Mind Over Matter: A Guide to the 5e Mystic

[Psychokinetix]

1. You only get to use Consumptive power once (Max bonus of +7), and Psionic Mastery yields you (at 17th) 36PP over the course of 4 uses. That's a max of 43 bonus PP for emergencies. While it is an effective use of abilities, I would honestly use those pools for specific reasons. Consumptive would be a last ditch effort; meanwhile, Psionic Mastery would be quite useful in the way of setting up some nasty combos. Set up a wall on top of someone and then Force Weapon them to death.

2. This is true, however, they have made sure to spread out the resistances. You'll either need to be focused on a particular Elemental type, or use a discipline's ability to gain that resistance (Energy Adaptation from Adaptive Body for elementals and Steel Hide from Iron Durability for physical types). So try to do some research on your enemy beforehand to capitalize on this. Nothing to make a dragon more furious than having him melt the boulders around you with his breath only for you to brush off some dust and tell him he needs a tic-tac.

3. This ties up your bonus action which could be better used for other things.

4. I'll make it orange. I think that's honestly the best synergy it's gonna get.

5. Honestly, for all of that, you could just simplify the equation and use a bow with nomadic arrow. It's basically the same thing for ranged attacks. Potent Psionics applies as well, simply because it does not say it was restricted to only melee weapons. It just says "when you hit a creature with weapon." This would be a more economical use of points and time. (Simplify right?)

I really like your insights on this. I do have to say that I am using MoWaE on my Wu Jen. I did that so that he would have a skill that did not require the enemy to make a save. This also adds to his ability to resist and negate damage. My Soul Knife on the other hand I fully intend to have using nomadic arrow.

[Sinon]

Attacking as a bonus action is not really extra attack. Also, you can already do that as a Soul Knife.

Actually, the interesting thing about Surge of Action is that, unlike the bonus attack with the off hand, this extra attack isn't contingent on having used the Attack Action already.

So, you can us your Action to manifest a power, for example, and attack with a weapon in the same round. TWF can't do that.

I still don't know that this is worth 5 psi points, but it is different than other types of bonus attack, and there's potential there.

Credit where credit is due: I didn't think of this until jaappleton pointed out a similar feature of a Scimitar of Speed in his "Power of a Magic Item" thread.

[jleonardwv]

This thread is useful to consider all the mystic options. I posted what I have below as a separate thread, but thought it might be useful here since this is probably the home of most people interested in mystics.

So I have a couple of character concepts where the PC is seemingly a nobody, by-stander, servant, whatever. The PC is actually a Psion (mystic) whose Talents and Disciplines have no visible source or effects, such that no normal NPC would ever know or suspect the Psion. I've created this guide to help me and thought it might help you. Archetype powers, disciplines, and talents are all rated based on whether the PC Psion could be definitively pinned as the source of the effects. I took a very conservative approach to the ratings, since perhaps DMs would let NPCs suspect the PC at the slightest hint of a "power" being used.

Warning: This could totally hack off the DM and make Sorcerer's subtle spell metamagic seem pathetic.

Green: These powers have no visible effects and/or no way to tell the source of the power in normal settings. If Psion is visible and alone with a BBEG, it might be impossible to hide the source of these effects.
Black: Nothing necessarily RAW reveals the source of the effect. This will depend on role-playing, character choices about the power, or DM rulings.
Red: It is clear that the Psion is the origin of this effect perhaps because it originates at the Psion or changes the physical appearance of the Psion or maybe gives the PC superhuman abilities.

Spoiler: Mystic Class Features

Show

Telepathy: In a crowd, you are probably unnoticed.
Strength of Mind: Not detectable.
Potent Psionics: Target probably knows you are the source of the extra damage.
Consumptive Power: Affect the Psion physically, but maybe not visibly.
Psionic Mastery: No visible effect.
Psionic Body: Will have a noticeable effect on the physique.

Spoiler: Mystic Order Powers

Show

Avatar:
Armor Training: No one knows this is Psionics.
Avatar of Battle: No one knows the source.
Avatar of Healing: No one knows the source.
Avatar of Speed: No one knows the source.

Awakened:
Awakened Talent: No one knows this is Psionics.
Psionic Investigation: Anyone watching figures you have some power--maybe a spell. If the Psion is alone this is Green.
Psionic Surge: No one knows the source.
Spectral Form: Your body changes.

Immortal:
Immortal durability: Maybe you are just extra quick or tough, but clearly harder to hit/damage.
Psionic Resilience: You are regaining HP, a physical change.
Surge of Health: Might make someone suspicious.
Immortal Will: Didn't we just kill him?

Nomad:
Breadth of Knowledge: Not usually detectable as Psionics.
Memory of One Thousand Steps: You teleported.
Superior Teleportation: You teleported.
Effortless Journey: You teleported.

Soul Knife:
Martial Training: No one knows this is Psionics.
Soul Knife: Your fists are knives.
Hone the Blade: No one knows this is Psionics.
Consumptive Knife: See Soul Knife.
Phantom Knife: See Soul Knife.

Wu Jen:
Hermit’s Study: No one knows this is Psionics.
Elemental Attunement: No one knows this is even happening.
Arcane Dabbler: Depends on spell selection. Probably red.
Elemental Mastery: A physical effect.

Spoiler: Disciplines

Show

Adaptive Body
Focus: Not usually noticeable.
Environmental Adaptation: You touch someone.
Adaptive Shield: A physical effect.
Energy Adaptation: You touch someone.
Energy Immunity: You touch someone.

Aura Sight
Focus: No visible effect.
Assess Foe: No visible effect.
Read Moods: No visible effect.
View Aura: No visible effect.
Perceive the Unseen: No visible effect. Might suspicious that you can see everyone if you mention it.

Bestial Form
Focus: No visible effect.
Bestial Claws: You got claws.
Bestial Transformation: All of them have visible and/or physical effects. Perhaps Tough Hide could be hidden by good RP.

Brute Force
Focus: No visible effect.
Brute Strike: Extra damage visible.
Knock Back: Extra physical effect.
Mighty Leap: How did you jump 140 feet?
Feat of Strength: Hide with RP?

Celerity
Focus: Nothing more than Monk or some races might have.
Rapid Step: Too fast to hide.
Agile Defenses: Impressive, but could easily be hidden with good RP.
Blur of Motion: Invisible!
Surge of Speed: Physical effet.
Surge of Action: Might hide with RP. Kinda like Fighter at 5th or War Cleric 1.

Corrosive Metabolism
Focus: Would be evident that damage is reduced.
Corrosive Touch: Physical effect.
Venom Strike: Physical effect.
Acid Spray: Physical effect.
Breath of the Black Dragon: Physical effect.
Breath of the Green Dragon: Physical effect.

