Suggestion for (un)sanctioned Psyker

By Scyndria, in Dark Heresy Second Edition Beta

Aren't sanctioned psykers also limited in their powers compared to unsanctioned? I was under the impression that it was basically more control vs more power, when it came to choosing between sanctioned and unsanctioned.

nothing, just a joke about how an unsanctioned psyker is like a grenade.

I have nothing against using an unsanctioned, untrained psyker character, i'm just trying to find legitimate reasons why they would be used as opposed to a sanctioned psyker with control over their powers.

I think power is a reasonable point. It makes a hell of a lot of sense that the sanctioning process would, to an extent, limit powers. Enhanced control pretty much implies limitation, and I doubt the Imperium WANT Psykers wandering around without limitations in place.

Plus I'm sure I've seen this in established fluff somewhere, although where specifically would be a pain to figure out,

I think power is a reasonable point. It makes a hell of a lot of sense that the sanctioning process would, to an extent, limit powers. Enhanced control pretty much implies limitation, and I doubt the Imperium WANT Psykers wandering around without limitations in place.

Plus I'm sure I've seen this in established fluff somewhere, although where specifically would be a pain to figure out,

This is why i would make such a house rule for psykers in my games. They can push for more, but also more risky due to lack of rites of protections against warp/chaos (ofc exceptions might happen, an Inquisitor training his own unsanctioned psyker ect).

nothing, just a joke about how an unsanctioned psyker is like a grenade.

I have nothing against using an unsanctioned, untrained psyker character, i'm just trying to find legitimate reasons why they would be used as opposed to a sanctioned psyker with control over their powers.

Because what the Inquisition would use is a trained psyker with control over her power, whether sanctioned or not, and this is exactly what the system allows you to play.

Being sanctioned means your capability to control yourself has been tested and received a stamp of approval. This in no way infers lacking sanctioning means lacking control.

I think power is a reasonable point. It makes a hell of a lot of sense that the sanctioning process would, to an extent, limit powers. Enhanced control pretty much implies limitation, and I doubt the Imperium WANT Psykers wandering around without limitations in place.

Plus I'm sure I've seen this in established fluff somewhere, although where specifically would be a pain to figure out,

I'd be fine with no effective difference in power, save perhaps certain limitation of options (such as Unsanctioned Psykers not being able to use powers used by Astropaths, for example - nevermind that there's no Astropath rules yet), but the Unsanctioned Psykers should definitely be more volatile and more prone to explosions.

The regular sanctioning process is much more than just learning self-restraint. It's part indoctrination, part surgery, part implants, and part gruelling practice. While an unsanctioned psyker might learn self-restraint like Morangias said, and that these are the ones the players are assumed to play (after all, you are assumed not to use Telekinesis to get a glass of water), all of the rest is just out. It's just plain not there.

I've always wanted separate rules for four different types of psykers; Soulbound, Conditioned, Unbound, and Daemonic. Sanctioned would fall under Conditioned, Unsanctioned would be Unbound, and Astropaths would be Soulbound. Daemonic being daemons. All of these are distinct and deserves their own tables and effects and balancing.

With Sorcery covered in a completely different section with no relation whatsoever, other than that it'd utilize much the same powers and at what rule it'd fall under would be a function of various other influences.

And I also maintain that it should always be clear that some things are outside the norm, and should be covered by "alternate ranks" (or equivalent), elite background packages or special creation rules. This would include both Astropaths (that are weaker than the average psyker, but soulbound to compensate, and the only ones capable of Astrotelepathy) and Unsanctioned Psykers (which has no normal way of recruitment into an Acolyte Cell and are potentially enormous liabilities).

At the very least, it should be noted somewhere that including them might not make sense, may be a liability, or a potentially hairy subject in terms of narrative effort.

Edited by Fgdsfg

nothing, just a joke about how an unsanctioned psyker is like a grenade.

I have nothing against using an unsanctioned, untrained psyker character, i'm just trying to find legitimate reasons why they would be used as opposed to a sanctioned psyker with control over their powers.

Because what the Inquisition would use is a trained psyker with control over her power, whether sanctioned or not, and this is exactly what the system allows you to play.

Being sanctioned means your capability to control yourself has been tested and received a stamp of approval. This in no way infers lacking sanctioning means lacking control.

Yes but all I am saying is that most people in the imperium are led to believe that unsanctioned psykers are the work of ruinous powers. Again, I'm not saying its not an interesting Idea. I'm just saying it would only work for certain kinds of inquisitors.

Looks like pretty cool to me. I've always wanted to highlight the dangers of psykers to my players so this might be something to use.

nothing, just a joke about how an unsanctioned psyker is like a grenade.

I have nothing against using an unsanctioned, untrained psyker character, i'm just trying to find legitimate reasons why they would be used as opposed to a sanctioned psyker with control over their powers.

Because what the Inquisition would use is a trained psyker with control over her power, whether sanctioned or not, and this is exactly what the system allows you to play.

Being sanctioned means your capability to control yourself has been tested and received a stamp of approval. This in no way infers lacking sanctioning means lacking control.

Yes but all I am saying is that most people in the imperium are led to believe that unsanctioned psykers are the work of ruinous powers. Again, I'm not saying its not an interesting Idea. I'm just saying it would only work for certain kinds of inquisitors.

The main point of being an Inquisitor is knowing better than most people in the Imperium.

nothing, just a joke about how an unsanctioned psyker is like a grenade.

I have nothing against using an unsanctioned, untrained psyker character, i'm just trying to find legitimate reasons why they would be used as opposed to a sanctioned psyker with control over their powers.

Because what the Inquisition would use is a trained psyker with control over her power, whether sanctioned or not, and this is exactly what the system allows you to play.

Being sanctioned means your capability to control yourself has been tested and received a stamp of approval. This in no way infers lacking sanctioning means lacking control.

Yes but all I am saying is that most people in the imperium are led to believe that unsanctioned psykers are the work of ruinous powers. Again, I'm not saying its not an interesting Idea. I'm just saying it would only work for certain kinds of inquisitors.

The main point of being an Inquisitor is knowing better than most people in the Imperium.

I don't know.. I thought the main point of being an Inquisitor was getting free buffets at the Planetary Governor's Palace.