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A '''psyker''' is a being who exhibits the ability to use psychic powers. Many races have individuals that have these powers, whereas others are innately non-psychic and never produce psychic individuals, like the C'tan and Necron, which despise psykers so far as to engineer warriors that actively seek out and destroy them. Some, like the Eldar, are inherently psychic. The powers come mostly from the [[warp]], but in the case of the [[Ork]]s, they draw from their collective [[Waaagh]] power. Psychic powers are measured by using [[The Assignment]] scale.
+
[[Image:ImpPsyker.jpg|thumb|right|300px|An Imperial [[Sanctioned Psyker]]{{Fn|4a}}]]
 +
A '''psyker''' is a being who exhibits the ability to use [[psychic powers]]. Many races have these individuals, whereas other races are innately non-psychic and never produce psykers, like the [[C'tan]] and [[Necrons]], which despise psykers so far as to engineer warriors that actively seek out and destroy them. Some races, like the [[Eldar]], are inherently psychic.
  
These powers may manifest themselves in many ways, from predicting enemy movements to projecting bolts of devastating psychic energy. Some can even aid troops towards more devastating attacks.
+
Psychic powers are most commonly drawn from the [[Warp]], but [[Ork]]s draw power from their collective [[Waaagh!]].
  
==Human Psykers==
+
Psychic powers can take many forms, from predicting enemy movements to projecting bolts of devastating psychic energy. Some can even aid troops towards more devastating attacks.
The psyker mutation among humanity is becoming increasingly common, presaging the emergence of a new, psychic race. Psykers represent humanity's future, the ideal creature into which mankind will evolve, a more powerful, intelligent and capable life form. This new race is still weak, its members lacking the mental strength needed to resist the dangers of the warp. They are both a threat and a boon to the Imperium.
 
  
Left unchecked, psykers present a potential danger to entire worlds, and much of the Inquisition's role is focused on hunting them down. The Imperium ensures psykers are suppressed, tracked down and controlled; those strong enough will be recruited into Imperial service, fulfilling vital roles in the Imperium as [[Astropath]]s and [[Sanctioned Psyker]]s. The weakest are doomed to serve humanity through service in the [[Adeptus Astronomica]], or as nourishment for the [[Emperor]].<sup>1</sup>
+
==Psychic Disciplines==
 +
Although the powers of Psykers are many and varied, they usually fall into one of several disciplines. The five most common are{{Fn|4c}}:
 +
*[[Biomancy]]: Manipulation of biological energy and processes.
 +
*[[Divination]]: Predicting the future.
 +
*[[Pyromancy]]: Manipulation of fire.
 +
*[[Telekinesis]]: Converting psychic energy into physical force.
 +
*[[Telepathy]]: Contacting and controlling the minds of others.
  
===Imperial Guard===
+
Other Psychic disciplines include [[Daemonology]] and [[Theosophamy]].
The [[Imperial Guard]]'s psychic units are the [[Primaris Psyker]] and the weaker [[Sanctioned Psyker]]. They are trained at the [[Adeptus Astra Telepathica]]'s [[Scholastia Psykana]] for service on the battlefield.
 
  
===The Inquisition===
+
==Psykers by Race==
[[Inquisitor]]s are invariably exceptional humans, and consequently many are potent psykers.
+
===Human Psykers===
 +
The earliest human psykers were powerful beings known as [[Shaman]]s, but after their end and the creation of the [[Emperor]], psykers would no longer remain known among humanity for millennia. First appearing in large numbers by the end of [[M22]]{{Fn|4b}}, Psykers represent humanity's future: the ideal creature into which mankind will evolve, a more powerful, intelligent and capable life form.  Psyker [[mutation]] is becoming increasingly common among [[humanity]], presaging the emergence of a new, psychic race. This new race is still weak, its members lacking the mental strength needed to resist the dangers of the Warp.  They are both a threat and a boon to the [[Imperium]].{{Fn|1}}
  
