Did Mind Bolt get nerfed?

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Mogge
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Joined: Tue Aug 15, 2023 1:45 am

Did Mind Bolt get nerfed?

Unread post by Mogge »

In Manhunter Mind Bolt was revised. I was sure hoping that Mind Bolt would have been boosted and that a Psionic for once would be better to damage the mind than a magic-user.
Alas, I was fooled. While the Magic-user can still Mental Blast (level 5 invocation) and do damage direct to Hitpoints and ignore armor and Also have Mental Shock (level 7 invocation) that severly disables the opponent the Psionic "Master of mental powers" was nerfec with Mind Bolt, that wasn't even that great to start with.
Earlier the 40 I.S.P. spend would do a meager 2D4 M.D. to anyone it was used against.
Now it does 1D6x10 +4 S.D.C and does M.D. ONLY when directed at a creature that is a Mega-Damage being!!!
That means that if directed against someone with a M.D.C. armor it will just bounce off him/her since the Psionic would do S.D.C.-damage.

Im really disapointed in the direction of psionics and the nerf of, in my mind, the more iconic mental power of a psionic.

So I wonder, what was the rationale behind the nerf?
How come the magic-user have far stronger and more effective mental powers? I mean Mental Blast does more damage and changies automatically between S.D.C. and M.D.C depending on what you are attacking, ignoring armor, does damage direct to hitpoints while Mental Shock gives severe penalties even when one succeed in resisting the spell.....
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ShadowLogan
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Joined: Thu Mar 30, 2006 10:50 am
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Re: Did Mind Bolt get nerfed?

Unread post by ShadowLogan »

Can you clarify which version of "ManHunter" you are referring to please? The CS Manhunters SB by Palladium (2022) or the ManHunter book licensed by Palladium to Myrmidon Press in the 90s.

I do not have access to either.

It should be noted that the power does fluctuate slightly between versions (1E RT had different performance to the Rifts RMB/RUE version, which is also different than the PF2E/HU2E) so it is possible that the MP-ManHunter book could just be another variation.

IF it is the more recent PB Manhunter title I couldn't tell you if it was nerfed or not, there might be some context in the book limiting it to just CS Psychics or general (in which case it does seem a bit nerfed, though I'd rule the bolt does MD or SDC/HP depending on the target so it can be used on inanimate objects).
Mogge
D-Bee
Posts: 27
Joined: Tue Aug 15, 2023 1:45 am

Re: Did Mind Bolt get nerfed?

Unread post by Mogge »

Thanks for replying mate! :)
Well its from the latest Manhunter by Palladium 2022.
It´s in the list for all psionics to use, so it is indeed nerfed for everyone. The special stuff (lower cost, variants etc) are described with the new Manhunters OCCs.
I think nerfing this power is a step in wrong direction.... :)
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