Psionic Ability

A Psionic Ability in the Baldur's Gate Infinity Engine games is basically an Innate Power or ability possessed by certain creatures in the game saga. Most notably these are the Mind Flayer race, the Githyanki Race and the Athasian Halflings in The Planar Sphere, specifically Entu. All these creatures may be able to use one or more psionic abilities.

Over the game series, the developers were fairly consistent in which creatures use psionic abilities, however, the philosophy behind how the abilities are designed is not as consistent. It is pretty clear from examining the files, that some abilities were based on a Wizard spell, and are almost identical to those.

Some others were made from scratch and are closer to the idea behind how psionics are explained in the Dungeons and Dragons 2nd Edition ruleset.

Psionic abilities are classified as either innate, wizard, or psionic, with the latter occurring in the Throne of Bhaal era of the game development.

Description

In general terms, a Psionic Ability is an innate power initiated by a creature's own mind that can almost instantly apply some kind of potential effect upon oneself or a target.

The game assigns these abilities a specific SPIN.XXX file, similar to an arcane or divine magic spell would have. They behave in some similar ways to a spell cast, but they are different as well. They can be scripted to a creature to use, they can be "memorized" but more often than not will just be included in a creature's script. They typically can be used multiple times per battle, on a timed basis, or if specific conditions have occurred during the encounter. Most Psionics launch and produce a projectile that travels toward the target at varying speeds, the same as spell would. There are exceptions as well.

Characteristics of psionics

A Psionic Ability is usually launched instantly or near instantly.

A Psionic Ability is usually not interruptible like a regular spell cast, as they are ForceSpell cast (a scripting execution command) - there are a few exceptions, such as when a player character assumes a Mind Flayer form with the Shapechange spell.

A Psionic Ability that is "ForceSpell" cast is usually not affected by Miscast Magic effects, Deafness effect or Silence effects. No verbal or somatic component is necessary.

A Psionic Ability is a typically a non-magical effect (when coded in that manner). Thus, they are not influenced by Magic resistance, and typically cannot be touched or affected by Dispel Magic effects. As always, there are a few exceptions where the ability is not coded like this and is more spell-like than an innate non-magical design.

A Psionic ability is usually not assigned to a "School of Magic" such as Necromancy, or Evocation, but some are. This means for some psionic abilities that specialist mages will get no saving throw modifiers against these powers, and the Spell Immunity arcane spell will not have any effect.

A Psionic Ability typically has no assigned spell power level and is level 0. The practical outcome of this is that protective spells that block spell levels have no effect, like Minor Globe of Invulnerability, Spell Turning, Spell Deflection or Spell Trap for example. There are a several exceptions to this.

A Psionic Ability may however have an assigned "secondary type" as many spells have, such as "Offensive Damage" or "Disabling", or "Illusionary protection". Some psionic powers do not.

Psionic abilities in the unmodified game

• Ballistic Attack
• Detonate
• Ego Whip
• Psionic Blast
• Psionic Disintegrate
• Psionic Domination
• Psionic Inertial Barrier
• Psionic Inflict Pain
• Psionic Life Drain
• Psionic Project Force
• Psionic Maze
• Psionic Mind Blast (githyanki)

Psionic ability users

• Alhoon
• Anti-Paladin
• Anti-Paladin (Ir'revykal)
• Brain Golem
• Captain (githyanki)
• Captain (githyanki WK)
• Entu
• Gish (githyanki)
• Githyanki (Jan 2)
• Knight (githyanki)
• Kruin
• Mind Flayer
• Simyaz
• The Master Brain
• Warlock (githyanki)
• Warrior (githyanki)
• Ulitharid
• Vampiric Illithid

Gallery

Two hostile Githyanki attack a party member - Psionic Domination attempted, save negates.

A Knight (githyanki) and Warrior (githyanki) each launch a Psionic Blast at the targeted PC, spell projectiles enroute.

Gallery mod content

This section is about unofficial content that is only available via fan-made mods.

Githyanki fighter mage inside Globe of Invulnerability deploys Ego Whip at party member (saving throw negated), then Psionic Maze (failed save) spell animation view. SCS mod

Githyanki launched Detonate ability, inflicts magical energy damage on entire party, some who are very far away from the attacker. SCS mod

Entu in the The Planar Sphere uses "Psionic Domination" on party PC, who makes saving throw.

Entu uses Psionic ability "Detonate" on party PC, who is protected by Minor Globe of Invulnerability, which blocks its 3 Power level effect, text displays "Spell Ineffective". PC avoids 1d10 Magical damage.

Ulitharid (Spellhold) blasts party with Detonate. Affects characters over a hundred feet away and out of sight.

A Mind flayer launches a psionic Detonate ability that injures the whole party, most of whom aren't even in the same room.

Attackers use psionic "Planar Travel" ability to jump across the map. A Mind Flayer hurts the party thief with psionic Ballistic Attack.

The Master Brain's Ego Whip strikes the entire party, even over 100 feet away from it and out of sight.

A Mind Flayer uses innate Improved Invisibility.

The Master Brain launches innate "Psionic Disjunction" (Remove Magic) ability at the PC. It dispels his Potion of Invulnerability used to get a +5 saving throws bonus.

Various githyanki in the Watcher's Keep Githyanki Encampment empower a psionic "Blur" protection.

Psionic abilities with Sword Coast Stratagems installed

Mind Flayer abilities (and some Githyanki)

• Ballistic Attack (SPIN911): Single target, offensive damage type, range 10', projectile no. 41 (skipping stone). Inflicts 5d12 crushing damage, no saving throw. This ability may be used once every 12 seconds.
• Detonate (SPIN912): Area of Effect, offensive damage type, range 40', projectile no. 159 (instant area non-party). Level 3 Spell Power. All enemies in the AoE suffer 1d10 magical damage, no saving throw. Destroys skeletons and skeleton warriors. This ability may be used once every 12 seconds.
• Improved Invisibility (SPIN544): Self, illusionist School, illusionary protections type. Level 4 Spell Power, cannot be removed by Dispel Magic effects. Duration 60-138 seconds (creature level dependent). Otherwise, identical to the arcane spell Improved Invisibility.
• Planar Travel (SPIN179): Self, Dimension door to any desired location on or off the map. This creature may use this power once per 18 seconds.
• Psionic Blast (SPIN727): Single target, schooless, no secondary type, range 20', projectile no. 222 (medium instant area), Stun effect, duration 12 seconds, no saving throw. This ability can be used every 12 seconds.
• Psionic Blast (SPIN834): Area of Effect, disabling secondary type, range 20', projectile no. 159 (instant area party), Stun effect, duration 50 seconds, save vs. spell negates. Can affect all enemies in the AoE. This ability can be used when scripted.
• Psionic Blast (SPIN959): Single target, range 60', projectile no. 222 (medium instant area), Stun effect, duration 120 seconds, save vs. spell with a -4 penalty negates. This ability can be used every 12 seconds.
• Psionic Domination (SPIN975): SCS uses the same ability as the unmodified game. This ability can be used every 12 seconds.
• Psionic Maze (SPIN774): SCS uses an innate ability rather than an actual Maze spell. This ability can be used as scripted in the creatures AI .BCS file.
• Psionic Disjunction (SPIN181): Area of Effect. Abjurer School, no secondary type. Range 30', projectile 177 (sparkle area green not party), Dispel magic effect, remove all magic as a level 10 caster, otherwise similar to the arcane spell Remove Magic. This creature may use this power once per 120 seconds. Note that The Master Brain innate ability is used at the caster level and not set to 10. Therefore, it has a good chance of working as it has 22 hit dice with SCS.

Note: Higher level and more advanced Mind Flayer creatures such as Ulitharid and Alhoon creatures have use of the more potent Psionic Blast abilities.

Githyanki Abilities

• Psionic Blur (SPIN181): Self, illusion school, illusionary protection type. Improves armor class and saving throws, duration 300 seconds. Unaffected by Dispel Magic effects. Otherwise, similar to the Blur arcane spell. This creature may use this power once per 18 seconds.
• Ego Whip (SPIN909): Single target, disabling type, range 10', no projectile, Stun effect, duration 24 seconds, save vs Death negates. Usable every 12 seconds.
• Mind Blast (SPIN775): Single target, Conjuration secondary type, range l00', projectile no. 24 (chromatic orb). Applies Unconscious effect, duration 25 seconds, a saving throw vs. Spell negates. Cannot be dispelled. Creature will remain asleep even if damaged. SCS scripts may use this power once per 18 seconds.
• Planar Travel (SPIN179): Self, Dimension door to any desired location on or off the map. This creature may use this power once per 18 seconds.

External Links

• Psionics on the Forgotten Realms Wiki, a wiki for the Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting Forgotten Realms.