Psionics are nothing new to Dungeons and Dragons. Creatures like mind flayers and subclasses such as Aberrant Mind Sorcerer, Soul Knife Rogue, and Psi Warrior Fighter all use psionics to some degree. However, there has never been an entire class built around psionics in 5th edition. Unearthed Arcana has just released an early version of the Psion class for Dungeons and Dragons, the first new class since the Artificer’s release years ago.
Psions unleash the power of their mind on the world, to beneficial and devastating effect in turn. The new class has potential as a full spellcaster but, as it’s a new Unearthed Arcana, there are some parts of the class that are lacking. An example is the Psion subclass, Telepathic Hub, which allows a Telepath to only telepathically communicate with a creature within 10 feet, while a Soulknife Rogue’s range is 1 mile. Despite these limitations, the Psion is an interesting new class and has some exciting subclasses for players to explore.
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Introducing a Brand New Dungeons and Dragons Class
As Unearthed Arcana, the Psion class features and mechanics are not yet final, and are likely to change if it’s made official. Like other Dungeons and Dragons classes, the Psion class includes four subclasses that use psionics in different ways. As Psions regard psionics as magic, it is considered a full spellcaster. Like the Wizard class, Psions use Intelligence as their spellcasting ability, while Intelligence and Wisdom are the Psion’s saving throw proficiencies. Like the Soulknife Rogue and Psi Warrior Fighter, the Psion’s different psionic features outside of cantrips and spellcasting are determined by psionic dice and their rolls.
One major difference between Psions and other spellcasters is that they can cast spells without verbal or material components required, unless the components are destroyed when casting the spell. This means that Psions can cast a range of spells even when Silenced. Psions can also shift between two Modes from level 2: Attack Mode, which causes damage from the Psion’s weapon attacks, Psion spells, and Psion features to ignore resistance to psychic damage; and Defense Mode, which grants resistance to psychic damage and the ability to add a psionic die to failed Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws.
Psions gain their subclass at level 3. The subclasses for Psion are:
- Metamorph
- Psi Warper
- Psykinetic
- Telepath
Metamorphs can use the power of their minds to shape their bodies, allowing them to morph their limbs into Organic Weapons and cast better healing spells. Psi Warpers can teleport themselves and their allies, as well as manipulate space. Psykinetics can harness telekinesis to create shields, fly, and hit their enemies with force. Telepaths can invade the minds of others, or use their abilities to rally their allies.
Psion Includes New Spells and Feats
The Psion spell list includes spells from Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything in addition to two new spells and one new cantrip. New spells that Psions can use are Summon Astral Entity and Telekinetic Crush, while the new cantrip is Telekinetic Fling. Summon Astral Entity summons the spirit of a psionic creature, and uses the new Psionic Spirit stat block. Telekinetic Crush crushes all creatures in a 30-foot cube using force damage, and requires a Strength saving throw. Telekinetic Fling uses material components, where the material, enhanced by telekinetic power, is launched at a creature. The creature takes 1d10 force damage on a hit.
Psions also come with ten new feats that form the new Wild Talent category. These feats are designed to support the Psion spell list and enhance damage, healing, and Ability checks. As the effects of each Wild Talent are potent, players can only choose one Wild Talent.
The feats included as Wild Talents are:
- Atmokinesis
- Biokinesis
- Clairsentience
- Cryokinesis
- Empath
- Flesh Morpher
- Mind Whisperer
- Psi Trickster
- Psykineticist
- Pyrokinesis
Most of these feats involve changing the type of damage that the character deals when attacking, using their Intelligence modifier to improve Ability checks, or using a more limited version of other Psion subclass abilities.
- Franchise
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Dungeons & Dragons
- Original Release Date
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1974
- Designer
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E. Gary Gygax, Dave Arneson
