Revision as of 19:00, 23 June 2022

X-Com agents use their latent psionic powers to attack an enemy with their mind.

In General

A naturally gifted unit can use a Mind Bender to telepathically manipulate any unit on the battlescape. The victim cannot be injured or killed outright but can be anally probed, stunned, demoralised, or mind-controlled.
An agent who has been trained in a Psi-Gym will become adept in the use of psionic projections.

Psi Attributes

An agent has three psionic traits that govern their ability to either project or to resist 'mind games'.

Psi Energy

Agent's psionic energy available to project onto a victim. Slowly recharges.

Psi Skill

Agent's aptitude of performing the particular choice of psionic projection.

Psi Defence

The agent's ability to resist psionic manipulation.

Agents For Hire

Humans: Humans have very low psionic attributes and need maximum training to perform even the easiest of psionic projections.(Probe Unit).
Hybrids: Sectoid-Human hybrids are best suited for training due to their high base-level psionic attributes. To have the best Psi-Troops, hybrids available for hire should be selected for the best natural psionic ability levels, since training will triple the base values. Psi Skill and Psi Energy are together used for psionic manipulation. Both should be high since strong Psi Skill is useless unless your have the energy to use it, and Psi Energy will be depleted without effect if Psi Skill is weak (gives low percentages).
Androids: Androids cannot use psionics which also makes them immune to any projections.

Training

An agent's ability to perform psionic projections is very weak even for hybrids. Abilities will become much more powerful and with a greater chance of success when a suitable agent is trained to completion.

Psionics ability is trained inside the base facility: Psi-Gym.
The training of attributes will cease when the original psionic-skill-set values have tripled.

Psionic Targets

To avoid X-Com agents being the subject of mind games, kill the psionic unit.

An X-Com agent may cancel their own projection manually.
Any unit to be manipulated must be directly visible to the agent who will be performing the projection.
If Psi Energy is depleted, any active projections will immediately fail.
Purposely allowing an X-Com unit to be panicked or stunned will keep the psi-attacker 'connected' with this agent. The hostile will expend their Psi Energy with only minor overall combat effect.
Any unit under hostile mind control will pick up weapons/grenades to use against your troops and if none are near, may use a stun grapple instead.
Manipulated X-Com agents can be targeted by other X-Com agents to remove a threat (eg: stun a panicking unit who is equipped with a dangerous weapon).
Any agent which has been mind controlled by the aliens should be immediately targeted by X-Com for mind control to 'return' the agent. The target unit is usually mind controlled again since they are visible to the hostile projector. Hide this Psi Defense weak agent if your own hybrids are depleted of Psi Energy or use a stun effect to temporarily remove the threat.
A flying agent under attack by "Stun" should immediately land before the effect is successful.
The percentage chance to succeed is best when above 75% otherwise energy levels may be needlessly depleted until slowly recharged for another try.
Projections will not work on entites that are immune or those which have naturally strong psionic resistance. The easiest function of a mind bender projection: Probe Unit, may have little chance to succeed on resistant entities and other projection choices available on the mind bender will mostly fail when attempted.
A "Control Unit" (mind control) projection either works or doesn't. When successful, the effect will only cease when the psionic unit has depleted their Psi Energy, either is killed, or the subject under control is mind controlled by someone else.
Projections can be used with a good chance of success by a skilled hybrid on any unit that carries a weapon: humans, anthropods and skeletoids since their psionic resistance is naturally low.
A mind-controlled unit can be used to go anywhere and scout areas and does not need to be constantly visible to the projector.
Brainsucked hybrid agents are capable of using their mind bender against your troops.

Psionics Against Neutrals

Police can be best targeted for mind manipulation when performing a raid since these units have the lowest (randomised) Psi Defense of all building security.
Any mind-controlled entity is classed as an X-Com unit. If you place that entity into a very dangerous situation then cease the mind-control, it is of no concern to X-Com why that unit decided to detonate a grenade at their feet or jump off from a very high roof.
Any mind contolled unit ~~sitting in a fire~~ injured while under mind control, this is viewed as an X-Com agent being hurt, however, if the mind-controlled unit is killed, it is classed as friendly fire and not direct enemy action. If the majority are killed off, others on the map may start to panic.

