- Psionics (Dungeons & Dragons)
In
Dungeons & Dragons , Psionics are a form of supernatural power that are similar to, but distinct from, arcane and divine magic.Overview
Psionics are manifested purely by mental discipline. Psionics were originally introduced in OD&D's Supplement III -
Eldritch Wizardry , and in 3.5 edition are detailed in an add-on book known as theExpanded Psionics Handbook rather than being part of the core rules (later, the supplementComplete Psionic was released as well). Psionics are divided into five or six disciplines, or groupings of powers. In 2nd edition, Psionicists gradually gain access to additional disciplines as they advance in level. In 3.5 edition, several psionic character classes are forced to choose one of them; thereby losing access to the most potent powers of the others. In 2nd edition, each power is tied to an ability score (generally Constitution, Intelligence or Wisdom), in 3rd edition, each discipline is tied to an ability score, and in 3.5 edition, all powers use the same ability score: either Intelligence or Wisdom depending on the manifester's class.Earlier editions also included psionic combat, however it was eliminated in 3.5 edition, with the attack and defense modes converted into standard psionic powers.
;Clairsentience :Clairsentience powers enable you to learn secrets long forgotten, to glimpse the immediate future and predict the far future, to find hidden objects, and to know what is normally unknowable. They include "precognition" and "remote viewing". A psion who specializes in clairsentience is known as a seer, and is most akin to an arcane diviner. In 3rd edition, Clairsentience is linked to Wisdom.
;Metacreativity :Metacreativity powers create objects, creatures, or some form of matter. Creatures you create usually, but not always, obey your commands. Powers of the metacreativity discipline include "astral construct" and "greater psionic fabricate". A psion who specializes in metacreativity is known as a shaper, and is most akin to an arcane conjurer. Metacriativity was not introduced until 3rd edition. In 3rd edition, Metacreativity is linked to Intelligence.
;Metapsionics :Metapsionic powers generally augment other psionic powers, although the discipline also contains some utility powers. The Metapsionics discipline was introduced in 2nd edition, and was not carried over into 3rd edition. In 3rd and 3.5 editions edition, abilities which were part of the Metapsionics discipline in 2nd edition are often handled through metapsionic feats and item creation feats, although some metapsionic powers were converted into Clairsentience or Telepathy powers.
;Psychokinesis :Psychokinesis powers manipulate energy or tap the power of the mind to produce a desired end. Many of these powers produce spectacular effects such as moving, melting, transforming, or blasting a target. Psychokinesis powers can deal large amounts of damage. They include "energy missile" and "tornado blast". A psion who specializes in psychokinesis is known as a kineticist, and is most akin to an arcane evoker. In 3rd edition, Psychokinesis is linked to Constitution.
;Psychometabolism :Psychometabolism powers change the physical properties of some creature, thing, or condition. They include "animal affinity" and "psionic revivify". A psion who specializes in psychometabolism is known as an egoist, and is most akin to an arcane transmuter. In 3rd edition, Psychometabolism is linked to Strength.
;Psychoportation: Psychoportation powers move the manifester, an object, or another creature through space and time. They include "astral caravan" and "psionic teleport". A psion who specializes in psychoportation is known as a nomad, and has no arcane counterpart. In 3rd edition, Psychoportation is linked to Dexterity.
;Telepathy: Telepathy powers can spy on and affect the minds of others, influencing or controlling their behavior. They include "psionic suggestion" and "mind switch". A psion who specializes in telepathy is known as a telepath, and is most akin to an arcane enchanter. In 3rd edition, Telepathy is linked to Charisma.
The standard psionics system incorporates psionics–magic transparency, which treats psionic energy and magic as mutually and equally vulnerable to a "dispel magic" spell or a "dispel psionics" power; spell resistance protects against powers just as it protects against spells, while power resistance protects against spells as it does against powers. This is primarily done for game balance, as if psionics were not resistible or able to be dispelled in such a fashion psionic characters would be inordinately powerful in a world designed mostly to handle traditional magic (although they in turn would also be especially susceptible to magic).
A variant rule, known as "psionics are different," enforces a separation between the two systems; this rule also provides an intermediate step where each system has a diminished effect upon the other (for example, making a dispel check against an opposing energy would take a -4 penalty, and creatures with spell resistance gain power resistance equal to their spell resistance minus 10).
History
OD&D
Psionics were first introduced in "
AD&D First Edition
Psionic abilities were included in the "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons" First Edition "
Second Edition
Psionics were removed from the game's core rulebooks in "AD&D" Second Edition, but were reintroduced as an entirely optional system in the "
The "Complete Psionics Handbook" presented the class as "the masters of body and mind". This class combined a slightly physically stronger character than a wizard with a variety of powers that were chiefly non-direct damage-dealing powers. This class used power points or "Psionic Strength Points"(PSPs) to manifest powers. This class also used a "power roll" upon manifesting powers, with a certain roll required to manifest a power and specific rolls having alternate effects, i.e. rolling exactly the power score resulted in an increased effect, while rolling a natural 20 resulted in an unusual effect, often detrimental in nature to the psionicist. The power selection for this class was later expanded by the card-based "Deck of Psionic Might" supplement. The
Revision
The psionics system was greatly revised in "" and the revised "Dark Sun Campaign Setting". The system was redevised around a Mental Armor Class (MAC) and a Mental THAC0 (MTHAC0), mimicking the
Third and 3.5 Editions
Psionics were overhauled yet again in the release of the "
More recent has been the release of the supplemental rule book, "
4th Edition
Psionics have not yet been covered in published 4th edition material, however the 4th edition Player's Handbook states that there are plans to cover the psionic power source in future products.
