Two Rivers of Power
In Rifts Earth, supernatural power flows from two distinct sources. Think of them as two different languages for reshaping reality - magic speaks to the universe through rituals and symbols, while psionics whisper directly to the fabric of existence through pure will.
PPE vs ISP: The Energy Economy
Mechanically, both are the Power Points of the core rules: you spend them to activate powers, and they recover over time (see Powers & Magic). Rifts gives them two names and two very different feels. PPE (Potential Psychic Energy) is like drawing water from a well - every living thing carries some, and it pools in the environment, especially along ley lines. ISP (Inner Strength Points) is like your own blood - it comes from within and refills at its own pace. This fundamental difference shapes how magic users and psychics approach challenges.
The Arcane Backgrounds
Arcane Backgrounds, arcane skills, activation rolls and Backlash all work as in the core rules: see Powers & Magic. What changes on Rifts Earth is the flavour of each tradition and where its power comes from. Which Arcane Backgrounds a given hero can take depends on their Iconic Framework or ancestry, as set out in the Player's Guide.
Magic (Spellcasting)
Traditional wizardry - speaking words of power while making precise gestures. Magic users can tap into ley lines for virtually unlimited power, but they're vulnerable when bound or silenced. Think of them as programmers writing reality's code.
Miracles (Faith)
Divine or spiritual magic channeled through belief. Whether you worship ancient gods, new deities that came through the Rifts, or abstract concepts like justice, your faith shapes reality. It plays much like magic, with a spiritual twist.
Psionics (Mind Powers)
Pure mental energy requiring no words or gestures. Psychics are like athletes - they have natural talent that training enhances. They don't draw on ley lines the way mages do, but they are much harder to shut down in combat.
Techno-Wizardry (Weird Science)
The fusion of magic and technology. Techno-Wizards build devices powered by PPE - imagine a laser rifle that runs on magic instead of batteries, or goggles that let you see through illusions. It's steampunk meets sorcery.
Gifted (Natural Powers)
Some beings are simply born different. Their powers aren't learned or channeled - they're as natural as breathing. Many D-Bees and dragons fall into this camp, their abilities coming with their ancestry rather than from study.
Understanding Power Levels
Not all practitioners are created equal. In Palladium's original Rifts, psychics are graded as Minor, Major or Master Psychics. In the Savage Worlds version, how strong a practitioner is comes from the usual places - Rank, Edges, the powers they know and their pool of Power Points (here, PPE or ISP) - plus whatever their Iconic Framework grants.
Mega Power Modifiers: When Normal Isn't Enough
In a world of dragons and demons, sometimes a regular fireball doesn't cut it. The core rules already let you spend extra Power Points on power modifiers (see Powers & Magic). Rifts adds a tier above that: Mega Power Modifiers, the magical equivalent of switching to armor-piercing rounds. They're reserved for the most potent practitioners; the Player's Guide spells out who qualifies and what each one costs.
The Kind of Thing Mega Powers Do
- Mega Damage: an energy blast that can hurt MD-armored targets
- Swifter Flight: flying at vehicle speeds instead of running pace
- Heavier Telekinesis: lifting cars instead of chairs
- Stronger Protection: armor that actually matters against Mega Damage
Ley Lines: The Magic Highway
For magic users, ley lines are like finding a fire hose when you've been working with a garden hose. These rivers of PPE offer incredible advantages:
Rituals and Meditations: Taking Your Time
Sometimes you need more than a combat spell. Rifts lets patient practitioners trade time for power: magical rituals and psionic meditations stretch a power far beyond its combat-speed version. It's the difference between a quick text and writing a novel. (The exact time and cost are in the Player's Guide.)
What You Can Achieve:
- Extended Duration: Turn a few rounds into hours or even days
- Extended Range: Affect targets far beyond normal range
- Enhanced Effect: Bigger damage, larger areas, stronger influence
The Price of Power: Strain
Here's the catch - cybernetics and magic don't mix. Implants put Strain on the body, and on Rifts Earth that Strain gets in the way of arcane skill rolls. It's like trying to tune a radio while wearing thick rubber gloves. This is why you rarely see cyborg wizards.
The Strain Equation
More Strain from implants = a bigger penalty to arcane skill rolls
(exact figures: see the Player's Guide)
Too much chrome kills the magic!
Power Activators: The Requirements
Different power sources have different needs:
Combat Applications
In the heat of battle, supernatural powers can turn the tide. The powers themselves - attacks, buffs, control and utility - are the standard Savage Worlds list (see Powers & Magic). The Rifts twist is scale: against Mega Damage foes, a power only really bites if it can deal Mega Damage, and that is what Mega Power Modifiers and ley lines are for.
Remember: Power Has a Price
Whether you channel the planet's energy or unlock your mind's potential, remember that in Rifts, power always comes with responsibility - and usually with someone trying to kill you for having it. The Coalition fears and hunts mages and psychics alike, and plenty of others would gladly use you as a tool or a weapon. But in the Tomorrow Legion, your powers make you a hero.