''GURPS Psionics'' is a supplement by David Pulver, published by Steve Jackson Games in 1991 for ''

GURPS The ''Generic Universal RolePlaying System'', or ''GURPS'', is a tabletop role-playing game system designed to allow for play in any game setting. It was created by Steve Jackson Games and first published in 1986 at a time when most such systems ...

'' (''Generic Universal Role-Playing System'').

This book explains how psionics rules can be added to any GURPS campaign. Psionics in the ''GURPS'' system is treated as a new set of skills grouped into nine categories, purchased when the character is generated, modified by power levels, skill levels, enhancements and limitations. For that reason, the success or failure of psionics is mediated by dice rolls like any GURPS skill. The book also has chapters describing * creatures of parapsychology such as

poltergeists In ghostlore, a poltergeist ( or ; German for "rumbling ghost" or "noisy spirit") is a type of ghost or spirit that is responsible for physical disturbances, such as loud noises and objects being moved or destroyed. Most claims or fictional desc ...

* psi-tech devices * psychic combat * psionic

non-player characters A non-player character (NPC), or non-playable character, is any character in a game that is not controlled by a player. The term originated in traditional tabletop role-playing games where it applies to characters controlled by the gamemaster o ...

, with story hooks and ideas for super-hero, witch-hunting and post-apocalyptic campaigns. * a complete setting called "The Phoenix Project"

Publication history

''GURPS Psionics'' is a 128-page softcover book designed by David L. Pulver, with interior art by Rick Harris, Charlie Wiedman, Doug Shuler,

Evan Dorkin Evan Dorkin (born April 20, 1965) is an American comics artist and cartoonist. His best known works are the comic books ''Milk and Cheese'' and ''Dork''. His comics often poke fun at fandom, even while making it clear that Dorkin is a fan himsel ...

, Angela Bostick, Rick Lowry, and Mike Scott, and cover art by David Patrick Menehan. In the 2014 book ''Designers & Dragons: The '80s'', game historian Shannon Appelcline noted that Steve Jackson Games decided in the early 1990s to stop publishing role-playing adventures for their ''GURPS'' system, and as a result released more standalone books: "Additional universal books also started to appear, including David L. Pulver's ''GURPS Psionics'' (1991) and ''

GURPS Vehicles ''GURPS Vehicles'' is a sourcebook for ''GURPS'' by David Pulver. The first edition was published in 1993. Contents ''GURPS Vehicles'' explains how to build and operate an array of conveyances, from sailboats to starships to witches' brooms. Ste ...

'' (1993). These books tended to have complex and intricate mechanics — particularly the very mathematical vehicle construction system in the latter book. They would come to define ''GURPS'' over the coming years as a serious, technical game."

Reception

In the April 1992 edition of '' Dragon'' (Issue #180),

Rick Swan Rick Swan is a game designer and author who worked for TSR. His work for TSR, mostly for Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, appeared from 1989 to 1995. Swan also wrote ''The Complete Guide to Role-Playing Games'' (1990), published by St. Martin's Pr ...

called this book "an impressive and wide-ranging smorgasboard of ideas adaptable to horror, science-fiction, and virtually any other role-playing genre." Swan did note that although there were advantages to this generic approach, "those comfortable with rigid class definitions may find the generic approach of the ''GURPS'' game to be more frustrating than fun." Swan found the skills-based approach "a bit too much number-juggling for my taste." Swan concluded by giving the book an average rating of 3.5 out of 6, saying, "it works best in a cyberpunk, science-fiction, or modern horror setting... The powers themselves aren't anything out of the ordinary, but their application in terms of role-playing and advanced mechanics makes this the most sophisticated psionics system to date. The sheer volume of material here may give novices a headache, but for experienced players, this may be the system of their dreams."

Other reviews

*''Dragão Brasil'' Issue 41 (August 1998, p.18, in Portuguese) *'' Casus Belli'' Issue 69 (May 1992, p.24) *''Backstab'' (Issue 1 - Jan/Feb 1997)

References

{{reflist Psionics Role-playing game supplements introduced in 1991 Science fiction role-playing game supplements