So, now that my group has an actual Async on board, I've been pondering the underlying mechanics of the Psi sleights. One thing that bothers me is the fact that Strain from using active sleights deals *damage* to the async rather than *stress*.
From a flavor standpoint, a really bad strain roll dealing *trauma* to the party's Async, and the ever-present threat of slipping into catatonia from mental stress, feels more appropriate than bleeding off physical damage.
In fact, I'm considering house ruling it for our games; anyone have thoughts on this? Am I missing something important?
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PROPOSED: Psi Strain should deal stress, not damage
Tue, 2016-12-20 13:07
#1
eaton
PROPOSED: Psi Strain should deal stress, not damage
Tue, 2016-12-20 15:58
#2
Trappedinwikipedia
It's slower and harder to
It's slower and harder to heal stress than DUR, and Psi doesn't exactly need to be made weaker. That's the mechanical argument anyway.
I personally like the idea behind it being physical stress caused by the body breaking down to power alien biotechnology.
Tue, 2016-12-20 16:06
#3
eaton
Hmmmm.
Hmmmm.
Yeah, that's a good point about stress and trauma being a lot harder to heal. I think I've been used to my team building up to big conflicts, then having fairly long travel interludes before the next mission — which mitigates that to some degree. In more "continuous" campaigns it would definitely be harder to deal with. That's an excellent point.
Tue, 2016-12-20 17:54
#4
UnitOmega
I mean, fluff wise this would
I mean, fluff wise this would sync up with the idea that Asyncs are supposed to be less mentally stable than most (Because that -1 TT never hurt anyone rolling with 30 WIL), but otherwise, I agree with the above points. It's important to point out DUR damage isn't just getting beat up or shot. You can take DV from exhaustion, asphyxiation, sprains and falls, environmental conditions, etc. So, while psychic nosebleeds are definitely on point for the genre, taking DV is also entirely appropriate to the idea that your body is using up more energy than normal to do something. If Psi should also give you mental damage, that should be related to what you do or see with it. Accidentally mind-linking another Async, sensing an alien life form with Ego Sense, making somebody's head literally explode from rolling really well on a Psi Stab, etc.
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Wed, 2016-12-21 06:10
#5
ThatWhichNeverWas
Square Peg, NonEuclidean Hole.
I've always pictured it as the brain being forced to rewire itself to do something it was never designed to do; less internal haemoraging, more "I can't remember how to make my heart beat any more".
Stress means you're losing your mind... but ASyncs are already a bit lost. Thier egos work differently, making them less likely be traumatised by 'normal' stimuli.
It's like with Tea/Coffee cups - either they're fine until they shatter, or they get a small chip and then last forever.
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In the past we've had to compensate for weaknesses, finding quick solutions that only benefit a few.
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Wed, 2016-12-21 14:52
#6
Xoden
Doing a psi sleight forces
Doing a psi sleight forces the brain to do something that it was never meant to. Hence physical strain.
Sun, 2016-12-25 08:41
#7
BalazarLightson
Matter to Energy
Powering Psi with Matter to energy transference maybe?
I think a mix of both stress and damage would suit certain powers, like touching anothers mind, or certain precog powers. Stress for touching the Alien portion of your mind too.
Plenty of stress to be had on an EP game to keep our Shrink characters busy talking down their mates. Plenty of therapy needed by the MRSR addict, and our Async and the others who see them in action. Low WILL is a curse in a firewall team.