Understanding Power Descriptions
Statistics. Each power in Chapters 3 through 8 begins with the following terms:
- Power Score. This number or less must be rolled on a d20 whenever a character makes a power check. (See Chapter 1.) A character always makes a power check when attempting to activate a power.
- Initial Cost. The number of PSPs expended when the power is first used. If a character fails his power check, he must expend half this many PSPs. Some telepathic powers list "contact" as their initial cost. That means the contact power must be established before these powers can be used. (See "Contact" in Chapter 7.)
- Maintenance Cost. The number of PSPs expended per round (unless another time period is stated) to keep a power operating from the previous round. Maintaining a power does not require a new power check. If no maintenance cost is listed, then the power cannot be maintained. (A character could reactivate it round after round, however, making a new power check each time.)
- Range. The maximum distance from the psionicist (psionics user) at which the power can have an effect. "Touch" means the psionicist must touch the target.
- Preparation Time. How many rounds a character must spend preparing to use a power, before he can actually try to use it. For example, if a power has a preparation time of "I," the character must spend one full round preparing. (He can't initiate other powers during that round, but he can still maintain them.) After one round of preparation-i.e., in round number two-he can make a power check. If that check fails (or is delayed), the character can try to use the power again in round three. A power that has been prepared can be held ready for just one round; if it isn't used after that, preparation time is wasted (no PSP cost).
- Area of Effect. The physical area or number of beings which the power affects. "Personal" means the power only affects the psionicist.
- Prerequisites. Other sciences or devotions which a character must know before he can use this power.
- Optional Results: Each power description ends with a section marked "Power Score" and another marked "20" The former describes what happens if a player rolls his character's power score exactly when making a power check. The latter describes what happens when the player rolls a natural 20 when making a power check. Both results are optional. DMs can use these results-or devise something similar-to add spice and a small element of risk to psionics.
- Psionicists. The power descriptions in this book are written with psionicists in mind. Psionic creatures and wild talents often use these powers too-just as psionicists do.
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