How do you hand psionic displays?

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

Did you see the PsiH errata? The displays last only one round. Except for the visual display, they aren't all that obvious, since you can choose whether the display appears on you or one the area of effect of the power. Also, all but the Ma and Vi displays can only be detected within 15 feet.

For instance, if you use Mass Concussion, which has a Ma display, you can choose to cover yourself with the goo (if you're hiding in the bushes, for instance), or you can cover your foes with it. Covering the area with goo might not be stealthy, but neither is rupturing your opponent's organs and watching them hork up blood. Plus, since you didn't have to sing and dance, no one knows you did anything! Imagine for moment Polymorphing into something innocent-looking and then using Mass Concussion. Again, they see goo, but they're more worried about taking the damage.

Suppose you use Teleport, which has a Vi display. You disappeared man! I think the glowing eyes and rainbow-crotch display (tm) will be the least of your opponents' concerns. They saw you disappear, something which doesn't happen everyday (except, maybe, in the Forgotten Realms). Also, how do they know you weren't using Time Hop or Invisibility (unless they've got PsiCraft?).

Suppose you use Disintegrate. You fire a green beam at your opponent, if it hits, part or all of them turns to dust! Oh, and your eyes glow silver. I think using Disintegrate was fairly unsubtle.

Suppose you use Greater Domination (no spoken commands seems fairly subtle) on Rurik the Viking Warrior. You silently order him to kill his friends. He starts foaming at the mouth and brains his closest ally. Oh, and the allies hear this weird bell-ringing. I think they've got more important things to worry about.
Suppose you wanted Greater Domination to be stealthier (eg order a guard to rescue your friends from prison, 3 days later). Just make sure either you or the guard are more than 15 feet away from anyone else. The ringing only lasts for 1 round (see errata), so it's not like everywhere he goes, people hear strange bells.

There are a few powers that have poorly-chosen displays (eg why does Mindlink cause you or your friend to be covered with goo? Not very subtle if you want to talk to your friend without anyone figuring something out). But for the most part it hasn't been a problem.

 

[DWARF]

My psion player is a telepath, so that's the thing. Most of his powers are meant to be stealthy, like the mindlink one. Since he's also a merchant, he uses his lower level powers (like empathy) to read the surface thoughts and emotions of the people he's dealing with to see if he can bargain a price lower, or know if they're trying to swindle him. Having low pitched hums and ectoplasmic goo all over aren't really a good idea when you're trying to be subtle.

DarkPsion's variant psionic display system sounds really good. I'll think about using it in my game, thanks!

 

[Dark Psion]

They key to telepathic displays is the right state of mind.

OK, Empathy might trigger memories associated with the emotion you detect causing him to daydream a little.
Happy to make a sale: He remembers his firstborn son's birth
Tired of waiting on customers: Childhood memories of having to wait to open his birthday presents.
Trying to decieve the Teep: The last time he was cheated.

Mindlink can cause sensations from each other to be felt (Au, Of, Ma & Vi), remembering the other's memories, fears, tastes and maybe even alignment (Me). He might momentarily forget he can't swim (don't hurt them, just scare them ) or reach for something the other has.

 

[Mal Malenkirk]

Psi display are not that obvious once you compare them to the spell components of a wizard or a cleric.

I mean, a wizard who casts a spell is usually talking loudly, gesticulating weirdly and throwing guano in the air!

 

[novyet]

My group actually alters the displays for each psion. It makes them unique and adds a lot of flavor to their powers. All of the types of displays are still the same.

That's what I do as well. It's makes each psion more unique that way.