Crown of Despair
Focus: No visible effect.
Crowned in Sorrow: No visible effect.
Call to Inaction: You talked to your target.
Visions of Despair: No visible effect.
Dolorous Mind: No visible effect.

Crown of Disgust
Focus: Physical effect.
Eye of Horror: Target is avoiding you. Maybe you could RP an explanation.
Wall of Repulsion: No one knows the source of this wall.
Visions of Disgust: No one knows the source of this effect.
World of Horror: They are frightened of you.

Crown of Rage
Focus: They feel compelled to attack you. Can you RP this without them knowing the source of this feeling?
Primal Fury: No one knows the source of this effect.
Fighting Words: You talk to the target.
Mindless Courage: No one knows the source of this effect.
Punishing Fury: No one knows the source of this effect.

Diminution
Focus: No visible effect.
Miniature Form: Physical effect.
Toppling Shift: Physical effect.
Sudden Shift: Physical effect.
Microscopic Form: Maybe no one notices?

Giant Growth
Focus: Physical effect.
Ogre Form: Physical effect.
Giant Form: Physical effect.

Intellect Fortress
Focus: No visible effect.
Psychic Backlash: You affect an attacker.
Psychic Parry: Seems like everything happens in the mind.
Psychic Redoubt: No visible effect or source.

Iron Durability
Focus: Could easily RP this minor effect.
Iron Hide: Physical effect.
Steel Hide: Physical effect.
Iron Resistance: Physical effect.

Mantle of Awe
Focus: No visible effect.
Charming Presence: Charm clearly has a source.
Center of Attention: I think you could RP this.
Invoke Awe: You are giving orders.

Mantle of Command
Focus: No visible effect.
Coordinated Movement: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Commander’s Sight: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Command to Strike: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Strategic Mind: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Overwhelming Attack: How would anyone know the source of this effect?

Mantle of Courage
Focus: No visible source.
Incite Courage: No visible source.
[COLOR="#008000"]Aura of Victory: [/B] How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Pillar of Confidence: How would anyone know the source of this effect?

Mantle of Fear
Focus: No visible effect.
Incite Fear: Target knows it's you.
Unsettling Aura: Target knows it's you.
Incite Panic: Targets know it's you.

Mantle of Fury
Focus: No visible source.
Incite Fury: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Mindless Charge: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Aura of Bloodletting: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Overwhelming Fury: How would anyone know the source of this effect?

Mantle of Joy
Focus: No visible source.
Soothing Presence: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Comforting Aura: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Aura of Jubilation: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Beacon of Recovery: How would anyone know the source of this effect?

Mastery of Air
Focus: Physical effect.
Wind Step: Physical effect on you.
Wind Stream: Effect originates with you.
Cloak of Air: Physical effect on you.
Wind Form: Physical effect on you.
Misty Form: Physical effect on you.
Animate Air: It obeys your verbal commands.

Mastery of Fire
Focus: Noticeable reduction in damage.
Combustion: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Rolling Flame: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Detonation: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Fire Form: Physical effect on you.
Animate Fire: It obeys your verbal commands.

Mastery of Force
Focus: Could probably RP this to avoid suspicion.
Push: Appears to originate from you.
Move: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Inertial Armor: Physical effects are obvious.
Telekinetic Barrier: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Grasp: How would anyone know the source of this effect?

Mastery of Ice
Focus: Noticeable reduction in damage.
Ice Spike: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
[COLOR="#008000"]Ice Sheet: [/B] How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Frozen Sanctuary: Physical effect.
Frozen Rain: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Ice Barrier: How would anyone know the source of this effect?

Mastery of Light and Darkness
Focus: No visible effect.
Darkness: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Light: Touch effect.
Shadow Beasts: They obey your verbal commands.
Radiant Beam: How would anyone know the source of this effect?

Mastery of Water
Focus: Physical effect.
Desiccate: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Watery Grasp: Appears to originate from you.
Water Whip: Appears to originate from you.
Water Breathing: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Water Sphere: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Animate Water: It obeys your verbal commands.

Mastery of Weather
Focus: Physical effect.
Cloud Steps: Seems awfully convenient that the stairs just appear in front of you.
Hungry Lightning: I suppose the lightning could come from above.
Wall of Clouds: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Whirlwind: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Lightning Leap: Appears to originate from you then you teleport.
Wall of Thunder: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Thunder Clap: How would anyone know the source of this effect?

Mastery of Wood and Earth
Focus: Might be able to RP this minor effect.
Animate Weapon: You are holding the weapon.
Warp Weapon: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Warp Armor: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Wall of Wood: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Armored Form: Physical effect
Animate Earth: You verbally command.

Nomadic Arrow
Focus: Lucky roll? Good shot?
Speed Dart: Originates from you.
Seeking Missile: Lucky roll? Good shot?
Faithful Archer: Originates from you.

Nomadic Chameleon
Focus: No detectable effect.
Chameleon: Are you just good at hiding?
Step from Sight: Are you just good at hiding? Making party is not traceable to you.
Enduring Invisibility: How can they know what happened to you?

Nomadic Mind
Focus: No one knows how you got these abilities.
Wandering Mind: Could RP this.
Find Creature: Depends on how you RP this.
Item Lore: No visible effect.
Psychic Speech: No visible effect.
Wandering Eye: No visible effect.
Phasing Eye: No visible effect.

Nomadic Step
Focus: Teleport
Step of a Dozen Paces: Teleport.
Nomadic Anchor: Teleport.
Defensive Step: Teleport.
[COLOR="#FF0000"]There and Back Again: [/B] Teleport.
Transposition: Teleport.
Baleful Transposition: Teleport.
Phantom Caravan: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Nomad’s Gate: Teleport.

Precognition
Focus: RP no problem.
Precognitive Hunch: RP this.
All Around Sight: Physical effect.
Danger Sense: RP this.
Victory Before Battle: RP this.

Psionic Restoration
Focus: Physical effect.
Mend Wound: Physical effect.
Restore Health: Physical effect.
Restore Life: Physical effect.
Restore Vigor: Physical effect.

Psionic Weapon
Focus: Your weapon is enhanced.
Ethereal Weapon: Your weapon is enhanced.
Lethal Strike: Your weapon is enhanced.
Augmented Weapon: Your weapon is enhanced.

Psychic Assault
Focus: Undetectable.
Psionic Blast: Undetectable.
Ego Whip: Undetectable.
Id Insinuation: Undetectable.
Psychic Blast: Originates from you.
Psychic Crush: No one knows it's you.