Psionics And You

Only 'weapon carriers' should be attacked with psionics. Others are strongly resistant.
Hire hybrids that have a higher than average psionic skill set and assign them to Psi Gym training immediately. When capable, they can psionically assist is battle and gain combat experience if using a weapon (preferabily a light-weight pistol).
If possible, some hybrids can do combat training and some learn in the psi gym, swapping them over occasionally (eg: every four weeks). Accuracy training proceeds faster if they can shoot and hit something on the battlescape.
Mind controlled entities should be convinced to throw their weapons away to somewhere out of reach, drop primed grenades at their feet, play 'catch' with a live proximity mine with their old friends, see how far they can ~~jump~~ fly when up high on a roof, run into stun-gas clouds, go play in a fire, and go find other hostiles to show X-Com how many friends they have.

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 '''X-Com agents use their latent psionic powers to attack an enemy with their mind.'''
-=In General=
+<!--
+This page is general info about using psionics, tactics, etc. ...and not a "how to" use a mind bender, that's its own page!
+-->
+=In General=
 * A naturally gifted unit can use a [[Mind Bender]] to telepathically manipulate any unit on the battlescape. The victim cannot be injured or killed outright but can be anally probed, stunned, demoralised, or mind-controlled.
 * An agent who has been trained in a Psi-Gym will become adept in the use of psionic projections.
@@ Line 11: / Line 16: @@
 ===Psi Defence===
 The agent's ability to resist psionic manipulation.
 ==Agents For Hire== <!-- yes i know that only hybrids are bolded -->
-[[Humans (Apocalypse)|Humans]]: Humans have very low psionic attributes and need maximum training to perform even the easiest of psionic combat choice (Probe Unit).<br>
+[[Humans (Apocalypse)|Humans]]: Humans have very low psionic attributes and need maximum training to perform even the easiest of psionic projections.(Probe Unit).<br>
-[[Hybrids (Apocalypse)|'''Hybrids''']]: Sectoid-Human hybrids are best suited for training due to their high base-level psionic attributes. To have the best Psi-Troops, hybrids available for hire should be chosen on their natural psionic ability levels, since training will triple the base values.<br>
+[[Hybrids (Apocalypse)|'''Hybrids''']]: Sectoid-Human hybrids are best suited for training due to their high base-level psionic attributes. To have the best Psi-Troops, hybrids available for hire should be selected for the best natural psionic ability levels, since training will triple the base values. ''Psi Skill'' and ''Psi Energy'' are together used for psionic manipulation. Both should be high since strong ''Psi Skill'' is useless unless your have the energy to use it, and ''Psi Energy'' will be depleted without effect if ''Psi Skill'' is weak (gives low percentages).<br>
 [[Androids (Apocalypse)|Androids]]: Androids cannot use psionics which also makes them immune to any projections.
 ==Training==
-An agent's ability to perform psionic projections is very weak even for gifted Hybrids. Abilities will become much more powerful and with a greater chance of success when a suitable agent is trained to completion.
+An agent's ability to perform psionic projections is very weak even for hybrids. Abilities will become much more powerful and with a greater chance of success when a suitable agent is trained to completion.
-* Psionics ability is trained inside the base facility: [[Psi-Gym (Apocalypse)|Psi-Gym]].<br>
+* Psionics ability is trained inside the base facility: [[Psi-Gym (Apocalypse)|Psi-Gym]].
-* The training of attributes will cease when the original psionic skill set values have tripled.
+* The training of attributes will cease when the original psionic-skill-set values have tripled.
-==Psionic Targets ==
+==Psionic Targets==
+To avoid X-Com agents being the subject of mind games, '''kill the psionic unit'''.
+* An X-Com agent may cancel their own projection manually.
+* Any unit to be manipulated must be directly visible to the agent who will be performing the projection.
+* If ''Psi Energy'' is depleted, any active projections will immediately fail.
+* Purposely allowing an X-Com unit to be panicked or stunned will keep the psi-attacker 'connected' with this agent. The hostile will expend their Psi Energy with only minor overall combat effect.
+* Any unit under hostile mind control will pick up weapons/grenades to use against your troops and if none are near, may use a stun grapple instead.
