D&D 2E Using Psionics

[Mannahnin]

OK.. so I think I need to understand how a powercheck works. Not how to spend the score, etc..

A power check is a roll-under check to activate the power. So an Intellect Devourer has an 11 or 12 chance on a d20. Whatever its Int score is. Re-read A Psionics Primer and Psionic Strength Points from chapter 1 of the handbook, and Understanding Power Descriptions, from chapter 2.

You don't spend the score. You make checks against the score.

You spend PSPs. Psionic Power Points.

 

[Voadam]

Going by the mind flayer stats for psionics - how does this all work? I am trying to create a high level mind flayer boss - perhaps a bit of large aberration based off of this -

Psionic Illithids

Psionics Summary

Level	Dis/Sci/Dev	Attack/Defense	Score	PSPs
10	4/5/15	EW,II/All	=Int	1d100+250

Psychokinesis — Sciences: nil; Devotions: control body, levitation.

Psychometabolism — Science: body equilibrium; Devotions: nil.

Psychoportation — Sciences: probability travel, teleport; Devotion: astral projection.

Telepathy — Sciences: domination, mind link; Devotions: awe, contact, ESP, ego whip, id insinuation, post-hypnotic suggestion.


Psionic flayers, considered the only true illithids by some (including themselves), have most of the same statistics and abilities as other mind flayers. Instead of magic-based abilities, however, theirs are purely psionic. Psionic mind flayers have a beak-like mouth and disdain the stiff-collared robes preferred by their cousins.

Illithids use psionics for attack, mind control, and travel.

So for monsters the one ability score the AD&D monster stat block includes is intelligence.


INTELLIGENCE is the equivalent of human "IQ". Certain monsters are instinctively cunning; these are noted in the monster descriptions. Ratings correspond roughly to the following Intelligence ability scores:
0 Non-intelligent or not ratable
1 Animal intelligence
2-4 Semi-intelligent
5-7 Low intelligence
8-10 Average (human) intelligence
11-12 Very intelligent
13-14 Highly intelligent
15-16 Exceptionally intelligent
17-18 Genius
19-20 Supra-genius
21 + Godlike intelligence

For the Mind Flayer under Intelligence it says: "Genius (17-18)"

So a mind flayer has either a 17 or 18 intelligence which is also their psionic power score. So to activate a power they roll a d20 and if they roll their power score or under (either a 17 or 18 for a normal mind flayer) the power works, they spend the power's cost in psionic strength points, and the power activates and goes into effect.

 

[S.Woodlander]

So for monsters the one ability score the AD&D monster stat block includes is intelligence.


INTELLIGENCE is the equivalent of human "IQ". Certain monsters are instinctively cunning; these are noted in the monster descriptions. Ratings correspond roughly to the following Intelligence ability scores:
0 Non-intelligent or not ratable
1 Animal intelligence
2-4 Semi-intelligent
5-7 Low intelligence
8-10 Average (human) intelligence
11-12 Very intelligent
13-14 Highly intelligent
15-16 Exceptionally intelligent
17-18 Genius
19-20 Supra-genius
21 + Godlike intelligence

For the Mind Flayer under Intelligence it says: "Genius (17-18)"

So a mind flayer has either a 17 or 18 intelligence which is also their psionic power score. So to activate a power they roll a d20 and if they roll their power score or under (either a 17 or 18 for a normal mind flayer) the power works, they spend the power's cost in psionic strength points, and the power activates and goes into effect.

Got it! - that makes sense. Thank you! OK, so now I understand power checks and what the first step is for using the creatures psionic ability.
Now, gthe cost of the ability. Is there a list/table in the guide somewhere that lists each psionic ability and their costs?
And how do you determine how much PSP a creature has to spend?

 

[Voadam]

Got it! - that makes sense. Thank you! OK, so now I understand power checks and what the first step is for using the creatures psionic ability.
Now, gthe cost of the ability. Is there a list/table in the guide somewhere that lists each psionic ability and their costs?

Complete Psionics Handbook pages 125-127, it lists each power and has entries for IC and MC, initial PSP cost and maintenance cost. Otherwise look up the individual power entry.

