[RPG] Are a Mystic’s psionics (UA) affected by an antimagic field

antimagic-fielddnd-5emysticpsionicsunearthed-arcana

Unearthed Arcana has taken up the concept of Psionics several times now. At first, with some basic rules for a Mystic class up to level 5 (which I can't seem to find online anymore, they seem to have been removed), then an expansion up to level 10 for that class based on previous feedback, and finally the complete Mystic class.

The second version mentions:

Psionics and magic are two distinct forces. In general, an effect that affects a spell has no effect on a psionic effect. There is one important exception to this rule. A psionic effect that reproduces a spell is treated as magic. […]

However, the revised, third version states the following:

As a student of psionics, you can master and use
psionic talents and disciplines, the rules for
which appear at the end of this document.
Psionics is a special form of magic use, distinct
from spellcasting.

Now, Psionics count as a form of magic, it's just different from Spellcasting – but what is Spellcasting? Is it the class feature of e. g. Wizards or Sorcerers, which means a Warlock's Pact Magic does not fall into this category either? Or is it simply the ability to cast spells, which would include warlocks but (mostly) exclude Mystics?
For the sake of this question, let's assume the latter.

Later on in version 3, the section Combining Psionic Effects states:

Combining Psionic Effects
[…]
Psionics and spells are separate effects, and therefore their benefits and drawbacks overlap. A psionic effect that reproduces a spell is an exception to this rule.

Therefore, the question remains:


Would an Antimagic Field affect someone wielding psionic powers, such as a Mystic?

Best Answer

Yes, a mystic's psionics would be suppressed by an antimagic field

Antimagic field says:

Spells and other magical effects, except those created by an artifact or a deity, are suppressed in the sphere and can't protrude into it.

So anything that is a spell or other type of magical effect will be suppressed.

The Sage Advice Compendium provides a handy checklist of questions to ask to determine if something is considered to be magical for the purposes of antimagic field and related effects. One of them says:

  • Does its description say it's magical?

If this answer to this question is yes, then that thing is considered magical and would be affected by the antimagic field.

Psionics is described as being magical

So, looking in version 3 of the Psionics UA we can find passages such as:

Psionics is a special form of magic use, distinct from spellcasting.

and

Psionic talents and disciplines are the heart of a mystic’s craft. They are the mental exercises and psionic formulae used to forge will into tangible, magical effects.

and

Psionic disciplines are magical and function similarly to spells.

Thus, it is pretty clear that the use of psionics is indeed magical and would be affected by an antimagic field.

Note: spells and magic are commonly equated when, in fact, there are many magical abilities and effects that have absolutely nothing to do with spells. So, to be clear, psionic abilities are not spells even though they are magical and even though some of them act a lot like spells. Things like dispel magic, for example, will not work on psionic abilities as a result of this.