Dungeons and Dragons Reveals Updates to the Psion Class

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Dungeons & Dragons recently released a new playtest called Unearthed Arcana with updates to the Psion class. These changes, which include more customizable abilities and better ways to manage Psionic Energy, are based on feedback players gave after the previous playtest. The goal is to improve the class before its official release.

The Psion is a character class focused on psychic abilities that has been featured in various forms throughout the history of *Dungeons & Dragons*. A version for *D&D 5th Edition* was recently previewed in May through a playtest called Unearthed Arcana, and is planned for official release in a future sourcebook.

The latest Unearthed Arcana for *Dungeons & Dragons* offers updates to the Psion class, incorporating feedback from players. The class has been significantly revised, with improvements to core abilities like Telekinetic Propel and Telepathic Connection, and players now learn cantrips more quickly. The previous Psionic Modes have been replaced with a new system called Psionic Discipline, which offers choices earlier in the game. The Psion also gains new ways to recover energy with Psionic Restoration and Psionic Reserves, and can now use a single hit die with Enkindled Life Force to boost their powers, instead of requiring two.

This update to Dungeons & Dragons includes changes to most of the Psion subclasses. The Metamorph, Psykinetic, and Telepath all received improvements to their abilities, along with new features: Flesh Weaver for the Metamorph, Stronger Telekinesis for the Psykinetic, and Telepathic Distraction for the Telepath. However, the Psi Warper was left untouched, as players generally liked how it played, so it’s likely the published version will remain the same.

This document also includes several updates to Psionic Disciplines, with some options being renamed or enhanced. A new option, Sharpened Mind, has also been added. The Psion class spell list has been revised, featuring new spells like Ego Whip, Psionic Blast, and Thought Form. Additionally, the Psion now has access to spells shared with other *Dungeons & Dragons* spellcasters, such as Bleeding Darkness, Ectoplasmic Trail, and Life Inversion Field.

We don’t know for sure which Dungeons & Dragons book will feature the Psion class, but it would be a great addition to the upcoming Dark Sun book that’s possibly coming out next year. Either way, Wizards of the Coast will be releasing a playtest version of the Psion, called Unearthed Arcana, on October 9th, so players can provide feedback and help refine the class after that date.

Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition Psion Class Changes

  • Core
    • Psionic Power now has a free baseline ability in Telekinetic Propel and Telepathic Connection.
    • Spellcasting now provides new cantrips at levels 4and 10.
    • Psionic Modes have been removed. Aspects of the design can be seen in other features like Psionic Discipline.
    • Psionic Discipline now gives you additional disciplines at earlier levels, but you gain only one.
    • Psionic Restoration has been redesigned to quickly regain expended Psionic Energy Dice.
    • Psionic Reserves is a new feature that allows the Psion to keep a minimum amount of Psionic Energy Dice.
    • Enkindled Life Force is now more flexible in the amount of Hit Point Dice that can be expended and clarifies the additional Psionic Energy Die aren’t expended.
  • Subclasses
    • Metamorph
      • Mutable Form (formerly Extend Limbs) now grants Temporary Hit Points from the expended Psionic Energy Die.
      • Organic Weapons now regains its form until you change it or have the Unconscious condition. In addition, magic items that provide benefits to Organic Weapons will appear in a future product if this subclass is printed.
      • Flesh Weaver is a new feature.
      • Life-Bending Weapons now provides additional damage without expending a Psionic Energy Die.
    • Psi Warper
      • No Changes
    • Psykinetic
      • Stronger Telekinesis is a new feature.
      • Telekinetic Techniques now allows the Psion to use Telekinetic Propel more than any other Psion.
      • Destructive Trance (formerly Empowered Attack Mode) no longer uses Psionic Modes, and you can add one Psionic Energy Die to your spell damage without expending it.
      • Rebounding Field grants Temporary Hit Points whether the target fails or succeeds on its saving throw.
      • Enhanced Telekinetic Crush now adds the Psionic Energy Die expended to the modified spell’s damage.
      • Heightened Telekinesis now only requires Psionic Energy Dice and doesn’t expend a spell slot.
    • Telepath
      • Mind Infiltrator now expends only one Psionic Energy Die.
      • Telepath Spells has new spells.
      • Telepathic Distraction is a new feature replacing Telepathic Hub.
      • Bulwark Mind (formerly Empowered Defense Mode) no longer uses Psionic Modes, and you can add one Psionic Energy Die to a saving throw without expending it.
      • Potent Thoughts now also increases the range of your telepathy.
      • Scramble Minds now doesn’t expend a spell slot and allows the Psion to choose the behavior of the target instead of rolling dice
  • Psionic Disciplines
    • Biofeedback and Destructive Thoughts are now more flexible in the number of Psionic Energy Dice you can expend.
    • Bolstering Precognition (formerly Swift Precognition) now provides a bonus to your or an ally’s next D20 Test.
    • Devilish Tongue, Expanded Awareness, and Observant Mind (formerly Tactical Mind) now expend the Psionic Energy Die only on a success.
    • Sharpened Mind is a new discipline, and Ego Whip has been redesigned as a spell.
  • Spells
    • The Psion spell list includes the following new spells:
      • Level 1: Life Siphon, Sanctuary, Shield, Thunderwave
      • Level 2: Ectoplasmic Trail, Ego Whip
      • Level 3: Bleeding Darkness, Enemies Abound
      • Level 4: Life Inversion Field
      • Level 6: Mental Prison, Psionic Blast, Thought Form
      • Level 8: Abi-Dalzim’s Horrid Wilting
        • The list includes only spells from the Player’s Handbook and in this article
  • Returning spells have been refined and brought in line with revisions in the 2024 Player’s Handbook.
  • Telekinetic Fling no longer requires ammunition and doesn’t destroy the object.
  • Tasha’s Mind Whip now restricts the target’s turn options as before.
  • New Spells
    • Multiple Classes
      • Bleeding Darkness
      • Ectoplasmic Trail
      • Life Inversion Field
      • Summon Astral Entity
      • Telekinetic Crush
    • Psion-only
      • Ego Whip
      • Life Siphon
      • Psionic Blast
      • Thought Form

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2025-10-07 01:09