Psionics is just another way of manipulating the energies around you, to perform certain tasks.
Psionics = manipulation of energies through the mind
Wizards = manipulation of energies through Verbal, Somatic and material components.
Creatures with Innate abilities = manipulation of energies through thought (mind)
Stop thinking of Magic being its own thing, Magic is just a word given to an effect that someone produced by channeling the energies around them and that can be done in several different ways with the Mind alone (Psionics), Verbally (words), Somatic (Movement), Components (materials gathered from the physical world around you).
Bottom line is its all the same energy its just focused differently with Psionics.
In AD&D and other editions of Dungeons & Dragons, psionics is distinct from magic. Psionics involves the direct manipulation of mental energy and personal power, drawing on inner strength rather than external sources like a wizard or cleric might. In game terms, this usually means psionic abilities are not affected by things that affect magic, such as anti-magic fields, and they don't require the same components that spells do (like verbal, somatic, or material components).
The separation creates interesting tactical considerations. For example, a psionic character can operate in environments where magic is restricted or nullified, giving them a unique edge. Also, while magic spells are often well-known and documented in a D&D world, psionic powers can be mysterious or misunderstood, adding a layer of intrigue and uniqueness to characters that possess them.
Answer 2
In 5th edition, psionic abilities often function similarly to magic but are flavored as deriving from the mind's inherent power.
The game mechanics don’t always clearly separate psionics from magical effects. For instance, psionic abilities in 5e might still be considered magical and are generally subject to the same conditions that affect magic, such as being countered or detected by certain spells or effects.
However, some elements of psionics remain unique, like the flavor of deriving power from the psychic self rather than external forces. The introduction of classes or subclasses that use psionic abilities attempt to capture the essence of psionics while integrating into the existing magic system of 5e. These subclasses often use special rules for their psionic abilities, blending the conceptual lines between traditional spellcasting and mental prowess.
The way I see it, magic is fundamentally anything that seemingly violates laws of physics. This includes producing fireballs (a seeming violation of conservation of energy), telekinesis (which is "spooky action at a distance"), etc. According to my definition, psionics is absolutely magical in the same way that receiving blessings from a god or patron is magic. The only difference is how these reality-breaks are conjured. This includes abilities that aren't explicitly conjured up in the form a spell or ritual, including wild shapes, bardic music, and some expressions of ki. Also, magic items are magical, even if they don't contain spells.
I suppose the litmus test for a game is whether an ability would trigger a caster with detect magic active, or whether these effects would function in an antimagic sphere. In my mind, the antimagic sphere would essentially act as an enforcer of physics, and so would block most of these effects.
However, 5e did away with the descriptors of 3e and the power sources of 4e, and so these things are mostly up to DM fiat.
Not reading other comments, I say yes, Psionics are magic. At a glance, the Aboleth (a noted psionic creature) has a magical Enslave ability, implying all of its psionic power is magical. So, yeah
And just to nip this argument before it starts: no, a spell attack does not mean it is magic, it just means it isn't a weapon/physical attack. It is magic if it is a spell, magic item, or says it is magic.
Mechanically, psionics are essentially just a tag for magic like divine, primal, or arcane. Lore-wise, it depends a bit. Iirc in at least one Forgotten Realms story psionics were described as simply altering the Weave purely by the application of one’s mind, as opposed to with the components used for spells. So at the most basic level it’s using the same “magical field” that spells do, but through distinct mechanisms.
I wouldn’t considered it magic, since it doesn’t derive from the weave but from the sheer will of the mind.
Psionics are imo more a form of Psyokenisis. Much is in a form of moving objects out of will and mind. Telekinesis is worked in almost all psionic users. There is also an invisible mage hand, but I see this more as a Jean Grey kind of interaction.
Also a lot of damage dealing psionic abilities are psychic damage, unless an object or limb comes into play to use the extra propulsion from the telekinetic ability and enchance the strength of said object.
There is also Ilsensine, the god-brain of the mindflayers. He derives his powers from the mind of others, hence the reason why mindflayers look for brains. He uses psionics from his sheer mind power, but has knowledge of the weave and taps from it by being connected with magic weavers.
Therefor I say, psionics are not magic since there is no existing omnipotent thing such as the Weave that powers psionic abilities. (I think of that movie Lucy, where her mind is using more of its capacity in order to move and change things out of will)
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Time, like hope, is an illusion" - Lumalee "Time is relative" - Albert Einstein "It's a joke. It's all a joke. Mother forgive me" - Edward 'The Comedian' Blake "Do I look like the kind of clown that can start a movement?" - Arthur Fleck
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Psionics is just another way of manipulating the energies around you, to perform certain tasks.
Psionics = manipulation of energies through the mind
Wizards = manipulation of energies through Verbal, Somatic and material components.
