Psionic Powers (tweaked for setting)

Mithlas · 02-06-2018, 12:52 AM

The starting human players are all unawakened 'potentials' who soon awaken dormant psionic powers: either as Neutralizers or as Psions (who can take up to 2 'aspects' or Powers). I'm trying to keep the psionics lower-key so they're tools used with instead of replacing other skills and equipment. This will be a rather cinematic campaign, though I'm also hoping to keep things as rules and roll-light as possible to focus on the story. The book the setting is based on could be likened to X-Com, except with more focus on intrigue and battling 'corrupted'/infiltrated human agencies than aliens. It takes place in the near future. Officially, aliens and psions don't exist and both would rather the wider world keep thinking that. Any questions, concerns, or criticism would be appreciated.

Neutralizer: Cancellation, Interruption, Psionic Overload, Psychic Armor, Psionic Shield, True Sight, Para-Invisibility, Screaming.

Psions:
Energy: Cryokinesis, Dampen, Drain (Attribute), Lightning, Pyrokinesis, Surge, Thermal Diffusion, Energy Flow Vision.
Internal: Adept Reaction, Adept's Balance, Adept's Dexterity, Adept's Strength, Adept's Swiftness, Damage Control, Eagle Eyes, Hardened Ears, Hardened Eyes, Hardened Osmia, Hypersomia, Infravision, Iron Guts, Leap, Recovery, Sharp Ears, Swift Parry, Tactile, Tough Skin.
Kinetic: Mental Stab, Kinetic Wall, TK Bullet, TK Crush, TK Grab.
Sense: Aura Reading, Awareness, Clairaudience, Clairvoyance, Combat Sense, Emotion Sense, Mind Shield, Projected Senses, Signature Sniffer, Psi Sense, Telepathy Sense, Psidar, Telescan.
Telepath: Aspect, Borrow Skill, Confuse, Drain Emotion, Instill Fear, Mental Surgery, Mind Clouding, Mind Wipe, Sensory Overload, Sleep, Strike Sense, Emotion Control, Suggestion, Telereceive (Shallow), Telesend, Telespeak.

My first question is that Telereceive, Telesend, and Telespeak all seem like almost the same power. Should I drop Tele-receive/send and just use Telespeak?

Skyshield (the 'xcom' expy, an international organization with shell-market and black-market funding) is significantly ahead of the world in terms of technology but hasn't caught fully intact samples of alien devices yet so research is slowing and costs are rising. Alien ships so outpace human capabilities that they can only be taken down by mass assault or nuclear-tipped tactical warheads. Aliens as well as selfish human groups both attempt to corrupt human nations for their own gain while Skyshield attempts to fight both the overt aliens and push back the corruption in human nations. Proxy battles are common and most of Skyshield's victories are against alien-sponsored extremist groups.

02-06-2018, 12:52 AM	#1
Mithlas Join Date: Oct 2015	Psionic Powers (tweaked for setting) The starting human players are all unawakened 'potentials' who soon awaken dormant psionic powers: either as Neutralizers or as Psions (who can take up to 2 'aspects' or Powers). I'm trying to keep the psionics lower-key so they're tools used with instead of replacing other skills and equipment. This will be a rather cinematic campaign, though I'm also hoping to keep things as rules and roll-light as possible to focus on the story. The book the setting is based on could be likened to X-Com, except with more focus on intrigue and battling 'corrupted'/infiltrated human agencies than aliens. It takes place in the near future. Officially, aliens and psions don't exist and both would rather the wider world keep thinking that. Any questions, concerns, or criticism would be appreciated. Neutralizer: Cancellation, Interruption, Psionic Overload, Psychic Armor, Psionic Shield, True Sight, Para-Invisibility, Screaming. Psions: Energy: Cryokinesis, Dampen, Drain (Attribute), Lightning, Pyrokinesis, Surge, Thermal Diffusion, Energy Flow Vision. Internal: Adept Reaction, Adept's Balance, Adept's Dexterity, Adept's Strength, Adept's Swiftness, Damage Control, Eagle Eyes, Hardened Ears, Hardened Eyes, Hardened Osmia, Hypersomia, Infravision, Iron Guts, Leap, Recovery, Sharp Ears, Swift Parry, Tactile, Tough Skin. Kinetic: Mental Stab, Kinetic Wall, TK Bullet, TK Crush, TK Grab. Sense: Aura Reading, Awareness, Clairaudience, Clairvoyance, Combat Sense, Emotion Sense, Mind Shield, Projected Senses, Signature Sniffer, Psi Sense, Telepathy Sense, Psidar, Telescan. Telepath: Aspect, Borrow Skill, Confuse, Drain Emotion, Instill Fear, Mental Surgery, Mind Clouding, Mind Wipe, Sensory Overload, Sleep, Strike Sense, Emotion Control, Suggestion, Telereceive (Shallow), Telesend, Telespeak. My first question is that Telereceive, Telesend, and Telespeak all seem like almost the same power. Should I drop Tele-receive/send and just use Telespeak? Skyshield (the 'xcom' expy, an international organization with shell-market and black-market funding) is significantly ahead of the world in terms of technology but hasn't caught fully intact samples of alien devices yet so research is slowing and costs are rising. Alien ships so outpace human capabilities that they can only be taken down by mass assault or nuclear-tipped tactical warheads. Aliens as well as selfish human groups both attempt to corrupt human nations for their own gain while Skyshield attempts to fight both the overt aliens and push back the corruption in human nations. Proxy battles are common and most of Skyshield's victories are against alien-sponsored extremist groups.