What is required for a telepath to communicate (1 way or 2 way) with a non-psyker? For example, what powers let an Astropath transmit verbal thoughts to another person, and which (if any) let him hear responses? There is a lot in the book about them being able to transmit and receive, but is all of that only in regards to other Astropaths?

Page 162 RT Core Book Basic Technique: Thought Sending its FREE for Astropaths as far as XP. At psy rating 3-4 he can send and receive, before that , rank 1-2 he can only send.

As long as the subject of the send/receive isn't a 'blank' or otherwise protected from psykers it'll work on most humans. You have to remember though that 99% of humans from imperium worlds are taught to abhor the witch from birth and would view even a necessary communication in this manner as a violation and would feel unclean and angry about it.

Mind Link and Mental Bond are stronger versions of this basic technique. page 162 and 163

Thanks! (not sure how I missed that)

on a similar note...

As per page 72, new Astropath gets to pick two Telepathy techniques when starting out. It doesn't say anything about these being limited to just the 100 xp ones (like it doesn when you buy the rank 1 talent). So a new Astropath can pick ANY of the Telepathic Disciple techniques as long as they meet the pre-reqs?

Pick up a copy of the errata for RT on this website under Support on the RT page. There are a few xp changes to the career's rank 1 and higher stuff. I think Rank 1 Psyker talents for astropaths are 200xp.

Yep, the errata clears it up. Also makes it clear I need to find another career...

Oh they're great after a few ranks lol

Ki_Ryn said:

I'm not a fan of the astropath myself. If it was possible to pick up something other than telepathy as default with a starting character that would be a bit better but the whole system seems geared towards, 'this is npc territory' to me.

Still though, if you do go that route make sure you pick up the wyrdling mutation during character creation. It provides a nice jump start to the character and even allows you to pick up some powers outside of telepathy if you like, or get you that much closer to discipline mastery of telepathy. Being able to use a fettered power at psy-rating 2 is really nice out of the gate though.

Astropath transcendant (rank 1 alternate career) also lets you purchase another psychic technique.

If you don't mind risking it every time you fight, you can telekinetically control your weapons (using... fine detail telekinesis?), using your WP in place of your BS or WS and your Psy Rating in place of your strength - which is quite nice. Every advance to willpower also is an advance to WS + BS.