Visibility of mental powers?

[Sabelkatten]

This came up recently:

 

What does a character with mental awareness actually notice?

 

Ego attack: Is there a visible beam (or similar) when used? That is, if both the attacker and target is outside the observer's LOS will he notice the attack?

 

Mind control/Mental illusions/Telepathy/Mind scan: As above. Also, is the power noticeable after the attack roll has been made?

Mind control/Mental illusions/Telepathy are instant, but even after the attack roll is made information might pass between the attacker and the target (at least in the case of telepathy).

Mind scan is constant, so I assume it would be noticeable throughout. But that would mean you could actually use it as a targetting sense at the +0 contact level! Just fire along the straight line that connects the attacker and target...

 

Mind link: A 0 END cost persistent power, so it might be completely invisible... If not as above. But then is it always visible. or only when it is actually used (like a radio link)? In the first case IPE becomes very attractive!

[Steve Long]

It all depends on how the character defines the special effects of his power(s), any ground rules the GM establishes for Mental Powers in the campaign, and so forth. There's no one right answer, anymore than there is to the question, "What does an Energy Blast look like?".

 

Constant Mental Powers are visible throughout use, just like any other Constant Power. If a character has to somehow use or activate an Instant Mental Power again to adjust it (e.g., to give a new order with Mind Control), then the Power will be visible to Mental Awareness in the Phase in which it's "used" again.