Creatures with Innate abilities = manipulation of energies through thought (mind)
Stop thinking of Magic being its own thing, Magic is just a word given to an effect that someone produced by channeling the energies around them and that can be done in several different ways with the Mind alone (Psionics), Verbally (words), Somatic (Movement), Components (materials gathered from the physical world around you).
Bottom line is its all the same energy its just focused differently with Psionics.
That's a great question. I have 2 answers.
Answer 1
In AD&D and other editions of Dungeons & Dragons, psionics is distinct from magic. Psionics involves the direct manipulation of mental energy and personal power, drawing on inner strength rather than external sources like a wizard or cleric might. In game terms, this usually means psionic abilities are not affected by things that affect magic, such as anti-magic fields, and they don't require the same components that spells do (like verbal, somatic, or material components).
The separation creates interesting tactical considerations. For example, a psionic character can operate in environments where magic is restricted or nullified, giving them a unique edge. Also, while magic spells are often well-known and documented in a D&D world, psionic powers can be mysterious or misunderstood, adding a layer of intrigue and uniqueness to characters that possess them.
Answer 2
In 5th edition, psionic abilities often function similarly to magic but are flavored as deriving from the mind's inherent power.
The game mechanics don’t always clearly separate psionics from magical effects. For instance, psionic abilities in 5e might still be considered magical and are generally subject to the same conditions that affect magic, such as being countered or detected by certain spells or effects.
However, some elements of psionics remain unique, like the flavor of deriving power from the psychic self rather than external forces. The introduction of classes or subclasses that use psionic abilities attempt to capture the essence of psionics while integrating into the existing magic system of 5e. These subclasses often use special rules for their psionic abilities, blending the conceptual lines between traditional spellcasting and mental prowess.
That's my take on it.
The way I see it, magic is fundamentally anything that seemingly violates laws of physics. This includes producing fireballs (a seeming violation of conservation of energy), telekinesis (which is "spooky action at a distance"), etc. According to my definition, psionics is absolutely magical in the same way that receiving blessings from a god or patron is magic. The only difference is how these reality-breaks are conjured. This includes abilities that aren't explicitly conjured up in the form a spell or ritual, including wild shapes, bardic music, and some expressions of ki. Also, magic items are magical, even if they don't contain spells.
I suppose the litmus test for a game is whether an ability would trigger a caster with detect magic active, or whether these effects would function in an antimagic sphere. In my mind, the antimagic sphere would essentially act as an enforcer of physics, and so would block most of these effects.
However, 5e did away with the descriptors of 3e and the power sources of 4e, and so these things are mostly up to DM fiat.
Not reading other comments, I say yes, Psionics are magic. At a glance, the Aboleth (a noted psionic creature) has a magical Enslave ability, implying all of its psionic power is magical. So, yeah
Come participate in the Competition of the Finest Brews, Edition XXVIII?
My homebrew stuff:
Spells, Monsters, Magic Items, Feats, Subclasses.
I am an Archfey, but nobody seems to notice.
Extended Signature
The sage advice compendium says otherwise. Spell attacks are magical.
If the answer is yes to any of these questions, the effect is magical:
This applies to psionics as well.
Mechanically, psionics are essentially just a tag for magic like divine, primal, or arcane. Lore-wise, it depends a bit. Iirc in at least one Forgotten Realms story psionics were described as simply altering the Weave purely by the application of one’s mind, as opposed to with the components used for spells. So at the most basic level it’s using the same “magical field” that spells do, but through distinct mechanisms.
I've experimented with re-creating old systems and creating new systems to serve PSIONICS in 5e and I have a few insights:
i like to create things ... Check out my magic items!
I also illustrate and paint Dungeons & Dragons and Eberron scenes, creatures, and characters https://www.albertholaso.com/illustration COMMISION ME!
Commission me! Follow me on Bluesky!
I wouldn’t considered it magic, since it doesn’t derive from the weave but from the sheer will of the mind.
Psionics are imo more a form of Psyokenisis. Much is in a form of moving objects out of will and mind. Telekinesis is worked in almost all psionic users. There is also an invisible mage hand, but I see this more as a Jean Grey kind of interaction.
Also a lot of damage dealing psionic abilities are psychic damage, unless an object or limb comes into play to use the extra propulsion from the telekinetic ability and enchance the strength of said object.
There is also Ilsensine, the god-brain of the mindflayers. He derives his powers from the mind of others, hence the reason why mindflayers look for brains. He uses psionics from his sheer mind power, but has knowledge of the weave and taps from it by being connected with magic weavers.
Therefor I say, psionics are not magic since there is no existing omnipotent thing such as the Weave that powers psionic abilities. (I think of that movie Lucy, where her mind is using more of its capacity in order to move and change things out of will)
"Time, like hope, is an illusion" - Lumalee
"Time is relative" - Albert Einstein
"It's a joke. It's all a joke. Mother forgive me" - Edward 'The Comedian' Blake
"Do I look like the kind of clown that can start a movement?" - Arthur Fleck