Last updated: 231215..250111
as@corwyn.net

While assassins are rare in most campaigns, the question that comes up is how to assassinate someone? (while getting your web page probably flagged by the FBI)

 At the simplest level, if an assassin surprises someone, they can attempt to assassinate:

PHB, p. 29: However, if they [the assassin] surprise (q.v.) a victim, they may attack on the ASSASSINATION TABLE. This gives a roughly 50% chance of immediately killing the victim; and if this fails, normal damage according to weapon type and strength ability modifiers still accrues to the victim. Thus, if a poisoned weapon is used, the victim must also make the saving throw versus poison or die. The assassin decides which attack mode he or she will use: assassination, back stabbing, or normal melee combat.

Simple enoughif the assassin has surprise, they can choose to assassinate using the ASSASSINATION TABLE. The assassin can use any weapon, and a shield, but like the thief is limited to performing class-functions to leather armor.  Yet nothing in AD&D is ever simple. Can the assassin use ranged weapons? While missile weapons are never specified as excluded, the fact that the choice of assassination is included as an alternative to “normal melee combat” speaks to assassination itself being only possible with non-missile weapons.

However, assassination isn’t always simple. In the DMG:

The percentage shown is that for success (instant death) under near optimum conditions. You may adjust slightly upwards for perfect conditions (absolute trust, asleep and unguarded, very drunk and unguarded, etc.). Similarly, you must deduct points if the intended victim is wary, takes precautions, and/or is guarded. If the assassination is being attempted by or in behalf of a player character a complete plan of how the deed is to be done should be prepared by the player involved, and the precautions, if any, of the target character should be compared against the plan.

For the assassin, spying missions are defined as: Simple, Difficult, and Extraordinary. The scenario where the assassin surprises someone and attempts to assassinate them is described as “simple”:

Therefore, if an 8th level assassin snuck up on and surprised a 10th level magic-user in the dungeon and successfully assassinated him, the assassin would receive 1,000 x.p. plus another 100 x.p. since the magic-user was 2 levels higher than he. However, since it was a simple mission, the total 1100 x.p. would be multiplied by %, giving 550 points.

However, there’s another way for an assassin to function—developing an assassination plan and submitting it to the DM. If the assassination is being attempted by or in behalf of a player character a complete plan of how the deed is to be done should be prepared the player involved, and the precautions, if any, of the target character should be compared against the plan. You can see that reflected in the section on poison as well:

He or she can then use poisons at full normal effect and have the following options as well:

• choose to assassinate by an instantaneous poison
• elect to use a slow acting poison which will not begin to affect the victim for 1-4 hours after digestion
• elect to use a poison which gradually builds up after repeated doses victim for 1-4 hours after ingestion and kills 1-10 days after the final dose

… This does not guarantee the assassin success, naturally, for he or she must still manage the poisoning and then escape.

Certainly not a scenario including Surprise!

The DM then determines any adjustment to the roll on the ASSASSINATION TABLE

The ASSASSINATION table should also be used when any character class is making an attack on a helpless (e.g., sleeping) opponent (DMG, p. 70, 75).

References

TSR 2010, Players Handbook [1e], 1978.
TSR 2011, Dungeon Masters Guide [1e], 1979.
Polyhedron #22, “In the Black Hours”, Volume 5, Number 1, 1984, p. 17: “The three assassins move silently and invisibly toward the Crown room by different routes, dispatching any guards they meet along the way by assassination if they have complete surprise, otherwise by backstabbing”

Last Updated: 240616…250605
fabrication@corwyn.net

Of the many rules one would expect to be complex and incomplete, those for creating (and recharging) items are surprisingly thorough, if a bit scattered. Here they are, integrated, including clarifications from Dragon magazine and Wilderness Survival Guide. See Potion Creation and Alchemy  for  specifics on potion creation.

A character must be at least an 11th level high priest, a 13th level druid, a 12th level wizard or an 11th level illusionist in order to manufacture magic items (except with respect to potions and scrolls).

Potions may be made by any magic-user of 7th level or above, if he or she enlists the aid of an alchemist (q.v.). At levels above the 11th, such assistance is no longer mandatory, although it will reduce the amount of money and time the player character must spend making the potion by 50% of the compounding/infusing time normally required, as the alchemist will be so employed instead.

Scrolls may be inscribed only by characters of 7th or higher level, and the spells placed upon the scroll must be of a level which the inscribing character is able to employ, i.e. a 9th level magic-user could not place a 7th level spell on a scroll.

Fabrication

When creating (or charging) a magic item, all spells must be cast from memory—scrolls or magic devices can never be used to enchant an item or cast magic upon an object so prepared.

Magic Users

Most magic items that are not potions or scrolls can be created by a magic user of 12th level and above. Specifics for the item, the spells, and the material components must be determined, either by research, consulting a sage or discovering instructions in a long-forgotten tome.

