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View Full Version : D&D 5e/Next Quick and Dirty Psionic Characters for 5e



ES Curse
2016-08-30, 03:18 PM
Do you want to access the power of the mind? Do you want a safe, largely thematic change to existing classes with minimal work/brewing on your end? Here's the Psionic system you're looking for!

To become a psionic character, you must first take levels in a class* with the Spellcasting class feature. When you would take the Spellcasting class feature, you may declare your character's power source to be Psionic rather than the original Arcane/Divine/Primal. This causes several features to work differently:
-You do not use spell slots; instead, you use the spell points system from the DMG. Spells known and cantrips for your class are unchanged, and this does not alter your class' spell list.
-Psionics is an intensely personal discipline; instead of your original class' spellcasting ability, you declare one of Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma to be your spellcasting ability for this class
-Spell Points do not stack with Spell Slots for multiclassing; your levels in Psionic and non-Psionic classes are calculated separately when determining your casting resources, so you might be a Sorcerer 3 (Psionic)/Wizard 3 with both Spell Points and Spell Slots, in which case you have the Spell Points of a 3rd level Psionic caster and the Spell Slots of a 3rd level standard caster.
-Class features that affect your Spell Slots/Spell Points, such as the Sorcerer's Sorcery Points or the Wizard's Arcane Recovery, can only affect the type of spell resource used by that class (ex. a Wizard (Psionic) cannot regain Spell Slots with Arcane Recovery)

*this text prohibits Warlocks from being Psionic, other classes might be removed if their abilities make no sense as psionic powers

Class-Specific Changes (WIP)
Bard:
Cleric:
Druid:
Fighter (Eldritch Knight): You are not restricted in what school you choose your Wizard spells from
Paladin: Divine Smite becomes "Psionic Smite", damage type becomes psychic and the effect on undead/fiends is lost
Ranger:
Rouge (Arcane Trickster): You are not restricted in what school you choose your Wizard spells from
Sorcerer:
Wizard:

What do you guys think? I'm prototyping rules for a future campaign.

Rerem115
2016-08-30, 03:27 PM
Using a spell point system will have a tendency to increase the overall power of spellcasters. This is because they get more uses of their best spells; the paladin can cast more 5th level smites, the wizard can cast more than one 8th or 9th level spell per day, etc. Keep this in mind when designing encounters, since your players can use their best toys more often.

DracoKnight
2016-08-31, 12:59 AM
Using a spell point system will have a tendency to increase the overall power of spellcasters. This is because they get more uses of their best spells; the paladin can cast more 5th level smites, the wizard can cast more than one 8th or 9th level spell per day, etc. Keep this in mind when designing encounters, since your players can use their best toys more often.

Two notes: RAW, Paladins can spend a max of a 4th level spell slot on Divine Smite, unless you're referring to the Smite spells themselves.

Secondly, also RAW, full casters using spell points can only cast 1/each of their 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th level spells per day.

Rerem115
2016-08-31, 01:25 AM
Derp. My bad.

However, spell points still increase the overall power level of spellcasters. You have incresed flexibility with your spells, and in the paladin's case, you'd still get more of your best (4th level) smite uses.

DracoKnight
2016-08-31, 04:37 AM
However, spell points still increase the overall power level of spellcasters. You have incresed flexibility with your spells, and in the paladin's case, you'd still get more of your best (4th level) smite uses.

Oh, no, you're not wrong in your overall premise - I was just clarifying for the OP's sake :smallsmile: