[Parker]

Quick query;   
     I remember what the 2nd and 3rd Editions said about psionics, that they were just 'spikes' of early Magic users for the system's time-line.  But I've been hearing rumors that Catalyst may be introducing an alternative system of psychic character creation to allow it.  Anyone else pick up on the same or am I just hearing things?

[Catadmin]

So far as I know, there are no actual plans to introduce that into Shadowrun, but Jason would be the one to ask for sure.

There are a number of spells that mimic those powers though. Mind probe is the first one that comes to mind. And there's all those Detection spells that also mimic mental abilities.

I'm curious, where did you hear these rumors?

[Charybdis]

A) There's nothing wrong with using psionics as is. Street Magic has a good definition on the flavour of Psionics as another branch of magic. As far as Shadowrun is concerned, it can be just another form of awakened talent. Is there really any need for it to work using different mechanics?
B) Adepts can certainly pump up non-combat, thinking type powers. With the 4e adept powers like Multi-tasking, 3d Memory, Improved Technical skill (Computer?), the 'physical' adept can instead be built to be a mental powerhouse...

[Critias]

A) There's nothing wrong with using psionics as is. Street Magic has a good definition on the flavour of Psionics as another branch of magic. As far as Shadowrun is concerned, it can be just another form of awakened talent. Is there really any need for it to work using different mechanics?

Exactly my thoughts.  Since there's already "create-a-custom" rules and Street Magic's got suggestions for Psionics, what else do you really need? 

B) Adepts can certainly pump up non-combat, thinking type powers. With the 4e adept powers like Multi-tasking, 3d Memory, Improved Technical skill (Computer?), the 'physical' adept can instead be built to be a mental powerhouse...

*whistles innocently*

[Charybdis]

Exactly my thoughts.  Since there's already "create-a-custom" rules and Street Magic's got suggestions for Psionics, what else do you really need? 

*whistles innocently*

Hmmm, why is my spidey-sense suddenly tingling that in an upcoming SR4 mission, there's some uber Psionicist/Mental Adept waiting to pounce upon my unsuspecting group?

[Critias]

I don't know, but that's not what I'm whistling about.    I only did one Mission, and it hasn't got any...err, okay, it's got an adept in it, but not one the team should be fighting.

This is more in line of the general idea of "mental adepts," and what tricks they can pull, is all.

[Charybdis]

I don't know, but that's not what I'm whistling about.    I only did one Mission, and it hasn't got any...err, okay, it's got an adept in it, but not one the team should be fighting.

This is more in line of the general idea of "mental adepts," and what tricks they can pull, is all.

Which I have to say, is nice.

4e finally put some nice tricks that allow Phys Ad magic to be focused on other areas besides hitting things. It means that, like Magicians with weird spell selections, you really have no idea what the Adept is capable of......

[Crimsondude]

Exactly my thoughts.  Since there's already "create-a-custom" rules and Street Magic's got suggestions for Psionics, what else do you really need? 

*whistles innocently*

Hmmm, why is my spidey-sense suddenly tingling that in an upcoming SR4 mission, there's some uber Psionicist/Mental Adept waiting to pounce upon my unsuspecting group?

Not in Missions, no ...

[Charybdis]

Exactly my thoughts.  Since there's already "create-a-custom" rules and Street Magic's got suggestions for Psionics, what else do you really need? 

*whistles innocently*

Hmmm, why is my spidey-sense suddenly tingling that in an upcoming SR4 mission, there's some uber Psionicist/Mental Adept waiting to pounce upon my unsuspecting group?

Not in Missions, no ...

Damn you freelancers and your mystic ramblings  !OK, riddle me this then, you double-speaking villains:

Is there currently (or in proposal form) a Mental-type-adept or Psionicist (as described in this thread) expected in any upcoming SR4 product (Sourcebook, Novel or other?)

There. Weasel out of that one 

[Loki]

There is the psionicist tradition out of the digital grimoire.

[Critias]

A Psionicist, no (but that's because they're already kind of out).  More tricks for the not-always-Physical-Adepts, yes.  That's as non-mystically-cryptic as I can be without an NDA issue. 

[Crimsondude]

I love non-physical adepts.

[Charybdis]

A Psionicist, no (but that's because they're already kind of out).  More tricks for the not-always-Physical-Adepts, yes.  That's as non-mystically-cryptic as I can be without an NDA issue. 

And that is brilliant news

Woo hoo!

[Fortinbras]

B) Adepts can certainly pump up non-combat, thinking type powers. With the 4e adept powers like Multi-tasking, 3d Memory, Improved Technical skill (Computer?), the 'physical' adept can instead be built to be a mental powerhouse...

*whistles innocently*

Does this mean we may see some of those vaunted hacker adepts coming down the line? Maybe some folks aren't as dead as we thought they were?

[Catadmin]

B) Adepts can certainly pump up non-combat, thinking type powers. With the 4e adept powers like Multi-tasking, 3d Memory, Improved Technical skill (Computer?), the 'physical' adept can instead be built to be a mental powerhouse...

*whistles innocently*

Does this mean we may see some of those vaunted hacker adepts coming down the line? Maybe some folks aren't as dead as we thought they were?

Do you really want to trust that those rumored dead aren't shedim? Seriously? 

As far as hacker adepts, we have technomancers. What more do you need?