The item: 1) must be in sound and undamaged condition; 2) must be crafted of the highest quality material with the finest workmanship; and 3) must cost or reflect a value reflecting the second test, and in most cases the item must have a raw materials cost in excess of 100 gp (*typically at least 24% of the sale value listed in the DMG).

Except for clerical items (created by clerics), potions and scrolls, magic items require the spell enchant an item to prepare the item for further enchantment. The material component(s) for enchant an item vary according to the nature of the item being magicked and the successive magicks. For example, a cloak of displacement might also require the hides of 1 or more displacer beasts, a sword meant to slay dragons could require the blood and some other part of the appropriate type(s) of dragon(s), and a ring of shooting stars might require pieces of meteorites and the horn of a ki-rin. (*Again, typically the spell components will be at least 24% of the sale value listed in the DMG).

Once the process, item, and material components are acquired, the casting of enchant an item can begin. All work must be uninterrupted. The item must be continually touched by the spell caster during the casting of enchant an item, a casting time of 2 + 1-8 (d8) days. During rest periods absolutely no other form of magic may be performed, and the magic-user must remain quiet and in isolation. Even during rest periods the item must never be more than 1’ distant from the magic-user, for if it is, the whole process is spoiled and must be begun again.

The magic-user will “know” when the casting of enchant an item is complete and the item is ready for further enchantment. They then pronounce the final magical syllable, and, if the item makes a saving throw versus magic (the same as the magic-user, including any saving throw bonuses, not exceeding +3), the enchant an item spell succeeds. A result of 1 on the die (d20) always results in failure, regardless of modifications.

The magic-user then casts the required spell(s) upon the item. The first spell must be cast within 24 hours of the completion of enchant an item, or enchant an item fades, although the item can be reenchanted. Any additional spell subsequently cast upon an item bearing an enchant an item spell requires (4 hours) + (4-8 additional hours per spell level) of the magic being cast (where the magic-user can only accomplish work 8 hours / day). Again, during casting, the item must be touched by the magic user, and during rest periods the item must always be within 1’ of his or her person. This procedure holds true for any additional spells placed upon the item, and each successive dweomer must be begun within 24 hours of the last, even if any prior spell failed. While it is possible to tell when the enchant an item spell succeeds, it is not possible to tell if these subsequent spells actually take, and each spell cast requires the same saving throw as the item itself.

No magic placed on the item is permanent without a permanency spell as a finishing touch. When casting the permanency spell on an item, the magic-user need roll 2 or better with d20 to avoid loss of a constitution point. Items with a permanent dweomer (such as weapons, armor, most rings and miscellaneous magic items) require a permanency spell to be made operational. The above-mentioned ring of spell storing could be made without the benefit of a permanency spell, and spells could be stored within, but they could only be called forth once, and then the ring would be useless.

Items that are charged—rods, staves, wands, javelins of lightning, ring of wishes, etc.—can never be made permanent.  The exact spell required to recharge an item will vary. For a wand that can create multiple effects, the spell required for a single charge is typically that which is the highest level spell effect the wand (staff, rod) can produce. *The material components for enchant an item when merely recharging will at a minimum cost the sale value of the item divided by the maximum number of possible charges.

Illusionist

At 11th level an illusionist may create one-shot or charged magic items. The requirements for the Illusionist are generally the same as the magic user, except the illusionist would use major creation instead of enchant an item. During the 16 hours after casting major creation, the illusionist instills the required spells into the item. If their concentration is interrupted even once, the item fades and forever disappears.

Beginning at 14th level an illusionist may attempt permanent items, using a similar process. After major creation has been cast on the item, an alter reality must fix the enchantment permanently in place. Thus, with a great expense in time, money and preparation, major creation, alter reality and true sight spells, and an unflawed gem worth not less than 10,000 gp, an illusionist might be able to create a gem of seeing. For any details in question (e.g., saving throws), what applies to magic-users applies to illusionists as well.

Clerics & Druids

A cleric of at least 11th level (or druids of at least 13th level) can create magic items applicable to their profession. Otherwise, demi-human clerics are sometimes capable of making items with permanent dweomers if they have reached their highest possible level, generally those oriented to the needs and capabilities of the race.

Clerics and druids make items by spending two weeks in retreat, meditating in complete isolation. Thereafter, they must spend a week fasting. Finally, they must pray over and purify the item to become magical for a day (i.e., three weeks and a day).

Of course, the item must be of the finest quality as detailed in enchant an item. Thereafter the cleric or druid must place the item upon their altar and invoke the direct favor of their deity to instill each special power into the item. There is then a 1% per day cumulative chance that the item will be empowered as desired, providing the cleric or druid has been absolutely exemplary in his or her faith and alignment requirements. If the item would not have charges, the item need only be sanctified to the appropriate deity in order to complete its manufacture. Furthermore, if the item would have charges, the cleric or druid must then cast the requisite spell(s) upon it, doing so within 24 hours of its being favored by the deity.

