Knights & Knaves Alehouse

Yes, my friends, I have returned to K&K. Furthermore, I have set it to "Favorites". The apocolypse has begun. Quake.



Well..

Get Quaking! Go on, then!


Anywa, for those who don't know me from Dragonsfoot.org, I'm Jeremy. I'm 26, I like to play the following, in the following order: 2e (ye gods!), 1e, Hackmaster, Dragonfist, RC, B/X, Call of Cthulhu, Boothill. I don't hold much stock in the "philosophy" side of gaming, but I sure do like to play and make stuff. I'm working on adapting OSRIC to 2e as we speak (horrors!).

Love to play me some AD&D, I do. I'm a halfway decent DM. I like hardcore, punk and heavy metal. I'm a Cancer....ladies.....


Anyway, I haven't been around in some time, so I thought I'd reintroduce myself, and here's a challenge I've been trying to figure for years, and I now present it to you good folk:

Yeah, we know Gary didn't like psionics, but it's still in there, so tell me...how does the system work? 15 bonus EXP to the ones who gets it right.

BroccoliRage wrote: Yeah, we know Gary didn't like psionics, but it's still in there, so tell me...how does the system work? 15 bonus EXP to the ones who gets it right.

However the DM running the campaign says it works.

How would YOU say t works, then?

Hypothetically, of course.

Hi, Jeremy!

BroccoliRage wrote:I'm a Cancer....ladies.....

You...grow on them?

Yeah, we know Gary didn't like psionics, but it's still in there, so tell me...how does the system work? 15 bonus EXP to the ones who gets it right.

Terribly!

Oh, THIS must be the Gygax sagery we all know K&K for...


Anyway, does anyone actually have an answer?

What, summaries aren't good enough for ya? You need the whole thing spelt out in long, complicated paragraphs that amount to the same one-word answer?

I'd rather waste my time physically masturbating instead. . . .

Are you saying it can't be done in simple paragraphs?

BroccoliRage wrote:Are you saying it can't be done in simple paragraphs?

I think what they're saying is that 1e psionics, as written, don't work very well mechanically (and some would argue "thematically" -- this was Gary's later position) and that the only way to profitably use them is for each DM to decide for himself how they function.

How do they work? Poorly.

Every human (optionally: dwarves and halflings) with a 16 or greater in either INT, WIS, or CHA; has a slim chance (1 out of 100) of being psionic. The higher the character's INT, WIS, and CHA are above 16, the somewhat less slim are the chances of being psionic.

There are 5 attack modes, and 5 defense modes. Together, they form a rock/paper/scissors type pattern of offense and defense.

Dice are used to randomly determine how many offensive modes, defensive modes, minor disciplines (aka devotions), and major disciplines (aka sciences) the character has.

The disciplines are the spell-like powers granted by psionic ability and most mimic, to a greater or lesser degree, established spells of the various spell-casting classes. A few of the powers are pretty cool.

All offenses, defenses, and minor/major disciplines require the use of psionic strength points which regenerate with rest. Psionic strength points are determined by die roll and augmented by high scores in INT, WIS, and CHA.

Does this answer your question or would you like greater detail on any or all points?

How does combat work, then?

BroccoliRage wrote:How does combat work, then?

Psionic versus psionic: to reference the analogy from my previous post, the combatants square off against each other and play rock/paper/scissors until one or the other depletes his/her/its psionic strength points. At which point she/he/it is pretty much screwed ... there are a variety of unpleasant results ranging from being merely dazed and confused; to becoming a mental zombie; to death.

Psionic versus non-psionic: fortunately, only 1 attack mode (the psionic blast) works against non-psionics. Even better, it is the most costly in terms of expended psionic strength points of the bunch. Still, it is a doozie ... as any adventurer who has gone up against a mind-flayer can tell you. The basic strategy here is to run away if possible. Failing that, kill the psionic being as fast as possible.

Any being engaging in psionic combat can engage in no other activity, so one good way to fight a psionic, if one must, is to close quickly and engage it in melee.

Psionics can also work in tandem, linking their minds together in a synergistic affect.

I hope this helps. Again, feel free to ask more questions or for clarification as needs dictate.


edited for grammar

Thanks to both of you, very appreciated.

You're welcome. I'm glad I was able to help.