Mental sorcery is a fresh D&D class, yet it comes incredibly close to functionality.
In an unexpected development for the tabletop role-playing game community, Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) seems poised to introduce the Psion class, a spellcaster harnessing innate mental powers, as early as 2025.
Unlike traditional spellcasters who rely on arcane, divine, or primal magic, the Psion derives its abilities from the sheer force of one's mind. Drawing inspiration from classic science fiction and modern pop culture depictions such as Star Wars' Jedi and Stranger Things' Eleven, the Psionics' concept centers around manipulating one's own mind to influence the world around them.
With the Psion, D&D aims to bring a new Intelligence-based class to the table, joining the ranks of familiar characters like the Wizard or Artificer. Apart from the Psion's ability to learn magic through books or infuse items with enchantments, this new class takes a different approach by tapping into its unique mental powers.
Since its inception in the 1970s, D&D has featured psionics in varying forms, albeit with occasional complications to the game's usual mechanics. The Psion marks a revival of this concept, as the latest installment of rules adjustments, following the recent revamp of D&D's least-played class and the resurgence of the Artificer.
In May 2025, Wizards of the Coast released a playtest version of the Psion class, hinting at a future book supplement based on player feedback. Unlike its predecessor, the Mystic—which was deemed too complex and disconnected from the game's systems in previous playtests—the Psion functions as a full caster, much like a Wizard, Bard, Cleric, or Druid.
The playtest indicates that the Psion class relies heavily on psionics-flavored subclasses, offering users a pool of Psionic Energy Dice to enhance attacks and ability checks or expand the functionality of other class features. Players can expect a new ability called 'Telekinetic Propel' at level one, allowing them to push or pull creatures using their psionic power. Additionally, they gain Psionic Disciplines—a set of abilities that provide additional uses for the Energy Die, improve attack accuracy, damage creatures upon saving throw failures, or boost persuasiveness out of combat.
As combatants, the Psion's subclasses display specialized playstyles, such as Psi Warpers adept at teleportation, Psykinetics with concentration-free Telekinesis, Telepaths skilled in mind reading, and Metamorphs with the power to distort their bodies.
Notably, the Psion shares some similarities with the Brawler Fighter subclass, borrowing various disconnected features in pursuit of a cohesive class identity. Critics argue that certain subclass features are reminiscent of existing spells, albeit with minor enhancements. The Psion's telepathy range of 5 feet at the beginning and 10 feet with the Telepath subclass has drawn criticism, given the Aberrant Sorcerer's capability for long-range telepathic communication.
While some argue that the Psion's elegance lies in its integration with existing D&D mechanics, others contend that it presents an intriguing, flexible playstyle, signifying a significant evolution for psionics in D&D. The Psion builds on a rich history of mental magic, offering captivating ideas, a clear design philosophy, and the chance to bolster the number of Intelligence-based classes available in D&D.
- The new Psion class in Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) draws inspiration from classic science fiction and modern pop culture, like Star Wars' Jedi and Stranger Things' Eleven.
- Instead of traditional spellcasting, the Psion harnesses innate mental powers, setting it apart from classes like the Wizard or Artificer.
- In May 2025, Wizards of the Coast plans to release a playtest version of the Psion class, followed potentially by a book supplement based on player feedback.
- Players can look forward to a new ability called 'Telekinetic Propel' at level one, allowing them to push or pull creatures using their psionic power.
- The Psion class functions as a full caster, much like a Wizard, Bard, Cleric, or Druid, and it relies heavily on psionics-flavored subclasses.
- Combatants with the Psion class can choose from subclasses like Psi Warpers, Psykinetics, Telepaths, and Metamorphs, each offering unique playstyles.
- Some critics argue that the Psion shares similarities with the Brawler Fighter subclass and that certain subclass features resemble existing spells with minor enhancements.
