With an updated Psionics UA, it’s seeming like we’re headed to Dark Sun in the not too distant future. Here’s why that’s exciting!
As the dust settles on the updated Psion and psionics Uneaarthed Arcana, and with another playtest full of apocalyptic subclasses, it feels pretty strongly like we’re going to be headed to Dark Sun at some point in 5.5E. And in the not too distant future, at that. This is an exciting possibility for myriad reasons – but here are five that might be worth getting hopeful for.
A New Class And New Abilities
First up, probably the most exciting thing about Dark Sun is the fact that it would serve as a home forth e Psion. Just as Eberron was the “originator” for the Artificer, so too does Dark Sun herald the Psion. If that trend continues, I would love to see more new classes slowly introduced via campaign settings or whatever.
Not too slow, mind you. Over ten years, D&D added exactly one class to 5th Edition. Maye in this edition, we’ll get 2. Or more. Here’s hoping.
Dark Sun, Dark Tone
Another thing that could be pretty exciting is the tonal shift that’s sort of inherent to Dark Sun. In 5.5E, characters are often the height of power in a region (even at low levels). But that is often not the case in Dark Sun. Characters are wanderers and vagabonds. They have to contend with a bleaker world.
One with cannibal halflings and magic users who can suck the life force out of the world around them, defiling the world into the blasted wasteland Dark Sun fans know and love. A darker tone might necessitate some helpful new advice.
Thri-Kreen, more like Thri-Keen! Am I Right?
Dark Sun would also mean updating/adding new species options to the core of 5.5E. And the first thing to come to mind is the Thri-Kreen. These three-armed insectoids were once enough to break a whole edition. Perhaps they will be so again.
Either way, I do like the idea of seeing more meaningful choices for players in 5.5E, and moving so steadily, too.
Defilers
One of the things that I think D&D still needs to try and tune for is making fights against bosses feel tougher. I’m not the only one who thinks so, certainly. But Dark Sun offers a unique opportunity to explore mechanics that could make potential boss monsters deadly.
If they can suck the hit points right out of you to fuel their spells or other abilities, that could make fights feel much more dynamic. And dangerous.
New Weapons – Maybe Even New Weapon Masteries
One of the other big signature things about Dark Sun are the weird little weapons that seem to crop up in every corner of the world. Dark Sun helped introduce sharpened triangular throwing blades, or chatchka. As well as the col Dragon’s Paw weapon, dangerous enough to wield, cool enough to draw on a binder.
With a bunch of new equipment, this would be the perfect chance for WotC to sprinkle in some new weapon masteries.
Happy adventuring!
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