4th edition rules - Psionic unlimited

[jaz0nj4ckal]

Folks:
Are Psionic abilities are unlimited in the 4th edition rule set? I am a little confused as to how to handle the new Psionic skills/abilities.

for example - Flight - is that unlimited or does it take Fatigue points?

[vierasmarius]

Originally Posted by jason.jackal

Folks:
Are Psionic abilities are unlimited in the 4th edition rule set? I am a little confused as to how to handle the new Psionic skills/abilities.

for example - Flight - is that unlimited or does it take Fatigue points?

Psionic Powers in 4th edition are just normal Advantages with the Psionic power modifier (Basic Set pg 254, and expanded upon in the Powers book.) This power modifier doesn't change the FP cost to use any of the associated advantages; the only Fatigue costs are those you'd normally face (for example Healing and Warp both have intrinsic costs for various uses.) So in this sense, Psionics are "unlimited". However, because they're built as normal Advantages modified by various enhancements and limitations, you are free to add Costs FP, Limited Use, Trigger or whatever else you want to make the powers fit your game world's view of Psionics. If you want a list of pre-built powers that you can plug into a campaign with minimal extra work, you should pick up the Psionic Powers book.

[gilbertocarlos]

Flight is unlimited, however, if you "run", you still pay FP.

[RyanW]

Originally Posted by vierasmarius

Psionic Powers in 4th edition are just normal Advantages with the Psionic power modifier (Basic Set pg 254, and expanded upon in the Powers book.) This power modifier doesn't change the FP cost to use any of the associated advantages

I'll just add that the Psionic power modifier gets you points back because the ability is now susceptible to psi related powers and gadgets.

[Tinman]

Originally Posted by jason.jackal

Folks:
Are Psionic abilities are unlimited in the 4th edition rule set? I am a little confused as to how to handle the new Psionic skills/abilities.

for example - Flight - is that unlimited or does it take Fatigue points?

You can, if you want to, build it with a costs fatigue limitation.

If you like Psionics I highly recomend the Psionc Powers book.

[jaz0nj4ckal]

Thank you everyone - I was very confused as to how this was working. This is the first time I have looked at 4th edition, since I had a good number of members in my Traveller post tell me to look into the new edition.

I like my psionic running with fatigue rules, unless the person knows the ability very well. Similiar to how and sort of like Luke in Empire Strikes Back and how he faced learning about the Force.

Does anyone see running Psionic like magic an issue, but note on the character sheet that the ability is a Psionic skill, and is controled in different ways?

[vierasmarius]

Originally Posted by jason.jackal

Does anyone see running Psionic like magic an issue, but note on the character sheet that the ability is a Psionic skill, and is controled in different ways?

That could work. You may have to tweak the specifics, of course. A trimmed-down "spell" list would be in order, possibly rearranging or discarding the prerequisites. Psionic spells would be unaffected by High or Low Mana, but should have other conditions that could impair them. It's certainly doable.

[PK]

Originally Posted by jason.jackal

Does anyone see running Psionic like magic an issue, but note on the character sheet that the ability is a Psionic skill, and is controled in different ways?

If you want to do that, I highly recommend picking up Pyramid #3/29: Psionics for David Pulver's excellent article "Magic as Psi." He's done the work for you and also has some great advice. (In addition, if you'll be featuring psi in your games, you might find the other articles inspirational.)

[Anaraxes]

Originally Posted by Tinman

You can, if you want to, build it with a costs fatigue limitation.

And further, you can require that all abilities with the Psionic power modifer must have the Costs FP limitation. You might build the first level into the power modifiers, or simply require that each ability add that in (since you might want different costs for different abilities).

Development of more expertise in the ability could be represented by buying off one of the levels of Costs FP, so that more proficient characters spend less energy doing the same things.

[jaz0nj4ckal]

Originally Posted by vierasmarius

That could work. You may have to tweak the specifics, of course. A trimmed-down "spell" list would be in order, possibly rearranging or discarding the prerequisites. Psionic spells would be unaffected by High or Low Mana, but should have other conditions that could impair them. It's certainly doable.

Thanks - This is sort of spot on as to what I was thinking about the Mana, and other items. The latter, would not have and direct effect on the use of Psionic, which is why I wanted to keep my Psionic on par or level with Magic users.

Other conditions would be items such as Anti-Psinoic weapons, armor or other items. Also, line of sight and stuff along those lines would limit the use of Psionic.

Sort of drawing from AD&D 2nd edition/Dark Sun/Spell Jammer for ideas and direction on this, since the only games I have played are Traveller, AD&D, Star Frontiers and Battletech.