Design Overview
Entry Last Update:
March 28, 2026
Source Doc:
ready_to_implement/classes/psion/PsionicsDesign.md
Tier:
ready
Last Synced:
March 28, 2026
Summary: Psionics drives PSI pool growth, command unlock pacing, cast cost, resist resolution, and depletion behavior for psionic abilities.
Notes:
Cast flow includes lockout checks (for centering), PSI spend, caster fail roll, then target resist roll before effect application.
Resist model uses race baseline plus Will, Psion class bonus, active psi-resist effects, and white-exception cap handling.
Psycian depletion can trigger pass-out and tick-based recovery; non-Psycian casts fail cleanly when PSI is insufficient.
Player Overview
Description: The ability to use your mind for a variety of tasks in and out of combat.
Who Can Learn It: Psions (class), Psycians (race) or, Psycian Psion for double the psi pool and recharge rate and learning abilities sooner.
What It is Supposed to Do: Allow combat and utility actions that are different from physical and Magick. Range increases psi cost.
What it Does: There are several abilities, more as you level.
Dart: Psi dart at <target>. This is your early attack. Converts your psi points into damage. Does not cause wounds.
Slow: Psi slow at <target>. Causes a great delay with any action that normally causes a delay (probably 3 seconds). Has an ongoing cost until it ends. Great for hindering your greatest threat.
ESP: Psi ESP at <target>. Grants ESP on touch. ESP allows the player to contact others within (translocation) range: Contact <target> <message>.
Centering: Psi CNTR. Causes your psi to fill at a faster rate; cannot activate new psi powers while centering.
Psi bolt: Psi bolt at <target> replaces psi dart. More damage, more psi cost.
Psi Dpsi: Detect psionics.
Psi Dinv: Detect invisible/hidden.
Psi Block: Psi block makes you immune to Psi Dinv and Psi Dpsi for a brief time.
Psi Probe: Psi probe at <target> reveals the target's true nature. Considered rude.
Higher-level abilities (Psions): Psi Conf at <target> (confusion; NPCs freeze, PCs act erratically). Psi disruption (actual command?) touch-only damage ability. Psi heals/vigor increases HP/FP (does not affect injuries). Psi Fly (you fly).
Unconfirmed Rumors (May or May Not Be True): Psions get abilities that Psycian non-Psions do not. Psycian Psions get many abilities 5 levels before non-Psycian Psions and have larger psi pools that naturally refill faster.
Notes:
Other low level abilities exist. Other high level abilities exist.
(May or May Not Be True): Running out of psi points may lead to unconsciousness or even death.
Thanks to Fiora for additions/corrections below.