Tolerance Levels for Lack of Food
Combined Strength and Constitution	Tolerance Level
15 or less	4 days
16 to 19	5 days
20 to 24	6 days
25 to 30	7 days
31 to 35	8 days
36 or more	10 days

 

If during fasting the character exceeds their tolerance level for lack of food, they must make a successful Strength or Constitution check (whichever is higher) once every 12 hours to remain unaffected by the fasting. Every check after the first has a cumulative +1 modifier. When a character first fails a check, they are weakened, and all subsequent checks have a cumulative +2 modifier. If a character fails a second check, they are distressed. A distressed character continues to incur the penalties for being weakened. If they fail a third check they are incapacitated (and in immediate danger of starving to death). An incapacitated character is incapable of performing any voluntary physical activity, thus ending the creation process.

Research

The process described in the Dragon article “Charging isn’t cheap” suggests that researching an item without a sage cost 2,000 gp per week for a base number of weeks corresponding to the level of magic user required to cast all required spells (e.g., 12th level for the 6th level enchant an item), providing a base chance of success of 10%. Each additional 2,000 gp /week increases that base chance by 10% (to a maximum of 10,000 gp per week and 50% chance of success). After the base period of research is complete, the chance of success is checked each week, calculated as: the base chance, plus 1% per level of the character, plus 1% per intelligence point of the magic user (use wisdom for clerics), minus twice the minimum level required to make the item.

Example: Mae, an 18th-level magic-user, decides to make a staff of the magi. Her intelligence is 18, and she spends 2,000 gp per week. Her chance of success after the initial period is 10% + 18% + 18% – 36% = 10% per week, non-cumulative, for discovering the proper materials and procedures for making the magic item.

The Dragon article also has some useful suggestions for required spell components for some rods, staves, and wands.

*Interpretations

References

TSR 2011, Dungeon Masters Guide [1e], 1979.
TSR 2010, Players Handbook [1e], 1978.
TSR 2020, Wilderness Survival Guide [1e], 1986 (pp. 50-51).
Dragon Magazine, Issue 66, “Sage Advice” October 1982.
Dragon Magazine, Issue 101, “Charging isn’t cheap” September 1985.
Dragon Magazine, Issue 146, “Sage Advice” June 1989.
Dragon Magazine, Issue 147, “Sage Advice” July 1989.

Last Updated: 231214…250906
psionics@corwyn.net

This article extends my “Oops” series, but psionics are far more of a mess than usual. In the roughly 8 pages discussing psionics between the PHB and DMG , the words that quantify psionics  include: psionic ability, psionic strength total, total psionic ability, psionic ability, total psionic strength, psionic strength, psionic attack strength, psionic defense strength, psionic attack points, and psionic defense points. To exacerbate things, psionics operate by segment, yet AD&D initiative really, well, doesn’t.  Herein lies my attempt to adjust the vocabulary and rules to be understandable but functionally equivalent, filling in the usual gaps. Much like hit points, references to a value or strength are the current value or strength, not the original.

Determining Psionics

Only humans (potentially dwarves, halflings, and rarely elves) can be psionic. Starting characters with an intelligence, wisdom, or charisma of at least 16 roll d100. For each point of intelligence above 16 add 2.5 to the roll, for each point of wisdom above 16 add 1.5 to the roll, and for each point of charisma above 16 add .5 to the roll. Drop any fraction. Any result of 100+ indicates the character has psionic ability.

If so, roll a base d100. Next, determine bonus points: 1 point for each point of intelligence, wisdom and charisma above 12. If 2 of these scores are above 16, the bonus points are doubled. If all 3 scores are above 16, the bonus points are quadrupled. The base (01-100) plus bonus points (4-72), are added together. That number equates to the attack strength, and also the defense strength. Psionic strength always equals (attack strength + defense strength)—a number therefore from 10 to 344.  Psionic strength is used for psionic combat, and in the employment of disciplines.

Should a non-psionic character have their intelligence, wisdom or charisma permanently increase, check again to determine if they have psionic ability. Should intelligence, wisdom or charisma permanently change for a psionic character, adjust the attack and defense strength (and thus psionic strength).  If an ability change leaves the character without at least one necessary 16, they lose their psionic ability (temporarily or permanently, depending). A wish can grant (or remove!) psionics as long as the recipient has a necessary 16 in intelligence, wisdom, or charisma.

Attack Modes

A psionic character can have up to five attack modes. How many are determined by another d100 roll:

01-25	1 attack mode
26-50	2 attack modes
51-75	3 attack modes
76-95	4 attack modes
96-00	5 attack modes

The player then chooses from the five available attack modes:

Attack Mode	Attack Strength Cost  per Segment	Attack Range4
		Short	Medium	Long
A. Psionic Blast1	20	2″	4″	6″
B. Mind Thrust	4	3″	6″	9″
C. Ego Whip	7	4″	8″	12″
D. Id Insinuation2	10	6″	12″	18″
E . Psychic Crush3	14	5″	–	–

 ¹A cone-shaped wave of force 1/2″ diameter at its source and 2″ diameter at its terminus (6″ distance).

