Tapping into a mindlink?

[starblaze]

Hi,

 

I have a superteam in my campaign that has a mentalist who has mind link. The team usually uses this mind link to create a 'psionic switchboard ' so that they can communicate without being overheard. This is fine by me but I was wondering if there is any way that someone outside the mind link could tap into it.

 

What combination of powers would be needed in order to do this?

[Captain Obvious]

Re: Tapping into a mindlink?

 

Telepathy.

 

It would be a GM call as to whether tapping into one character's mind would allow the tapper to hear all Mind Link communications, but even if not, adding 1 Hex Accurate, Megascale, and Autofire should allow him to tap into several others pretty easily.

[NuSoardGraphite]

Re: Tapping into a mindlink?

 

I would allow this with a specific application of Telepathy and Mind-Scan.

 

If the PC's are all close enough together, a simple Area of Effect Telepathy (as one poster pointed out above) would suffice, but in the case where the characters are spread too far apart I would use this method.

 

Make a successful Telepathy attack on one character...must achieve an Ego+10 result. If this is successful, they can hear anythoughts this specific character sends or recieves, though they cannot hear thoughts exchanged by any other member of the group mind-link. Thats where Mind-Scan comes in.

 

They can then Mind-Scan for all the members of the Mind Link, at a bonus of +5! Once they've all been located, Telepathy rolls can be made to try and eavesdrop as normal (Ego+10)

 

Of course, the Mentalist attempting such a feat needs to either have Invisibility on Mind Scan and Telepathy, or go for a Stealth effect roll adding +20 to the needed effect roll.

[Kyle A.]

Re: Tapping into a mindlink?

 

Use a Detect. I think that would be the best way.

Detect Information Transmitted by Mindlink, discriminitory, analyze, Sense (Mental)

[Dust Raven]

Re: Tapping into a mindlink?

 

According to the 4th edition Ultimate Mentalist, a Mind Link creates an open link between all linked parties. So if persons A, B, C and D, persons A and B cannot have a private conversation; C and D will always hear what is said over the link. Of course, anyone can freely drop out of a link, and presumably the originator of the link can drop someone else off at will. (Another odd bit is that all Mind Links are a universal network. If person A links with person B, he is automatically linked with anyone person B is already linked to and vice versa.)

 

Mind Link is also considered to be (generally) surface thoughts.

 

So, all you need to do is use Telepathy to scan the surface thoughts of any person in the link and you can listen in on the entire conversation.

 

Warning: If any member of the Mind Link has Mental Awareness, they will be instantly aware of the evesdropper unless the Telepathy was bought IPE. Also, unless the telepath deleberately attempts to make his presence unnoticed by achieving a +20 effect, the specific target will be aware Telepathy was used on him once it wears off. For some to evesdrop completely unnoticed, they would require both IPE and a +20 effect (over what is required for surface thoughts).

[Sean Waters]

Re: Tapping into a mindlink?

 

According to the 4th edition Ultimate Mentalist, a Mind Link creates an open link between all linked parties. So if persons A, B, C and D, persons A and B cannot have a private conversation; C and D will always hear what is said over the link. Of course, anyone can freely drop out of a link, and presumably the originator of the link can drop someone else off at will. (Another odd bit is that all Mind Links are a universal network. If person A links with person B, he is automatically linked with anyone person B is already linked to and vice versa.)

 

Mind Link is also considered to be (generally) surface thoughts.

 

So, all you need to do is use Telepathy to scan the surface thoughts of any person in the link and you can listen in on the entire conversation.

 

Warning: If any member of the Mind Link has Mental Awareness, they will be instantly aware of the evesdropper unless the Telepathy was bought IPE. Also, unless the telepath deleberately attempts to make his presence unnoticed by achieving a +20 effect, the specific target will be aware Telepathy was used on him once it wears off. For some to evesdrop completely unnoticed, they would require both IPE and a +20 effect (over what is required for surface thoughts).

 

Everything that Dust Raven said, but I would not allow mental awareness to automatically detect the eavesdropping: it would still require a PER roll, and, if they were not in LOS may not be possible at all.

[Dust Raven]

Re: Tapping into a mindlink?

 

Everything that Dust Raven said' date=' but I would not allow mental awareness to automatically detect the eavesdropping: it would still require a PER roll, and, if they were not in LOS may not be possible at all.[/quote']

 

I think that's what I meant actually. Poorly phrased on my part (well, horribly phrased really). There is a skill (Cloak, based on EGO) presented in UM that allow a mentalist to modify that roll, acting as a form of mental stealth that would contest the PER roll. Might be cheaper than buying IPE (and can be used for all Mental Powers, although some things are just plain obvious no matter how subtle you try to be).

 

You know, is there a petition we can all sign that would encourage DOJ to bump the 5th edition Ultimate Mentalist up the production line? I'm getting sick of relying on/referring to a 4th edition source that's only available online in pdf.

[ghost-angel]

Re: Tapping into a mindlink?

 

We could bug Steve unmercifully until either 1) he complies or has us all banned and blocks our email addresses.

 

If it helps I'd preorder that book in a heartbeat.

 

edit: TUMentalist is slated for "early 2006" so we're almost there. Of course that could be as late as Aprilish...

[Dust Raven]

Re: Tapping into a mindlink?

 

We could bug Steve unmercifully until either 1) he complies or has us all banned and blocks our email addresses.

 

If it helps I'd preorder that book in a heartbeat.

 

edit: TUMentalist is slated for "early 2006" so we're almost there. Of course that could be as late as Aprilish...

 

I still won't hope for it until August or so to be honest. I haven't seen any news about it yet, and until I do I'll just assume it won't be done for a year or more. If I'm right, then I'll be justified; if I'm wrong, I'll be pleasently surprised and thrilled at my new copy of The Ultimate Mentalist.