Is use of Psy Techniques is visible to others?

Or only Astrpopath can see it?

Unless a technique products a visible effect (like the psyker bursting into flames or objects flying through the air of their own accord) or the use of the technique triggers a phenomena, psychic techniques are generally only detectable by using the Psyniscience skill.

Unless a technique products a visible effect (like the psyker bursting into flames or objects flying through the air of their own accord) or the use of the technique triggers a phenomena

...or the psyker chooses to invocate, which is generally pretty obvious as well...

Cifer said:

Well, obvious that they are rolling their eyes, rattling bones and chanting in a strange and distrubing manner. Doesn't necessarily mean they're a psyker. They could just be crazy. The Imperium is not short on crazy people.

LuciusT said:

I would be severely disturbed if someone without eyes starting rolling them!

LuciusT said:

The Imperium is also not short on superstitious and paranoid types who've been raised to fear the Warp and it's manifestations. I think the default assumption if anyone started acting in this manner would be that they're some sort of Witch trying to curse them, and the default response would be hostile to a degree dependent on the situation.

I agree with LuciusT about Psychic Technique being visible only if there is a visible effect, like fire from Pyromancy and moving objects from Telekinesis.

Other technique would probably require the Psyniscience Skill test to see or feel and to find the source. I'll have to check because I am only remebering this from the Dark Heresy rulebook - the Psychic Power section with the title "Detecting Psychic Powers". Another skill you might need to identify a psyker is the Forbidden Lore (Psyker) skill.

I think the idea is that the majority of the witches caught and burned at the stake aren't actually witches due to the lack of use of these skills, and so effectively a "Witch Hunt" in modern day terms. (Finger pointing)

Unfortunately, I also don't agree with there being a verbal or physical requirement to manifestation or invocation, because it is stated that these are required for Sorcery (Unsanctioned trial and error learning, or feral powers) which seperate them from Sanctioned users.

LuciusT said:

" Uh-oh, childrens. You know the whoop-ass is coming when they start talking in tongues. "

Generally, I concur that the vast majority of psychic powers lack significant visual cues to indicate their use.

However, there is a pertinent point to consider which is very often overlooked by everyone. If I am a psyker (of any sort) and am using a power then I am very likely not shooting at people with a gun or swing abut a heavy and sharp chunk of metal. So, when Bob the heretic's head suddenly does a 360° turn out of nowhere, it stands to reason someone might manage to add two and two and get " kill the witch! " out of it.

-=Brother Praetus=-

@somonelse

Unfortunately, I also don't agree with there being a verbal or physical requirement to manifestation or invocation, because it is stated that these are required for Sorcery (Unsanctioned trial and error learning, or feral powers) which seperate them from Sanctioned users.

You're right about manifesting powers in general, but Invocation is generally obvious - you're invocating by doing something, be that manipulating your psy-focus, muttering mantras or drawing a card from the tarot. It's in the description of the Invocation skill.