Psychic Disruption
Focus: No visible effect.
Distracting Haze: You remain close by for a minute. Suspicious.
Daze: No one knows it's you.
Mind Storm: Untrackable.

Psychic Inquisition
Focus: No one knows.
Hammer of Inquisition: No one knows.
Forceful Query: You talk to the target.
Ransack Mind: You concentrate for an hour? Seems suspicious.
Phantom Idea: You concentrate for an hour? Seems suspicious.

Psychic Phantoms
Focus: No one knows.
Distracting Figment: No one knows it's you.
Phantom Foe: You remain close by for a minute. Suspicious.
Phantom Betrayal: You remain close by for a minute. Suspicious.
Phantom Riches: You remain close by for a minute. Suspicious.

Telepathic Contact
Focus: RP this.
Exacting Query: You talk to the subject.
Occluded Mind: In a crowd, no one would know who is asking.
Broken Will: In a crowd, no one would know who is commanding.
Psychic Grip: What's wrong with him? *shrugs shoulders* I don't know.
Psychic Domination: Concentration, but no range limit once the creature has been targeted.

Third Eye
Focus: No visible effect.
Tremorsense: No visible effect.
Unwavering Eye: No visible effect.
Piercing Sight: No visible effect.
Truesight: No visible effect.

Spoiler: Psionic Talents

Show

Beacon Physical effect.
Blade meld Physical effect.
Blind spot RP this.
Delusion No visible effect.
Energy Beam RAW the beam doesn't need to originate with you.
Light step RP this.
Mind Meld No visible source.
Mind Meld No visible source.
Mystic Charm Charmed by you.
Mystic Hand No visible source.
Psychic Hammer No visible source.

[carrdrivesyou]

This thread is useful to consider all the mystic options. I posted what I have below as a separate thread, but thought it might be useful here since this is probably the home of most people interested in mystics.

So I have a couple of character concepts where the PC is seemingly a nobody, by-stander, servant, whatever. The PC is actually a Psion (mystic) whose Talents and Disciplines have no visible source or effects, such that no normal NPC would ever know or suspect the Psion. I've created this guide to help me and thought it might help you. Archetype powers, disciplines, and talents are all rated based on whether the PC Psion could be definitively pinned as the source of the effects. I took a very conservative approach to the ratings, since perhaps DMs would let NPCs suspect the PC at the slightest hint of a "power" being used.

Warning: This could totally hack off the DM and make Sorcerer's subtle spell metamagic seem pathetic.

Green: These powers have no visible effects and/or no way to tell the source of the power in normal settings. If Psion is visible and alone with a BBEG, it might be impossible to hide the source of these effects.
Black: Nothing necessarily RAW reveals the source of the effect. This will depend on role-playing, character choices about the power, or DM rulings.
Red: It is clear that the Psion is the origin of this effect perhaps because it originates at the Psion or changes the physical appearance of the Psion or maybe gives the PC superhuman abilities.

Spoiler: Mystic Class Features

Show

Telepathy: In a crowd, you are probably unnoticed.
Strength of Mind: Not detectable.
Potent Psionics: Target probably knows you are the source of the extra damage.
Consumptive Power: Affect the Psion physically, but maybe not visibly.
Psionic Mastery: No visible effect.
Psionic Body: Will have a noticeable effect on the physique.

Spoiler: Mystic Order Powers

Show

Avatar:
Armor Training: No one knows this is Psionics.
Avatar of Battle: No one knows the source.
Avatar of Healing: No one knows the source.
Avatar of Speed: No one knows the source.

Awakened:
Awakened Talent: No one knows this is Psionics.
Psionic Investigation: Anyone watching figures you have some power--maybe a spell. If the Psion is alone this is Green.
Psionic Surge: No one knows the source.
Spectral Form: Your body changes.

Immortal:
Immortal durability: Maybe you are just extra quick or tough, but clearly harder to hit/damage.
Psionic Resilience: You are regaining HP, a physical change.
Surge of Health: Might make someone suspicious.
Immortal Will: Didn't we just kill him?

Nomad:
Breadth of Knowledge: Not usually detectable as Psionics.
Memory of One Thousand Steps: You teleported.
Superior Teleportation: You teleported.
Effortless Journey: You teleported.

Soul Knife:
Martial Training: No one knows this is Psionics.
Soul Knife: Your fists are knives.
Hone the Blade: No one knows this is Psionics.
Consumptive Knife: See Soul Knife.
Phantom Knife: See Soul Knife.

Wu Jen:
Hermit’s Study: No one knows this is Psionics.
Elemental Attunement: No one knows this is even happening.
Arcane Dabbler: Depends on spell selection. Probably red.
Elemental Mastery: A physical effect.

Spoiler: Disciplines

Show

Adaptive Body
Focus: Not usually noticeable.
Environmental Adaptation: You touch someone.
Adaptive Shield: A physical effect.
Energy Adaptation: You touch someone.
Energy Immunity: You touch someone.

Aura Sight
Focus: No visible effect.
Assess Foe: No visible effect.
Read Moods: No visible effect.
View Aura: No visible effect.
Perceive the Unseen: No visible effect. Might suspicious that you can see everyone if you mention it.

Bestial Form
Focus: No visible effect.
Bestial Claws: You got claws.
Bestial Transformation: All of them have visible and/or physical effects. Perhaps Tough Hide could be hidden by good RP.

Brute Force
Focus: No visible effect.
Brute Strike: Extra damage visible.
Knock Back: Extra physical effect.
Mighty Leap: How did you jump 140 feet?
Feat of Strength: Hide with RP?

Celerity
Focus: Nothing more than Monk or some races might have.
Rapid Step: Too fast to hide.
Agile Defenses: Impressive, but could easily be hidden with good RP.
Blur of Motion: Invisible!
Surge of Speed: Physical effet.
Surge of Action: Might hide with RP. Kinda like Fighter at 5th or War Cleric 1.

Corrosive Metabolism
Focus: Would be evident that damage is reduced.
Corrosive Touch: Physical effect.
Venom Strike: Physical effect.
Acid Spray: Physical effect.
Breath of the Black Dragon: Physical effect.
Breath of the Green Dragon: Physical effect.

Crown of Despair
Focus: No visible effect.
Crowned in Sorrow: No visible effect.
Call to Inaction: You talked to your target.
Visions of Despair: No visible effect.
Dolorous Mind: No visible effect.

Crown of Disgust
Focus: Physical effect.
Eye of Horror: Target is avoiding you. Maybe you could RP an explanation.
Wall of Repulsion: No one knows the source of this wall.
Visions of Disgust: No one knows the source of this effect.
World of Horror: They are frightened of you.

