Tying someone up with telekinesis?

[xBlackWolfx]

Its a thought I just had. I don't like the idea of people with telekinesis using their powers to throw around objects that aren't theirs. I mean, seriously, who the * would think its okay to pick up someone's car and throw it at people?

So I would like my telekinesis power to be more of a utility thing, but the power itself only really makes mention of lifting objects, throwing objects, and bashing things together.

But what about other things? Like throwing a robot into an electrical panel, or bashing someone against a wall or floor (Raven did this once in the teen titans cartoon)? Or let's say there was some sort of rope or cable lying around, couldn't they use their telekinesis to tie up someone with it? I find that particularly problematic since it would essentially give them a new power (immobilization). Would this require a power stunt, or would it just count as using the environment to your advantage? I do know that in that amazing ocelot actual play, the character pulled a pipe off a wall to spray steam into a villain's face since the pc was obviously unable to overcome that character's soak value (the narrator counted this as a daze effect I think), though I don't think he mentioned whether or not he had to use a hero point to do this. I personally don't think players should be punished for being creative in this game, heck if anything I might even give them a hero point for trying to win without doing the typical 'attack roll until he dies' thing that tends to be severely overused from what little I've seen.

And my sister wants to play a telekinetic character, so this could actually come up. And yes, we still have yet to play a game. She was too busy with schoolwork, however she's off for the summer so we will soon have time to play and learn the game.

[MrJupiter]

Cool topic, xBlackWolfx. Even though it is a common comic book trope, it does seem odd that the good guys have little regret about using some poor *'s Ford Tempo (which he might still be trying to pay off) as some kind of bludgeoning weapon against the, so-called, "bad guy". To make your Telekinesis power a strictly utilitarian tool, you could place a Situational limitation on it that specifically spells out that it "can not be used to attack others".

If I remember correctly, I believe that grabbing opponents with your Telekinesis power would require a Wrestling maneuver to Grab (see pg 22 of BASH:UE) before you Carry Them, Throw Them, Crush Them, or whatever. You would probably replace Agility with your Mind and Brawn with your Telekinesis levels.

[BASHMAN]

xBlack Wolfx, This subject gets quite a bit of treatment in Awesome Powers 5 (Psionic and Telekinetic Powers).

It covers using TK to remotely swing a sword or fire a gun, tie people up, forcing someone to punch themself, using TK to physically shape objects into different forms, breaking things, etc. and that is just in one Sidebar on how to use TK as it presently exists.

Awesome Powers Vol. 5 also has a bunch of powers Offensive, Defensive, and Utility that are based on Telekineis, like "Telekinetic Flail", or "Telekinetic Shackles". Many of these could be done as a Power Stunt with standard TK, but instead might be used as a Multi-Power with it. Likewise Telekinesis is the sort of power that you may want to take "Versatile" Advantage with it, because it lends itself to Power Stunts very well.

Regarding bashing people into the wall or floor and "punching" them with TK are all just standard uses of TK. Holding a person up in the air so they are helpless though would be something different though, more along the lines of wrestling.

[fairytalejedi]

A couple of thoughts: Taking the Concentration limitation would makse sense for "utility" TK. Also simply buying it at level 1-2 would make it a utility power that isn't used to throw cars around (unless you push yourself).

Part of this also is just a matter of character psychology and campaign realism. How much does the character respect other people's property, and are there legal or financial or popularity repurcussions for inflicting collateral damage?

[xBlackWolfx]

xBlack Wolfx, This subject gets quite a bit of treatment in Awesome Powers 5 (Psionic and Telekinetic Powers).

It covers using TK to remotely swing a sword or fire a gun, tie people up, forcing someone to punch themself, using TK to physically shape objects into different forms, breaking things, etc. and that is just in one Sidebar on how to use TK as it presently exists.

Awesome Powers Vol. 5 also has a bunch of powers Offensive, Defensive, and Utility that are based on Telekineis, like "Telekinetic Flail", or "Telekinetic Shackles". Many of these could be done as a Power Stunt with standard TK, but instead might be used as a Multi-Power with it. Likewise Telekinesis is the sort of power that you may want to take "Versatile" Advantage with it, because it lends itself to Power Stunts very well.

Regarding bashing people into the wall or floor and "punching" them with TK are all just standard uses of TK. Holding a person up in the air so they are helpless though would be something different though, more along the lines of wrestling.

hmmm...then I take it I need to start buying supplements?

I have been thinking about it for awhile, but I really didn't see much point in it since I couldn't play the game anyway. But hey, I enjoy making characters, and I will get to play it possibly within the next month.

[BASHMAN]

You don't **have** to. However, they are good to mine for ideas, even if you don't want to use all the powers as written.

The nice thing is that you can choose just the supplements that are of use to you (in this case, Telekinesis) if you are not much of a collector. Most of the powers featured are built using the standard rules, but are explained in greater detail, and some of them use a bit of creativity put together, involving various Enhancements, Limitations, and the like.

[fairytalejedi]

I've found Awesome Powers to be much more valuable than I initially thought they would be. I suggest getting one to see for yourself.