And how do you determine how much PSP a creature has to spend?

For the individual psionic monsters in the back of the psionics handbook (pages 114-122) look in the text near the end of the entry for a section titled "Psionics Summary" and it will be listed there.

For the monstrous compendium update section on pages 123-124 PSPs are the last entry on the right for each monster in their initial set of numbers.

The Dark Sun Monstrous Compendium Appendix I Terrors of the Desert and Dark Sun Appendix II Terrors Beyond Tyr both have lots of psionic monsters as well if you want a bigger pool of statted psionic monsters. Their stat block entries have a psionics summary section in the stat blocks that lists PSPs.

For other monsters such as ones you create it is up to the DM using existing ones as a reference point.

If you are using a full on levelled psion or wild talent NPC just use the normal rules for PCs.

For monsters I generally preferred the simpler default monstrous compendium system of say mind flayers having powers and just calling them psionics and not sweating power rolls and tracking individual points but sticking with at will or x/day powers for ease of actually using them at the table as monsters and NPCs as opposed to players who are able to focus more on tracking just their one psionicist's PSPs.

 

[S.Woodlander]

Complete Psionics Handbook pages 125-127, it lists each power and has entries for IC and MC, initial PSP cost and maintenance cost. Otherwise look up the individual power entry.

For the individual psionic monsters in the back of the psionics handbook (pages 114-122) look in the text near the end of the entry for a section titled "Psionics Summary" and it will be listed there.

For the monstrous compendium update section on pages 123-124 PSPs are the last entry on the right for each monster in their initial set of numbers.

The Dark Sun Monstrous Compendium Appendix I Terrors of the Desert and Dark Sun Appendix II Terrors Beyond Tyr both have lots of psionic monsters as well if you want a bigger pool of statted psionic monsters. Their stat block entries have a psionics summary section in the stat blocks that lists PSPs.

For other monsters such as ones you create it is up to the DM using existing ones as a reference point.

If you are using a full on levelled psion or wild talent NPC just use the normal rules for PCs.

For monsters I generally preferred the simpler default monstrous compendium system of say mind flayers having powers and just calling them psionics and not sweating power rolls and tracking individual points but sticking with at will or x/day powers for ease of actually using them at the table as monsters and NPCs as opposed to players who are able to focus more on tracking just their one psionicist's PSPs.

Thanks for that info! That's helpful. I guess my my only other questions left is - does the target if a psionic attack get a saving throw verse spells or something? How does that work is the creature passes it's power check and then the target passes it's saving throw...

I am possibly planning on using the Ulithard out of Volo's Guide.. it's psionics are innate and at will can cast quite a bit of psionics. My purpose of relly wanting to use the psionics to keep one the very much stronger party members of this group at bay for a little while, while the rest of the party has a little bit of a challenge against some thralls. Don't know psionics will work to my advantage now though! ha!

 

[Voadam]

Thanks for that info! That's helpful. I guess my my only other questions left is - does the target if a psionic attack get a saving throw verse spells or something? How does that work is the creature passes it's power check and then the target passes it's saving throw...

It depends on the individual power. Some you have to activate and they get a saving throw which can negate or half damage or whatever. Some require contact but then offer no save. Others do not offer saves.

I am possibly planning on using the Ulithard out of Volo's Guide.. it's psionics are innate and at will can cast quite a bit of psionics. My purpose of relly wanting to use the psionics to keep one the very much stronger party members of this group at bay for a little while, while the rest of the party has a little bit of a challenge against some thralls. Don't know psionics will work to my advantage now though! ha!

There is a 2e version of the Ulitharid in the Monstrous Arcana the Illithiad.

