Spelljammer
Psionic Combat
The below rules were superseded on 6/11/2022 by the rules listed under Rules -> Psionics -> Psionic Combat

Ignore the rules below and refer to the new rules.




Psionic combat can be taken by any psionicist or by a character who is rank 10 or higher in Mental Resistance. It allows the character to engage in mind to mind combat with other psionicists.

Psionic Combat Specialization

A psionicist can choose to double specialize in a single attack or defense form, or single specialize in either all attacks or all defenses. Specialization affects psionic strike chance (PSC) and psionic defense (PDEF).

For example, if a psionicist chooses to double specialize in Psionic Blast, their PSC for Psionic Blast is calculated at 6% per rank while their PSC for all other attack forms is calculated at 4% per rank.


The Cost of Psionic Combat

A character attacking with psionic attacks has the choice of using Psionic Points gained from Psionic Energy skill, or by force of mind represented by 2 points of NL Damage per attack.


Psionic Attacks

Each psionic attack uses 1 Psionic Point OR the attacker can choose to take 2 NL damage.

Psionic combat is rapid, each "round" representing 5 seconds. Thus, for every normal combat round, there are two psionic combat rounds.

Psionic Combat Initiative
Psionic initiative is determined in the same manner as normal combat initiative. Initiative can be modified by INT, as indicated in the table below.

INT
Initiative
 
INT
Initiative
5
-4
18
0
6
-3
19
0
7
-3
20
1
8
-2
21
2
9
-2
22
2
10
-1
23
3
11
0
24
3
12
0
25
4
13
0
26
4
14
0
27
5
15
0
28
5
16
0
29
6
17
0
30
6

Psionic Attack Types

Psionic Attacks
Range
Base Chance
Damage
AdvantageNotes
Psionic Blast
Rank x 10 feet
45
1d10+1 NL
Area Effect
Mind Thrust
Rank x 25 feet
40
1d8 NL
Armor PiercingTarget gets half PROT (round down, min 1)
Ego Whip
Rank x 50 feet
55
1d8 NL
None
Id Insinuation
Rank x 10 feet
50
2d4 NL
Duration
Psychic Crush
Rank x 30 feet
45
1d8
Real Damage
Note that, except for Psychic Crush, all attacks cause non-lethal (NL) damage.
  • Psionic Blast - The character creates a cone of effect up to 10 feet long per rank, with a terminal diameter of 5 (+ rank) feet. Everyone within the area of effect is subject to the attack. The psionicist can narrow the focus down to a narrow beam if he so desires.
  • Mind Thrust - The target is hit with a focused mental blast that more easily penetrates mental protection. The target gets only half (round down, minimum of 1) normal mental protection. It can only target psionicists.
  • Ego Whip - A standard mental attack. It can only target psionicists.
  • Id Insinuation - This attack plants an ongoing mental disruption that persists for 1d4 rounds, automatically causing damage each round. The target's mental protection reduces the damage normally. It can only target psionicists.
  • Psychic Crush - This mental attack causes real damage instead of non-lethal damage. It can be targeted at psionicists and non-psionicists alike.

Psionic Strike Chance (PSC)
  • For non-specialists, PSC is equal to Base Chance + WP + (Rank x 4).
  • For single specialists, PSC is equal to Base Chance + WP + (Rank x 5).
  • For double specialists, PSC is equal to Base Chance + WP + (Rank x 6).

Psionic Damage
Damage for each type of attack is listed above. The damage is modified by both rank with the attack, and the character's WP, as indicated below. Also, just as with normal combat, the psionicist can hit extra hard by expending NL damage to increase the damage of the attack.
  • Rank Bonus - +1 damage at ranks 4, 8, 13, 20 and 30
  • WP Bonus
  • WP 5: -4
  • WP 6-7: -3
  • WP 8-9: -2
  • WP 10: -1
  • WP 11-17: 0
  • WP 18-20: +1
  • WP 21-22: +2
  • WP 23-24: +3
  • WP 25: +4
  • WP 26: +5
  • WP 27: +6
  • WP 28: +7
  • WP 29: +8
  • WP 30: +9
  • Hitting extra hard
  • 1d2 NL damage = +1 damage
  • 2d2 NL damage = +2 damage
  • 3d2 NL damage = +3 damage (+4 for those whose profession is psionicist)

Number of Psionic Attacks
The number of attacks that a psionicist can make each round is based on rank, as indicated below:
  • Rank 1-5 - 1 attack per round
  • Rank 6-9 - 2 attacks per round
  • Rank 10-15 - 3 attacks per round
  • Rank 16-24 - 4 attacks per round
  • Rank 25+ - 5 attacks per round


Psionic Defenses

Psionic Defenses
Psionic Protection
Psionic Defense
Area of Effect
NL Cost
Advantage
Mind Blank
2
INT + 5/rank
Psionicist
None
Persistent
Thought Shield
3
INT + 4/rank
1 Target
1 per 3 rounds
Usable on Others
Mental Barrier
4
INT + 3/rank
Psionicist
None
Hardened
Intellect Fortress
5
INT + 3/rank
5 + rank feet radius
1 per round
Area Effect
Tower of Iron Will
7
INT + 2/rank
10 foot diameter
2 per round
Area Effect and Hardened


Specialization Bonus
  • Single Specialist: +1 MPROT for all psionic defenses
  • Double Specialist: +1 MPROT and +1 MDEF (per rank) for applicable psionic defense

Psionic Protection (PPROT)
MPROT is modified by both rank and INT
  • Rank Bonus - +1 MPROT at ranks 4, 8, 13, 20 and 30
  • INT Bonus
  • INT 5-19: +0
  • INT 20-22: +1
  • INT 23-25: +2
  • INT 26: +3
  • INT 27: +4
  • INT 28: +5
  • INT 29: +6
  • INT 30: +7

Psionic Defense (PDEF)
MDEF is determine by the type of defense in effect. A psionicist is assumed to always have Mind Blank up as it is a persistent defense that can be maintained even while sleeping. If the psionicist is awake, he can decide whether he maintains a Mind Blank or a Mental Barrier. All other defenses tire the psionicist, as represented by a non-lethal (NL) damage cost. For example, the psionicist takes 2 points of NL damage each round to maintain a Tower of Iron Will.

A Thought Shield can be placed on another target. The psionicist determines how long he wants the Thought Shield to last and then pays the NL cost. For example, if he wants the Thought Shield to last for 9 rounds, he would take 3 points of NL damage. The MDEF of the Thought Shield is based on the INT of the psioncist and not the INT of the target.

A mental defense can be changed only at the beginning of a psionic combat round. It can be done as a free action, except when a Thought Shield is being placed on another target. That takes a full round during which the psionicist can defend but not attack or take any other action.

Psionic Attacks Against Non-Psionicists

Only Psionic Blast and Psychic Crush may be used to attack non-psionicists. The target has a base defense equal to his INT plus WP. If a hit is indicated, the target is allowed a Mental saving throw. If successful he takes half damage.