===Space Marines===
+
Left unchecked, psykers present a potential danger to entire worlds, and much of the [[Inquisition]]'s role is focused on hunting them down.  The Imperium ensures psykers are suppressed, tracked down and controlled; those strong enough will be recruited into Imperial service, fulfilling vital roles in the Imperium as [[Astropath]]s and [[Sanctioned Psyker]]s. The weakest are doomed to serve humanity through service in the [[Adeptus Astronomica]], or as nourishment for the [[Emperor of Mankind]].{{Fn|1}} The Imperium classifies its own Psykers based upon their level of psychic ability. Known as [[The Assignment]], the levels given indicate the power of the Psyker. An Omnicron level Psyker may only have mild subconsciously activated psionic abilities while an Alpha-Plus level Psyker is capable of snapping a [[Titan]] in two.{{Fn|2}}
[[Space Marines]] also shun those with psychic powers, but they too make use of one unit, the [[Librarian]]. He is similarly trained, but also benefits from advanced equipment, such as the psychic hood. These advantages coupled with his improved Space Marine physique make him more useful than the the average Sanctioned Psyker.
 
  
The [[Librarian]]'s powers are slightly more powerful, but still nothing compared to some other races' powers.
+
====Imperial Guard====
 +
The [[Imperial Guard]]'s psychic units are the [[Primaris Psyker]] and the weaker [[Sanctioned Psyker]].  They are trained at the [[Adeptus Astra Telepathica]]'s Scholastia Psykana for service on the battlefield.{{Cite This}}
 +
 
 +
====The Inquisition====
 +
[[Inquisitor]]s are invariably exceptional humans, and consequently many are potent psykers.{{Cite This}}
 +
 
 +
====Space Marines====
 +
[[Space Marines]] also shun those with psychic powers, but they too make use of one unit, the [[Librarian]].  He is similarly trained, but also benefits from advanced equipment, such as the [[psychic hood]].  These advantages, coupled with his exceptional Space Marine physiology, make the Librarian more useful than the average Sanctioned Psyker.{{Cite This}}
 +
 
 +
The [[Librarian]]'s powers are slightly more powerful, but still nothing compared to some other races' powers.{{Cite This}}
  
 
===Chaos Space Marines===
 
===Chaos Space Marines===
[[Chaos Space Marines|Chaos Space Marine]] armies are similar in design to those of Space Marines, using [[Chaos Sorcerer|Sorcerers]] instead of Librarians.
+
[[Chaos Space Marine]] armies are similar in design to those of Space Marines, using [[Chaos Sorcerer|Sorcerers]] instead of Librarians.{{Cite This}}
  
==Eldar==
+
===The Lost and the Damned===
The [[Eldar]] are a psychic race, and some of their most powerful units have strong psychic powers. Eldar who tread the Path of the Seer are [[Warlock]]s. [[Spiritseer]]s are specialized Warlocks. [[Farseer]]s are Eldar lost on the Path of the Seer.
+
The forces of [[Chaos]] known collectively as the [[Lost and the Damned]] includes [[Rogue Psyker]]s.  Of questionable sanity and highly dangerous, Rogue Psykers are even more prone to possession by [[Daemon]]s.{{Fn|3}}
  
Their powers are usually subtle, ranging from having visions of the future, detecting enemy movements, to fighting mental battles. However, a Farseer may be capable of using telekinetic power to hurl a battle tank into the air. One particular [[Craftworld]], [[Ulthwé]], may also group together its most powerful psychic units, making an expensive, but devastating unit.
+
===Eldar===
 +
The [[Eldar]] are a psychic race, and some of their most powerful units have strong psychic powers.  Eldar who tread the [[Path of the Seer]] are [[Warlock]]s. [[Spiritseer]]s are specialised Warlocks.  [[Farseer]]s are Eldar lost on the Path of the Seer.{{Cite This}}
  
==Dark Eldar==
+
Their powers are usually subtle, ranging from having visions of the future, detecting enemy movements, to fighting mental battles.  However, a Farseer may be capable of using telekinetic power to hurl a battle tank into the air. One particular [[Craftworld]], [[Ulthwé]], may also group together its most powerful psychic units, making an expensive, but devastating unit.{{Cite This}}
The [[Dark Eldar]] are similar in nature to the Eldar, but have given up the use of psychic powers. They do use psychic objects, but any psyker found on [[Commorragh]] is treated as a plaything, which necessarily involves much pain and suffering.
 
