For the first time since the Artificer debuted in 2004’s Eberron setting, Dungeons & Dragons is testing a brand-new class: the Psion. Revealed in the latest Unearthed Arcana 2025 playtest, the Psion harnesses the raw power of the mind to bend reality and project devastating psychic abilities.
Psions are spellcasters at their core, but they operate differently from Wizards or Sorcerers. They draw magic from within, relying on intense mental focus rather than verbal incantations or somatic gestures. With mechanics like Psionic Energy Dice and Psionic Spellcasting, the class emphasizes cerebral mastery over brute magical force, making it an exciting alternative for players who want a fresh spin on spellcasting. And while Psions could theoretically fit in any campaign setting, one recently revisited D&D locale practically begs for their return.
Dungeons and Dragons is Testing a New Class
Wizards of the Coast is testing a brand-new base class, complete with a full 20 levels of progression, four dynamic subclasses, and more.
Psions and Spelljammer Would Be a Match Made in the Astral Plane
Spelljammer is D&D’s sprawling space-fantasy setting. It is a wild blend of sailing ships, astral denizens, and cosmic horror resonant of 1980s futuristic aesthetics. It’s home to some of the rarest` creatures in the multiverse, including mind flayers (illithids) and gith, two of the most iconic psionic factions in D&D lore.
Psionics and Spelljammer share a thematic DNA. The setting deals with telepathic aliens, mental domination, and the terrifying unknown lurking beyond the stars. The Astral Plane itself is practically an invitation for mental magic, given its associations with thought, dreamscapes, and psychic resonance. That’s why introducing Psions alongside Spelljammer content feels like a natural evolution. Imagine a campaign where the player’s Psion is humanity’s best weapon against mind-flayer empires, or where a Telepath Psion uncovers ancient secrets buried deep within the Astral Sea. Few places in D&D offer the same narrative synergy for psionic power as Spelljammer does.
Psions Are Built for a Setting like Spelljammer
The Unearthed Arcana playtest previews four Psion subclasses, each with a distinct approach to mental mastery. Each subclass aligns beautifully with Spelljammer storytelling. This class could lean into mechanics that prioritize focus, resilience, and creativity; fitting for a campaign where reality is as fluid as the Astral Sea. Here are the four Psion subclasses so far:
- Metamorph – Shapeshifters who use psionic power to transform their bodies in subtle or dramatic ways. Eventually, Metamorphs can manipulate the life force of allies and foes alike. Psi Warper – Specialists in spatial manipulation, bending reality by teleportation and warping effects, which can come in handy to avoid a TPK.
- Psykinetic – Masters of telekinesis who can use their abilities like a malleable force. They can crush, fling, or restrain enemies using pure thought.
- Telepath – Experts in mind reading, protection, and full-scale psychic domination. It is the ideal subclass for Psions who want to roleplay gifted manipulators or diplomats.
The potential for psions to integrate into Spelljammer feels natural at worst, and inspired at best. With a few tweaks to translate the class into the space-dwelling setting, players and Dungeon Masters alike should find this upcoming class to be a natural fit. A Psi Warper feels at home navigating the folds of wildspace, while a Telepath fits right in during tense negotiations with alien factions. Every subclass plays into Spelljammer’s strangeness.
Does Spelljammer Need an Update?
Before looking forward to what can make a great addition to Spelljammer, it’s worth noting why some fans were disappointed last time. The 2022 Spelljammer: Adventures in Space release consisted of three books that, while gorgeous, lacked mechanical heft. Critics argued that the system for ship combat was shallow, narrative hooks were underdeveloped, and essential details, such as intricate details behind how spelljamming navigation worked beyond the basics, were vague enough to feel unfinished. The result was a setting that looked a little too similar to its original 2e release in 1989: stellar on paper, but it left too much for DMs to homebrew.
Spelljammer can be more than just a nostalgic D&D release. Adding a fully fleshed-out Psion class and possibly psionics-based mechanics for helms, ships, and traversal could change that perception entirely. It would not only fix the criticism of style over substance but also give Spelljammer a signature gameplay identity in 5e.
Why Now Is the Perfect Time for Psionics
With the 2024 Player’s Handbook revisions complete and a new class on the horizon, introducing the Psion in 2025 would capitalize on D&D’s evolving meta. Pairing a long-anticipated class with one of D&D’s most visually distinct and narratively ambitious settings could turn Spelljammer from a niche experiment riding on the hype of Stranger Things into a must-play campaign for the next generation.
- Franchise
- Dungeons & Dragons
- Original Release Date
- 1974
- Publisher
- Wizards of the Coast
- Designer
- E. Gary Gygax, Dave Arneson