New guy with questions concerning Psionics!

First and foremost, happy new years!

I'm planning on joining y'all (no red squiggles? Bravo, spell check) for the next January event, possibly with a few siblings in tow. While I'm probably going to NPC my first event, I'm throwing together concepts for a character I'd eventually like to roll. I've been browsing the rules for a little while, and I'm a little confused on the psionic abilities. More specifically, how they function. I've searched the forums, but the answers I saw only made it more confusing. Perhaps I'm just missing a nuance in the wording due to my unfamiliarity with the game, but I could use a little clarification.

"Psionic Disciplines of 1st to 3rd rank produce no visual or audible effect."

"Psionic Attachs use Surge Casting instead of the normal Concentration method when cast."

"The Psion must still throw a spell packet and connect with the target for the effect to work, and the target may attempt to dodge the spell packet."

However, I also saw this:

"All Psionic Attacks are "visible" in the same way spells, prayers, or other casted effects are."

"Psionic Disciplines require 10 seconds of concentration to cast, regardless of rank."

"Psionic Attacks automatically hit their target, and have a maximum range of 20 feet."

So if anyone's willing, I could use a little clarification. Does a Psion need spell packets for their abilities, or do they automatically hit? Do they utilize the surge casting or the concentration method? Are the attacks visible / audible or no?

Thanks in advance, and I look forward to meeting everyone in a few weeks!

PS: Oh, and how chilly does it get up there this time of year? We're down in VA, so we're not really accustomed to the insanity that is northern winters.

All schools of psionics need a spell packet to hit their target. ONLY psionic attacks hit their target automatically within the 20 ft range.

10 second concentration part refers to all schools EXCEPT for the attacks, that is the surge casting method

the attacks are visible, the other schools(ranks 1-3) are not.

Hope this cleared it up. Name's Conor by the way. I help with the player cards for new PC's. Hope to see you soon!

Ahh, I see. Thanks for clearing that up!

We have a weather forecast link on the website. A week before you arrive, you can check the link & see how the weather maybe. We have had very mild winters, & we have had snow storm apocalypses. Usually we'll post warnings before an event if we think it'll get bad.

What part of Virginia are you coming from? I'm in Sterling.

Joe H.

It will be cold. If this January is anything like the last one bring layers, extra socks, boot warmers, long johns, extra blankets. Over packing in the winter months is so much better then under packing and getting frostbite.

Thanks for the heads up, we'll pack accordingly.

I'm coming from the southside of Richmond, myself. Gonna be a little bit of a trip but we're hoping it's worth it!