What happens when Dungeons & Dragons decides to give psionics another shot? The RPGBOT.Podcast dives headfirst into the Unearthed Arcana Psion Update—an experiment in psychic power, spell mechanics, and a whole lot of questionable design choices. From the disappointing Life Inversion Field to the glorious chaos of Psychic Scream, the crew breaks down what works, what doesn’t, and what might just melt your brain.
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Show Notes
In this second half of the RPGBOT.Podcast review of Wizards of the Coast’s Unearthed Arcana Psion Update, the hosts dissect the expanded spell list and the mechanics that define the psionic experience. The conversation begins with casual banter (complete with birthday wishes for Randall’s mom) before diving deep into D&D’s psychic frontier.
Each spell gets the RPGBOT treatment, with careful attention to balance, design, and playability. The hosts critique heavy hitters like Abidalzim’s Horrid Wilting, explore new mechanics in Bleeding Darkness and Ectoplasmic Trail, and question whether Ego Whip deserves a spot in anyone’s spellbook. They also highlight bright spots like Enemies Abound and Intellect Fortress, praising their clarity and efficiency.
The discussion doesn’t shy away from tough critiques; Life Inversion Field and Life Siphon both fall flat, while the nerf to Mental Prison earns collective groans. Yet, redemption arrives in the form of Psionic Blast and Psychic Scream, which the hosts hail as excellent examples of balanced, high-impact design. Along the way, they examine how intelligence saving throws affect game balance, the evolution of psionics in D&D 5e, and the potential for homebrew fixes.
Whether you’re a dungeon master looking to integrate psionics or a player hunting for the next big spell combo, this episode offers insight, humor, and deep-cut analysis that only RPGBOT can deliver.
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Tyler Kamstra
Ash Ely
- Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games
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- Bluesky: GravenAshes
- YouTube: @ashravenmedia
Randall James
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- Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale
