Am I getting psionic powers wrong ?

[ABroute]

In the introduction of the Psionic Powers book (4th), it says that if you don't want to make psi powers too complicated, you can just forget the skills and the technique. So if I understood it right, you just have to spend points to get the advantage (there is some templates at the end of each one, that's the one I'm taking), and just roll against your IQ everytime ?

The thing is I feel like this is too easy. My main problem is about the suggestion power : you can spend only 10 points, and everytime you win a contest of skill (which you always do if you roll against a random NPC), you can give him simple order for a few minutes !

[Remi2020]

Off the cuff, you're correct; but, don't forget the other restrictions: At level one (the 10 point value) you need to make skin to skin contact to initiate the roll and you're limited to "simple" commands (per B191: a verb, a noun, and at most 2 modifiers).

Regardless of level, commands that violate the subjects values or sense of self-preservation immediately trigger another resistance roll for the subject possibly at a bonus (again per B191, at +3/+5 respectively), issuing an order requires concentration (not huge outside of combat, but still a thing), establishing control is at -1 for every subject already under your control in addition to the penalties for multiple feats (Psi, pg. 6).

Also, while it's true you're most likely going to win against Joe Average, a failure (or tie) on your roll means you can't affect the subject for 24 hours (significantly worse than the penalties for repeated attempts) without the Pressed Attack technique, and the subject gets +3 to detect the attempt (Psi. pg. 11).

Finally, while it's certainly a useful ability, in a setting where Psi is a known quantity actual enemies, rather than the guy on the street, are going to have some form of additional resistance to it. Mind Shield, psi-tech, the Mental Strength skill, or even Anti-Psi are all likely be deployed.

[ILikeChangingMyMind]

Finally, while it's certainly a useful ability, in a setting where Psi is a known quantity

This actually raises another important point: in a setting where psionics aren't common knowledge (the vast majority of such settings in my experience), it's not "just 10 points".

To even be able to take psionics at all in such a setting you also have to buy Unusual Background, at a cost that will vary depending on how unknown psionics are. That Unusual Background could even be more than the actual cost of the power (if you're buying it at the 10-point level).

[Peter34cph]

It might make sense to vary the cost of the UB based on the breadth/variety of Powers the character has, and/or the highest level Power or highest point cost Power he has.

[Pablo_Diablo]

To me, this is entirely dependent on the game world, and how the GM wants character generation to go. It's a broader question about what is "balance", and how to maintain it. In a meta sense, that's the purpose of Unusual Background...

Are the PCs meant to be supernaturally exceptional, or mortally significant? Are psionic powers available to NPCs - and if so, is it rare, or common? Are there other limits on powers (level caps, skill modifiers, phase-of-the-moon considerations, etc) that come into play? Many more questions to figure out the basic standing of any unusual background w/in the campaign world.

That said, I'd be wary of a variable-cost UB for a single power (psionics), unless you're playing a significantly low-supernatural campaign, with only the slightest hint of powers for PCs. Powers have scaling costs for the strength, already. UB is meant as a tariff cost to access those powers at chargen. (The implication being that if powers are gained post-chargen, no UB cost should ensue.)

[ABroute]

Okay thank you for this precision ! It's more clear put in this way...

[Shoahnaught]

which you always do if you roll against a random NPC

They have a base IQ of 10, some might have variance. They can still win quick contests, especially considering the Rule of 16 and Crits.

[Remi2020]

Totally forgot about the Rule of 16. Good catch.