
Psionics and the Mystic Class | Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition
I have always been into Psionics and the concept of the Mystic Class. I enjoyed the otherworldly feel, the loner mentality, and the strange mind magic that was made available by Psionics in the early years of D&D.
Some of the characters that I remember the most from previous sessions had psionic powers.
When 5th edition came out WotC neglected psionics and the mystic class by not including them in the Player’s Handbook. I think they would have made an excellent, and an aptly numbered, 13th class.
Instead I took it upon myself to make a psionic themed class based off of sorcerer so that I could play my favorite class without waiting for writers of Dungeons and Dragons 5th edition to get around to it.
It was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed play-testing it. Check it out here
The Nerdarchy crew did a video review of the pdf, here is what I and the other guys think about it
Psionics and the Mystic Class | Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition
The great thing about the unearthed arcana is that they are always looking for feedback for everything they put online.
My goal is to make the psionics and Mystic class in Dungeons and Dragons 5th edition the best they can be. This was one of the major reasons I worked on my own version because I wanted to start those in the hobby talking about what it would look like as soon as possible.
The Mystic class gets no complaints from me when it comes to armor and weapon proficiencies.
Sadly the reason they have such combat effective proficiency is to make up for their inability to lay down the damage like a wizard or sorcerer.
They did capture the feelings of strangeness and other worldly powers that gives psionics their flare.The powers work off of concentration and the psionic mystic gains some benefit from concentrating. Then on top of that the psionic character can use an action to enact one of several thematic powers.
Sadly they expend psionic points, or PPs. Errrg!
The fact that the powers cost something isn’t the problem, the abbreviation is the problem. Why pps? Can not the great minds come up with a different name?
Imagine if the Battle Master used Physical Points for his powers.
“My Battlemaster expends his pp’s to disarm his opponent”
Bah!I have got to stop the rant before it goes to far… back to the Mystic Class…
Psionics and the Mystic Class | Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition
The mystic class has a major split at level 1. You choose an order, awakened or immortal. That is the split that divides up the disciplines.
If they didn’t have you choose an order at first level you could have a greater variety of discipline choices.
- Conquering Mind
- Alter another creature’s mind
- Intellect Fortress
- Defend yourself with psychic counter attacks
- Third Eye
- Perceive what others cannot
Immortal discipline are as follows;
- Celerity
- Move and act with unmatched speed
- Iron Durability
- Boost your defense
- Psionic Weapon
- Channel psionic energy into a weapon
Again, each discipline gives the mystic class a power for concentrating and additional effects in exchange for using psionic points and an action.
Mechanically they are really interesting powers. After some playtesting I will get back to you about balance. Overall I approve of it, including the creative aspects of the class’s origins
You have read my take on Psionics, let me know what you think. While you are at it make sure to share this with like minded individuals.
Until next time,
Stay Nerdy

Andrés Ruiz
July 26, 2015 at 1:59 pmNate, once again I have to agree with you. I can't understand why such an interesting and mental class would have to spend Psionic Points instead of something more at their tone.
I still hope in the future they may include an option like some sort of outcast or "Divergent" to play a character that can freely choose from all disciplines. But in general I like the mechanics, I like all powers they get. And I hope they bring the higher levels soon.
Didn't have a chance to playtest yet, but as soon as I can I'll come back with more impressions.
Nathan Riggins
August 4, 2015 at 6:39 pmThanks, I like the divergent idea. Maybe they get one less discipline compared to the norm. After you play test it let me know what you think
Michael Blair
July 26, 2015 at 7:44 pmwhat do you think about a lvl 5 psion of the immortal order using lethal strike from the psionic weapon discipline to deal an extra 5d10 on top of a melee weapon attack while a level 20 paladin can only add 5d8 damage? i do understand that the paladins extra damage is radiant which i imagine fewer monsters are resistant too.
Nathan Riggins
August 4, 2015 at 6:40 pmIs the psionics extra damage psychic? I think it is really powerful and I expect that it is one of the powers that people will say needs to be dialed back for the final rules