Crown of Rage
Focus: They feel compelled to attack you. Can you RP this without them knowing the source of this feeling?
Primal Fury: No one knows the source of this effect.
Fighting Words: You talk to the target.
Mindless Courage: No one knows the source of this effect.
Punishing Fury: No one knows the source of this effect.

Diminution
Focus: No visible effect.
Miniature Form: Physical effect.
Toppling Shift: Physical effect.
Sudden Shift: Physical effect.
Microscopic Form: Maybe no one notices?

Giant Growth
Focus: Physical effect.
Ogre Form: Physical effect.
Giant Form: Physical effect.

Intellect Fortress
Focus: No visible effect.
Psychic Backlash: You affect an attacker.
Psychic Parry: Seems like everything happens in the mind.
Psychic Redoubt: No visible effect or source.

Iron Durability
Focus: Could easily RP this minor effect.
Iron Hide: Physical effect.
Steel Hide: Physical effect.
Iron Resistance: Physical effect.

Mantle of Awe
Focus: No visible effect.
Charming Presence: Charm clearly has a source.
Center of Attention: I think you could RP this.
Invoke Awe: You are giving orders.

Mantle of Command
Focus: No visible effect.
Coordinated Movement: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Commander’s Sight: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Command to Strike: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Strategic Mind: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Overwhelming Attack: How would anyone know the source of this effect?

Mantle of Courage
Focus: No visible source.
Incite Courage: No visible source.
[COLOR="#008000"]Aura of Victory: [/B] How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Pillar of Confidence: How would anyone know the source of this effect?

Mantle of Fear
Focus: No visible effect.
Incite Fear: Target knows it's you.
Unsettling Aura: Target knows it's you.
Incite Panic: Targets know it's you.

Mantle of Fury
Focus: No visible source.
Incite Fury: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Mindless Charge: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Aura of Bloodletting: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Overwhelming Fury: How would anyone know the source of this effect?

Mantle of Joy
Focus: No visible source.
Soothing Presence: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Comforting Aura: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Aura of Jubilation: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Beacon of Recovery: How would anyone know the source of this effect?

Mastery of Air
Focus: Physical effect.
Wind Step: Physical effect on you.
Wind Stream: Effect originates with you.
Cloak of Air: Physical effect on you.
Wind Form: Physical effect on you.
Misty Form: Physical effect on you.
Animate Air: It obeys your verbal commands.

Mastery of Fire
Focus: Noticeable reduction in damage.
Combustion: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Rolling Flame: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Detonation: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Fire Form: Physical effect on you.
Animate Fire: It obeys your verbal commands.

Mastery of Force
Focus: Could probably RP this to avoid suspicion.
Push: Appears to originate from you.
Move: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Inertial Armor: Physical effects are obvious.
Telekinetic Barrier: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Grasp: How would anyone know the source of this effect?

Mastery of Ice
Focus: Noticeable reduction in damage.
Ice Spike: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
[COLOR="#008000"]Ice Sheet: [/B] How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Frozen Sanctuary: Physical effect.
Frozen Rain: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Ice Barrier: How would anyone know the source of this effect?

Mastery of Light and Darkness
Focus: No visible effect.
Darkness: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Light: Touch effect.
Shadow Beasts: They obey your verbal commands.
Radiant Beam: How would anyone know the source of this effect?

Mastery of Water
Focus: Physical effect.
Desiccate: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Watery Grasp: Appears to originate from you.
Water Whip: Appears to originate from you.
Water Breathing: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Water Sphere: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Animate Water: It obeys your verbal commands.

Mastery of Weather
Focus: Physical effect.
Cloud Steps: Seems awfully convenient that the stairs just appear in front of you.
Hungry Lightning: I suppose the lightning could come from above.
Wall of Clouds: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Whirlwind: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Lightning Leap: Appears to originate from you then you teleport.
Wall of Thunder: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Thunder Clap: How would anyone know the source of this effect?

Mastery of Wood and Earth
Focus: Might be able to RP this minor effect.
Animate Weapon: You are holding the weapon.
Warp Weapon: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Warp Armor: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Wall of Wood: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Armored Form: Physical effect
Animate Earth: You verbally command.

Nomadic Arrow
Focus: Lucky roll? Good shot?
Speed Dart: Originates from you.
Seeking Missile: Lucky roll? Good shot?
Faithful Archer: Originates from you.

Nomadic Chameleon
Focus: No detectable effect.
Chameleon: Are you just good at hiding?
Step from Sight: Are you just good at hiding? Making party is not traceable to you.
Enduring Invisibility: How can they know what happened to you?

Nomadic Mind
Focus: No one knows how you got these abilities.
Wandering Mind: Could RP this.
Find Creature: Depends on how you RP this.
Item Lore: No visible effect.
Psychic Speech: No visible effect.
Wandering Eye: No visible effect.
Phasing Eye: No visible effect.

Nomadic Step
Focus: Teleport
Step of a Dozen Paces: Teleport.
Nomadic Anchor: Teleport.
Defensive Step: Teleport.
[COLOR="#FF0000"]There and Back Again: [/B] Teleport.
Transposition: Teleport.
Baleful Transposition: Teleport.
Phantom Caravan: How would anyone know the source of this effect?
Nomad’s Gate: Teleport.

Precognition
Focus: RP no problem.
Precognitive Hunch: RP this.
All Around Sight: Physical effect.
Danger Sense: RP this.
Victory Before Battle: RP this.

Psionic Restoration
Focus: Physical effect.
Mend Wound: Physical effect.
Restore Health: Physical effect.
Restore Life: Physical effect.
Restore Vigor: Physical effect.

Psionic Weapon
Focus: Your weapon is enhanced.
Ethereal Weapon: Your weapon is enhanced.
Lethal Strike: Your weapon is enhanced.
Augmented Weapon: Your weapon is enhanced.

Psychic Assault
Focus: Undetectable.
Psionic Blast: Undetectable.
Ego Whip: Undetectable.
Id Insinuation: Undetectable.
Psychic Blast: Originates from you.
Psychic Crush: No one knows it's you.

Psychic Disruption
Focus: No visible effect.
Distracting Haze: You remain close by for a minute. Suspicious.
Daze: No one knows it's you.
Mind Storm: Untrackable.

Psychic Inquisition
Focus: No one knows.
Hammer of Inquisition: No one knows.
Forceful Query: You talk to the target.
Ransack Mind: You concentrate for an hour? Seems suspicious.
Phantom Idea: You concentrate for an hour? Seems suspicious.

