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The psionic power Telekinetic Punch from Rifts Ultimate Edition page 170.

At 7th level can a character use this power as a surprise attack. It allows for a range of 1 foot per level so a 7th level character could throw a punch at a target 7 feet away from them. I can imagine that suprising an unexpecting defender.

One of the situations of its use is that of a character behind bars who wants to use it to throw a punch between the bars to strike a guard and a prisoner in another jail cell.

The Question:
When a psychic uses this power, is it a surprise attack? (No parry or dodge, defender losses initiative)

Would it work if you attacked from behind the bars of a prison cell?

IF you use this power to strike someone from behind can it knock them out?

Can the character (NPC, player, villian) use this to trip attack someone (knock down, losses 1 attack, etc.)?

Does this psionic attack count against creatures that can only be hurt by psionics or magic?

When a psychic uses this power, is it a surprise attack? (No parry or dodge, defender losses initiative)

Would it work if you attacked from behind the bars of a prison cell?

IF you use this power to strike someone from behind can it knock them out?

Can the character (NPC, player, villan) use this to trip attack someone (knock down, losses 1 attack, etc.)?

Does this psionic attack count against creatures that can only be hurt by psionics or magic?

If the target is ignorant of the power, 90% yes.

If there isn't a bar in the way, yes. In other words, roll two strikes (miss the bars & strike the target) or make the difficulty to hit higher. Also since it is a ranged attack it might do well to apply the ranged attack 'to hit' number to using this power.

Attacks from the rear are attacks from the rear. Use those rules.

No sweeps or other trip/KD attacks with TK Punch. You could make up a new power for your villains as a GM that does trip/KD attacks.

darthauthor wrote: ↑Sun Feb 11, 2024 2:07 pmAt 7th level can a character use this power as a surprise attack. It allows for a range of 1 foot per level so a 7th level character could throw a punch at a target 7 feet away from them. I can imagine that suprising an unexpecting defender.

Where is this from? There's nothing about this in my (first printing) copy of Rifts UE page 170. Is this another Palladium update/editing issue?

Regarding the other questions, I would say is it is a punch (or kick), not a trip, and as such can only do damage, as opposed to tripping or other special moves. However, this hit could knock someone out given the required circumstances/rolls.
I don't think telekinesis in general (including this power) enables one to damage creatures that can only be harmed by psionics (etc.). You are still hitting them with the object or fist being moved via telekinesis, not by "psionics". My opinion.

darthauthor wrote:At 7th level can a character use this power as a surprise attack. It allows for a range of 1 foot per level so a 7th level character could throw a punch at a target 7 feet away from them. I can imagine that suprising an unexpecting defender.

No they cannot use it for a surprise attack. I've checked RUE (1st Printing) and WB12 (when it was introduced to Rifts) and PF2E and none of them mention the ability to use it as a surprise attack at Level 7.

Now when a psychic used TK Punch/Kick as a "ranged attack" option it might catch an opponent by surprise (psychic swings at them from to far away is their thinking and yet the connect), but likely would only be 1st swing option.

Sure it can knock someone out, but I can't see it being used as a "trip" attack.

It would count as psychic attack against creatures that can only be hurt by psionics, though I don't see how it would work on creatures only vulnerable to magic (it is psychic in nature after all).

Given that the power explicitly states "Saving Throw: Dodge or parry as usual" then you get your dodge or parry, as usual.
Now it is possible to make a judgement call that certain situations warrant an exception to the standard rule... but as written if they could defend against the punch portion, they can defend against the TK portion

I would go with "It is a surprise attack if the attack is a surprise." If you flat-foot smack someone not expecting it, that's a surprise attack whether your fist is involved or not. However, if they're expecting the punch, it's not a surprise attack.

eliakon wrote: ↑Fri Mar 15, 2024 2:19 pm Given that the power explicitly states "Saving Throw: Dodge or parry as usual" then you get your dodge or parry, as usual.
Now it is possible to make a judgement call that certain situations warrant an exception to the standard rule... but as written if they could defend against the punch portion, they can defend against the TK portion

Agreed.