Psi-Ghost Intangibility Combat Options

[drewkitty ~..~]

a: moving, using psionics, using magic.
b: yes.
c: use of physical psionics, yes.
d1: Electrokinesis, yes.
d2: Psi-sword ..My answer is no. To keep with the limitations of the Intangibility. In part because the psi-sword has a both a physical effect (can parry physical weapons) and a psionic effects (can affect the insubstantial and spirits).

[Tor]

Could a Psi-Ghost (or anyone else for that matter) use telekinesis or ectoplasm to maneuver the psi-sword?

I thought I remembered something about you needed to hold the weapon and it vanishing if you let go of it but can't find that in RMB or RUE so I'm not sure if I might be thinking of someone else. Did this get mentioned in some obscure errata? Something relating to not being able to throw them?

*imagining Mind Melters handing out powerful psi-swords to vagabond minions*

I feel kinda bad for the CS. I mean sure, a Psi-Stalker can tell when a psionic power is in use, but can they discern between an active master psi and some paranoid minor sensitive keeping up his mind block all the time?

[SpiritKitsune7]

Will the Psi-Ghost intangibility power allow him or her to rig an explosive device in an enemy's safe from the other side of a wall?

[SpiritInterface]

Will the Psi-Ghost intangibility power allow him or her to rig an explosive device in an enemy's safe from the other side of a wall?

no

[drewkitty ~..~]

Will the Psi-Ghost intangibility power allow him or her to rig an explosive device in an enemy's safe from the other side of a wall?

sf was correct in saying no that a char could not assemble a bomb inside a wall safe. however....

Could a char with the intangible super power allow the char to plant a bomb inside a safe without opening the safe? Yes. So long as the chars sets everything up before placing the bomb. dropped items become solid again.

Could they grab stuff out of a safe? if it is not a room safe no. The char needs the space for the char's whole body to become solid before grabbing whatever is in the safe.

[Mack]

So, I'm pretty clear on the PG's Intangibility; costs an action to ghost, and one to un-ghost, susceptible to electricity, sonic, gas, and psi attacks.
But, what sort of options are available while ghosted?
Can a PG use psi against someone?

Yes. Sensitive psionics should work just fine. Likewise, powers like Bio-Manipulation should work.

Use psi to interact with the fully tangible world in any way?

Yes. Telekinesis would work.
I would not allow powers where the user must touch the target (Healing Touch, Mind Wipe...)

What about things like psi-sword or electronkinesis?

I would not allow powers like Ectoplasm or Psi-Sword since they have to emanate from the character... they'd also be intangible. But I would allow the character to be intangible, summon a Psi-Sword, then become tangible and have the Psi-Sword ready for action.
Electrokinesis... partial. I wouldn't allow the attacks, but would allow the user to manipulate or sense. The resistance ability would be useful considering that's one of the character's few vulnerabilities.

[Tor]

Where does it talk about Psi-sword emanating from a user?

[SpiritInterface]

Where does it talk about Psi-sword emanating from a user?

With the range as self in both Rifts page 126 and RUE page 180 it is inferred.

[Tor]

Isn't range simply for the distance you need to be to activate the power?

The range is 'Touch' for Mentally Possess Others but that doesn't mean you need to keep touching the person's body to maintain the power, you can leave your body behind and move around in the new one once it's up. Same with Mind Wipe or Mind Bond, the durations of effect maintains even after touch is broken, so long as you're touching when you activate it.

[Prysus]

I thought I remembered something about you needed to hold the weapon and it vanishing if you let go of it but can't find that in RMB or RUE so I'm not sure if I might be thinking of someone else. Did this get mentioned in some obscure errata? Something relating to not being able to throw them?

Greetings and Salutations. You could be remembering the lines from PF2 and HU2 (possibly others as well) that has a specific line about not being able to hand it to others. This comes directly after the section about being knocked unconscious (causing it to vanish) or dispelling it at will. By coming immediately after, and stating how it can't be handed to another, it links the sentences together. Hope that helps. Farewell and safe journeys.

Note: Megaversalists vs. Setting Purists can argue if this applies or not, I could careless what other people do. However I do recommend further discussions about the psi-sword topic be moved to its own, separate topic instead of trying to rudely hi-jack another person's thread. Yes, I participated in this, and I feel shame. Moving along now ...

[Tor]

OP asked about psi-swords, we're doing that, not seeing the hi-jack. Thanks for pointing out the text, didn't know about the difference.

Nightbane Between the Shadows appears to resemble Rifts in lacking this text you've pointed out on HU2p313 and PF2p178.

Figure I'll quote it exactly for analysis, if OP opts to apply this to Rifts as well. This is a valid concern, particularly since HU2 suggests utilizing Psi-Ghosts from Rifts in HU.

If the psychic is knocked unconscious, the weapon disappears.
Likewise, the character can willingly dispel the weapon with a thought;
it cannot be given to another character to use.

I omitted the parenthesized reminder that it costs 30 ISP to create a new one since that's obvious and distracting and seems irrelevant...

The use of the semicolon is a bit confusing to me, but I'm not sure how to take this 'link' you're describing.

The 2nd line "likewise" seems to just talk about another way the weapon disappears.

Even if these were linked there's no explanation of how though so I can't really draw conclusions...

Plus the inability to give it to other characters doesn't say anything about whether you can operate it yourself using TK or ectoplasm or while intangible.

[drewkitty ~..~]

In the Spirit West worldbook in the Mystic Warrior CC has a Psi-Spear that can be thrown. The text of the power description supports that psi-swords can not be thrown.

[eliakon]

None of which really matters....
The sword would be intangible with the Psi-Ghost and thus held by him or not it would still only affect other intangible things.

Which is the only bit of this that applies to this thread. The question of if the sword could or could not be remotely wielded, while most likely a fascinating one to consider has no relevance to the intangibility.

[SpiritInterface]

Isn't range simply for the distance you need to be to activate the power?

The range is 'Touch' for Mentally Possess Others but that doesn't mean you need to keep touching the person's body to maintain the power, you can leave your body behind and move around in the new one once it's up. Same with Mind Wipe or Mind Bond, the durations of effect maintains even after touch is broken, so long as you're touching when you activate it.

Range touch means that you need to touch the target. With a range of self implies that the blade of the Psi Sword emanates from the users body, usually the hand but there is no reason it couldn't emanate from a foot, groin, forehead...