New DnD Psion Class Unveiled in Latest Unearthed Arcana
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Psionic powers have long been a part of Dungeons & Dragons, although they’ve been somewhat overlooked in the fifth edition of the game. That’s about to change, however, as Wizards of the Coast has just unveiled the new DnD Psion Class, which is currently available in the latest Unearthed Arcana playtest. The UA materials include rules for the base Psion class, as well as four new subclasses which harness the power of the mind: the Metamorph, Psi Warper, Psykinetic and Telepath.
Surprisingly, this marks the first time Wizards of the Coast has released a new class since the Artificer, which appeared in 2019 in the Eberron: Rising from the Last War sourcebook. It also marks the first time in decades that psionics have appeared in official DnD rules. Notably, these powers are most heavily associated with the Dark Sun setting, which has lead some fans to speculate that we may see a return to the controversial world.
So will the new DnD Psion class blow your mind? Below, we focus all our mental energy on finding out.
What is a Psion in the DnD 2024 rules?
Psions are spellcasters who channel innate mental powers to perform incredible feats and wield the magic of the mind (referred to as psionics). In the new DnD 2024 rules, the Psion is a full spellcasting class that interacts with magic using Psionic Energy Dice and the new Psionic Spellcasting feature. These mechanics are designed to give the class a distinct identity and playstyle, setting it apart from other spellcasters.
Below is the Psion class table as per the May 2025 Unearthed Arcana playtest.
| Level | Proficiency Bonus | Features | Energy Die | Number of Dice | Cantrips | Prepared Spells | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 9th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | +2 | Spellcasting, Psionic Power, Subtle Telekinesis | d6 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2 | +2 | Psionic Discipline, Psionic Modes | d6 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 3 | +2 | Psion Subclass | d6 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 4 | +2 | Ability Score Improvement | d6 | 4 | 2 | 7 | 4 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 5 | +3 | Psionic Restoration | d8 | 6 | 2 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 6 | +3 | Subclass Feature | d8 | 6 | 2 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 7 | +3 | Psionic Surge | d8 | 6 | 2 | 11 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 8 | +3 | Ability Score Improvement | d8 | 6 | 2 | 12 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 9 | +4 | — | d8 | 8 | 2 | 14 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | — | — | — | — |
| 10 | +4 | Psionic Discipline, Subclass Feature | d8 | 8 | 3 | 15 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — |
| 11 | +4 | — | d10 | 8 | 3 | 16 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — |
| 12 | +4 | Ability Score Improvement | d10 | 8 | 3 | 16 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | — | — | — |
| 13 | +5 | — | d10 | 10 | 3 | 17 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| 14 | +5 | Subclass Feature | d10 | 10 | 4 | 17 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| 15 | +5 | — | d10 | 10 | 4 | 18 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — |
| 16 | +5 | Ability Score Improvement | d10 | 10 | 4 | 18 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — |
| 17 | +6 | Psionic Discipline | d12 | 12 | 4 | 19 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 18 | +6 | — | d12 | 12 | 4 | 20 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 19 | +6 | Epic Boon | d12 | 12 | 4 | 21 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 20 | +6 | Enkindled Lifeforce | d12 | 12 | 4 | 22 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
What is a Psion’s Primary Ability Score?
Intelligence is a Psion’s primary ability score. This represents the fact that they use the power of the minds to conjure unique magical effects.
Notably, Psions also gain a saving throw proficiency in Wisdom, which again reflects the more cerebral nature of the class in terms of tapping into the power of the mind.
What is a Psion’s Hit Die and Hit Points?
Psions have 1D6 hit dice per level. This mean at 1st Level your Psion’s hit points will be 6+ your Constitution modifier. Each level you advance from Level 2 onwards, you gain an additional 1D6 (or an average of 4) Hit Points, plus your Constitution modifier.
This Hit Dice score essentially puts Psions on the same footing as Wizards and Sorcerers, meaning they’re not likely to function well as frontline combatants.
What are Psion’s Proficient In?
Psions have a unique set of skills that reflect their use of mental magic.
- Armor: None
- Weapons: Simple weapons
- Saving Throws: Intelligence and Wisdom
- Skills: Choose two skills from Arcana, Insight, Intimidation, Investigation, Medicine, Perception or Persuasion
What Equipment Do Psions Start With?
As a Level 1 Psion, you can choose between the following two options for your equipment (in addition to any other equipment provided by your Background):
- Option A: Spear, Daggers (2), Light Crossbow, Crossbow Bolts (20), Dungeoneer’s Pack, and 6 GP
- Option B: 50 GP (with the ability to purchase equipment as you see fit)
What are the features of the new DnD Psion?
Below are all the key features that the new Psion class has access to.
Level 1: Psionic Power
You harbor a wellspring of psionic energy within yourself, represented by your Psionic Energy Dice. Your Psion level determines the size and number of these dice (see the Psion Features table above). These dice are used to fuel or enhance certain Psion features. You regain 1 expended Psionic Energy Die when you finish a Short Rest and all of them on a Long Rest. Any feature requiring a saving throw uses your Psion spell save DC. At 1st level, you begin with two such powers:
- Telekinetic Propel: As a bonus action choose one Large or smaller creature within 30 feet. Roll a Psionic Energy Die. The target must succeed on a Strength saving throw or be pushed or pulled (your choice) a number of feet equal to 5 × the number rolled. The die is only expended if the target fails the saving throw.
- Telepathic Connection: As a bonus action you gain telepathy with a range of 5 feet. You can expend a Psionic Energy Die and roll it. For a number of minutes equal to your Psion level, your telepathy’s range increases by 10 feet × the number rolled.
