Psi-Stalker?

[Natalya]

No one in our group has ever played a Psi-Stalker before, neither of the GMs have really ever used it either. So (being the first for our group), I'm full of dumb questions.

First, the book said that during feeding, a Psi-Stalker will drain half of the ISP from a psychic. But it's unclear whether that counts as nourishment or if it's a side effect from grabbing the PPE. How do you all play it? Does ISP count as nourishment? Is it at a 1 to 1 rate, 2 to 1 rate, or what?

Second, how strong is that predatory instinct? Is it completely overwhelming, or can it be "channeled" into hobbies? After feeding, is the predation instinct lessened for a few days, or is it constant? How hard is it to not kill the prey? (A necessity for the game I'm in.)

Third, the book said that a little bit of food and water per week is all that is needed. How about if the person gets more than that? Is it detrimental, or would the Psi-Stalker merely have to hit the gym a little more often to work it off?

Fourth, what if they have access to more than the 80-100 PPE needed per week? Would feeding several times be detrimental? Would it be beneficial? Would it store up for lean periods, or be just a nice snack while it lasts?

I'm not necessarily looking for book rulings. If there are gray areas, then how people have interpreted it is also good. Tips and tricks would also be nice. Plus, if anyone else has done what we've done and imported the RCC into a modern, pre-Rifts setting, information on how you made it work would also be great.

Thank you.

[Mack]

Good questions. I'm assuming you will play a "civilized" Psi-Stalker.

1) The ISP is not nourishment, just a side effect.

2) The instinct is strong, but can be controlled. Mostly up to you and how you wish to play it. I would assume the instinct is lessoned after feeding, but returns shortly.

3) I always felt that Stalkers simply aren't hungry after eating the required amount of food, and would just pass on anything further.

4) Consuming more PPE than the needed 80-100 could have anynumber of effects. The character could gain weight (it is nourishment after all), they might get sloppy/lazy, might lose some of their drive... It's all speculation.

I think you've got a lot of room to play this character however you want to. Just make sure you're on the same page as your GM so you don't get any surprises.

Also, if you haven't seen it, the Lone Star book had additional info on Psi-Stalkers in the back.

EDIT - Depending on how strict you GM is, he may let your character just "pop out" as needed for a quick kill/feeding and then rejoin the group after a couple hours absence.

[Sentinel]

No one in our group has ever played a Psi-Stalker before, neither of the GMs have really ever used it either. So (being the first for our group), I'm full of dumb questions.
We'll let you know when you ask a truly dumb question. You haven't yet.

First, the book said that during feeding, a Psi-Stalker will drain half of the ISP from a psychic. But it's unclear whether that counts as nourishment or if it's a side effect from grabbing the PPE. How do you all play it? Does ISP count as nourishment? Is it at a 1 to 1 rate, 2 to 1 rate, or what?
ISP is just a side effect: it isn't nourishment enough for the Psi-Stalker.

Second, how strong is that predatory instinct? Is it completely overwhelming, or can it be "channeled" into hobbies? After feeding, is the predation instinct lessened for a few days, or is it constant? How hard is it to not kill the prey? (A necessity for the game I'm in.)
When hungry, predators kill. When not hungry, hunters don't hunt: they don't need to. As far as killing their prey, considering what they need to hunt for nourishment, I'd say the Psi-Stalker doesn't hesitate, but tends to go for the kill if ever in doubt. With a reasoning intellect along with predatory instincts (Psi-Stalkers aren't animals after all), I'd say they can have interests, most likely competitive (physically oriented games for example).

Third, the book said that a little bit of food and water per week is all that is needed. How about if the person gets more than that? Is it detrimental, or would the Psi-Stalker merely have to hit the gym a little more often to work it off?
If a wild psi-stalker, I doubt this would be an issue: they would only take what they need to survive, and not indulge in unnecessary excess.
Life in the wild wil most likely keep them trim and fit.

Fourth, what if they have access to more than the 80-100 PPE needed per week? Would feeding several times be detrimental? Would it be beneficial? Would it store up for lean periods, or be just a nice snack while it lasts?
I don't think you can store up PPE the way you can store up fat.
I doubt it would have any detrimental effects long term, although there may be a temporary euphoria from the excess that could lead to a variety of reactions (similar to taking drugs for you & me).

I'm not necessarily looking for book rulings. If there are gray areas, then how people have interpreted it is also good. Tips and tricks would also be nice. Plus, if anyone else has done what we've done and imported the RCC into a modern, pre-Rifts setting, information on how you made it work would also be great.

Thank you.

I've not used wild Psi-Stalkers, preferring the more civilized ones.
In small numbers they make great HUII characters, and good for Nightbane as well.

[Natalya]

Good questions. I'm assuming you will play a "civilized" Psi-Stalker.

Yes, that's what's in mind. The setting is modern, and her "day job" is a professional thief.

3) I always felt that Stalkers simply aren't hungry after eating the required amount of food, and would just pass on anything further.

