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Still working on useful mechanical feedback, but one theme came up when actually using the language in practice.
The verb, "To cast" got old quickly. Running a level one Psychic, I found myself saying, "I cast Magic Missile." Right out of the gate this didn't sound unique to the flavor of psychic magic. (The component mechanics come with great fluff, but some bumps in play test are another post.)
My language quickly turned to "I will a Magic Missile." "To WILL" something gave it just that extra bit of difference without messing with anything else. I realize that this is next part is likely tedious, but by the end I started saying, "I will a Mental Missile." Then the fluff felt right.
Awesome first go, mechanical feedback forthcoming.
I like "I manifest" better than "I will."
I have to say even changing the language to "I will" or "I manifest" didn't help for me. It still felt like I was just playing a type of Magic User rather than a unique and different class.
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I have to say even changing the language to "I will" or "I manifest" didn't help for me. It still felt like I was just playing a type of Magic User rather than a unique and different class.
but.... you are playing a type of Magic User. A Psychic magic user who manifests spells through thought and emotion. I like using different language but the way they introduced the Occult classes is that they are another type of magic on par with divine or arcane.
I too like manifest. It feels more occultish, and while feel is terribly subjective, it is important when trying to evoke the proper atmosphere.
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While I too might prefer something that distinguishes psychic magic more greatly from arcane and divine spellcasting, switching out the term "cast a spell" for something else would be highly problematic. Consider every ruling or instance that refers to characters casting spells and suddenly none of things apply to psychic magic users. I imagine that we will have to be content with using those terms in-game to illustrate our characters' actions.
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In which case one simply alters the fluff while playing, but leave the mechanic names the same. Perhaps a sidebar on 'mood' and 'flavor' could be added concerning in character vs in mechanics.
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Yeah, if they are casting just have the rules SAY they are casting. I'd rather have understandable but boring rule instead of flavorful but confusing ones. If I want fluff, I'm more than capable of adding my own.
I have to say even changing the language to "I will" or "I manifest" didn't help for me. It still felt like I was just playing a type of Magic User rather than a unique and different class.but.... you are playing a type of Magic User. A Psychic magic user who manifests spells through thought and emotion. I like using different language but the way they introduced the Occult classes is that they are another type of magic on par with divine or arcane.
And that is why I said the class was a less than exciting class for me. If all they are is re-skinned Wizards they are not as exciting where a class that does feel unique and different is exciting. Changing the term used, just so we don't say cast, just is not enough change to give them their own feel IMO.
While I too might prefer something that distinguishes psychic magic more greatly from arcane and divine spellcasting, switching out the term "cast a spell" for something else would be highly problematic. Consider every ruling or instance that refers to characters casting spells and suddenly none of things apply to psychic magic users. I imagine that we will have to be content with using those terms in-game to illustrate our characters' actions.
This is a better way to say what I tried to say. The name change does nothing if it causes more confusion and gives nothing real to the class.
Those are all good points.