D&D: Psionics Come To The 2024 Player’s Handbook
The Psi Warrior and Soulknife classes are moving to the 2024 revision of D&D. Join Chris Perkins and Jeremy Crawford for a new fireside chat!
Jeremy Crawford and Chris Perkins, two of D&D’s “game design architects,” sat down to talk about the upcoming Player’s Handbook 2024 revision. In this “fireside chat” they look at some of the changes, talking about how art reflects more mechanics. But more importantly, they talk about some of the new subclasses in the book that we haven’t even mentioned yet. Like two of the psionic subclasses: the Psi Warrior and Soulknife.
This brings the “psionic” flavored subclasses up to 4 in the book now. There’s the Great Old One Warlock, the Aberrant Mind Sorcerer, and now the Psi Warrior Fighter and Soulknife Rogue. These have all seen some changes, especially these last two, since they didn’t go through the public Unearthed Arcana process.
2024 Player’s Handbook – Psionics Are Back! Mind Over Matter!
This video is packed with little teasers and reveals. Of course, we’ve already talked about the two biggest. The Psi Warrior Fighter, it bears mentioning, will replace the Brawler Fighter subclass, which tested poorly during Unearthed Arcana. Sorry, everyone is dreaming of a grappling punch guy. You’ll just have to play a Monk. Or a Battle Master Fighter.
But the Soulknife is more of a mystery. Previously, WotC staff said that the PHB will feature only 4 subclasses for each class. This is a marked change from Clerics and Wizards, who used to have plenty more. If that still holds true, then the Soulknife will likely replace one of the Rogue subclasses.
The Thief Rogue, Arcane Trickster, Assassin, and Swashbuckler are currently on the block. I would bet on either Swashbuckler or Assassin, though personally, I’d rather see the Arcane Trickster go. But that’s just my personal taste.
Other teases in the video include the addition of new species. Species, once more, is the new term for player race. Some of the species in the core book have been “promoted” from previous editions, so there’s some new, exciting stuff to look forward to there. My guess? Orcs and/or goblins in the PHB.
Finally, many DMs will be relieved to hear that some of the “offloading” of rules will be addressed. Crawford and Perkins mentioned having more guidance for handling Illusion spells, something every player who hopes to use them has struggled with from DM to DM, as well as rules for breaking objects, for instance.
Of course, all of this is just a hint of things to come. Look for more in the 2024 Player’s Handbook, due out in September!