Psychic Phantoms
Focus: No one knows.
Distracting Figment: No one knows it's you.
Phantom Foe: You remain close by for a minute. Suspicious.
Phantom Betrayal: You remain close by for a minute. Suspicious.
Phantom Riches: You remain close by for a minute. Suspicious.

Telepathic Contact
Focus: RP this.
Exacting Query: You talk to the subject.
Occluded Mind: In a crowd, no one would know who is asking.
Broken Will: In a crowd, no one would know who is commanding.
Psychic Grip: What's wrong with him? *shrugs shoulders* I don't know.
Psychic Domination: Concentration, but no range limit once the creature has been targeted.

Third Eye
Focus: No visible effect.
Tremorsense: No visible effect.
Unwavering Eye: No visible effect.
Piercing Sight: No visible effect.
Truesight: No visible effect.

Spoiler: Psionic Talents

Show

Beacon Physical effect.
Blade meld Physical effect.
Blind spot RP this.
Delusion No visible effect.
Energy Beam RAW the beam doesn't need to originate with you.
Light step RP this.
Mind Meld No visible source.
Mind Meld No visible source.
Mystic Charm Charmed by you.
Mystic Hand No visible source.
Psychic Hammer No visible source.

This is well thought out and very useful. My last Mystic capitalized on people not knowing he was the source of the strange goings-on around town. Very effective in ANY campaign. My favorite, all in all, has got to be the Phasing Eye from Nomadic Mind. Talk about some awesome spy stuff! I'll add this into the guide and credit you! Thanks!

[sambojin]

Any nicely broken combos people have thought of using Psionic Mastery? I'll put it as the 15th lvl version (ie: 11PP) and assume that everyone knows all disciplines (or the ones used in the combo at least), no matter how disparate they seem, so we can show off the better ones.

First obvious one is "Shields up!"
Bestial Transformation (Tough Hide, 2), Cloak of Air (3), Comforting Aura (2), Steel Hide (2), Coordinated Movement (2).

That's +2AC, disadvantage to attacks against you, +d4 on saves for you and two others, resistance vs B/P/S for the rest of this turn and your next, and five allies get a free reaction half-move (you might not be the only one in danger, and your party can "dodge" potential aoe's this turn using this). Not an easy thing to do, is hitting you.
---------

Another is "Instant Garden Maze".
Wall of Wood (3), Ice Barrier (6), Darkness (2).

What's better than one wall? Two walls that they can't see their way around. Way better if you can zigzag walls in a grid, but having the double still let's you create problems for them no matter what your DM rules on this. Could sub out 20' darkness for another vision blocking Wall of Clouds, or if you can zigzag them properly the Ice Barrier for a Wall of Thunder (you just made a trapped passageway). Or a 40' tall Cloud Step, so you just made an instant mini-castle. So many good things to do with multiple walls it's silly.
---------

My Little Army
Animate Earth/whatever (7), Shadow Beasts (3), Cloud Steps (1).

The big guy pounds on them, the shadows stat zap them, all while you and your ranged party members look on from your cloud tower. Action economy is ace.


Anyway, there's plenty to do with PM, including multi-save BC, nova'ing, as well as blowing through legendary resistances very quickly. What's some others that people have thought of?

[carrdrivesyou]

But those are MY secrets!

[Mortis_Elrod]

I thought if it before but it’s been awhile, but can you use consumptive power along with psionics mastery ? I doubt it be allowed but that’s a lot more points to work with.

Regardless of that I think i had a super reach build somewhere....

Bugbear for more reach but any race will do


Psionics mastery 11 points.
2 points mantle of fury including you
2 points ogre form
7 points giant form
Focus on giant growth

This gives +2d6 and 2d4 on every melee weapon attack for a minute and also 30 temp hp and Huge size and +20ft in reach.

If able to charge up further and you are soul knife you can Hone the Blade for +4/+4 1d8 knives.

Attack and use Knock Back from brute Force to launch anyone that is 25 (30 if bugbear) fret from you another 70 feet (7pts) potentially doing another 7d6.

[carrdrivesyou]

I thought if it before but it’s been awhile, but can you use consumptive power along with psionics mastery ? I doubt it be allowed but that’s a lot more points to work with.

Regardless of that I think i had a super reach build somewhere....

Bugbear for more reach but any race will do


Psionics mastery 11 points.
2 points mantle of fury including you
2 points ogre form
7 points giant form
Focus on giant growth

This gives +2d6 and 2d4 on every melee weapon attack for a minute and also 30 temp hp and Huge size and +20ft in reach.

If able to charge up further and you are soul knife you can Hone the Blade for +4/+4 1d8 knives.

Attack and use Knock Back from brute Force to launch anyone that is 25 (30 if bugbear) fret from you another 70 feet (7pts) potentially doing another 7d6.

1. Psionic Mastery specifically states that you cannot spend other points on the disciplines you activate with it.

2. Ogre form and Giant Form do not stack. You are either large or huge. This becomes debatable when you are a race such as a goliath that counts as a different size for different purposes.

3. Honestly, one of my favorite things to do is use Giant form to become Huge, then use Nomadic Arrow's Speed Dart and Faithful Archer; alongside Potent Psionics and Cloud Steps. Be a Cloud Giant launching trees at people. Very deadly trees.

[Mortis_Elrod]

1. Psionic Mastery specifically states that you cannot spend other points on the disciplines you activate with it.

2. Ogre form and Giant Form do not stack. You are either large or huge. This becomes debatable when you are a race such as a goliath that counts as a different size for different purposes.

3. Honestly, one of my favorite things to do is use Giant form to become Huge, then use Nomadic Arrow's Speed Dart and Faithful Archer; alongside Potent Psionics and Cloud Steps. Be a Cloud Giant launching trees at people. Very deadly trees.

1. Wrong check again. Nowhere does it say you can’t use different effects from the same discipline

2. No, you can’t but the text on both of these effects only happen when you see smaller. Thus if you are smaller than large you large but large is still smaller that huge, so now you are huge. So you end at Huge.

[sambojin]

It's a pity all the blade whirlwind effects tend to say within 5' of you, or with 5' of your original target. Can anyone track down a badly written UA or something where it doesn't say this? There's been a lot of Rangers over 5e's history, so there might be something in one to become an AoE of great huge weapon'y awesomeness.

(Fighter 5/Mystic 15 isn't too bad of a build anyway if you want to go martial/magic. Makes for a perfect controller, and can be an excellent Warlord if you go BM. Works fine with anything that gets a second attack at fifth/sixth really. With a pretty open but reasonable reading, you could probably Wu Jen up Pally smite slots too if you felt like it. Deep dips either way, from either start class are great with Mystic, since you're a bit powercapped with martials anyway, but combined you are captain planet).