²Id Insinuation affects all psionically-aware creatures in a 2″ X 2″ area within the attack range.

³If Psychic Crush is used the attacker may only defend with mode G (Thought Shield), or have no defense at all. Those killed by Psychic Crush lose all psionic abilities if raised or resurrected.

⁴Expending double or treble the attack strength will double or treble the range of modes B, C, and D.

Defense Modes

A character will also have up to five defense modes. How many are determined by another d100 roll:

01-25	2 defense modes
26-75	3 defense modes
76-90	4 defense modes
91-00	5 defense modes

The player then chooses from the five available defense modes; the first choice must be Mind Blank:

Defense Mode	Defense Strength Cost per Segment	Area of Effect1
F. Mind Blank	1	Individual only
G. Thought Shield4	2	Individual only
H. Mental Barrier	3	Individual only
I. Intellect Fortress	8	10’r. of individual2
J. Tower of Iron Will	10	3’r. of individual3

¹If the defense mode has an area of effect (AoE) beyond the individual, it offers either its defense or the defense used by any individual within its radius, whichever is better.
²Intellect Fortress offers non-psionics in the AoE +2 on saving throws versus Psionic Blast.
³Tower of Iron Will offers non-psionics in the AoE +6 on saving throws versus Psionic Blast.
⁴If Thought Shield is the only defense mode used in the round, the creature can maintain it while using a discipline, fighting, casting a spell, or being involved in some other activity for the round that does not include any psionic attacks, still at a cost of 2 per segment. Thought Shield is also the only defense that can be used in conjunction with attacking via Psychic Crush.

Psionic Disciplines

A psionic character determines how many disciplines they will have with a d100 roll:

Die Score	Number of Minor Disciplines	Number of Major Disciplines
01-10	1	0
11-25	2	0
26-40	3	0
41-55	2	1
56-70	3	1
71-80	4	1
81-90	3	2
91-95	5	1
96-100	4	2

After determining the number of disciplines, roll on the Table of Psionic Disciplines (see PHB) for which disciplines are known. If the same discipline is rolled more than once or excluded for the character’s class, re-roll. Select one minor discipline to be begin at first level, with one additional discipline (all minor disciplines first) usable for each 2 additional levels of experience in the character’s class.  The level of mastery is how many character levels the character has had access to the discipline (e.g., a 3rd level character who just gained access to Empathy would use it at 1st level of mastery; at 4th (character) level they would use the discipline at 2nd level of mastery).

The psionic strength cost for disciplines applies to both attack and defense strengths. 1 psionic strength equals 1 attack strength and 1 defense strength.

It is never possible to use two disciplines at the same time, or use an attack mode and a discipline at the same time.

Combined Psionic Operations

Psionic creatures can operate together to increase the range of shared disciplines where range is a factor and otherwise possible. Multiple psionic creatures can link their minds to add a cumulative 50% to the range of a discipline (100% + [n] × 50%, e.g., two individuals have 200% of the range; 3 individuals have 250%, etc.). The base range is always that of the individual in the group with the shortest range.

It is also possible for two or more creatures to increase their psionic strength for psionic combat. Such an operation must be in “series”, with the creatures adding 20% of their current psionic strength (half attack strength, half defense strength, all fractions rounded up) to the next individual in the series. Example: Creature A has a psionic strength of 100, so 20 psionic strength (10 attack strength, 10 defense strength) are transferred to creature B to bring its total from 120 to 140, and B then transfers 28 psionic strength (again, 20%) to creature C whose psionic strength is 130 but is now 158s, and then C transfers 158 × .20, or 32 psionic strength to final creature D. All series begin from the creature with the lowest psionic strength. The final creature in the series attacks and defends for all in the series. Only the final creature in the series can psionically attack or be attacked. All psionic strength used first comes from the transferred psionic strength. All creatures in the series will be affected by all psionic attacks affecting the final creature.

The series is maintained even for distracted creatures; they are unable to attack or defend (psionically or otherwise) until the series is dissolved by the lead creature in the series. Dissolving the series also removes the transferred psionic strength. The death or distraction of a creature earlier in the series will not disrupt the series.

Recovery

Psionic strength can be restored by refraining from psionic activity. Disciplines which do not require continuing strength point outlay can be in operation during recovery periods. No psionic strength can be recovered in less than one-hour increments.   The rate of restoration depends upon the activity level:

Physical Activity1, 2	Psionic Strength Recovered (half attack, half defense)
hard exertion	none
walking and like activity	3 psionic strength  / hour
sitting and talking or reading	6 psionic strength / hour
resting and meditating	12 psionic strength / hour
sleeping	12 psionic strength / hour

¹The least favorable activity is considered for each hour of time spent in restoration of psionic strength.
²Psionic strength can be recovered on the Astral plane at the rate of 6 psionic strength / hour when moving by mental effort, and 12 psionic strength/hour when “floating” and not thinking of moving.

