Mind Control ("Single Command")

[Bathawk1]

  Know this is a 4th edition question. But with the passing of Scott Bennie been going through my VIPER sourcebook

 

  When it comes to Mind Control: single command (like Gila whose command is "Stop" or "Don't Move", but assuming others like Mother Medusa as well) How long does the command "last" once it's "inflicted" on the target?

 

Thank You

[Lord Liaden]

Are you familiar with the rules for Breakout Roll versus Mental Powers? And do you have access to a rule book for 4E/5E/6E? The rules are practically identical across those editions, although they become increasingly detailed over time. 

[LoneWolf]

How long the target remains under mind control is determined by the breakout roll as Lord Liaden states. But that only covers how long you remain mind controlled.  Some commands by their nature may involve shorter time.  If you give the target a command that can be completed before the mind control is broken they are no longer bound by the mind control.  How you phrase your command is very important.

 

A lot of it is going to depend on the GM.  In the example you give you have Stop or Don’t Move.  Those could easily be considered very different commands.  Stop could simply mean you stop moving, once you have come to a stop you can move after that.   That is basically what happens when you come to a stop sign.  You come to a complete stop and after that you move through the intersection.  Don’t Move on the other hand is move likely to keep the target from moving.  It can be interpreted   as an ongoing command instead of a onetime command. If you have the +1/4 advantage telepathic it should make this a little easier.  Since telepathic is not dependent on language it should allow you to communicate what you want the target to do.