[jleonardwv]

I ask myself this question: What mystic talents/disciplines that target an enemy automatically succeed? I hate wasting PP, although I suppose the same idea applies to other spell-casters. So here are the irresistible Psi powers:

Talent: Delusion - sound or image automatically seen/heard by target. I would assume the DM would require some sort of "interaction" by the target to detect that it was only in the mind.

Wu Jen's Elemental Attunement can't be avoided or resisted.

Disciplines:
(Several damaging effects can cause extra Psi damage, but since they already require an attack roll, I don't consider them as auto-succeed.)

Aura sight: Hmm. These allow no saving throw, but really don't "affect" the enemy directly.
Corrosive Metabolism, Acid spray allows no ST.
Intellect Fortress, Psychic backlash allows no ST.
Mantle of Awe, Charming Presence is auto-succeed on creatures affected similar to Sleep spell.
Mantle of Fear, Unsettling Aura allows no ST.
Mantle of Joy, Aura of Jubilation has no ST.
Mastery of Air, Cloak of Air use reaction to make the creature attack itself cannot be resisted.
Mastery of Fire, Rolling Flame allows no ST.
Mastery of Fire, Fire Form allows no ST.
Nomadic Mind, Find Creature can't be resisted, even by a deity, RAW.
Psychic Assault, Psionic Blast - like Magic Missile, causes auto-damage.

[jleonardwv]

For optimization or just a thought exercise, I wonder what Psi disciplines/talents have the greatest average chance of success? Someone on Reddit made a spreadsheet of every monster in the Monster Manual, including their ability scores. The average of all monsters in the Monster Manual had:

STR 16
DEX 12
CON 15
INT 9
WIS 12
CHA 11

So the Mystic has a huge advantage already, since many powers (19) target INT. Next would be CHA saves (9) then WIS (13) and DEX (11). Finally, CON (10) and STR (11). So powers that target those would be on average least successful. Here is a complete list of the Mystic Talents/Disciplines organizated by ability targeted and listed in the order the powers appear in the UA PDF.

STR
Brute Force, Knock Back
Diminution, Toppling Shift
Mastery of Air, Wind Stream
Mastery of Force, Push
Mastery of Force, Grasp
Mastery of Water, Watery Grasp
Mastery of Water, Water Whip
Mastery of Weather, Whirlwind
Mastery of Weather, Wall of Thunder
Mastery of Wood and Earth, Warp Weapon
Psychic Hammer talent

DEX
Corrosive Metabolism, Corrosive Touch
Mastery of Force, Move
Mastery of Ice, Ice Spike
Mastery of Ice, Ice Sheet
Mastery of Light and Darkness, Light
Mastery of Light and Darkness, Radiant Beam
Mastery of Water, Water Sphere
Mastery of Weather, Hungry Lightning
Mastery of Weather, Lightning Leap
Psionic Weapon, Ethereal Weapon
Energy Beam talent

CON
Corrosive Metabolism, Venom Strike
Corrosive Metabolism, Breath of the Black Dragon
Corrosive Metabolism, Breath of the Green Dragon
Mastery of Fire, Combustion
Mastery of Fire, Detonation
Mastery of Ice, Frozen Rain
Mastery of Water, Dessicate
Mastery of Weather, Thunder Clap
Mastery of Wood and Earth, Warp Armor
Mind Slam talent

INT
Mantle of Awe, Invoke Awe
Psychic Assault, Ego Whip
Psychic Assault, Id Insinuation
Psychic Assault, Psychic Blast
Psychic Assault, Psychic Crush
Psychic Disruption, Distracting Haze
Psychic Disruption, Daze
Psychic Inquisition, Ransack Mind
Psychic Inquisition, Phantom Idea
Psychic Phantoms, Distracting Figment
Psychic Phantoms, Phantom Foe
Psychic Phantoms, Phantom Betrayal
Psychic Phantoms, Phantom Riches
Telepathic Contact, Exacting Query
Telepathic Contact, Occluded Mind
Telepathic Contact, Broken Will
Telepathic Contact, Psychic Grip
Telepathic Contact, Psychic domination
Mind Thrust talent

WIS
Crown of Despair, Call to Inaction
Crown of Disgust, Wall of Repulsion
Crown of Disgust, Visions of Disgust
Crown of Rage, Fighting Words
Crown of Rage, Mindless Courage
Crown of Rage, Punishing Fury
Mantle of Fear, Incite Fear
Mantle of Fear, Incite Panic
Nomadic Step, Baleful Transposition
Psychic Assault, Mind Storm
Psychic Inquisition, Hammer of Inquisition
Psychic Inquisition, Forceful Query
Blind Spot talent

CHA
Crown of Despair, Crowned in Sorrow
Crown of Despair, Visions of Despair
Crown of Despair, Dolorous Mind
Crown of Disgust, Eye of Horror
Crown of Disgust, World of Horror
Crown of Rage, Primal Fury
Mantle of Awe, Center of Attention
Mantle of Fury, Overwhelming Fury
Mystic Charm talent

[sambojin]

Thanks for this. Not only does it show why Mystics are so good, it also gives me some ideas for multi-tap Psionic Mastery "packages", where I use fairly low PP abilities to slap a silly amount of conditions and effects on a target.

Sure, Mystics might not be uber AoE'ers, but having about 11d6 of potential damage and maybe 4-5 saves to roll against or the effects come tumbling in makes them VERY GOOD at BC and single target lock-down. Even at lvl11 (about when other classes get their really big bonus), having an effect storm of 9PP worth is pretty amazing as an ability. I may have thought Mystics scaled a bit weirdly before, but now I'm more looking at it as scaling into awesome "construct your own uber spell, have another every two levels" territory. So much better than what warlocks get :)

[carrdrivesyou]

For optimization or just a thought exercise, I wonder what Psi disciplines/talents have the greatest average chance of success? Someone on Reddit made a spreadsheet of every monster in the Monster Manual, including their ability scores. The average of all monsters in the Monster Manual had:

STR 16
DEX 12
CON 15
INT 9
WIS 12
CHA 11

So the Mystic has a huge advantage already, since many powers (19) target INT. Next would be CHA saves (9) then WIS (13) and DEX (11). Finally, CON (10) and STR (11). So powers that target those would be on average least successful. Here is a complete list of the Mystic Talents/Disciplines organizated by ability targeted and listed in the order the powers appear in the UA PDF.