Psionic Combat

Psionic combat is a declared action for a round, but starting on the first segment of the round regardless of initiative (potentially superseding the declared action of others now abruptly psionic combatants). Psionic combat can occur during Surprise if the initiator’s party is unsurprised. In that case, psionic combat will occur on each segment of surprise—both sides interact psionically as normal (both attack and defense) for each segment of Surprise.

Each psionic attack or defense will cost attack or defense strength (respectively), depending on the selected attack mode, defense mode, and resulting outcome. Creatures using a defense mode can take another action (using an attack mode, discipline, OR a segment of movement). Creatures using an attack mode cannot engage in any other activity but using a defense mode. If a creature is distracted by physical attack or spell damage or effect (such as charm, hold, etc.) it cannot make further psionic attacks or take other actions that round (but could resume the next round), although a distracted creature can still utilize defense modes.

There is one exception—Thought Shield. A psionic combatant who selects Thought Shield in the first segment of psionic combat can maintain this defense mode (spending defense strength each segment) while pursuing another non-psionic action for the round (or during surprise). However, taking a non-psionic action precludes making any psionic attacks for the entirety of the round.

Psionic vs. Psionic

All psionic attacks and defenses are simultaneous. Psionic combat (presuming Creatures A & B) takes place by segment, starting on the first segment of the round:

1. Determine A & B’s current psionic strength (attack strength + defense strength).
2. A & B announce their own attack mode (from those they have available).
   1. If all attack strength is expended, or not enough attack strength remains to use any attack mode available, the creature may defend only.
3. A & B only then choose their own defense mode (using the most applicable from those available).
4. Compare each creature’s attack mode and psionic strength to their opponent’s chosen defense on the appropriate Psionic vs. Psionic table, Appendix A(Short Range), or Appendix B (Medium/Long Range).
   1. Long range attacks reduce the attacker’s effective psionic strength by 25 for purposes of the table
5. Psionic attacks at short range reduce each creature’s defense strength by the defense cost (see Appendix A). Psionic attacks at medium and long range reduce that damage by 20% (see Appendix B). If the attack was long range, and originally in the 1-25 point range for psionic strength, damage is reduced by 50% instead of 20%. Any results beyond that required to bring the defense strength to 0 is applied to hit points.
6. Reduce each creature’s attack strength by the cost of their attack, taking into account any increased cost for increasing the range.
7. Repeat this sequence each segment for 10 segments, or until neither side makes a psionic attack during a segment.

Defenseless Psionics

Once a psionic creature’s defense strength reaches 0 (or has no available defense mode), later psionic attacks are determined on the Psionic Vs. Defenseless Psionic table (see Appendix C):

• Determine the attacker’s attack strength and attack mode.
• Determine the defender’s psionic strength (typically equal to their attack strength, as defense strength likely equals 0).
• Compare the attacker’s attack strength and attack mode to the defender’s psionic strength (e.g., their attack strength) on the Psionic Vs. Defenseless Psionic table (see Appendix C).
  • A number result on the table reduces the defender’s psionic strength, defense strength first. If the attack strength reaches 0, reduce the defender’s hit points by the remainder of the number.
  • If the result is a letter, apply that result to the defender.
    For a defender with mind bar, letter results only apply when the psionic strength is 0 at the beginning of the segment, otherwise they lose 40 psionic strength (half attack strength, half defense strength first, and then any remaining psionic strength), applying any leftover results to hit points.

Psionic Blast on non-Psionics

Only psionic blast can affect non-psionic creatures, and only if the psionically-attacking creature has an attack strength of 100+.   Each non-psionic potentially affected by psionic blast rolls a “saving throw” (See Appendix D) based on their total intelligence and wisdom to avoid the effect, adjusted by various factors:

 

Attacked Creature’s Int + Wisdom	Saving Throw
0-5	20
6-9	18
10-13	16
14-17	14
18-21	12
22-25	10
26-29	8
30-33	6
34-35	4
36-37	2
38 & up	0

 

Saving Throw Adjustments
Bonuses			Penalties
medium range	+1		panicked	-1
long range	+2		enraged	-1
magic-user	+1		confused	-2
cleric	+2		hopeless	-3
elf	+2		stunned	-3
Intellect Fortress within 10′	+2		using psionic-related power2	-4
mink blank spell	+2		using ESP	-5
dwarf	+4		feebleminded3	–
halfling	+4		insane4	–
helm of telepathy1	+4
Tower of Iron Will within 3′	+6
mind bar	+6
protection items valid against “all forms of attack”5	+x

¹The helm of telepathy will cause the attacker to be stunned for 1-4 rounds if the defender’s saving throw is successful.