I was concerned about the social atmosphere. If it fits, I'm figuring that her typical target group is drunk men in a bar, necessitating the need to drink a lot of club soda in order to blend in. Plus, she does have to sit with others at restaurants.

[Mack]

I was concerned about the social atmosphere. If it fits, I'm figuring that her typical target group is drunk men in a bar, necessitating the need to drink a lot of club soda in order to blend in. Plus, she does have to sit with others at restaurants.

I understand what your saying, but it's going to be hard to blend in since Psi-Stalkers have a distinctive look. On the plus side, this is Rifts, and most people won't really be surprised that a Psi-Stalker is in the room. So I don't think you have to sweat it, unless it's an unusual restaurant/bar.

[dark brandon]

No one in our group has ever played a Psi-Stalker before, neither of the GMs have really ever used it either. So (being the first for our group), I'm full of dumb questions.

First, the book said that during feeding, a Psi-Stalker will drain half of the ISP from a psychic. But it's unclear whether that counts as nourishment or if it's a side effect from grabbing the PPE. How do you all play it? Does ISP count as nourishment? Is it at a 1 to 1 rate, 2 to 1 rate, or what?

Even pychics have PPE, though it's very little. They drain them of all their PPE, and as a result, lost 1/2 ISP

Second, how strong is that predatory instinct? Is it completely overwhelming, or can it be "channeled" into hobbies? After feeding, is the predation instinct lessened for a few days, or is it constant? How hard is it to not kill the prey? (A necessity for the game I'm in.)

I tend to think of them as maybe bikers. Their instinct is there, and it is rarely kept in check, but can be. Their instinct is a constant thing. As for keeping them from killing the prey, they can if told to do so, without any checks, unless they are starving. Pretty much, they will huff and puff but for the most part are still human.

Third, the book said that a little bit of food and water per week is all that is needed. How about if the person gets more than that? Is it detrimental, or would the Psi-Stalker merely have to hit the gym a little more often to work it off?

Um...I'll go with they have a smaller stomach, about the size of a thumb. (c: So they just get full alot faster.

Fourth, what if they have access to more than the 80-100 PPE needed per week? Would feeding several times be detrimental? Would it be beneficial? Would it store up for lean periods, or be just a nice snack while it lasts?

I'd say it's just a nice snack. They won't be able to store it but having more won't hurt it (Or make it fat) in any ways.

[Natalya]

I understand what your saying, but it's going to be hard to blend in since Psi-Stalkers have a distinctive look. On the plus side, this is Rifts, and most people won't really be surprised that a Psi-Stalker is in the room. So I don't think you have to sweat it, unless it's an unusual restaurant/bar.

Distinctive look? Okay, I missed that part of the book. How do they look different?

[Mack]

I understand what your saying, but it's going to be hard to blend in since Psi-Stalkers have a distinctive look. On the plus side, this is Rifts, and most people won't really be surprised that a Psi-Stalker is in the room. So I don't think you have to sweat it, unless it's an unusual restaurant/bar.

Distinctive look? Okay, I missed that part of the book. How do they look different?

Completely hairless. White pasty skin. Black patches around the eyes. There's a picture in the color section of the Rifts Main book. And if I recall, if you look in the Techno-Wizard section, there's a Psi-Stalker holding a Flaming Sword.

[Danger]

I understand what your saying, but it's going to be hard to blend in since Psi-Stalkers have a distinctive look. On the plus side, this is Rifts, and most people won't really be surprised that a Psi-Stalker is in the room. So I don't think you have to sweat it, unless it's an unusual restaurant/bar.

Distinctive look? Okay, I missed that part of the book. How do they look different?

Completely hairless. White pasty skin. Black patches around the eyes. There's a picture in the color section of the Rifts Main book. And if I recall, if you look in the Techno-Wizard section, there's a Psi-Stalker holding a Flaming Sword.

Yeah, I've never completely been a fan of the way that Psi-Stalkers look. I wish there were a few alternative options. *shrug*

[Sentinel]

I've not used wild Psi-Stalkers, preferring the more civilized ones.
In small numbers they make great HUII characters, and good for Nightbane as well.

do you use them in HU2 "as is" or ...

Yes. I like to use RCCs and PCCs from other books, and keep them unique when putting them into other setting worlds.
I also use Warlocks, Witches, Shifters, Mystics, Lanotaur, Psi-Slayers, Psi-Ghosts, Diabolists, and others, pretty much as they are in the books: updating their skills of course where appropriate.

[Mack]

Yeah, I've never completely been a fan of the way that Psi-Stalkers look. I wish there were a few alternative options. *shrug*

For what it's worth, all CS Psi-Stalkers have cosmetic surgery so they "look" human. There's an angle for you to use.

[Sentinel]

I don't mind a distinctive look to Psi-Stalkers: I just prefer to allow players to customise it somewhat. As a PPE feeder, you should have some sort of oddness to the way you look (you are what you eat after all).

[dark brandon]

Yeah, I've never completely been a fan of the way that Psi-Stalkers look. I wish there were a few alternative options. *shrug*

For what it's worth, all CS Psi-Stalkers have cosmetic surgery so they "look" human. There's an angle for you to use.

