Dungeons and Dragons Reveals Updates to the Psion Class

Dungeons and Dragons has released a new Unearthed Arcana playtest featuring updates to the Psion, including more flexibility with core and subclass abilities, additional ways to spend and regain Psionic Energy Dice, and more. These improvements were made to the upcoming Dungeons and Dragons class based on feedback from players after the last Unearthed Arcana.

The Psion is a psychic mentalist class that has seen several different iterations in Dungeons and Dragons history. In May, D&D debuted a 5th Edition version of the Psion, which appeared in an Unearthed Arcana playtest ahead of its official release in a future supplement.

Now, Dungeons and Dragons has put out another Unearthed Arcana for the Psion, this time introducing some adjustments to the class based on fan feedback. The core class underwent a fair number of changes; Psionic Power’s Telekinetic Propel and Telepathic Connection received new free baseline abilities, and cantrips are learned faster than before. Psionic Modes are gone, though parts of them persist in Psionic Discipline, which now grants choices at earlier levels. Additionally, Psionic Restoration and Psionic Reserves help the class regain Psionic Energy Dice, and Enkindled Life Force now allows the Psion to spend a single hit dice to empower abilities, not just two.

Most of the Psion subclasses in Dungeons and Dragons also received adjustments in this Unearthed Arcana. The Metamorph, Psykinetic, and Telepath received buffs to nearly all of their abilities, plus new features in Flesh Weaver, Stronger Telekinesis, and Telepathic Distraction respectively. The Psi Warper, on the other hand, received no changes whatsoever, as the subclass was well-received by the community, meaning the previous version is likely what will make it to print.

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There were a few other changes in this document as well. Several Psionic Discipline options have been renamed or improved, along with a brand-new pick in the form of Sharpened Mind. Additionally, the class spell has been adjusted, including a handful of brand-new spells for the Psion, like Ego Whip, Psionic Blast, and Thought Form, plus some shared with other Dungeons and Dragons casters, like Bleeding Darkness, Ectoplasmic Trail, and Life Inversion Field.

It is unclear exactly which book the Psion class will appear in, though it would be a perfect fit for the rumored Dark Sun Dungeons and Dragons book that may be releasing next year. Regardless, the survey for this new Psion Unearthed Arcana opens on October 9, so players who want to help shape it even further before then should be sure to share their feedback 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
- 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