[Psionics] Why do Mental Stab 1 and 2 have Malediction?

[David Johnston2]

Originally Posted by VIVIT

What DR? The ability has Contact Agent! Contact Agents don't work through DR. The only thing that Mental Stab 1 has in common with Malediction is that it involves a QC (and requires a Concentrate maneuver than an attack maneuver, but I was assuming that you could roll to reach out and touch someone during that Concentrate maneuver because otherwise the ability doesn't work at all). The bulk of the enhancement value of Malediction is in the DR, and that goes right out the window here.

Quick contests are the fundamental distinguishing mechanic of Maledictions and the Contact Agent limitation is only on the first level.

I don't think that last bit is how Mental Stab 1 and 2 are supposed to work, mind you, but that does sound an awful lot like an Aura in those specific respects.

No, Aura doesn't work like that. Aura is a defensive field.