Dungeons and Dragons’ UA Psion Class is About to Be Virtually Unbeatable

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After playing Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition for a while, I started thinking about new character classes. Previous editions had offered plenty of options, like prestige classes, so I was curious how 5e would handle it. The artificer class initially satisfied that desire – and made the Intelligence stat more valuable – but it didn’t last. That’s where the psion came in. Dungeons & Dragons first introduced this class in May 2025, and now there’s a revised version with improvements that make it even more powerful.

As a gamer, I’ve been really enjoying the psion class lately. It’s super versatile – kind of like the artificer in *Dungeons & Dragons*. You can build your psion to fit almost any playstyle. I can go for a melee-focused ‘gish’ with weapons grown from their own body, a controller who dominates the battlefield with telekinesis, or even a support character who messes with fate itself! And honestly, the latest Unearthed Arcana really boosted the three psion subclasses – they’re way more powerful now. If you were on the fence about trying a psion instead of a sorcerer or wizard, this update is a seriously good reason to give it a shot.

Even if you don’t play as a psion, it’s worth checking out the new update document. It also features early versions of several new spells you might enjoy.

Dungeons and Dragons‘ New Psion Class is Only Getting Stronger

The class has received some key improvements. Notably, psions can now use telepathy at a range of 30 feet instead of just 5, greatly helping with stealth and social situations. Even more importantly, the class is now much easier to play because of changes to how Psionic Energy Dice are used.

  • Several Psionic Disciplines now only spend a Psionic Energy Die if the related d20 roll is a success, conserving the player’s resources if using the ability doesn’t pay off
  • Psionic Restoration now apparently restores all the player’s expended Psionic Energy Dice after 1 minute of meditation, rather than up to half their maximum dice as part of a Short Rest
  • At later levels, the new Psionic Reserves feature ensures players will always start combat with at least four Psionic Energy dice

These updates are a great improvement. The Psion class relies heavily on spending Psionic Energy Die with both its Disciplines and special abilities. Now, players won’t have to worry as much about carefully managing their dice and potentially running out. Plus, each Psion subclass in this guide receives its own enhancements.

Subclass Adjusted Features
Metamorph
  • More free bonuses, like temp HP from Mutable Form and extra damage from Life-Bending Weapons
  • The new Flesh Weaver feature adds increased AC or bonus healing to Mutable Form
  • While not a direct buff, Wizards of the Coast notes it plans to add magic items that benefit Organic Weapons if it prints the Metamorph
Psykinetic
  • More efficient use of resources, like guaranteed temp HP on Rebounding Field and Heightened Telekineses no longer spending a spell slot
  • The new Stronger Telekinesis feature increases the range and weight limit of Mage Hand significantly
  • Fly speed is slower, but lasts longer and adds more potential damage by using the Psionic Energy Die instead of Intelligence
Telepath
  • Better combat spells: Slow instead of Speak With Plants, Yolande’s Regal Presence instead of Awaken
  • Psionic Distraction, a new feature that spends Psionic Energy Dice to deflect attacks for the party
  • Lower resource costs for Mind Infiltrator and Scramble Minds

If you’re wondering why the teleportation-focused Psi Warper isn’t in the latest Psion preview, don’t worry! Wizards of the Coast says it did really well in early testing, so it will likely be included in the final Psion release with all the same abilities.

How the Updated Psion Compares to Other D&D 2024e Classes

Overall, these updates enhance what the psion already does well: offering diverse character builds, a helpful secondary resource, and extensive customization options. This makes the psion a strong alternative to the wizard in *Dungeons & Dragons*, which is the only other class that relies solely on Intelligence for casting spells. While wizards are highly customizable with their spellbooks and large selection of spells, they still depend on limited spell slots to actually use those abilities and often lack strong class features. The psion’s Disciplines provide many powerful options – both during and outside of combat – without needing to expend a spell slot.

In *Dungeons & Dragons*, sorcerers offer a useful comparison. Their metamagic abilities let them customize spells similarly to a psion, and Sorcery Points give them extra power. However, Sorcery Points aren’t quite as good as Psionic Energy Dice. Sorcerers have to give up actual spell slots to get Sorcery Points back, while psions regain their energy independently. Also, psions can recover their resources more quickly and efficiently than sorcerers. While a sorcerer’s highest-level ability is generally more powerful, these two classes remain closely matched.

The Psion is Whatever It Wants to Be

While the psion shares similarities with wizards and sorcerers, players who enjoy other character classes shouldn’t dismiss it. The psion offers a lot of interesting features that make it a strong choice in many situations. Here are just a few reasons why:

  • Psionic Disciplines are a clear cousin to the warlock’s Eldritch Invocations, offering class customization and powerful abilities that define a character, both mechanically and in roleplay
  • Bards will be all too familiar with the use of a pool of dice, and can even use them to support the party in similar ways to Bardic Inspiration while getting access to a more aggressive list of spells
  • Playing a Metamorph psion offers a darker take on the druid’s shapeshifter fantasy

When you’re deciding what character class to play in *Dungeons & Dragons*, definitely consider the psion. It’s a well-rounded option that can do a bit of everything without giving up too much power. I’m planning to play a psion next, and I think you’ll enjoy it too!

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2025-10-09 02:32