Level 1: Subtle Telekinesis
You learn the Mage Hand cantrip. You can cast it without somatic components and with the spectral hand being invisible
Level 2: Psionic Discipline
You gain two Psionic Disciplines, which use your Psionic Energy Dice. You can use only one Discipline per turn unless otherwise noted. When you level up, you can swap a known Discipline for another. The available disciplines you can choose from are as follows:
- Biofeedback: When you cast a Psion spell from Necromancy or Transmutation, expend a die to gain Temporary Hit Points equal to the roll + your Intelligence modifier (minimum of 1).
- Destructive Thoughts: When a creature succeeds on a saving throw vs. a Conjuration or Evocation Psion spell, expend a die. It takes Psychic damage equal to the roll + your Intelligence modifier (minimum of 1).
- Devilish Tongue: When taking the Influence action, expend a die and add the roll to the ability check.
- Ego Whip: As a Reaction, when a creature provokes an Opportunity Attack, roll a die. It makes an Intelligence saving throw. On a failure, its Speed is reduced by 10 ft, and it subtracts the die roll from its next damage roll. The die is expended only if it fails the save.
- Expanded Awareness: When taking the Search action, expend a die and add the roll to the check.
- Id Insinuation: When casting an Enchantment or Illusion spell that forces a save expend 2 Psionic Energy Dice. Then roll 1 die and subtract it from one target’s saving throw.
- Inerrant Aim: When you miss with an attack roll, roll a die and add it to the result. If the attack hits, the die is expended.
- Psionic Backlash: As a Reaction after being hit by an attack expend 1 Psionic Energy Die. Then roll 2 dice and subtract each from the total. Force the attacker to make a Wisdom saving throw. On failure, it takes Psychic damage equal to the sum of the rolls.
- Psionic Guards: At the start of your turn expend a die to gain Immunity to Charmed/Frightened and Advantage on Intelligence saves until your next turn. If you’re currently Charmed or Frightened, the effect ends. You can use another Discipline on the same turn.
- Swift Precognition: When casting an Abjuration or Divination spell as an action expend a number of Psionic Energy Dice equal to 1 + the spell level. You can then change the casting time of the spell to a Bonus Action.
- Tactical Mind: When taking the Study action, expend a die and add the roll to the check.
Level 2: Psionic Modes
As a Bonus Action, choose a mode to activate for 1 minute or until you use this feature again:
- Attack Mode: Weapon attacks, Psion spells and features ignore resistance to Psychic damage. When you deal damage with a spell, you can expend a Psionic Energy Die to reroll up to a number of damage dice equal to your Intelligence modifier (minimum of 1)
- Defense Mode: You gain Resistance to Psychic damage. When you fail an Intelligence, Wisdom or Charisma saving throw, you may take a Reaction, expend a Psionic Energy Die or add the number rolled to the save (possibly turning it into a success). You can use this feature twice per Long Rest.
Level 5: Psionic Restoration
After a Short Rest, you can regain half your Psionic Energy Dice (rounded down). This is only usable once per Long Rest.
Level 7: Psionic Surge
When you roll Initiative, you can expend a Hit Point Die to regain one expended use of Psionic Modes. After rolling one or more Psionic Energy Dice, you can expend a Hit Point Die to treat any roll of 1–3 as a 4.
Level 19: Epic Boon
Gain an Epic Boon feat or another feat for which you qualify. Boon of Energy Resistance is recommended.
Level 20: Enkindled Lifeforce
Once per turn, when you roll a Psionic Energy Die, you may expend 2 Hit Point Dice to roll 2 additional Psionic Energy Dice and add them to the total.
What are the Psion subclasses?
There are four new subclasses for the Psion, all of which are selected at Level 3.
- Metamorph: Masters of turning psionic powers inward, Metamorphs can manipulate their flesh like clay, molding and shaping it into a variety of forms for use in combat and defense. They can also manipulate the life force of friends and foes alike
- Psi Warper: Psi Warpers use their psionic powers to manipulate the space between objects. This allows them to teleport across the battlefield, create vacuums in space and appear where they’re least expected.
- Psykinetic: These Psions can create powerful telekeneitc energy. This can manifest as sturdy invisible barriers to shield themselves and allies or they can strike with the force of a battering ram to smash down doors or hurl enemies across the battlefield.
- Telepath: Telepaths are masters of mind magic. They can use their powers to bolster the mental defenses of allies or probe and manipulate the thoughts of others.
Is the new DnD Psion class worth playing?
While the Psion is a new class in the DnD 2024 rules, psionics themselves go back to the earliest edition of the game, having first appeared to the appendix of the first edition Player’s Handbook in 1978 and being showcased in The Complete Psionics Handbook in 1991. Psionics also do technically appear in the 2024 Player’s Handbook in the form of the Soul Knife, Psi Warrior and Aberrant Sorcerer subclasses and have also appeared in MCDM’s third-party DnD 5e sourcebook The Talent.
That being said, it’s not clear what upcoming DnD sourcebook Psions will appear in or, for that matter, if they’ll even survive the playtest. Still, the introduction of a new class is a surprising move from Wizards of the Coast and one we’ll be keeping our third-eye on in the days ahead. In the meantime, you can download the rules for new Psion via the May 2025 Unearthed Arcana playtest.
Below is also a video from the official Dungeons & Dragons YouTube channel, with more detail on what to expect from these masters of the mental arts.
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Cameron Nichols is a Senior Editor who lives in Boston, Massachusetts, and has been playing D&D since the early 90s, when he was introduced by his older brother and cut his teeth on AD&D 2nd Edition. Since then he’s played virtually every RPG he could get his nerdy little mitts on (including a weird Goth phase in the early 2000s when he rocked Vampire: The Masquerade pretty hard). His favorite D&D campaign setting is the Forgotten Realms and his favorite character to play was a Half-Orc Barbarian named Grug (who was unfortunately devoured by a gelatinous cube).