²These powers or spells are: astral protection/spell, augury, charm monster, charm person, clairaudience, clairvoyance, confusion, detect evil/good, detect magic, dimension door, divination, empathy, enlarge, ESP, etherealness, feeblemind, feign death, geas, invisibility (any sort), know alignment, levitation, locate object, magic jar, plane shift, polymorph self, quest, shape change, suggestion, symbol, telekinesis, telepathy, teleportation, true seeing

³A feebleminded person has a combined intelligence and wisdom score of 0-5.

⁴Insane creatures cannot be psionically attacked.

⁵rings and cloaks of protection

In the Psionic Blast on Non-Psionics table (Appendix D), the attacked creature’s total intelligence and wisdom is used to figure saving throws. However, wisdom is not a standard given attribute of monsters. To compute the wisdom of non-psionic monsters, use the following table:

Intelligence of Creature	Wisdom Range
Below Low	0
Low	2d4
Average	3d4
Very/Highly	4d4
Exceptional/Genius	2d6+6
Supra-Genius	4d4+4
Godlike	3d6+6

Random Encounters

If a random encounter occurs when the party has used psionic powers during the last turn (or spells resembling disciplines during the last round), there is a 1 in 4 chance the encounter is psionic. If so, use the Psionic Encounter Table instead. The psionic encounter otherwise occurs as normal, although certain psionic creatures will not be detected by the party.

Modifying Psionics

A wish can create the potential to be psionic (assuming the necessary ability score of 16). A wish can also bestow immunity to one particular attack mode; immunity to all attack modes precludes using any disciplines.

As a character ages, their intelligence and wisdom also change.  Adjust the psionic strength.

The following mechanisms increase a character’s psionic strength (half to attack strength, half to defense strength). This strength will be spent before the innate strength, and recover at the same time as the psionic strength at the same rate:

• The helm of telepathy increases psionic strength by 40 (in additional to providing a +4 to saving throws vs. Psionic Blast).
• A dull gray ioun stone increases psionic strength by 10, to a maximum of 50 (e.g. 5 ioun stones)
• Ioun stones which merely increase intelligence, wisdom, or charisma will not increase the creature’s psionic abilities, as psionic strength is determined by unmodified ability scores.

References

TSR 2010, Players Handbook [1e], 1978.
TSR 2011, Dungeon Masters Guide [1e], 1979.
TSR 2013, Deities & Demigods, 1980.
Dragon Magazine Issue 35, The official errata: Scads of additions & Revisions for AD&D. [Errata removes psionic elves]
Dragon Magazine Issue 39, Sage Advice. [Only humans, possibly dwarves and halflings]
Dragon Magazine Issue 42, Sage Advice. [Limit psionic elves to NPCs, MM]
Dragon Magazine Issue 58, Sage Advice. [Dwarves and psionics]
Dragon Magazine Issue 60, The Elven Point of View.  [Elves not psionic]
Dragon Magazine Issue 67, The Astral Plane, 1982. [EGG added elves psionic]
Dragon Magazine Issue 67, Featured Creatures, 1982. [potential for psionic valley elves]
Dragon Magazine Issue 71, Solid answers to astral questions. [Psionics and Astral]
Dragon Magazine Issue 78, Psionics is different.  [All PCs can be psionic, ability score changes]
Dragon Magazine Issue 78, Sage Advice.  [All PCs psionic, ability score changes]

 

Appendix A: Psionic vs. Psionic in Mental Combat (Short Range)

 