The ulitharid (noble mind flayer) possesses stronger tentacles than a normal illithid. Thus, an ulitharid only needs to secure three tentacles on its victim to draw out the hapless creature's brain. In the event of melee, each tentacle inflicts 1d4 points of damage on a successful attack. When at least one of the ulitharid 's tentacles holds a victim, each succeeding tentacle receives a cumulative +1 bonus to its attack rolls (to a maximum of +5 for the sixth tentacle attack).
Ulitharid's possess the same complement of psionic abilities as their illithid kin; however, they possess a 100 PSP bonus to their PSP pool above the illithid norm (see Chapter 3: Psionic Abilities and Limitations for more details).
Ulitharid: AC 3; MV 12, Sw 14; HD 11+8; THACO 9; #AT 6; dmg 1d4 (by tentacle); SA psionic powers; SD infravision; SW -10% to all hear noise checks; MR 95%; SZ L (7' 6" tall); ML Champion(16); Int Supra-genius (19-20); AL LE; XP 11,000.
Psionics Summary: #AT1 , MTHACO1O ; MAC 5; Lv 1O; PSPs 1d100+350; Psionic Attacks ego whip (EW), id insinuation (II), mindblast (MB); Psionic Defenses All; Psionic Disciplines As per standard illithids.

 

[S.Woodlander]

It depends on the individual power. Some you have to activate and they get a saving throw which can negate or half damage or whatever. Some require contact but then offer no save. Others do not offer saves.



There is a 2e version of the Ulitharid in the Monstrous Arcana the Illithiad.

The ulitharid (noble mind flayer) possesses stronger tentacles than a normal illithid. Thus, an ulitharid only needs to secure three tentacles on its victim to draw out the hapless creature's brain. In the event of melee, each tentacle inflicts 1d4 points of damage on a successful attack. When at least one of the ulitharid 's tentacles holds a victim, each succeeding tentacle receives a cumulative +1 bonus to its attack rolls (to a maximum of +5 for the sixth tentacle attack).
Ulitharid's possess the same complement of psionic abilities as their illithid kin; however, they possess a 100 PSP bonus to their PSP pool above the illithid norm (see Chapter 3: Psionic Abilities and Limitations for more details).
Ulitharid: AC 3; MV 12, Sw 14; HD 11+8; THACO 9; #AT 6; dmg 1d4 (by tentacle); SA psionic powers; SD infravision; SW -10% to all hear noise checks; MR 95%; SZ L (7' 6" tall); ML Champion(16); Int Supra-genius (19-20); AL LE; XP 11,000.
Psionics Summary: #AT1 , MTHACO1O ; MAC 5; Lv 1O; PSPs 1d100+350; Psionic Attacks ego whip (EW), id insinuation (II), mindblast (MB); Psionic Defenses All; Psionic Disciplines As per standard illithids.

That's awesome. Thank you. I might just pick up this book for the 5 bucks.

Do you know how to find out what psionic ability requires the target to make a saving throw or not? Like telekinesis?

 

[Mannahnin]

Do you know how to find out what psionic ability requires the target to make a saving throw or not? Like telekinesis?

Read the power description in the Complete Psionics Handbook.

 

[S.Woodlander]

Read the power description in the Complete Psionics Handbook.

OK, so for example, control Body:
i.e.:
Before this science actually works, the psionicist must engage in a psychic contest, pitting his power score directly against the victims Strength. If the victim wins the contest, he breaks free (the psionicist still pays the power cost). In a tie, the contest continues into the next round, provided the psionicist maintains the power. The victim can't do anything else during this contest; all his effort is focused on retaining control of his own body.

if I am reading this correctly, If the target passes his/her strength check, regardless of what the psionist rolled, the psionic ability is negated? Or is the "contest" more of who rolled better on their save and power score?

 

[Mannahnin]

OK, so for example, control Body:
i.e.:
Before this science actually works, the psionicist must engage in a psychic contest, pitting his power score directly against the victims Strength. If the victim wins the contest, he breaks free (the psionicist still pays the power cost). In a tie, the contest continues into the next round, provided the psionicist maintains the power. The victim can't do anything else during this contest; all his effort is focused on retaining control of his own body.

if I am reading this correctly, If the target passes his/her strength check, regardless of what the psionist rolled, the psionic ability is negated? Or is the "contest" more of who rolled better on their save and power score?

The latter. See Psychic Contests in chapter 2.