Soon I'm going to be playing a Warrior Mentalist in a game GMed by a friend of mine. However, since this is my first game, I've been researching psychic powers to death in preparation so that I can use them right. However, and maybe this is me overlooking the obvious, I don't get how one determines the psychic resistance check needed to resist certain abilities.

For example:

I roll for Mind Reading and add my potential, getting 120 for a successful Difficult use. Next I should be using my Psych Projection plus a roll to see if my opponent dodges.

Then, if I'm following right, it's time for the Psychic resistance check.

I understand that a certain achieved difficulty gives a certain psychic resistance that needs to be beaten. Does that mean that PsR is added to the difficulty level and then the person rolls? I'm just confused because otherwise, a level 1 player can relatively easily beat another level 1's psychic abilities, let alone someone of any higher level.

It's a basic question, but I just need a straight answer to be able to play my game right.

Zeiven said:

ok, so with 120 Difficult check on Potential, mind reading has a PsR Difficulty of 120, where the person being affected has to roll a d100 and add his PsR to see if he resists the ability. most level 1 will have 35 , meaning he has to roll a 85 to beat the Difficulty 120 PsR.

another example. target has 45 PsR. you roll potential for Psychic assault and get a 180 Absurd difficulty, giving a PsR difficulty of 160. the target has to roll a 115 to beat the PsR.

- either you use a non damaging power (telepathy) : then you do your Psy potential roll, see in the table the difficulty and then the target adds his Psy resistance (about 30 at low level) to a D100 and see if it is better

or

- a damaging power (pyro, cryo) : then you use your potential to know the base damage you can do with the power (substituting weapon damage and strength bonus) and then use your Psy proj against your enemy's dodge or parry (most of the time they'll get the blindside malus), see if it hits and use the combat table to see the % of damage dealt

of course in the power description, they'll tell if it's a power using the first or second method (shields use Psy Proj to use as your defense)

TheTenth said:

ah, you miss that direct attack powers such as create fire/chill cannot be given without a visual descriptor, therefore impossible to be taken by the blinded penalty (except when actually blinded by a blindfold or darkness, arguable with create fire)

other than that yes everyone in the thread is correct. you roll your potential to see if you succeed on activating the power, then you roll your projection to see if you hit the target. You must achieve a minimum of 10% damage on them for them to roll a PsyR. They roll d100 and add their final resist, and if they tie or beat your number they win. otherwise they lose by a margin, called the failure level. The actual amount can affect what happens, and you round down if not evenly divisible by the amount needed.

It should be noted, as well, that to defend against the actual 'attack' the user must dodge or be able to block ENErgy. Not all magical / psychic shields do that, so be careful which one you use.