Attacker Psionic Strength	Attack Mode	Attack Cost	Defense Cost (ordered by “best”)1,2
01-25	Psionic Blast	20	Mind Blank(4), MR(7),IF/TS(9)
01-25	Mind Thrust	4	Mental Barrier(3), TS(6), IF(8), TW(11)
01-25	Ego Whip	7	Mental Barrier(3), TS(5), IF(8), MB(9)
01-25	Id Insinuation	10	Mind Blank(2), TS(8), IF(9), MR/TW(11)
01-25	Psychic Crush	14	Though Shield(2), MR(3), IF(8)3
26-50	Psionic Blast	20	Mind Blank(7), MR(9),IF/TW(10)
26-50	Mind Thrust	4	Mental Barrier(4), TS/IF(8), MR(3)
26-50	Ego Whip	7	Mental Barrier, TS(6), IF(8), TW(10)
26-50	Id Insinuation	10	Mind Blank(3), TS(10), IF(11), MR/TW(13)
26-50	Psychic Crush	14	Intellect Fortress(8), TW(10), MR(3), TS(2)3
51-75	Psionic Blast	20	Mind Blank/Tower(11), MR/IF(12)
51-75	Mind Thrust	4	Mental Barrier(5), IF(10), TS(11),TW(13)
51-75	Ego Whip	7	Mental Barrier(4), TS(8), IF(9), TW(11)
51-75	Id Insinuation	10	Mind Blank(5), TS(13), IF(15), MR/TW(16)
51-75	Psychic Crush	14	Tower of Iron Will(10), IF(8), MR(3), TW(2)3
76-100	Psionic Blast	20	Tower of Iron Will(12), IF(15),MB/MR(16)
76-100	Mind Thrust	4	Mental Barrier(8), IF(12), TS/TW(15)
76-100	Ego Whip	7	Mental Barrier(6), IF(10), TS(11), TW(15)
76-100	Id Insinuation	10	Mind Blank(8), TS(17), Other(20)
76-100	Psychic Crush	14	Tower of Iron Will(10), IF(8), MR(3), TS(2)3
101-125	Psionic Blast	20	Tower of Iron Will(14), IF(19), MR(21), MB(22)
101-125	Mind Thrust	4	Mental Barrier(12), IF(15), TW(18), TS(20)
101-125	Ego Whip	7	Mental Barrier(9), IF(12), TS(15), TW(16)
101-125	Id Insinuation	10	Mind Blank(12), TS(22), MR/TW(25)
101-125	Psychic Crush	14	Tower of Iron Will(10), IF(8), MR(3), TS(2)3
126+	Psionic Blast	20	Tower of Iron Will (17), IF(24), MR(27), MB/TS(29)
126+	Mind Thrust	4	Intellect Fortress/MR(19), TW(22), TS(26)
126+	Ego Whip	7	Mental Barrier(12), IF(15),TS/TW(20)
126+	Id Insinuation	10	Mind Blank(17), TS(28), IF/TW(31)
126+	Psychic Crush	14	Tower of Iron Will(10), IF(8), MB(3), TS(2)3

 

¹MB – Mind Blank, MR – Mental Barrier

²This table takes into account the sum of the defense mode cost and the damage cost.

³Calculations for Psychic Crush select the most efficient defense least likely to cause instant death.

 

Appendix B: Psionic vs. Psionic in Mental Combat (Medium/Long Range)

					Defense Cost1
Attacker Psionic Strength	Attack Mode		Cost		Mind Blank	Thought Shield	Mental Barrier	Intellect Fortress	Tower of Iron Will
01-25	Psionic Blast		20		3	8	6	9	10
01-25	Mind Thrust		4		11	5	3	8	11
01-25	Ego Whip		7		7	4	3	8	10
01-25	Id Insinuation		10		2	7	9	9	11
01-25	Psychic Crush		14		1	2	3	8	10
26-50	Psionic Blast		20		6	9	8	10	10
26-50	Mind Thrust		4		13	7	4	8	12
26-50	Ego Whip		7		11	5	3	8	10
26-50	Id Insinuation		10		3	8	11	10	12
26-50	Psychic Crush		14		1	2	3	8	10
51-75	Psionic Blast		20		9	12	10	11	11
51-75	Mind Thrust		4		15	9	5	10	12
51-75	Ego Whip		7		15	7	4	9	11
51-75	Id Insinuation		10		4	11	13	14	15
51-75	Psychic Crush		14		1	2	3	8	10
76-100	Psionic Blast		20		13	15	13	14	12
76-100	Mind Thrust		4		19	12	7	11	14
76-100	Ego Whip		7		19	9	5	10	12
76-100	Id Insinuation		10		7	14	17	18	18
76-100	Psychic Crush		14		1	2	3	8	10
101-125	Psionic Blast		20		18	19	17	17	13
101-125	Mind Thrust		4		22	16	10	14	16
101-125	Ego Whip		7		25	12	8	11	15
101-125	Id Insinuation		10		10	18	21	22	22
101-125	Psychic Crush		14		1	2	3	8	10
126+	Psionic Blast		20		23	24	22	21	16
126+	Mind Thrust		4		25	21	16	17	20
126+	Ego Whip		7		31	16	11	14	18
126+	Id Insinuation		10		14	23	25	28	27
126+	Psychic Crush		14		1	2	3	8	10

¹This table takes into account the sum of the defense mode cost and the damage cost.

