Alternative Psionics

[Golan2072]

Re-reading my Mini 2d6 Fantasy Rules, an idea has occurred to me. Why not use very similar rules for Traveller psionics? That might be more interesting than the default system... So here is the basic idea:

Psionic training and skills are the same as in MGT, and Psionic Strength is generated in the same method. HOWEVER, there are no Psionic Power Points; theoretically speaking, you may use your psionic powers as often as you desire, at least as long as you succeed your psionic task roll AND the power you're using requires a Psionic Strength rating lower or equal to yours.

BUT, there is a drawback. if you fail a Psionic task roll, in addition to failing to produce the desired result, you also take damage equal to twice the negative Effect of the roll (for example, if you fail with an effect of -2, you take 4 damage).

Furthermore, if the power you're using requires a Psionic Strength higher than you have, you take 1d6 damage EVEN ON A SUCCESSFUL ROLL, and if you fail, you take FOUR TIMES THE NEGATIVE EFFECT OF YOUR ROLL in damage.

The idea is to make psionics both more useful - inspired by Babylon 5 telepaths who can 'scan' anyone at any time - and risky at the same time. And when in distress, a Psion could be POWERFUL - at a PRICE.

What do you think of this potential house-rule?

 

[BP]

Have played MgT psionics, yet (not sure I will), but that sounds more like a nice approach in concept (useful/risk tradeoff and no points accounting...)

 

[Golan2072]

Input would be welcome.

 

[AlphaWhelp]

the style sounds very similar to Anima: Beyond Fantasy psychic rules.

In Anima, using powers cost nothing, but if you fail, you take psychic fatigue, and if psychic fatigue reduces you to 0 fatigue, you go unconscious.

it's more complicated than that, but that is the brief one sentence summary, yet, having played both Anima and Traveller, dare I say that psychics in Anima are one of the more powerful classes you can play... in a system where a level 1 dude with barely any experience can summon a critter immune to all physical damage with little trouble... psychics were still some of the most powerful characters you can play.

In truth, I really enjoy the psionic limits Traveller places on characters, since it makes deciding to not focus at all on psionics does not mean your character is left behind in the dust by characters that do focus on psionics.

There is one psion character in my current PC group right now, and even considering all the limits psions have, the group has come to rely on her abilities quite frequently. I don't think a system like this one which makes psions even more powerful needs to be implemented.

 

[Galadrion]

Mm... I've been noodling an alternate psionics rule as well. Basic idea: use the psionics rules almost as written... but reduce the cost by the effect of the roll - or, on a failure, increase the cost by the margin. So long as you succeed, you tend to keep succeeding, but once you start failing, well, it'd be a good idea to take a break.

Yes, a high-effect role can reduce psionic cost to zero - and, in fact, a smart psion will count on this, and try for it as much as possible. It can't go to less than zero, though - making an exceptionally good role won't restore spent points. Although I'm considering yet another house-rule: some form of "centering" task, probably based on either Endurance or Intelligence, and using (likely) the highest psionics skill, to restore *Effect* psionic strength, minimum zero. Probably take 1 to 6 minutes as an average task, but it can be sped up (as per normal task rules) to make it an "interesting" combat choice. (Ten to sixty seconds at -2... risky in combat, maybe not so useful. One to six combat rounds at -4... much more useful, but also not as likely to pay off, especially in a big way.)

Between these two house rules, psionics shouldn't drain the character quite so fast, and the psionicist can bounce back quicker. But there's still the risk of overdoing things, keeping them from becoming, say, Dark Phoenix...

 

[steelbrok]

I'd prefer a system where you don't have to track strength points but there is an inherent risk in using a power, the more powerful the greater the risk