+* Manipulated X-Com agents can be targeted by other X-Com agents to remove a threat (eg: stun a panicking unit who is equipped with a dangerous weapon).
+* Any agent which has been mind controlled by the aliens should be immediately targeted by X-Com for mind control to 'return' the agent. The target unit is usually mind controlled again since they are visible to the hostile projector. Hide this ''Psi Defense'' weak agent if your own hybrids are depleted of ''Psi Energy'' or use a stun effect to temporarily remove the threat.
+* A flying agent under attack by "Stun" should immediately land before the effect is successful.
 * The percentage chance to succeed is best when above 75% otherwise energy levels may be needlessly depleted until slowly recharged for another try.
-Projections will not work on entites that are immune, or those which have naturally strong psionic resistance. The easiest function of a mind bender: Probe Unit, may have a chance to succeed on resistant entities and only sometimes. Other choices available on the mind bender will mostly fail when attempted. (mind-control at 13% has been successful ...only once)<br>
+* Projections will not work on entites that are immune or those which have naturally strong psionic resistance. The easiest function of a mind bender projection: ''Probe Unit'', may have little chance to succeed on resistant entities and other projection choices available on the mind bender will mostly fail when attempted.
-* Projections can be used with a good chance of success on any unit that can carry a weapon: humans, [[Anthropod (Apocalypse)|anthropods]] and [[Skeletoid (Apocalypse)|skeletoids]].
+* A "Control Unit" (mind control) projection either works or doesn't. When successful, the effect will only cease when the psionic unit has depleted their ''Psi Energy'', either is killed, or the subject under control is mind controlled by someone else.
+* Projections can be used with a good chance of success by a skilled hybrid on any unit that carries a weapon: humans, [[Anthropod (Apocalypse)|anthropods]] and [[Skeletoid (Apocalypse)|skeletoids]] since their psionic resistance is naturally low.
-== Real Time ==
+* A mind-controlled unit can be used to go anywhere and scout areas and does not need to be constantly visible to the projector.
-In Real Time, once an attack is successful, it must be maintained by spending psi energy in order to keep the attack live.
+* Brainsucked hybrid agents are capable of using their mind bender against your troops.
-As long as you are attacking the target, your psi energy will be consumed at a rate depending on the attack mode selected. The harder the mode, the more energy will be drained.
-Probe and mind control are instantaneous, but require energy to maintain for as long as you want the effect to last.
-Stun and Panic do not affect the target immediately, but slowly build up the longer the link is maintained. Of the four attacks, these two must be maintained long enough for their effects to be of any use.
-Note that maintenance costs only take effect as the clock is ticking, not while the game is paused. You can avoid paying maintenance costs for probe and mind control by using them while the game is paused, and then breaking the link before restarting the clock.
-=== Breaking the Psi Link ===
-An active attack will be broken when:
-* The target goes beyond the user's line of sight
-* The user runs out of psi energy
-* The user manually breaks the link by selecting a new attack on the mind bender.
-=== Active Psionic Defence ===
-In both modes your first line of defence against psionic attacks is the Psi Defence of your agents. The higher the psi defence of a unit the less likely an attack is to succeed, meaning the attacker must try again, spending Psi Energy each time.
-In Turn Based that's where it ends, if mind control succeeds then the unit becomes theirs for the turn and there's nothing you can do about it. In Real Time however, you have the opportunity to take back your unit by using mind control on it with your own psionics. A successful mind control will terminate the hostile mind control. You should then immediately cease your mind control to save energy and the agent will remain in your control. You can also KILL the enemy performing the mind control.
-= Effect on Non Hostiles =
-If you were to perform a non-violent raid on a non-hostile organization, you can safely practice Psionics with no repercussions.
-A mind-controlled entity is classed as an X-Com unit. If you place that entity into a very dangerous situation then break the mind-control, it is of no concern to X-Com why that unit decided to detonate a grenade at their feet or [[Input_Device_Reference_(Apocalypse)|jump]] off from a very high roof.
