Using Telekinesis for skills

[hollybargle]

Hello SJforums!

New GURPS player here, interested in playing a 'psionic rogue' type character, using his telekentic abilities in order to help him with various heists.

I have a few questions in regards to this. (I would be using the rules from Psionic Powers)

• The basic set states that I get a +4 bonus to anything that would use High Manual Dexterity. Is this only after I make my skill roll for telekinesis?

• Which actual skill would I use? If I wanted to unlock a door, would I roll against my Telekinetic Control, or lockpicking?

• If I use my lockpicking skill instead, would this then default to a IQ based roll as opposed to a DX one?

• For the previous example, would I still need a lockipicking kit? Or would it be instead directly manipulating the tumblers, ect.?

• Are the rules any different if range is included? Would I get a penalty for distance for trying to unlock a door from a distance, or maybe even a penalty for working without a sense of touch?

• If I am concentrating on holding something with my mind, can I make a move action that turn as well? For example, can I hold a table in front of me as cover and charge forward, towards the enemy at the same time?

Thank you for your time!

[Nereidalbel]

All skill bonuses are applied at the time you make your roll.

Use your Lockpicking skill, as that is the task at hand.

Lockpicking is IQ by default, actually.

No kit, unless you want to use a Fine set of tools for more bonuses.

Telekinesis has a relatively short range, and doesn't say it has penalties within that range.

Unless your Telekinesis is All-Out, you can take Move actions while using it. Floating shields are fun!

[hollybargle]

Originally Posted by Nereidalbel

Lockpicking is IQ by default, actually.

Haha, derped a bit there! Okay then, say I was going to pick-pocket someone from a distance. Would I instead use IQ as a base in that case?

[Nereidalbel]

Originally Posted by hollybargle

Haha, derped a bit there! Okay then, say I was going to pick-pocket someone from a distance. Would I instead use IQ as a base in that case?

The only time Telekinesis relies on IQ for otherwise non-IQ actions is if it has the Psi modifier. Without it, you use whatever a skill normally uses. You just get a 10 yard range, and the benefit of being an Invisible Attacker.

[hollybargle]

Okay, I think I understand.

So, if Telekinesis is a psionic ability, meaning it has the -10% Psionic modifier, I can substitute any DX based roll with an IQ one, provided it is being manipulated by my psionic powers?

Would this also continue on to ST or HT rolls? For example, could I use IQ for jumping or lifting?

[Nereidalbel]

Originally Posted by hollybargle

Okay, I think I understand.

So, if Telekinesis is a psionic ability, meaning it has the -10% Psionic modifier, I can substitute any DX based roll with an IQ one, provided it is being manipulated by my psionic powers?

Would this also continue on to ST or HT rolls? For example, could I use IQ for jumping or lifting?

You wouldn't use TK to jump; you could either lift or throw yourself. As for lifting, that's still based on your TK level. No ST roll involved, but the Lifting skill helps you lift heavy things faster.

[Christopher R. Rice]

Originally Posted by hollybargle

• The basic set states that I get a +4 bonus to anything that would use High Manual Dexterity. Is this only after I make my skill roll for telekinesis?

Yes, after you make your roll to activate and use your ability.

Originally Posted by hollybargle

• Which actual skill would I use? If I wanted to unlock a door, would I roll against my Telekinetic Control, or lockpicking?

Lockpicking.

Originally Posted by hollybargle

• If I use my lockpicking skill instead, would this then default to a IQ based roll as opposed to a DX one?

Lockpicking is already IQ-based. :-)

Originally Posted by hollybargle

• For the previous example, would I still need a lockipicking kit? Or would it be instead directly manipulating the tumblers, ect.?

Hmm. No, but you'd take the penalty for lack of equipment and another penalty if you can't see the lock itself (though you could use the Work by Touch technique). A perk would let you ignore the equipment penalty altogether - so if you're going to be doing this often it might be worth it.

Originally Posted by hollybargle

• Are the rules any different if range is included? Would I get a penalty for distance for trying to unlock a door from a distance, or maybe even a penalty for working without a sense of touch?

You'd still need to be able to see the lock clearly or suffer a -5 penalty (as per Work by Touch), but you couldn't use your TK if you couldn't see it anyways.

Originally Posted by hollybargle

• If I am concentrating on holding something with my mind, can I make a move action that turn as well? For example, can I hold a table in front of me as cover and charge forward, towards the enemy at the same time?

No, using TK requires a Concentrate maneuver which allows only a step.

Originally Posted by Nereidalbel

The only time Telekinesis relies on IQ for otherwise non-IQ actions is if it has the Psi modifier. Without it, you use whatever a skill normally uses.

You've said this before - this is not the case. Just because it's a psionic ability doesn't mean you get to substitute your IQ all the time. That requires either "Requires IQ Roll" (-10%) or "Based on IQ, Own Roll" (+20%).

[hollybargle]

Fair enough! Thank you for the clarification!

[Christopher R. Rice]

Originally Posted by hollybargle

Fair enough! Thank you for the clarification!

:-) Glad I could help.

[smurf]

TK is like an extra arm. You can grab stuff, pick stuff up like any hand can, no DX roll or skill roll required.

However, when lifting heavy things look at the basic lifting times.

You can change this with enhancements via Reduced Time, therefore making it quicker to lift heavier items.