Psion
Psions are wielders of raw mental force. Unlike Mages who study the structure of magic, Psions manifest power through sheer willpower and psychic discipline. They shape the Arcane Weave instinctively, channeling it through focused mental constructs called Disciplines. Each Discipline represents a school of psionic practice — telepathy, spatial transposition, psychic consumption — and defines the Psion's core combat power.
Important: Psions use Arcane Magic and the Arcane Mana System (Charisma-based). They do not learn spells from a list. Instead, their powers come from their Psionic Discipline (subclass, chosen at level 1) and Psionic Talents (universal modifiers and standalone abilities learned at level 2+). Each discipline power has stackable modifiers — the total mana spent per use is capped at
ceil(level / 2).
Class Features
As a Psion, you gain the following class features.
Hit Points
- Hit Dice: 1d6 per Psion level
- Hit Points at 1st Level: 6 + your Constitution modifier
- Hit Points at Higher Levels: 1d6 (or 4) + your Constitution modifier per Psion level after 1st
Proficiencies
- Armor: None
- Weapons: Simple weapons, wands, staves
- Tools: None
- Saving Throws: Charisma, Wisdom
- Skills: Choose two from Deception, Insight, Intimidation, Investigation, Perception, Persuasion
Equipment
You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background: - (a) a light crossbow and 20 bolts or (b) any simple weapon - (a) a dungeoneer's pack or (b) an explorer's pack - Two daggers and an arcane focus
The Psion
| Level | Proficiency Bonus | Features | Base Mana | Talents Known | Max Spell Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | +2 | Psionics, Arcane Aegis, Psionic Discipline | 1 | — | 1st |
| 2nd | +2 | Psionic Talent | 1 | 1 | 1st |
| 3rd | +2 | Psionic Talent (+1), Discipline Feature | 4 | 2 | 2nd |
| 4th | +2 | Ability Score Improvement | 5 | 2 | 2nd |
| 5th | +3 | Psionic Mastery (1), Mental Acuity, Talent (+1) | 9 | 3 | 3rd |
| 6th | +3 | Discipline Feature | 11 | 3 | 3rd |
| 7th | +3 | Psionic Step, Talent (+1) | 13 | 4 | 4th |
| 8th | +3 | Ability Score Improvement | 16 | 4 | 4th |
| 9th | +4 | Talent (+1) | 21 | 5 | 5th |
| 10th | +4 | Discipline Feature | 24 | 5 | 5th |
| 11th | +4 | Psionic Mastery (2), Innate Psionics (6th) | 29 | 5 | 6th |
| 12th | +4 | Ability Score Improvement, Talent (+1) | 31 | 6 | 6th |
| 13th | +5 | Innate Psionics (7th) | 33 | 6 | 7th |
| 14th | +5 | Discipline Feature | 36 | 6 | 7th |
| 15th | +5 | Innate Psionics (8th), Talent (+1) | 39 | 7 | 8th |
| 16th | +5 | Ability Score Improvement | 40 | 7 | 8th |
| 17th | +6 | Psionic Mastery (3), Innate Psionics (9th) | 45 | 7 | 9th |
| 18th | +6 | Talent (+1) | 48 | 8 | 9th |
| 19th | +6 | Ability Score Improvement | 52 | 8 | 9th |
| 20th | +6 | Ascension | 57 | 8 | 9th |
Mana Formula: Base Mana + (Charisma Modifier x Psion Level)
Mana Per-Use Cap: ceil(Psion Level / 2). This limits the total mana you can spend on a single discipline power use (base cost + all modifiers combined).
Class Feature Descriptions
Psionics (Level 1)
You manifest psionic powers through force of will. Your spellcasting ability is Charisma, and you use the Arcane Mana system. You do not learn spells from a list — your powers come from your Psionic Discipline (subclass) and Psionic Talents.
Arcane Aegis (Level 1)
Your force of will manifests as a protective field. AC = 13 + DEX modifier while not wearing armor.
Psionic Discipline (Level 1)
Choose your Psionic Discipline at 1st level. Your Discipline grants you a passive ability, a core discipline power with stackable modifiers, and scaling features at levels 3, 6, 10, and 14. See Disciplines below.
Psionic Talent (Level 2)
Choose a psionic talent. Talents come in two categories:
Modifier Talents are universal toggles you can apply to any discipline power or talent ability when you use it. Each modifier has a mana cost that adds to the total.
Ability Talents are standalone psionic abilities (spell-like powers) that you can use independently. They also support upcast scaling and can have modifier talents applied to them.
You gain additional talents at levels 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 15, and 18 (up to 8 total).