-If the target is injured while under mind control, this is viewed as an X-Com agent being hurt and not a neutral. If the target is killed when under your mind control, then it is classed as friendly fire and not direct enemy action, however, the others on the map may start to panic if you kill off many more. The organisation may reduce its opinion of X-Com by these actions.
-= Tips =
-* Hire some hybrids from the very start and have them studying in the Psi Gym right from the word go. Either keep them out of direct combat, or make sure they take it easy during the battle.  They may not seem like much now, but they will improve.
-* If you hire lots of hybrids, consider placing half of them in [[Training Area (Apocalypse)|combat training]] and the other half in the psi gym. Swap them over from time to time.
-* Psionics are a good option for dealing with shielded enemies. Get them to throw their shields to you.
-* Multiple psi users should be employed to combat the low amount of psi energy a single agent will have. Let one attack while the other rests.
-* Don't over-use your psi in a single burst. On the other hand, try not to let your psi-energy go to waste by having an energy bar at 100% at all times.
-* Mind Control and Probe in Real Time should be used while the game is paused. With Mind Control, do as much as you can in the enemy's inventory such as set off explosives (remember to activate them by moving them after setting the timer) and then breaking the mind control.
-* Consider assigning the hybrids to your Capture Teams, especially if they are highly psi-skilled, as they can use the long line-of-sight range on the [[Mind Bender]] to attempt to Stun/Panic/Control enemies. This allows other soldiers (namely those armed with the [[Megapol Stun Grapple]]) to move in closer and secure the target.<br>
-=WIP= this HOW TO really should be only in mind bender page
-= Psi Attack Requirements/Limitations  =
-In order to perform a psionic attack, the user must:
-# Have a [[Mind Bender]]
-# Be able to see the target
-# Have enough energy to perform the attack.
-# Be able to maintain the attack (RT Combat only)
-Obviously, to perform a successful attack, the psi users must have a strong enough skill level to combat the target's psi defence.
-[[Tactics_(Apocalypse)|Return to Start]]
+==Psionics Against Neutrals==
+Police can be best targeted for mind manipulation when performing a [[Tactical_Combat_Missions_(Apocalypse)#Raid|raid]] since these units have the lowest (randomised) ''Psi Defense'' of all building security.<br>
+Any mind-controlled entity is classed as an X-Com unit. If you place that entity into a very dangerous situation then cease the mind-control, it is of no concern to X-Com why that unit decided to detonate a grenade at their feet or [[Input_Device_Reference_(Apocalypse)|jump]] off from a very high roof.<br>
+Any mind contolled unit <s>sitting in a fire</s> injured while under mind control, this is viewed as an X-Com agent being hurt, however, if the mind-controlled unit is killed, it is classed as friendly fire and not direct enemy action. If the majority are killed off, others on the map may start to panic.
-== See Also ==
+=Psionics And You=
+* Only 'weapon carriers' should be attacked with psionics. Others are strongly resistant.
+* Hire hybrids that have a higher than average psionic skill set and assign them to Psi Gym training immediately. When capable, they can psionically assist is battle and gain combat experience if using a weapon (preferabily a light-weight pistol).
+* If possible, some hybrids can do [[Training Area (Apocalypse)|combat training]] and some learn in the psi gym, swapping them over occasionally (eg: every four weeks). Accuracy training proceeds faster if they can shoot and hit something on the battlescape.
+* Mind controlled entities should be convinced to throw their weapons away to somewhere out of reach, drop primed grenades at their feet, play 'catch' with a live proximity mine with their old friends, see how far they can <s>jump</s> fly when up high on a roof, run into stun-gas clouds, go play in a fire, and go find other hostiles to show X-Com how many friends they have.
-* [[Training (Apocalypse)|Training]]
+[[Take_Cover!|'''Next''' page]]   [[Capturing_Live_Aliens_(Apocalypse)|'''Previous''' page]]   [[Tactics_(Apocalypse)|Return to Start]]
-* [[Mind Bender]]
-* [[Psi-Gym (Apocalypse)|Psy-Gym]]
 [[Category: Apocalypse]]

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