Is that canon or just a house rule.

Not arguing, just wondering, I may have missed it.

As for their look, I think they look perfect. But you can have things like hair plugs and stuff to give your psi-stalker air. I believe in Xinitix invasions, a clan does that anyways.

[Mack]

For what it's worth, all CS Psi-Stalkers have cosmetic surgery so they "look" human. There's an angle for you to use.

Is that canon or just a house rule.

Not arguing, just wondering, I may have missed it.

It's in the RMB, within the Psi-Stalker section IIRC. It's canon, not a house-rule. If I remember tonight I'll look up the page number.

[dark brandon]

For what it's worth, all CS Psi-Stalkers have cosmetic surgery so they "look" human. There's an angle for you to use.

Is that canon or just a house rule.

Not arguing, just wondering, I may have missed it.

It's in the RMB, within the Psi-Stalker section IIRC. It's canon, not a house-rule. If I remember tonight I'll look up the page number.

Cool, thanks, if you find the page number, i'd appriciate it.

[Rex]

Not sure about that Mack. I'll look for it myself. I think they are encouraged to act more human.

[Mack]

Not sure about that Mack. I'll look for it myself. I think they are encouraged to act more human.

RMB, p.105, upper right paragraph, following the "Note." But we're both half-right, half-wrong. It doesn't say cosmetic surgery like I thought. It just says that they are human in appearance.

Interestingly enough, that note is not reproduced on Lone Star p.157. But 157-158 does have the physical description.

[Natalya]

On page 104 (RMB), it says that Psi-Stalkers can be human, D-Bee, or mutoid. Since most of the other drawings in the books look strange, maybe they chose a non-human one to draw.

Since it says they can be human and look human, I'm going to stick to my original character drawing.

[dark brandon]

On page 104 (RMB), it says that Psi-Stalkers can be human, D-Bee, or mutoid. Since most of the other drawings in the books look strange, maybe they chose a non-human one to draw.

Since it says they can be human and look human, I'm going to stick to my original character drawing.

Just go with cosmetic implants.

I'm pretty sure all psi-stalkers are pasty white and have no hair.

[Natalya]

Another question. For those also familiar with NSS, would the Fasting skill allow a Psi-Stalker to go without PPE for a couple of weeks in a pinch?

[dark brandon]

Another question. For those also familiar with NSS, would the Fasting skill allow a Psi-Stalker to go without PPE for a couple of weeks in a pinch?

good question...GM decision on that one.

I'd say...yeah.

[Mech-Viper Prime]

Yes, but who would teach him the method of PPE fasting? Monks only know how to fast without food.

tribe elder

[Dead Boy]

About the question of whether a Psi-Stalker can draw nutrition form the ISP sucked from a psychic. I think that they can to a limited extent. Here's my thinking on this. A TW Gizmo can function on ISP if twice as much is pumped into it as it normally requires PPE. That means PPE & ISP are interchangable to a certain degree. So if a Stalker fed on a psychic with 60 ISP, draining it down by half to 30 as normal, I think it's reasonable to say that particular feeding counted as a 15 PPE lunch due to the going 2:1 exchange rate.

[Mack]

About the question of whether a Psi-Stalker can draw nutrition form the ISP sucked from a psychic. I think that they can to a limited extent. Here's my thinking on this. A TW Gizmo can function on ISP if twice as much is pumped into it as it normally requires PPE. That means PPE & ISP are interchangable to a certain degree. So if a Stalker fed on a psychic with 60 ISP, draining it down by half to 30 as normal, I think it's reasonable to say that particular feeding counted as a 15 PPE lunch due to the going 2:1 exchange rate.

I understand you logic, but if that were the case wouldn't there be an explicit statement saying so?

[Dead Boy]

About the question of whether a Psi-Stalker can draw nutrition form the ISP sucked from a psychic. I think that they can to a limited extent. Here's my thinking on this. A TW Gizmo can function on ISP if twice as much is pumped into it as it normally requires PPE. That means PPE & ISP are interchangable to a certain degree. So if a Stalker fed on a psychic with 60 ISP, draining it down by half to 30 as normal, I think it's reasonable to say that particular feeding counted as a 15 PPE lunch due to the going 2:1 exchange rate.

I understand you logic, but if that were the case wouldn't there be an explicit statement saying so?

You'd think that of a lot of things in this game, but sometimes you have to use your own brain to figure out what's reasonable and what's not.

[Killer Cyborg]

remember we are talking about a Palladium game, reason and common sense have nothing to do with it.

People say that sort of thing a LOT, but it's not true.
As problematic as the rules are, there IS logic and reason and a degree of common sense at work in them. Otherwise they'd just be a pile of gibbering word-salad.

[Sentinel]

remember we are talking about a Palladium game, reason and common sense have nothing to do with it.

People say that sort of thing a LOT, but it's not true.
As problematic as the rules are, there IS logic and reason and a degree of common sense at work in them. Otherwise they'd just be a pile of gibbering word-salad.

With Thousand Island at the End of the World dressing?