STR
Brute Force, Knock Back
Diminution, Toppling Shift
Mastery of Air, Wind Stream
Mastery of Force, Push
Mastery of Force, Grasp
Mastery of Water, Watery Grasp
Mastery of Water, Water Whip
Mastery of Weather, Whirlwind
Mastery of Weather, Wall of Thunder
Mastery of Wood and Earth, Warp Weapon
Psychic Hammer talent

DEX
Corrosive Metabolism, Corrosive Touch
Mastery of Force, Move
Mastery of Ice, Ice Spike
Mastery of Ice, Ice Sheet
Mastery of Light and Darkness, Light
Mastery of Light and Darkness, Radiant Beam
Mastery of Water, Water Sphere
Mastery of Weather, Hungry Lightning
Mastery of Weather, Lightning Leap
Psionic Weapon, Ethereal Weapon
Energy Beam talent

CON
Corrosive Metabolism, Venom Strike
Corrosive Metabolism, Breath of the Black Dragon
Corrosive Metabolism, Breath of the Green Dragon
Mastery of Fire, Combustion
Mastery of Fire, Detonation
Mastery of Ice, Frozen Rain
Mastery of Water, Dessicate
Mastery of Weather, Thunder Clap
Mastery of Wood and Earth, Warp Armor
Mind Slam talent

INT
Mantle of Awe, Invoke Awe
Psychic Assault, Ego Whip
Psychic Assault, Id Insinuation
Psychic Assault, Psychic Blast
Psychic Assault, Psychic Crush
Psychic Assault, Distracting Haze
Psychic Assault, Daze
Psychic Inquisition, Ransack Mind
Psychic Inquisition, Phantom Idea
Psychic Phantoms, Distracting Figment
Psychic Phantoms, Phantom Foe
Psychic Phantoms, Phantom Betrayal
Psychic Phantoms, Phantom Riches
Telepathic Contact, Exacting Query
Telepathic Contact, Occluded Mind
Telepathic Contact, Broken Will
Telepathic Contact, Psychic Grip
Telepathic Contact, Psychic domination
Mind Thrust talent

WIS
Crown of Despair, Call to Inaction
Crown of Disgust, Wall of Repulsion
Crown of Disgust, Visions of Disgust
Crown of Rage, Fighting Words
Crown of Rage, Mindless Courage
Crown of Rage, Punishing Fury
Mantle of Fear, Incite Fear
Mantle of Fear, Incite Panic
Nomadic Step, Baleful Transposition
Psychic Assault, Mind Storm
Psychic Inquisition, Hammer of Inquisition
Psychic Inquisition, Forceful Query
Blind Spot talent

CHA
Crown of Despair, Crowned in Sorrow
Crown of Despair, Visions of Despair
Crown of Despair, Dolorous Mind
Crown of Disgust, Eye of Horror
Crown of Disgust, World of Horror
Crown of Rage, Primal Fury
Mantle of Awe, Center of Attention
Mantle of Fury, Overwhelming Fury
Mystic Charm talent

I'm going to add this into the guide. This will seriously save people time in deciding which disciplines to use and take. Well done friend.

[PancakeMaster80]

I've actually found a pretty sweet setup for the soul knife order.

With dex 18 and inertial armor my level 3 character has 18AC, 20 if they use their bonus action to block.

Using hone the blade to give my weapon +4 (since it's not a discipline nor does the description mention the psi limit I believe I can do this) and incite fury my character is attacking for +8 to hit and does a combined damage of 2d8 + 2d4 + 12.

Later on the build can pick up more AC from tough hide and the focus from iron durability.

[masterjoda99]

Is the Mystic still just Unearthed Arcana, or has it seen release in a more official capacity?

[carrdrivesyou]

The Mystic is still in UA, although recently Mike Mearls has been talking about adding a bunch of Psionic Subclasses and creating the Psion class. From my understanding, he is pilfering a lot of the Mystic's stuff and moving it into other classes. For example, the Soul Knife would become a Rogue psionic subclass. There would be a fighter and a wizard psionic subclass plus a whole suite of psionic spells that only psionic subclasses have access to. Whatever is left is likely to be turned into the Psion class. And frankly, I think this is the worst possible direction for the Mystic. I thought the Mystic needed a few tweaks but not dissection and dissemination of abilities.

I do not agree with the direction they are taking the class, but I really don't have much of a say in it either. I'm seriously outnumbered.

[Mortis_Elrod]

The Mystic is still in UA, although recently Mike Mearls has been talking about adding a bunch of Psionic Subclasses and creating the Psion class. From my understanding, he is pilfering a lot of the Mystic's stuff and moving it into other classes. For example, the Soul Knife would become a Rogue psionic subclass. There would be a fighter and a wizard psionic subclass plus a whole suite of psionic spells that only psionic subclasses have access to. Whatever is left is likely to be turned into the Psion class. And frankly, I think this is the worst possible direction for the Mystic. I thought the Mystic needed a few tweaks but not dissection and dissemination of abilities.

I do not agree with the direction they are taking the class, but I really don't have much of a say in it either. I'm seriously outnumbered.

to be more clear most of the mystic will probably still be in the Psion class. Mearls said as much but you should watch the relevant Happy Fun Hour s .

as far as subclasses go there break down is this:

Psionic Warrior- Fighter
Soul Knife - Monk
Lurk- Rogue
Mentalist- Wizard

Then the Psionic Class (Poll was taken for name I think Psion won) will have the following subclasses
-Avatar
-Nomad
-Constructor
-Metamorph
-Telekineticist
-Telepath

[Jerrykhor]

The Mystic is still in UA, although recently Mike Mearls has been talking about adding a bunch of Psionic Subclasses and creating the Psion class. From my understanding, he is pilfering a lot of the Mystic's stuff and moving it into other classes. For example, the Soul Knife would become a Rogue psionic subclass. There would be a fighter and a wizard psionic subclass plus a whole suite of psionic spells that only psionic subclasses have access to. Whatever is left is likely to be turned into the Psion class. And frankly, I think this is the worst possible direction for the Mystic. I thought the Mystic needed a few tweaks but not dissection and dissemination of abilities.

I do not agree with the direction they are taking the class, but I really don't have much of a say in it either. I'm seriously outnumbered.

I don't agree with Mearls too (then again, I never liked anything Mearls suggested lol). A Soul Knife is first and foremost a psion, so it should be a Mystic subclass.

[carrdrivesyou]

I don't agree with Mearls too (then again, I never liked anything Mearls suggested lol). A Soul Knife is first and foremost a psion, so it should be a Mystic subclass.

Glad to hear a like minded person out there! As far as I am concerned though, as long as I am wearing the GM hat (and depending on how they do the psionic subs), the psionic subs will likely be banned and i'll keep the UA Mystic as it is. Maybe make a few tweaks to balance it.

