Psi-weapon

[talon]

I'm back for round 3 of questions

I was working on an idea for a new character who I wanted to be a psi-weapon dual weilding ninja in homage to an old MMO character of mine. So the question came up, can you make multiple weapons with the psi-weapon skill? Psi-weapons don't require stones to maintain, so across 2 panels I should be able to pop out 2 of them, right? Of course, then another guy in the group throws out "Well, I'm just gonna make a character that makes a psi-weapon every turn and hand them out to people". While I'm sure a GM might smite such a thought, I guess you could make psi-throwing weapons for yourself. Psi-shurikens *evil grin*

[Kaimontfendo]

The rulebook doesn't go into a lot of detail about if a character can use two Psi-Weapons or not, but the general consensus around here seems to be "You can make however many you like, so long as their they add up to your AN or less."

Based on that rule, you could use your full AN, and it would just be described as wielding two weapons. As for handing them out, I'd say no for most types of Psi-Weapons. The only exceptions that come to mind are ones that would form a physical weapon, (like Ice Dagers, as opposed to energy) but GMs tend not to like it even then.

However, GMs seem to be a lot nicer about Bone Weapons, for whatever reason. Still limited by the Modifier Number, but they're far more willing to allow them to be charged with Charge Objects or handed out to allies.

[Stark]

Agreed with everything Kaimontfendo just said.

You can have as many Psi-Weapons at the same time as you want (within reason, please) as long as the bonus they grant in any one panel is up to the max AN of your Psi-Weapon action.

And I personally would never allow "passing out" Energy or Psi weapons, not even Icey ones, because they are supposed to be made of "energy", in that case "Cold", not actual Ice... and I'd add that for some cosmical reason (most would call that "game balance"), the Psi-Weapons can only be used by their creator, no exception. lol.

[Kaimontfendo]

I mostly understand where you're coming from, Stark, but what if that's the type of character I want? Someone who doesn't just make a non-solid staff of cold, but actually makes a sword of solid ice, that cuts into people's flesh just like steel would. (Something like Sub-Zero's Kori Blade.)

Granted, I suppose that's what the "others benefit from power" advantage is for, but still... I figure a lot depends on how the power is described. If a character can spend energy to make a steel sword from nothing but the air around him, (which would be a cool way to attempt to "flavor" this action) why shouldn't he be able to hand it to someone else if he feels like it?

[talon]

I like my GMs current ruling where you can make your AN worth of psi-weapons per turn. They require no concentration to maintain so why not? I'd agree that they should only be usable by the creator though. I can't explain it, but it just makes sense to not handle someone else's brain-weapon. Why is psi-weapon so expensive anyways? I'm already paying AN+5 either way just to be able to weild two weapons, and AN+3 to create a weapon when I could just start with a more powerful weapon. Also, psi-weapon is listed as an action which seems to dictate 'usable each turn' and since previous weapons don't require stones of maintenence (i.e. I interpret that my mind isn't locked into keeping the weapon formed), I don't see why I should be limited to just one. I'm also thinking back to using psi-throwing-weapons where I would makeone, throw it, rinse-repeat next turn. I'll have to read the description on psi-weapon again and see what I think. Thanks for the input guys.

[Stark]

I mostly understand where you're coming from, Stark, but what if that's the type of character I want? Someone who doesn't just make a non-solid staff of cold, but actually makes a sword of solid ice, that cuts into people's flesh just like steel would. (Something like Sub-Zero's Kori Blade.)

Granted, I suppose that's what the "others benefit from power" advantage is for, but still... I figure a lot depends on how the power is described. If a character can spend energy to make a steel sword from nothing but the air around him, (which would be a cool way to attempt to "flavor" this action) why shouldn't he be able to hand it to someone else if he feels like it?

Because according to the strict definition of the term "Energy Weapon", it's made of energy, not solid matter related to energy. To make what you mentionned you want to do, it'd require Mastery of Ice (or Cold and Ice or whatever) with "Create/Manipulate" option, nothing less (and most others Masteries would actually require "Unlimited Create/Manipulate", but Ice Mastery gives the freebie that created object last until they melt). Personally, I'd allow a character to take Psi-Weapon with "Others benefit from powers" like you mentionned also.

In other words, as written in the book, that's not how Psi/Energy Weapon works. It's a non-physical blade made of either Energy or pure Mental power.

Of course, as GM you could rule otherwise, but that's called a house rule, not a rule as written.

[Stark]

I like my GMs current ruling where you can make your AN worth of psi-weapons per turn. They require no concentration to maintain so why not? I'd agree that they should only be usable by the creator though. I can't explain it, but it just makes sense to not handle someone else's brain-weapon. Why is psi-weapon so expensive anyways? I'm already paying AN+5 either way just to be able to weild two weapons, and AN+3 to create a weapon when I could just start with a more powerful weapon. Also, psi-weapon is listed as an action which seems to dictate 'usable each turn' and since previous weapons don't require stones of maintenence (i.e. I interpret that my mind isn't locked into keeping the weapon formed), I don't see why I should be limited to just one. I'm also thinking back to using psi-throwing-weapons where I would makeone, throw it, rinse-repeat next turn. I'll have to read the description on psi-weapon again and see what I think. Thanks for the input guys.

I personally wouldn't allow it, because Psi/Energy Weapons allow creation of very powerful weapons (most can't go higher than 4-5 in Weapon modifier, and Psi Weapon just has no real limit). Excalibur itself is a +5 modifier! But if your GMs accept it, well, good for ya! ;D Have fun with your twin Psi-Weapons of death, lol.

[talon]

eh, I can only make +3 weapons so they aren't uber powerful. I guess the big thing about psi-weapon is that being an action makes it upgradable. Still, it's pretty easy to crank out a dual weilding power armor with 2x+6 weapons. Also, like I said, people could just start with some really powerful starting weapon, if not in damage... other added abilities.

Edit:
P.S. I have an avatar now!

[talon]

Ok, I re-read the action rules on my lunch break and I found some interesting stuff. When you make a psi-weapon, the stones you used stay in the psi-weapon box. This leads me to believe that you can't use it multiple times. Which means that I'd have to split the stones to make "multiple" weapons. However, it doesn't mention anything about being capped by it's AN like several other trouble actions I've come across which tempts me to drop an Int bonus onto it or use it with Psycho-centric template. Or I could just abandon this whole idea and make myself some weapons instead of insisting they be psi .

[Stark]

However, it doesn't mention anything about being capped by it's AN like several other trouble actions I've come across which tempts me to drop an Int bonus onto it or use it with Psycho-centric template.

Well, considering the fact that you must pay +5 to add an Intelligence bonus and must pay for the PCPT modifier (and it's obviously a mental action, d'uh), as a GM would find that to be much more acceptable that going around mass-producing Psi-weapons. It sounds good to me.

[talon]

Well, I'll be getting back the +5 I had to spend on Close Combat for the extra weapon mod, granted it'll be a bit more pricey in Psi-weapon, and less effective. I don't like dropping an ability bonus on something unless I have 6+ in the respective ability to cover the cost. This character is pretty much on human terms so won't be getting the Int bonus. I'll drop back and rely on Psycho-centric if not just beef the Psi-AN.

[turnagealfonsojermaine]

Can you just create a weapon out of the aeither, different whenever you use psi-weapon OR must you choose your ONE wepaon when bought Char creation?!

[turnagealfonsojermaine]

An "Invisible Lady" character can make an Invisible Force whip she usually uses fighting crime. Could the "Invisible Woman" negate it? They prob . . . won't fight but I am curious.