Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 blake_marlowe Apr 25, 2015 5:59:00	i did a search and didn't see any 5e threads, so here goes...   before anyone says it, i'm well aware of what the sage says about 5e psionics. but i find that...unsatisfying.   off the top of my head, i feel psionics should have a different feel from magic, yet at the same time, i also don't want to return wholesale to the 1/2e "a totally different mechanic for everything".   so my thinking is that you have 3 types of psionics, probably defined by key ability score (INT, WIS, CHA). the only sensible way i can conceive of for adjudicating this is to have different classes for each.   going back to the 1/2e model though, there were major and minor disciplines. this got me thinking: that naming still appeals, so have the disciplines grouped by theme (e.g., telepathy, empathy, telekinesis, metapsionics)? maybe psionic "cantrips" are minor disciplines, while major disciplines are analogous to spells, sort of, but with a "discipline tree": you choose to learn 1 basic major discipline, unlocking 2-3 branches as the character levels up. assuming the same kind of progression as casting.    example:   daffyd deryni is a 5th level empath, and at first level selected "induce good vibes" and "absorb good vibes". at 3rd level, daffyd then chooses "induce bad vibes" and at 5th, "induce confidence" with the intention of learning "absorb confidence" at 7th.   maybe psionic points are like sorcery points, to permit psionic characters to customize the manifestation of their psionic gifts. psionic points have been part of the game since 1st edition so retaining the idea of an expendable resource still has some lingering appeal to me.   thoughts?
#2 supreme_slayer Apr 25, 2015 9:55:06	Psionics in 5e to me seems like it would just be spells with different names, and using Spell Points (PP in this case) instead of slots. Where you go from there would just depend on the class. You could have disciplines be like domains for a paladin/cleric or a Druid.
#3 Gwaithador Apr 25, 2015 10:00:44	One of my favorite elements from 1st edition was the various psionic attacks and defenses for psionic vs. psionic combat. You didn't know what the foe might do for an attack or defense or what the foe had, at least at first encounter. Emulating this sort of strategy would be fun. I'm not sure how you go about in 5e. But it would be nifty. I would be more inclined to make these sorts of attacks and defenses the substitutes to cantrips.   I wonder if you'd want to create a singular "Psion" class and then have the different archtypes available at third level, just like the other classes? So, all Psionicists benefit from high INT, but the archtypes might benefit from a high INT, WIS or CHA? So, you could have a Psion: Psychic Warrior and that archtype gains certain "set" level based powers and maybe some psionic disciplines fewer in number because this particular archtype is focused on employing its psychic energies towards physical, martial abilities. Whereas, another archtype might focus on mind control and the will of others, and have correspondingly more psionic disciplines?   I like the idea of some sort of "psychic pool"  that could be used to enhance disciplines or perhaps even psionic defenses and attacks.   You might also want to consider the multiclass implications.  If these disciplines are not spell slots, does that mean, a Psion and wizard class gets full psionic discipline "slots" and full spell slots, and if so, does this present a class balance issue?
#4 EmpactWB Apr 25, 2015 12:03:27	I think the way of the elements monk provides a solid example of how to start. You can easily duplicate spells, add new abilities, and the point mechanic is already there.   There is, of course, the Spell Point variant in the DMG, which is functionally similar. It gives a spell level 1-9 spread in costs, so it should be easily flavored as psionics.   Personally, I've never really been a fan of psionics, having never really seen the draw, but I'm up for helping out. I like playing with mechanics.
#5 Gwaithador Apr 25, 2015 13:41:55	In 4e, the monk was a psionic based class, so the monk is a good reference point as EmpactWB suggested above.
#6 blake_marlowe Apr 25, 2015 14:57:43	supreme_slayer wrote:
#7 MechaPilot Apr 25, 2015 20:58:46	supreme_slayer wrote:
#8 seti Apr 26, 2015 2:37:10	WotC might put out official psionics by 2020. (Just being realistic with their 5e release schedule/model.)   Until then, our only recourse for 5e psionics, Dark Sun campaigning, etc. is to just reflavor most of the current spell list, use the DMG spell points, and select a Psion cantrip through 9th spell list. For example, you can make the fire bolt cantrip a psionic at-will (minor discipline, or whatever) power just by changing its damage to bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing and requiring a small object (pretty much anything. A rock, a nail, a shard of glass, etc.) as a material component, and re-naming it minor missile, telekenetic bullet, or some-such.   Basing it on 1e/2e psionics is really problematic, as 5e is totally balanced differently than those TSR systems. 3e/4e psionics would be a better guide, IMO. I'd like an AEDU psion, personally. Like 5e wizard but with points instead of slots. Some points could refresh with a short rest, and all would refresh with a long rest. Making it player's choice wheather to use INT, WIS, or CHA would be awesome. Also, that extra freedom of choice fits with a PC who has psychic powers and power point flexability. The hard part will be differentiating them from a Sorcerer and/or a Warlock. Keeping them different than the wizard will be easy for me. I plan on just gimping the wizard at my table by removing spells like dominate, telekinesis, and reverse gravity from their class list. I also like reflavoring wizard spells to do physical or force damage rather than fire, cold, lightening, etc. A psion could have access to some cleric healing by re-naming it psychometabolism too. Genrally, a Psion would have a shorter  class spell/power list but everything would be 'programmable' by buring more PP's on it. ie: you could dump all your PP's for the day to add several damage dice. Powerful as hell, sure...But you can only do it once per long rest, lol.   A few people have done some good work on this already, but for some reason it wasn't posted here, it was in the 'general 5e comments' forum.    I personally will go that route, as I am not expecting anything from WotC or a 3rd party anytime soon if ever. Sure, they might half-ass it, and put it in an upcoming Unearthed Arcana...   PS: I wish a Monk was still labeled 'psionic'. That was an obvious and enlightened decision, and should have stuck.