[Drascin]

Well, you already know what I think about the idea of just making disciplines into selectable spells. Namely, it's lame as heck. I really like the package design of the Mystic. Yes, the packages are horrendously balanced between them in terms of comparative utility, but they're so neat and flavorful.

Also, man, that list really puts into perspective how uphill my decision of focusing purely on Wu-Jen disciplines is going to make my life. So many Str and Con saves, and so many enemies with those scores way high up.

[Sception]

I don't agree with Mearls too (then again, I never liked anything Mearls suggested lol). A Soul Knife is first and foremost a psion, so it should be a Mystic subclass.

It should be it's own class, or if it has to share a class with anything, it should be a separate, 'half-psionic' class shared with psychic warrior, akin to the paladin or ranger, with its own bespoke list of powers/disciplines focused on channeling psionic power through their own body to attack and defend, where the psion should be the full caster with powers/disciplines that manipulate target objects & creatures directly.

The insistance on shoving every character concept up under the skirts of as few classes as possible has squashed multiple ideas already, most notably the poor bladelock, and will continue to squash more and more as 5e continues.

Frankly, I'm half shocked that even mystic/psion is getting a class at all. Given how things have been going, I would have expected them to try getting away with psion as an 'arcane tradition' and nothing more. And the more they strip out of the mystic, especially if they ditch themed package disciplines for individual spell-type leveled powers, the more they might as well have done so regardless.

[jleonardwv]

I've applied to 3 play by post games with a Mystic and can't get any DM to take me. (I've got 5 kids so don't have the ability to set aside 3 hours a week to play table top.) Maybe prejudice against Mystics out there? Maybe my characters are lame in some other way?

And I agree that UA Mystic has a lot of cool alternative powers that I'd hate to lose in an "official" class. Honestly, though, some of the Disciplines have powers that aren't very useful in my mind, so if a Mystic could replace them with powers from other Disciplines, I'd be more happy. If every power were a "spell" instead of packaged with a discipline, this would be possible.

[Daithi]

I do not agree with the direction they are taking the class, but I really don't have much of a say in it either. I'm seriously outnumbered.

For what it worth, I agree with you. I've been watch the Happy Hour stuff and its... Sad Hour. Now I need one of those Kona beers.

[furby076]

Reading some of the abilities, powers and rules in the v3 guide, it always looked like there would be a core mystic class with the abilities akin to what we have seen so far. There would be psionic based feats, skills, equipment, etc and there would be stuff for non mystics to take. Maybe Psinic initiate, psion focused subclasses that belonged to other classes, etc. This is also how previous editions played it. It fits well with creatures that have some psionic abilities, plus it works with a future release of dark sun where everyone will have some kind of psionic ability. All in all, I see nothing wrong with some other class getting a smaller subset of abilities (ala sub class), just like every class mix and matches some stuff. Gives flavor and spread the love

[Anauroch94]

Just watch mearls makin the mind mage a better Psion than the Psion...
Honestly i don't get why he's using the wizard as a base (read, close to copying). Psions were incredibly boring back in 3.5 because, besides flavour, they were bad wizards. Why did they removed the psi point system? Just so that it's easier for other full-caster (again, wizard, if i was slightly more paranoid I would say there's a tiny bit of favouritism towards this class) can dip into it without sacrificing spell slots?
I am honestly confused, and really sad because i wanted to play a nomad in an upcoming campaign. I guess time will tell but I'm not optimistic

[Daithi]

So far, I'm not a big fan with where Mearls is going with this. I much prefer the Mystic UA they released last year over this revised version. Just my opinion -- which means squat.

[werescythe]

First off, I just wanted to say, I really like the guide. I played RIFTS a long time ago and my favorite class was the Mind Melter, and I hope some day to try to bring back my RIFTS character using the Mystic class (really just depends on what WotC do with the release of this class).

I will however, be making an argument as to why the Linguist Feat should be rated higher.

Reasons:
1. It gives a +1 to our main stat INT.
2. Sure Nomadic Mind allows us to be able to use "all languages" however that means you have to dedicate a whole Discipline to it. Where as you could just devote a feat (a free one with variant human) to learn 3 of them instead while gaining the other benefits this feat has to offer.
3. You can create your own ciphers, this is basically; "Hey I want to communicate to my party without ANYONE else knowing what we are saying, so let me create my own language." Not only that but if you want to be super complex you could even create a unique cipher for each party member, which could have some interesting roleplaying features. It's literally I want to create a secret society and here is the way we communicate.
4. In the case of Nomadic Mind you can't make ciphers, you simply know all languages and depending on your GM you might not even be able to determine what a cipher is.

So personally I wouldn't rate this as a bad option (red) but would instead rate it as a situational option or even a black option.

[sightlessrealit]

First off, I just wanted to say, I really like the guide. I played RIFTS a long time ago and my favorite class was the Mind Melter, and I hope some day to try to bring back my RIFTS character using the Mystic class (really just depends on what WotC do with the release of this class).

I will however, be making an argument as to why the Linguist Feat should be rated higher.

Reasons:
1. It gives a +1 to our main stat INT.
2. Sure Nomadic Mind allows us to be able to use "all languages" however that means you have to dedicate a whole Discipline to it. Where as you could just devote a feat (a free one with variant human) to learn 3 of them instead while gaining the other benefits this feat has to offer.
3. You can create your own ciphers, this is basically; "Hey I want to communicate to my party without ANYONE else knowing what we are saying, so let me create my own language." Not only that but if you want to be super complex you could even create a unique cipher for each party member, which could have some interesting roleplaying features. It's literally I want to create a secret society and here is the way we communicate.
4. In the case of Nomadic Mind you can't make ciphers, you simply know all languages and depending on your GM you might not even be able to determine what a cipher is.

So personally I wouldn't rate this as a bad option (red) but would instead rate it as a situational option or even a black option.

Ciphers are nice but it mostly gets beaten out by the mystics base telepthy feature. Which can be further upgraded by Telepathic Contacts Psi Focus. Which taking as a disapline is amazing.

[werescythe]

Ciphers are nice but it mostly gets beaten out by the mystics base telepthy feature. Which can be further upgraded by Telepathic Contacts Psi Focus. Which taking as a disapline is amazing.

Yes, but that is also assuming that in the world you are playing in, psionics are okay. If society is anti-psionics (like in RIFTS) it wouldn't be wise to just start talking telepathically to the other players/characters because they might be against psionics.

I'm just saying that it should be upgraded from a Bad feat to a Situational feat.