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Treat it the same as magic. Treating it different will make a mess of the game.

  The only reason it's even mentioned is because 2E hammered away at the idea and the authors felt compelled to include it for the sake of 'tradition'.

What do you mean by different?

I mean I treat it different when it comes down to the fluff and appearance. The only crunch difference between psionics and arcane is that psionics have more forced movement effects.

As far as Psionics go I like them, especially with running dark sun. Dark Sun turns Psionics into the main staple while the Arcane powers are turned into destructive forces.

Aug 21, 2011 -- 2:48PM, Salla wrote:

In 3.5's Expanded Psionics Handbook, there was an option to treat psionics as not-magic.  Detect Magic wouldn't find psionics, and a Null Psionics Field wouldn't impair magic, for example.

It was a really bad idea.

Only thing like that, that I do, is make rolls for identifying psionic weapons with insight checks. Detect Magic identifies that it is a psionic weapon, but insight tells you what it is.

Thematically, I allow some differences with Psionic classes.  

The differences are:
* Psionic implements do not need to be held.
* Using a psionic power does not create an observable stream of energy; the target is simply affected if it is hit.
* Psionic powers do not require verbal or semantic components; the Psion or such "wills" something to happen, and, if the attack hits, the target is affected.  For instance, a Psionic power that stuns a target could be the result of the Psion entering the target's mind, finding a specific childhood memory, and bringing that memory to the surface; the target would be lost in its childhood thoughts for a short period of time.  

The reasoning behind my madness comes from role playing qualities.  A Psionic character can appear to be a normal fighter, a weaponless merchant, or any other profession.  So far, this has added quite a bit to the adventures and NPC interactions, and I'm very pleased with the outcome.  

With that said, the game's rules for combat, combat advantage, or other mechanical limitations or situations are not affected.  A Psionic character is in just as much danger as any other class when combat starts, but, during role-played interactions, the Psionic character--especially the Psion--has the distinct ability to pass itself off as a non-threatening individual.

By the by, these seemingly beneficial aspects of playing a Psion or any Psionic class have not caused anyone to abandon his or her current character.  Swords, armor, and good ol' lightning bolts and fireballs are still the players' favorites. 

You have arcane magic.
You have divine magic.
You have psionic magic.

They are ALL magic!  'Dispel Magic' works on them all in the same way.