Psionic Powers: Brute Force vs Will

[Crakkerjakk]

Originally Posted by Edges

But doesn't the existence of Cosmic, Ignores Rule of 16 +50% solve the issue? This way someone can have the unstoppable Terror-30. It's just a bit more expensive.

Yeah, I just think the baseline should be streamlined rules, not exceptions to the rules.

Originally Posted by Edges

But really, this talk about the Rule of 16 is just a tangent.

Yeah, sorry about that. Kind of hijacked your thread a bit.

Originally Posted by Edges

I'm looking for a technique to psionically blast through natural mental defenses that can be attempted at any level. The Rule of 16 only came up because David Johnston2 suggested trading fatigue for skill (for which there isn't a rule anyway).

I'd do the same as David Johnston2 suggests, using the rules from Thuamatology (THM39) for trading energy for speed and skill.

Originally Posted by David Johnston2

They can. Terror isn't a contest so the rule of 16 doesn't apply to it.

You know, Terror is also a Mind Control area spell resisted by Will. M134. Regardless of which Terror I was talking about, it doesn't obviate my point. Unified mechanics should be default unless there's a clear and pressing need for it to be otherwise. I don't think that's the case with the rule of 16.

[Edges]

Originally Posted by Crakkerjakk

Yeah, I just think the baseline should be streamlined rules, not exceptions to the rules.

That's cool.

Originally Posted by Crakkerjakk

Yeah, sorry about that. Kind of hijacked your thread a bit.

No worries.

Originally Posted by Crakkerjakk

I'd do the same as David Johnston2 suggests, using the rules from Thuamatology (THM39) for trading energy for speed and skill.

I considered that. But since Psionic Powers don't have a base FP cost, adding x% as suggested in THM doesn't work. I'll go with P161 instead. The Psionic Powers are advantages not spells after all.

Now I wonder why the Rev didn't include the P161 option in Psionic Powers to begin with...

[Christopher R. Rice]

Originally Posted by Edges

I considered that. But since Psionic Powers don't have a base FP cost, adding x% as suggested in THM doesn't work. I'll go with P161 instead. The Psionic Powers are advantages not spells after all.

Now I wonder why the Rev didn't include the P161 option in Psionic Powers to begin with...

I would make it a perk to use it, just like the Extra Option perk from GURPS Power-Ups 2: Perks:


Psychic Proficiency†
You can with some effort put extra focus and concentration into a psi skill to get a one-time bonus to your success roll. This functions much like extra effort except there is no inherent risk of failure (GURPS Psionic Powers pp. 6-7) since you are making a attempt to gain better control rather than more power. It costs 1 FP per +1 to the attempted skill (to a maximum of +4 or your level of psi talent, whichever is greater). This can only be used for psi powers which have a psi skill (including optional ones). You must specialize by power, for example Psychic Proficiency (ESP) and Psychic Proficiency (Telepathy) are two different perks.

Ghostdancer

[Edges]

Originally Posted by Ghostdancer

I would make it a perk to use it, just like the Extra Option perk from GURPS Power-Ups 2: Perks:
[snip]

That's what I had settled up too.

Great minds... : )

Thanks for all the help.

[Christopher R. Rice]

Originally Posted by Edges

That's what I had settled up too.

Great minds... : )

Thanks for all the help.

Glad I could d00d ^_^

Ghostdancer

[PK]

Originally Posted by Edges

Now I wonder why the Rev didn't include the P161 option in Psionic Powers to begin with...

Because it's completely inappropriate for classic psionic abilities.

Originally Posted by GURPS Powers, p. 177

Trading Fatigue for Effect (p. 160) is a standard fictional trope -- but so is a penalty for trying too hard, which makes Trading Fatigue for Skill (p. 161) unsuitable [for psionic powers].

It's important to remember that the stunts from Chapter 4 of GURPS Powers are not intended to be freely available for every power! The GM is supposed to pick and choose a balanced mix of positive and negative features which fit the concept of the source behind the power.

In other words, just because it's in GURPS Powers doesn't mean that every power can (or should be able to) use it!

[Edges]

Originally Posted by Rev. Pee Kitty

Because it's completely inappropriate for classic psionic abilities.

Really? Not to my mind. (EDIT: Maybe you're joking and I'm being dense.)

But oh well. I'm not bagging on your work. It's a masterpiece.

Originally Posted by Rev. Pee Kitty

It's important to remember that the stunts from Chapter 4 of GURPS Powers are not intended to be freely available for every power! The GM is supposed to pick and choose a balanced mix of positive and negative features which fit the concept of the source behind the power.

In other words, just because it's in GURPS Powers doesn't mean that every power can (or should be able to) use it!

Yes of course. I never forgot that for a moment.

I think I'll include it for my game. There are things that higher skill can do that higher power level can't that in my mind are staples of classic psionic extra effort. I'm fine with modeling the "penalty for trying too hard" by the FP cost and the steeper critical failure consequences. And I'll limit who can use the option by requiring a perk.

Thanks for the help.

[PK]

Originally Posted by Edges

Really?

Yep.

Not to my mind.

Then by all means, add it to your game. I was merely answering your question as to why I didn't include it. :)

[Edges]

Originally Posted by Rev. Pee Kitty

Yep.

That's cool. I guess we just interpret things a little differently.

Tell me, how would you model a psi who can penetrate the mind of a high Will target by trying really hard?

[David Johnston2]

Affliction (Lower IQ, Permanent)