Group Mind Block (how broken is that!!!)

[Nekira Sudacne]

Group Mind Block looks like a psi's "Anti-Magic Cloud" What do you guys think?

pretty much, what's wrong with that?

and not quite, any psionic used from outside the range of the group minf block can still affet those inside it (though they still get the +1 to save)

[Nekira Sudacne]

Nothing's wrong with it. It's a super-psionic that blocks mostly minor sensitive psychic abilities.

Doesn't stop the physical ones. So It's NOT and anti-psi cloud. It does, however, screw up th psychic using it. Can't use any psychic ability whatsoever.

and all others as well.

remember, it clearly states that it's as if EVERYONE in range has a mind block in effect, preventing all psionics in the radius from using any Psionic powers in the range.

though a mind bolt fired from outside the range won't be stopped.

[Nekira Sudacne]

You could screw with psychics all day long with this power. All you have to do is walk within range of a psychic, and turn off their power like a switch.
If there's a group of psychics battling it out using only their psionics, you could walk right through the battlefield... whistling.

not quite. . .

it says it dosn't turn off powers already active, so if one of them had their psi-sword up. . .

failing that, nothing like a good old-fashioned punch in the nose

[Nekira Sudacne]

You could screw with psychics all day long with this power. All you have to do is walk within range of a psychic, and turn off their power like a switch.
If there's a group of psychics battling it out using only their psionics, you could walk right through the battlefield... whistling.

not quite. . .

it says it dosn't turn off powers already active, so if one of them had their psi-sword up. . .

failing that, nothing like a good old-fashioned punch in the nose

Group Mind Block state that it works just like the individual Mind Block power. When you put up a Mind Block, you "can not use psychic abilities".

If I'm using a Psi-Sword, then put up a Mind Block right after, you're telling me that I would still be in control of my Psi-Sword? No, I can not use psychic abilities.

but your not, your already used it. it creates a phisical sword made of psychic energy. you don't have to maintain it after the inital creation, in fact, I'm pretty sure it was mentioned somewhere working that way for the cyber knights, though I could be wrong

[Killer Cyborg]

Group Mind Block is and always has been a very effective offensive tool against psychics.
You may not think it should be that way,
Or even that it was intended to be that way,
but that's the way it IS, and the way it has always been.
Feel free to make house rules to change it, but those will be house rules.
Officially, if you have a Mind Block up you can't use psionics.

[Athos]

There is only one problem with your line of reasoning. In the RMB on page 125 it specifically says that a Detect Psionics will reveal that they are being Mind Blocked. If as you think, the psychics inside the Mind Block area could not use psionics, then how did they cast the Detect Psionics to find out about the Mind Block? Either the book is right and they can cast Detect Psionics to detect the Mind Block, or the book is mistaken and they can't use any psionics.

If they can cast Detect Psionics, then they can obviously use other psionic powers. Which means that once they know about the mind block, psychics can still use their other powers that don't contact the minds of people in the blocked area.

[Zer0 Kay]

What part of "can not use psychic abilities" am I misreading.
Mind Block sure does block all those sensitive psionics mentioned, but you yourself can not use psychic abilities while the Mind Block is up.
Group Mind Block works just like a Mind Block for those caught within the range.
Now, the Cyberknight Psi-sword is a judgement call because it requires no ISP, has no duration, and can be created instantly. But it's still a PSI-sword, so I don't know.

Okay, please, will you think for just a moment?

PB is not going to make a psionic power that can totally negate all psionic powers in a 120ft radius for a mere 22 ISP with no saving throw. Psionics do not work that way.

It's not going to happen. Someone screwed up with the text description of the power, leaving it too open with too many possible interpretations.

Take a look at the Island at the Edge of the World PFRPG book. The crystal staff, a very powerful, make most rune weapons look sickly psionic weapon, has an ability that can negate psionic powers in a 5ft radius per level of the user. It costs 130 ISP and allows a saving throw of 16 to reduce the duration by 50%. The duration is only 1d4 minutes.

Group Mind Block costs 22 ISP as I've mentioned previously, automatically has a 120ft range, and lasts 10 minutes per level of experience.

Do the math yourself. Then apply common sense.

Math in Rifts? Ley lines + Appocolypse = Super Ley lines. Super Ley lines * group mind block = 22 ISP at 120' range for 10 minutes per level of experience negating all psionic use within. The ley lines don't just amplify magic.

[Zer0 Kay]

Another factor to take into account is the complete lack of any ability to resist the power. Even Anti-Magic Cloud allows the possibility of a saving throw.

The interpretation you people are using would allow a 1st level psychic to totally nullify the powers of a 15th psychic and the vastly more experienced psychic would have no defense against it. There is no justification or explanation that could convince me that the Group Mind Block power was intended to be used in such a manner.

Uh you did read Asadeseth post didn't you? Or was that a "joke" power?

[Athos]

I think they mean that they can detect the block on someone else. Thus someone who's outside the 120' radius can use Detect Psionics to detect who was affected by the GrpMndBlk, so long as they stay outside the radius of that group effect.

The book says that the only way "they" will know "they" are being Mind Blocked is if "they" Detect Psionics. Makes no mention of a third group of observers standing outside the area, just the "they" that said evil psychic is Mind Blocking. Hence it is good for preventing mind to mind contact, not acting as some sort of super damper.

Therefore see post above.

[SkyeFyre]

There is only one problem with your line of reasoning. In the RMB on page 125 it specifically says that a Detect Psionics will reveal that they are being Mind Blocked. If as you think, the psychics inside the Mind Block area could not use psionics, then how did they cast the Detect Psionics to find out about the Mind Block? Either the book is right and they can cast Detect Psionics to detect the Mind Block, or the book is mistaken and they can't use any psionics.

If they can cast Detect Psionics, then they can obviously use other psionic powers. Which means that once they know about the mind block, psychics can still use their other powers that don't contact the minds of people in the blocked area.

Or the fact that they can't use their detect psionics is a direct hint that they're being mind blocked

[Killer Cyborg]

I think they mean that they can detect the block on someone else. Thus someone who's outside the 120' radius can use Detect Psionics to detect who was affected by the GrpMndBlk, so long as they stay outside the radius of that group effect.

The book says that the only way "they" will know "they" are being Mind Blocked is if "they" Detect Psionics. Makes no mention of a third group of observers standing outside the area, just the "they" that said evil psychic is Mind Blocking. Hence it is good for preventing mind to mind contact, not acting as some sort of super damper.

Therefore see post above.

What the book says is:
"Thus, a villianous psychic can use the group mind block for his own evil purposes. Everyone within the 120' area of affect will be automatically blocked, but the effect is not detectable so they are not likely to know that they are being mind blocked (A detect psionics will indicate a group mind block)!"

It's poorly phrased, and could refer to somebody inside the GMB, or somebody from the outside.

Now look on p. 115
"The probe can not be used to pinpoint the exact location of psychic energy nor the level of power other than a vague sense of weak, medium, or powerful, but it will indicate whether an individual is psychic by directing the probe at a specific person (does not reveal the type or strength of the person's powers other than low, medium, high). It will also indicate whether a group ming block is in effect and if a person is psionically possessed."

In this case, the reference to detecting a GMB is in the context of probing a specific person.
Which indicates that the meaning is this:
If a psychic attempts to probe somebody who has a GMB on them, the probing psychic can detect the GMB.
With nothing to indicate that the probing psychic is inside the GMB.
It looks to me like the purposes of mentioning that GMBs are detectable is simply to clarify that an outside psychic can sense a group of people who have on up, not any indication that the power can be used by you when YOU have one up.