Modifier Talents
| Talent | Cost | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Focused | 1 | +1 to save DC for this use |
| Subtle | 1 | No visible manifestation — power is undetectable |
| Extended | 1 | Double duration of effects |
| Fortified | 1 | +2 to concentration checks from this power |
| Amplified | 2 | +1 damage die |
| Quickened | 2 | Use as bonus action instead of action |
| Widened | 2 | Double area or number of targets |
| Persistent | 2 | Target has disadvantage on first save against this effect |
Ability Talents
| Talent | Cost | Action | Effect | Upcast |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telekinetic Hands | 0 | Action | Mage Hand (60ft, invisible) | — |
| Psionic Shield | 1 | Reaction | +2 AC until start of next turn | +1 AC per extra mana |
| Mind Spike | 2 | Action | 2d8 psychic, 60ft, INT save | +1d8 per extra mana |
| Empathic Link | 1 | Action | Share senses with willing creature 120ft, 10 min | +1 creature per extra mana |
| Psychic Scream | 3 | Action | 3d6 psychic 15ft cone, WIS save, stunned 1 round | +1d6 per extra mana |
| Thought Barrier | 1 | Bonus | Resistance to psychic damage, 1 min | +10 min per extra mana |
Psionic Mastery (Level 5)
At the start of each of your turns in combat, you gain 1 free mana. This mana can only be spent on discipline power modifiers or talent modifiers (not on base costs or standalone abilities). Unused free mana is lost at end of turn. Increases to 2 at level 11 and 3 at level 17.
Mental Acuity (Level 5)
Spend 1 mana to reroll a failed ability check.
Psionic Step (Level 7)
Spend 2 mana to teleport up to 30 feet as a bonus action. Spend additional mana for +10 feet per extra mana. Subject to the per-use mana cap.
Innate Psionics (Levels 11, 13, 15, 17)
Your mental power manifests in higher-order effects. At each listed level, choose one spell of the corresponding level from the Psion curated list. You can cast it once per long rest without spending mana.
- Level 11: Choose one 6th-level spell
- Level 13: Choose one 7th-level spell
- Level 15: Choose one 8th-level spell
- Level 17: Choose one 9th-level spell
Ascension (Level 20)
Your Charisma score increases by 4 (maximum 24). On a short rest, recover mana equal to CHA modifier x 3. If you die, you can choose to become an incorporeal entity on the Border Ethereal — you retain your mental stats and psion abilities with at least 10 mana, but if all mana is exhausted or the ghost form destroyed, you die permanently.
Psionic Disciplines
Awakened Mind (Telepathy)
Telepathic specialist. Mind reader, empath, social manipulator. In Tiraas: inquisitors, intelligence operatives, diplomatic attaches.
| Level | Feature | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Telepathic Communication | Telepathically communicate with willing creatures within 30ft (60ft at L5, 120ft at L11) |
| 1 | Telepathic Intrusion | Core power: 1d8 psychic + disoriented. Modifiers: Prying (1), Haunting (2), Projected (1), Overwhelming (2) |
| 1 | Mental Awareness | CHA for Insight vs INT 6+ creatures. Know telepathic contact location 1hr |
| 3 | Mind Reader | Telepathic Intrusion: force INT save instead of WIS. On fail: gain d4 for next roll vs target |
| 6 | Empowered Psionics | +CHA mod to discipline power damage |
| 10 | All Seeing Eye | Mindsight 60ft (INT 6+). CHA for Perception vs creatures |
| 14 | Full Awakening | Start of turn: 2 mana for advantage on all saves and attacks until next turn |
Wandering Mind (Transposition)
Spatial manipulator and teleportation specialist. Phase-walkers, boundary-crossers, ghost operatives. Gains medium armor and martial weapons.
| Level | Feature | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Flicker Step | End of turn: free teleport 5ft (10ft L5, 15ft L11, 20ft L17) |
| 1 | Phase Rift | Core power: 30ft line teleport, 1d8 force. Modifiers: Long (1), Blurring (2), Ethereal (2), Disruptive (1) |
| 1 | Spatial Manipulation | DEX instead of CHA for Phase Rift save DCs |
| 3 | Cunning Strikes | Bonus action weapon attack after Phase Rift |
| 6 | Phase Dancer | Phase Rift: auto 1 mirror image + advantage on first attack after |
| 10 | Flickering Presence | Free mana persists to next turn for teleport effects |
| 14 | Planeswalker | 1/day: cast Plane Shift or Teleport free |
Consuming Mind (Consumption)
Psychic vampire. Drains minds, steals abilities, devours psionic energy. Outlawed in Tiraas — criminal underworld, desperate survivors.
| Level | Feature | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adaptive Hunter | On psychic damage: steal one target proficiency (1 stored, 2 at L5, 3 at L11) |
| 1 | Mind Leech | Core power: 1d6 psychic + Leech charges. Modifiers: Ravenous (1), Shredding (1), Draining (2), Parasitic (1) |
| 1 | Dark Lurker | Proficiency in Stealth + Deception. Conceal psionics with Deception vs Insight |
| 3 | Ravenous Powers | Reaction on psionic kill 30ft: gain Leech charges (half CR) + heal Psion level HP |
| 6 | Empowered Psionics | +CHA mod to discipline power damage |
| 10 | Mind Vampire | Mind Devourer triggers on any psychic damage. Leech max +half CHA mod |
| 14 | Shattered Husks | Mind Leech: free Shredding modifier. Spend +2 mana for 3d4 total save reduction |
Deferred Disciplines
The following Disciplines are planned but not yet implemented: - Unleashed Mind — Raw psionic destruction - Transcended Mind — Divination and precognition - Elemental Mind — Elemental manipulation (may overlap with Evoker)