Illustration: Robson Michel
Published Aug 16, 2026, 3:00 PM EDT
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The new Psion class for Dungeons and Dragons is all but confirmed with the reveal of the upcoming releases for the popular TTRPG. The Psion class is a new entry to the game, focused on the usage of psychic-based abilities to conjure mental magic, fight, and explore the world. The official reveal of the Psion class for D&D happened in 2025, with the class’s playtests on D&D Beyond. The Psion appeared in two different instances, the second of which was a follow-up meant to update the class and its subclasses based on the feedback provided by players to the team.
Psions aren’t completely new, as they have been featured in past editions, but they are making a revamped comeback for the 5.5e rules, released in 2024. Psionic powers have been present in the form of the Psi Warrior Fighter and the Aberrant Sorcery Sorcerer subclasses, but they will have a fully dedicated class. The Psion and its subclasses may be arriving sooner than anticipated, even if the class hasn’t been formally announced, thanks to a new release on the 2027 roadmap for Dungeons and Dragons.
Psions May Be Released In D&D As Early As 2027
In early 2027, the TTRPG is getting a new expansion, which may be the perfect fit for the release of the Psion class. The first M-rated setting for D&D, Dark Sun, is scheduled to arrive early next year, as part of the Season of Survival. Dark Sun will be the headliner release for the period, and while details about it are scarce, it’s safe to assume, for now, that the Psion class is included.
While we still have to go through Arcana Unleashed and the release of D&D: World of Warcraft in 2026, there are some details about the description of Dark Sun that are hinting at the arrival of the Psion class. The first and most obvious one is that the Psion class was playtested well over a year ago. Since it has not appeared since then, it’s very likely that the class is mostly ready to be incorporated into 5.5e.
Most importantly, however, is that the Dark Sun setting heavily features psionic abilities as part of its world-building. According to the official description, “magic defiles the land, psionic creatures prowl the wastes,” and the mere mention of psionic creatures is not likely to be a coincidence. In the world of Athas, nearly every creature has some sort of mental power, and those with extraordinary abilities are Psions. If there was ever a moment for Psions to return to D&D, it would be with the Dark Sun setting.
Psions Are Intelligence-Based Spellcasters In D&D
In a TTRPG where the majority of the spellcasting classes are fueled by their Charisma or Wisdom stats, the Psion comes to supplement the primary ability with the fewest number of classes: Intelligence. As of now in 5.5e, Intelligence is the primary ability of the Wizard and Artificer classes, while subclasses like the Eldritch Knight Fighter, Psi Warrior Fighter, and the Arcane Trickster Rogue use it as a secondary stat.
In both playtests, Psions used Intelligence as their primary attribute, meaning that it’s very likely that it will remain like this once the class is fully released. Of course, Psions could have excelled with any type of spellcasting ability, but Intelligence makes them particularly great for specific occasions. For example, with a higher Intelligence score, they can have improved Arcana, History, Investigation, Nature, and Religion skill checks.
This can make them great characters to have in a party while running a dungeon crawl, which usually comes accompanied by secrets to uncover, and more. They’re also passively great at knowing details about the higher echelons of religion and gods, depending on how your campaign goes, in a way Paladins and Clerics in Dungeons and Dragons often fail to be, since Paladins use Charisma, Clerics scale on Wisdom, and Religion checks necessarily use Intelligence.
D&D Gets Brand-New Spells With Psions
Another cool thing that has been revealed by the playtests that will also likely make it into the final print is that Psions bring a few brand-new and unique spells to the table. According to the latest playtest for the class on D&D Beyond, Psions will have access to a ton of spells in the 2024 Player’s Handbook, but their arrival is also prompting the adaptation of 5e spells from Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything and Xanathar’s Guide to Everything to the 5.5e rules. Additionally, they are adding never-before-seen spells to the roster, fitting their themes.
For example, Abi-Dalzim’s Horrid Wilting and Enemies Abound are making a comeback with the release of the Psion. Bleeding Darkness, Ectoplasmic Trail, Life Inversion Field, Summon Astral Entity, and Telekinetic Crush are brand-new spells that are being introduced to the TTRPG with Psion’s release, and they will serve a variety of other spellcasting character classes, like Bards, Clerics, Sorcerers, Wizards, and Warlocks.
On top of all that, spells that are unique to the Psion class are also being added. Ego Whip, Life Siphon, Psionic Blast, and Thought Form, for instance, have all been playtested as exclusive spells for Psions to use – though they could, possibly, be used by other classes or specific subclasses in the future.
Psions Are A Mix Of Sorcerers, Warlocks, & Mind Powers
Psions are, undoubtedly, unique spellcasters, but they do feature partially complex elements that may seem similar to other classes, especially Sorcerers and Warlocks, all of which carry psionic themes. One of the main features a Psion carries is its Psionic Energy Dice. As you level up, you gain more dice, and these dice improve from a d4 all the way up to a d12. Much like the Soulknife Rogue’s Energy Dice, you use these dice to improve your abilities and trigger extra effects, both in and outside of combat.
These Psionic Energy Dice synergize directly with the Psion’s Level 2 feat, Psionic Discipline. You can select up to two different Psionic Disciplines when you unlock this feat, and can pick an extra Psionic Discipline at levels 5, 10, 13, and 17. In many ways, these Psionic Disciplines feel like the Warlock’s Eldritch Invocation options in D&D. At level 5, you unlock Psionic Restoration, which lets you regain expended Psionic Energy Dice, kind of like how Warlocks can recover a Pact Magic Slot via Magical Cunning.
At the same time, however, they play out like a Sorcerer’s Metamagic options. You choose these Psionic Disciplines and have to actively choose to use them, often burning one or more Psionic Energy Dice, much like you’d do with your Sorcery Points if you were playing with that class. There’s a certain complexity to playing a Psion that advanced spellcasters will enjoy, but it is intuitive and comprehensive enough, even for newer D&D players.
Psion Subclasses Make For Outstanding Roleplaying & Tactics
Much like any major class in the TTRPG, the Psion is also going to have subclass options that allow you to specialize in specific tasks and tactics. There have been four different subclass options for Psions in D&D featured in the playtests: Metamorph, Psi Warper, Psykinetic, and Telepath. The Metamorph is a Psion whose specialty is transforming themselves and their bodies – they can change appearances and become anyone else, and can even transform their limbs into weapons.
The Psi Warper, on the other hand, is in control of space. They are masters at teleportation and movement on the battlefield, gaining access to different spells, like Feather Fall, Blink, and Mass Teleportation. Psykinetics are Psions whose powers are mainly devoted to moving and controlling the battlefield while destroying enemies. Lastly, the Telepath lives up to its subclass’s name and can dive into others’ minds.
All of these subclasses are pretty good for roleplaying. Effortlessly disguising yourself to impersonate someone else, reaching locations other mere mortals cannot, and extracting information, for instance, are all great tools to have at your disposal, and the Psion is an asset in that matter. Of course, all of this is based on playtests, and there may be changes, but the Psion class for Dungeons and Dragons is already looking extremely promising.
Original Release Date 1974
Publisher TSR Inc., Wizards of the Coast
Designer E. Gary Gygax, Dave Arneson
Player Count 2-7 Players
English (US) ·