thought components?
---
OK, this may be a nonense but I hope this to be enough fun to be told here.
I ask Grok (the Elon Musk's/Twitter/X's AI) to design new possible psionic classes and here you are:
Shattermind - The Soulbreaker
Concept: A psionic warrior who uses his mind as a lethal weapon, inspired by concepts of "mind over matter" and unleashed rage.
Description: A combatant who channels anger or trauma into psychic blasts and devastating attacks.
Basic mechanics:
Hit die: 1d10 (combat-focused).
Primary attributes: Strength and Charisma.
Psychic Rage: Enters a rage state (like the Barbarian, but psionic):
Psychic damage bonus (+2, scales with level).
Resistance to psychic and bludgeoning damage.
Mind Blast: Spends break points (level + CHA) for:
Psionic Wave: 1d8 psychic damage in cone (Intelligence save).
Fragmentation: Reduces enemy AC by 2 (1/day).
Subclasses:
Inner Fury: Increased damage and resistance.
Broken Echo: Reflects damage taken as psychic.
Background: Cursed warriors, survivors of thought experiments, or souls fragmented by pain.
Last edited:
Mind of tempest
(he/him)advocate for 5e psionics
The backstory is too limited; it needs more, but it has to be vague.
Too close to elf and do not even think about romulans and remulans.
Perhaps but we both know I mean the Sith order from Starwars.
psi combat splits the party, never split the party.
Steal some of the names for abilities as they have great names.
Corinnguard
Hero
Agreed. The 4e Dragonborn and 4e Genasi had more lore compared to them back then. There were two Ecology articles for these two that came well after the PHB source material.
Mind of tempest
(he/him)advocate for 5e psionics
not an expression but more a description of the absurdity, as no one makes bagpipes work.
Corinnguard
Hero
Laser Llama does happen to have a psionic subclass for the Ranger called the Nomad.
Alternate Ranger: Expanded by laserllama
Alternate Ranger: Expanded by laserllama - Created with GM Binder.
www.gmbinder.com
Nomad Conclave
Whether by birth, happenstance, or a ritual, the mind of every Nomad has been connected to the mystical web of knowledge known as the Noosphere. This psionic link allows Nomads to access knowledge from far-off places and distant lives. These strange wanderers spend their lives collecting hidden lore to add to this web of information that connects every Nomad.Drawing on this network, these Rangers can use psionic abilities to slip through cracks in reality, assault the minds
of their foes and draw on the knowledge of other Nomads.
Maxperson
Morkus from Orkus
Shardstone
Hero
Laserllama is my #1 favorite content creator so I'm well aware. I love his Psion.Laser Llama does happen to have a psionic subclass for the Ranger called the Nomad.
Alternate Ranger: Expanded by laserllama
Alternate Ranger: Expanded by laserllama - Created with GM Binder.
Nomad Conclave
Whether by birth, happenstance, or a ritual, the mind of every Nomad has been connected to the mystical web of knowledge known as the Noosphere. This psionic link allows Nomads to access knowledge from far-off places and distant lives. These strange wanderers spend their lives collecting hidden lore to add to this web of information that connects every Nomad.
Drawing on this network, these Rangers can use psionic abilities to slip through cracks in reality, assault the minds
of their foes and draw on the knowledge of other Nomads.
Personally, I feel if 5.R used Laserllama materials, it would have been a roaring success. His original classes are also fantastic. The Magus, the Psion, the Shaman, the Shaper -- Laserllama literally designs the exact things the community wants, he designs them well, and he designs them with vision in mind. It is a shame that most of the 5E community just doesn't know about this gem, because I don't think there's anyone on this forum who would dislike his takes on 5E. I'm sure there are some, but you get the gist.
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