Nifft's Psionic Combat Proposal

[Nifft]

Goals:
1) K.I.S.S.
2) Make it cool.
3) We have enough godrotting feats and PrCs.

So, with those in mind, I present for your perusal...

Nifft's Psi Combat Rules

Psionic Combat takes place in a Mindscape, which is a mentral construct crafted by one psychic character or creature (called the Host). A Mindscape is an abstract representation of mental energy, and all psionic characters and creatures within its area are represented -- and therefore vulnerable.

The presence of each psionic creature or character within the mindscape's range is revealed to the Host, though no specific information is revealed unless he or she decides to enter the Mindscape. However, both the presence and identity of the Host is revealed to each psionic character within range. (Mind Blank denies the Host any information, but also denies the character knowlege of and ability to enter the Mindscape.)

If a creature within range elects to enter the Mindscape, he becomes a Visitor, and may attack the Host or other Visitors as he desires. Once he elects to enter the Mindscape, he cannot leave until the Host ends the Mindscape or his physical body moves beyond out of the Mindscape's area.

If a creature within range does not enter the Mindscape, he may still be attacked by the Host. However, he effectively gains full mental concealment -- any power manifested against him has a 50% chance of failure, and he gains a +4 circumstance bonus to his saving throws.

In a Mindscape, psionic characters can affect each other with mind-affecting powers that target one (or more) creature(s), ignoring range and line-of-effect. Manifesting a power in a Mindscape is a full-round action. The specific powers that can be used via a Mindscape are:

• Attraction
• Aura Alteration
• Aversion
• Bestow Power
• Brain Lock
• Psi Charm
• Cloud Mind
• Conceal Thoughts
• Co-Opt Concentration
• Crisis of Breath
• Crisis of Life
• Psi Daze
• Death Urge
• Deja Vu
• Distract
• Psi Dominate
• Ego Whip
• False Sensory Input
• Fate Link
• Id Insinuation
• Inflict Pain
• Insanity
• Microcosm (single creature version only)
• Mind Switch
• Mind Switch, True
• Mind Thrust
• Mindlink
• Mindlink, Thieving
• Mindwipe
• Missive
• Psi Modify Memory
• Personality Parasite
• Power Leech
• Psionic Blast (this is an exception to the single-target rule)
• Psychic Crust
• Recall Agony
• Recall Death
• Sense Link
• Sense Link, Forced
• Psi Suggestion
• Telempathic Projection

(Obviously, many defensive powers are also useful -- such as Mind Trap and Thought Shield -- but they have Personal range, thus need not be mentioned here.)


Rules for Hosting a Mindscape:
Requirements: Detect Psionics, Psicraft 10 ranks
Concentration Check: DC 20 + 1/10 ft.
Action: Attempting to create a Mindscape is a full-round action
Overlap: Two overlapping Mindscapes merge into a single Mindscape

-- N

 

[Evilhalfling]

Am I missing something?
why would anyone ever want to do this (much like 3.0)
is this the only option to attacking psionic foes ?
why give up your move + action for manifesting as a full round action ?
I think the flavor is intresting (not having used mindscapes before)
the only advantage it seems to have is increased range for all those close rng psion powers -
edit: what is the range btw?

 

[Nifft]

The Range is 10 ft. + 10 ft./point of DC over 20 for the Concentration check used to set up the Mindscape.

The big advantage is that you don't need Line of Sight to attack other psions. Getting bonus range is nice, too.

-- N

 

[barsoomcore]

3) We have enough godrotting feats and PrCs.

You're just bitter.

But more seriously:

If a creature within range elects to enter the Mindscape, he becomes a Visitor, and may attack the Host or other Visitors as he desires.

I would find this cooler if the Mindscape were unavoidable. If you're psionic, and somebody manifests a Mindscape, you get dragged in. Or perhaps a Will Save to avoid being dragged in (DC 10 + 1/2 Host's level + CHA mod). Then you could have all sorts of fun stuff happen -- and have those moments where the psion's friends drag his unconscious body, desperately trying to get him out of range of the Mindscape of the enemy psion.

I guess you can still have that with the "mental concealment option", but the "unwilling entry" is kind of fun. For psions, using Sense Motive to appraise other characters would become VERY important.

Concentration Check: DC 20 + 1/10 ft

Why use Concentration here? Why not Psicraft? Or nothing?I think best would be to base Mindscape size on psion level -- if it's skill-based then you end up favouring psions with whatever ability modifier the skill requires. Why ask for a check to establish a Mindscape, anyway?

 

[Nifft]

You're just bitter.

There are too many Feats, and I'm also bitter.

I would find this cooler if the Mindscape were unavoidable.

I'd rather write a new Power that forces someone into your Mindscape if they fail a Will save. The core mechanic shouldn't be that powerful.

Auto-splitting the party is a powerful ability.

Why use Concentration here? Why not Psicraft? Or nothing?I think best would be to base Mindscape size on psion level -- if it's skill-based then you end up favouring psions with whatever ability modifier the skill requires. Why ask for a check to establish a Mindscape, anyway?

1) Concentration applies to everything -- critters & PCs alike. Injury forces a concentration check (same DC? higher?), so you'd be making a real choice when you decide on the area of effect. Since it's very powerful to be able to extend your power's range, and the Mindscape allows you to do that, IMHO it's necessary to balance increased range with a drawback of some kind.

2) Nearly every Psionic critter & PC is going to have mucho ranks in Concentration anyway. So, I'm not overburdening anyone with sneaky new skill uses.

3) I want it to be non-trivial to use in combat. Negating Line-of-Effect (and even Line-of-Sight) can be a big deal. So, it's a specialized situational tool that costs nothing, and hopefully adds to the flavor of the Psion.

4) Concentration just appeals to the picture in my head of how mental combat would work. Autohypnosis could be in there too (perhaps to escape from a Mindscape before the Host desires, a Visitor must make an Autohypnosis check DC = to the Mindscape's original Concentration DC).

Details aside, is the basic mechanic usable?

-- N