Psionic classes
2nd edition had only one character class, the psionicist; 3rd edition renamed it the psion and introduced various new alternate classes based on psionics usage. "Psionics Handbook" was later updated for version 3.5 with the "Expanded Psionics Handbook", and new material was added in the "
Psion / Psionicist
Infobox D&D character class
name=Psion / Psionicist
editions=Alternate: 2nd, 3rd, 3.5
alignment=Any
source=2nd edition: The Complete Psionics Handbook, Dark Sun Campaign Setting, Dark Sun Campaign Setting Expanded and Revised
3rd edition: Psionics Handbook
3.5 edition: Expanded Psionics Handbook
first=The Complete Psionics Handbook
mythical=
based=
wizards_image_URL=
OGL_stats_URL=http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/classes/psion.htm
Psions are dedicated to the usage of psionic power. Mechanically, they are similar to Sorcerers; however, like Wizards, they can (and in fact must) choose a specialization of their school of psionics. In 3rd edition the various disciplines were each linked to a statistic; for instance, clairsentience is linked to Wisdom and Psions who specialize in it are known as Seers. This was changed in 3.5 so that all disciplines are linked to the Intelligence statistic. Psion is the favoured class of the Elan race.
Psychic Warrior
Infobox D&D character class
name=Psychic Warrior
editions=Alternate: 3rd, 3.5
alignment=Any
source=3rd edition: Psionics Handbook
3.5 edition: Expanded Psionics Handbook
first=Psionics Handbook
mythical=
wizards_image_URL=
OGL_stats_URL=http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/classes/psychicWarrior.htm
Introduced in 3rd edition, Psychic Warriors are a blend between Fighters and Psions. Like fighters, they gain bonus feats, and like psions, they wield psionic powers, though at a slower rate than either specialized class. Their attack bonus and hit point growth is similarly in the middle.
Soulknife
Infobox D&D character class
name=Soulknife
editions=Alternate: 3rd, 3.5
alignment=Any
source=3rd edition: Psionics Handbook
3.5 edition: Expanded Psionics Handbook
first=Psionics Handbook
mythical=
wizards_image_URL=
OGL_stats_URL=http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/classes/soulknife.htm
Soulknives are warriors who have learned to channel psionic power into "Mindblades", or swords composed of psionic energy. Their broad training allows them to take many occupations and be a "jack of all trades." It is the favoured class of the Xeph race. Soulknives were a prestige class in the original "Psionics Handbook", but made into a base class with version 3.5. Unlike the other psionic classes, Mindblades do not manifest psionic power.
Wilder
Infobox D&D character class
name=Soulknife
editions=Alternate: 3.5
alignment=Any
source=Expanded Psionics Handbook
first=Expanded Psionics Handbook
mythical=
wizards_image_URL=
OGL_stats_URL=http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/classes/wilder.htm
Introduced in 3.5 edition, Wilders can use "wild surges", which allow them to augment their psionic powers to a greater extent than normal. Doing so is dangerous and there is a chance every time a wild surge is used that the wilder will suffer from "psychic enervation" causing them to become dazed and lose power points. They are slightly tougher than psions, but gain fewer abilities and slower. Wilder is the favored class of the maenad race.
Other psionic classes
The following classes were introduced in 3.5 editions'
-
Ardent
Ardents derive their powers from a focus on primal truths or concepts ("mantles"); different mantles offer different abilities to an Ardent. They possess a smaller selection of powers than the more versatile Psion, but enjoy greater martial abilities.
-
Divine Mind
The Divine Mind is a character who chooses to serve a deity using psionic powers; they are thus somewhat similar to Clerics. Like clerics, they may choose mantles a deity represents, similar to domains. They may also exude Attack, Defense, or Perception auras that grant bonuses to nearby allies. [ [http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/cwc/20060918 Character class: Divine Mind] ]
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Erudite
Rather than learn powers upon level gain like Psions, Erudites may theoretically use any psionic ability by "copying" another person or a psionically-infused item. In exchange, they may call upon only a limited selection of powers per day. Mechanically, they are thus somewhat similar to unspecialized wizards rather than Psions.
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Lurk
Lurks are similar to rogues who call upon psionic powers to aid them. They may perceive the weaknesses of enemies and make sneak attacks, as well as use psionic augments to their abilities.
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Psionic items
In 2nd edition, all psionic items are intelligent items with PSP pools and the ability to use psionic powers.
In 3rd edition, psionic items are much closer to magic items. They are generally not intelligent items, and are divided into nine categories: armor, shields, melee weapons, ranged weapons, psionic tattoos, crystal capacitors, power stones, dorjes and universal items. Armor, shields and weapons have enhancement bonuses and abilities like their magical counterparts, crystal capacitors store power points with no other power, dorjes are the psionic equivalent of wands, power stones are the psionic equivalent of scrolls, psionic tattoos are the psionic counterpart of potions and universal items are the psionic counterpart of wondrous items.
External links
* [http://www.d20srd.org/indexes/psionicRacesClassesSkillsSpells.htm The Hypertext d20 SRD - Psionic Races, Classes, Skills, & Spells Index]
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