Appendix C: Psionic vs. Defenseless Psionic

		Defender’s Psionic Strength (Attack Strength + Defense Strength)
Attack Strength	Attack Mode	10-59	60-109	110-159	160-209	210-259	260-309	310+
01-25	Psionic Blast	D	C	C	15	10	5	5
01-25	Mind Thrust	W	W	40	35	30	25	20
01-25	Ego Whip	30	25	20	15	10	5	5
01-25	Id Insinuation	40	35	30	25	20	15	10
01-25	Psychic Crush	72%	60%	50%	40%	30%	20%	10%
26-50	Psionic Blast	S	D	C	C	15	10	5
26-50	Mind Thrust	W	W	W	40	35	30	25
26-50	Ego Whip	35	30	25	20	15	10	5
26-50	Id Insinuation	R	40	35	30	25	20	15
26-50	Psychic Crush	75%	62%	52%	42%	32%	22%	12%
51-75	Psionic Blast	W	S	D	C	C	15	10
51-75	Mind Thrust	P	W	W	W	40	35	30
51-75	Ego Whip	40	35	30	25	20	15	10
51-75	Id Insinuation	R	R	40	35	30	25	20
51-75	Psychic Crush	79%	65%	55%	45%	35%	25%	15%
76-100	Psionic Blast	P	W	S	D	C	C	15
76-100	Mind Thrust	P	P	W	W	W	40	35
76-100	Ego Whip	P	40	35	30	25	20	15
76-100	Id Insinuation	R	R	R	40	35	30	25
76-100	Psychic Crush	84%	69%	59%	49%	39%	29%	19%
100-125	Psionic Blast	K	P	W	S	D	C	C
100-125	Mind Thrust	P	P	P	W	W	W	40
100-125	Ego Whip	I	P	40	35	30	25	20
100-125	Id Insinuation	R	R	R	R	40	35	30
100-125	Psychic Crush	90%	74%	64%	54%	44%	34%	24%
126 & up	Psionic Blast	K	K	P	W	S	D	C
126 & up	Mind Thrust	P	P	P	P	W	W	W
126 & up	Ego Whip	I	I	P	40	35	30	25
126 & up	Id Insinuation	R	R	R	R	R	40	35
126 & up	Psychic Crush	97%	80%	70%	60%	50%	40%	30%

 

C             Confused for 2-8 rounds, Only non-psionic activity possible

D             Dazed for 1-4 turns, no psionic or other activity

I               Idiocy, psionic ability lost forever, idiocy only curable by a heal spell

K             Killed, raising/resurrection is possible, but psionic ability is lost

P             Permanent loss of random attack/defense/ discipline, and dazed as above

S              Sleeping in a coma for 1-4 weeks (catatonic state 99% likely to be mistaken for death)

R             Robot, mind is controlled by victor until released or after 2-8 weeks a saving throw versus magic

W            Wounded psionically. Randomly determine an attack/ defense/ discipline unusable for 2-8 weeks

 

A number result reduces the defender’s psionic strength, defense strength first. If the attack strength reaches 0, reduce the defender’s hit points by the remainder of the number.  Psionic creatures with mind bar discipline will take damage only on a segment after all psionic strength is lost, so treat letter results as a 40 until 0 is reached. If psionic strength is reduced beyond 0, treat it as hit point damage on a point-for-point basis.

 

 

Appendix D: Psionic Blast on Non-Psionics

Attacked Creature’s Total Intelligence and Wisdom	Saving Throw	Death	Coma	Sleep	Stun	Confuse	Enrage	Panic	Feebleminded	Permanent Insanity	Temporary Insanity	Mild Insanity
0-5	20	01-85	86-99	00	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
6-9	18	01-10	11-90	91-99	00	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
10-13	16	01	02-15	16-90	91-99	00	–	–	–	–	–	–
14-17	14	–	01	02-10	11-90	91-99	00	–	–	–	–	–
18-21	20	–	–	01	02-15	16-90	91-99	00	–	–	–	–
22-25	10	–	–	–	01	02-15	16-90	91-99	00	–	–	–
26-29	8	–	–	–	–	01	02-15	16-90	91-99	00	–	–
30-33	6	–	–	–	–	–	01	02-15	16-90	91-99	00	–
34-35	4	–	–	–	–	–	–	01	02-20	21-85	86-99	00
36-37	2	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	01	02-15	16-90	91-00
38 & up	0	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	01	02-15	16-00

 

DEATH:                                 Creature can be brought back to life as is usual.

COMA:                                2-12 days where creature cannot be awakened.

SLEEP:                                   5-20 turns where creature cannot be awakened.

STUN:                                   2-8 turns where character is at usual stunned condition (-3 on saves vs. psionic blast, +4 to hit).

CONFUSE:                           1-4 turns as per the spell of the same name.

ENRAGE:                             2-8 rounds and creature affected must immediately launch a spell or physical attack upon any opponent or other creature. During enraged period, creature will not think of defense or any action save attacking.

PANIC:                                  2-8 rounds with reaction as a fear spell from a 4th level magic user.

FEEBLEMIND:                     This lasts until a heal, restoration, or wish is used. The creature’s combined intelligence & wisdom is in the 0-5 range when so affected. All memory of spells is gone, and the affected creature cannot attack or defend.

¹PERMANENT INSANITY: This lasts until a heal, restoration, or wish is used. Select two forms of insanity from the table therein, and have affected creature behave accordingly as long as the condition lasts.

¹TEMPORARY INSANITY:               2-1 2 weeks duration, otherwise as above.

¹MILD INSANITY:              1-4 weeks duration, one form of insanity only, otherwise as above.

¹In most cases the fact that the creature has been inflicted with insanity will NOT be immediately evident to associates. Behavior will make the condition suspect as appropriate to the form of affliction.