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There's probably already a thread on this, but two pages back and I couldn't find one. So! Onward we go.

First question is how will they port that delicious psionics flavor (ie, power points) over from 3.5, which was to me the most iconic thing about the classes.

My speculation is that classes with psionics as a power source will either have a pool of points that they can use to augment their powers in various ways, limited in some way, or they'll be able to sacrifice the use of some powers to enhance others. Given that the mechanics of a limited pool doesn't seem to fit the 4e flavor, I think the latter is a more likely mechanic.

Here's how I see it working: As with everyone else, your average Psion will have his at-wills, his encounters, his dailys, and his utilities. You can do what everyone else does during an encounter - ie, use your powers like everyone else. But several powers have an extra bit of text at the end, saying something like:

"Sacrifice the use of an encounter power: This power deals an extra +wis mod damage and the target is stunned until the end of your next round."

"Sacrifice the use of a daily power: This power's area of effect extends by two squares and deals one extra type of energy damage of your choice."

They might be able to make other sacrifices as well, such as hit points, action points, or actions, in order to power up their effects. Basically, psionics-based classes would have differing energy management than other classes.

Furthermore, the types of things psions would do would, as might be expected, be related to the mind - things like charm and domination effects, aversion affects, you name it (in addition to, well, you know, lots of psychic damage).

The real question to me is: Are the other disciplines still going to be around, or will all psions be telepaths now? I'm going to assume this is so, even if it saddens me, since there seems to be a focus on more specialization. But, who knows, maybe we'll get some Nomad or (please wizards!) Shaper in there too~

Anyway, onto the actual class speculation:

Controller: Psion. Pretty much a given; probably a lot of mind-control effects and abilities to turn foes against each other. Paragon paths -might- cover some of the other disciplines, such as psychoportation or metacreation.

Striker: Wilders. If the Psion doesn't use something similar to my proposed sacrifice mechanic, Wilders should, and should retain their somewhat unpredictable nature. Likely a lot of energy effects, possibly with an at-will Energy Ray (1 target; psionic; fire, thunder, ice, acid (see text) - hit: 1d6 energy damage of one type you choose when you use this power.) Possibly powers related to emotion as well.

Defender: Say it with me now: PSYCHIC WARRIOR *cheering erupts* Lots of mind-affecting attacks which link with marks; possibly the ability to forgo the use of encounter or daily powers for raw damage in attacks. Soulknife will be a paragon path here, as will Slayer (maybe.)

Leader: If there is a Psionic leader, it will probably be the Ardent, much to my dismay (I would much rather see something akin to Dreamscarred's Society Mind, but well, the SM belongs to Dreamscarred. c'est la vie). Will possibly have a pact system much like a warlock's but focusing on a philosophy/alignment.

Thoughts?

Guessing? I'll play!

First off, I'm... of mixed thoughts on what WotC will deliver. What I want to see may not be what we actually get in the final product.

What I would like to see would be some of these:

• NO Unifying Special Mechanic. 4th Edition Design has moved away from the "Power Source X Role" grid, so there's no reason to treat psionics as unique in that regard.
  
• Split Psionic classes by "Role" and concept. The following would be my preferences...
  
• Telepath; Psionic Leader (minor in controller).
  
• Shaper; Psionic Controller, focus on astral constructs and battlefield control, absorbs "energy" powers as well.
  
• Egoist / Psychic Warrrior; Psionic Defender (minor in striker), absorbs both the Egoist discipline and general psychic-warrior-ey-ness.
  
• Soulknife; Psionic Striker, absorbs the Nomad discipline.
  
• NO Blended power-sources. For example...
  
• NO Divine Mind. [Cleric or Paladin]/[Psionic Class] should suffice.
  
• NO Ardent. [Cleric or Paladin]/[Psionic Class] should suffice.
  
• Wilder as a Paragon Path, or perhaps as a specific "Multiclass-only" class option (assuming WotC doesn't both the concept wholesale in the FRPG).
  
• One or two epic destinies. One that mirrors "Archmage," and another that fits better as another "universal" destiny, but this time for the Leader role.

What I'm actually expecting from Wizards is:

• Psion class (Wizard with more psychic powers).
  
• Wilder class (Warlock with more psychic powers, and a "wild" mechanic).
  
• Psychic Warrior (Not sure on this one - probably similar to a cross between Fighter and Cleric).
  
• Soulknife (A striker, of some kind).
  
• An "Augment" mechanic for all psionic classes (or perhaps just for the Psion - who knows).

Hmm, well sense where just on speculation here. What I feel will probably happen (sourced from reading some wizards articles from convert my character) is that will get one of two things:
Psionics will be in PHB 3 (mid 2009 earliest) or...
Psionics will get their own book do to HIGH demand (unlikely though)

What we will probably get in the PHB 3 is this:
8 new classes (Psionic, Shadow, and Ki power source)
2 will be shadow - Necromancer and Illusionist
3 will be Ki - Monk, Ninja, Samurai
3 will be psionic - Telepath, Psion, Psychic warrior

Speculation on classes:
Telepath (Leader)
-mind control, bonuses to alleys (feel like auras), healing, think psionic warlord
-Paragon Paths: Mind Bender, Seer, Wilder?
Psion (controller)
-psychic/force based powers, teleports, some energy, augmentation (power points? action points?)
-Paragon Paths: Ardent, Shaper, Nomad, Kineticist
Psychic Warrior (Defender)
-psionic paladin (without religion)
-Paragon Paths: Soul Knife, Egoist, Lurker, ????

Epic Destiny thats psionic in nature...?

Though I could see arguing that the Wilder would replace Telepath as a class and just make Telepath a paragon path...
I could also see (and would like to see) Soul Knife as it's own class with either a melee or ranged build. Though I would change it's name from soul knife to Soul Blade...but thats just me.

What do you guys think?

A psionic controller class would probably specialize in at least two functions:

Mind control/enchantment: Focuses on psychic damage and imposing conditions (charm and dominate, and maybe some immobilization and other effects).

Psychokinesis: Moving stuff around with your mind. Will probably deal force damage and focus on pushing/shifting enemies around the battlefield.

Utility powers will probably include mind-reading, mental communication, and levitating oneself (and/or allies) with telekinetic force.

I'm guessing that familiars will be in Arcane Power, and the psion will probably arrive in PHB3, so if the psicrystal is a familiar-type object then it would probably be there. Otherwise, crystals might be reimagined as implements for the psion.

AskaniPsion wrote:

Would love if they released the class as a preview like the artificer.

we'll probably get that...maybe in like 6 months to a years time. I doubt (but am hopeful) for sooner than that as of this posting.