  
==Orks==
+
===Dark Eldar===
[[Ork]] armies certainly make use of psychic powers - Ork psykers being unique in that they draw their psychic power from the other Orks instead of directly from the warp. A large mob of Orks tends to generate what has become known as a Waaagh field, which is then absorbed by the Ork psykers known as [[Weirdboy]]s. They have little control over this and too much of a build up will likely explode the Ork's head and devastate the surrounding area. A Weirdboy avoids combat, like most other fragile psykers, but can cast green flame capable of melting armour and killing the warrior inside.
+
The [[Dark Eldar]] are similar in nature to the Eldar, but have given up the use of psychic powers.  They do use psychic objects, but any psyker found on [[Commorragh]] is usually treated with great caution and fear. Because of the nature of their city, the use of psychic powers is one of the few things forbidden in the city of [[Commorragh]].{{Fn|5}} [[Shadowseers]] are a notable exception to this rule.{{Fn|6}}
  
The powers of the Weirdboys are unpredictable and may have catastrophic results, but the gains from these units are often seen by the [[Warboss]]. Weirdboys currently do not appear among tribes which have advanced from the feral stage; instead the army relies upon the more advanced technology, however crude.
+
===Orks===
 +
Ork psykers are unique in that they draw their psychic power from other Orks instead of directly from the [[warp]].  A large mob of Orks tends to generate what has become known as a [[Waaagh!]] field, which is then absorbed by the Ork psykers known as [[Weirdboy]]s.  They have little control over this and too much of a build-up will likely explode the Ork's head and devastate the surrounding area.  A Weirdboy avoids combat, like most other fragile psykers, but can cast green flames capable of melting armour and killing the warriors inside.  The powers of the Weirdboys are unpredictable and may have catastrophic results, but the gains from these units are often seen by the [[Warboss]].{{Cite This}}
  
==Tau==
+
===Tau===
The [[Tau]] have not developed psychic abilities, possibly due to a chemical mixture in their brains that prevents access to the warp. Why they developed this is unknown, but it prevents the Tau empire from being easily corrupted by the forces of Chaos. None of their units have psychic abilities.
+
The [[Tau]] have not developed psychic abilities, possibly due to a chemical mixture in their brains that prevents access to the warp. Why they developed this is unknown, but it prevents the [[Tau Empire]] from being easily corrupted by the forces of [[Chaos]]. None of their units have psychic abilities.{{Cite This}}
  
At least two of the Tau's allied races, the [[Kroot]] and the [[Nicassar]], however, posses psychic powers. The Nicassar mainly use their psychic powers for the purpose of navigating their Dhows through the vast reaches of space, and also provide escort vessels for [[Tau Space Fleet]].
+
At least two of the Tau's allied races, the [[Kroot]] and the [[Nicassar]], however, possess psychic powers. The Nicassar mainly use their psychic powers for the purpose of navigating their Dhows through the vast reaches of space, and also provide escort vessels for the [[Kor'vattra|Tau Space Fleet]].{{Cite This}}
  
Kroot who have fed upon creatures with psychic power may develop powers of their own. These Kroot are referred to as Shamans by their kindreds, and are responsible for leading their fellow Kroot in their ancestor worshipping practises. The Kroot are also capable of [[Warp]] Travel, although they only seem to be able to travel to planets with functioning ecosystems.
+
Kroot who have fed upon creatures with psychic power may develop powers of their own. These Kroot are referred to as Shamans by their kindreds, and are responsible for leading their fellow Kroot in their ancestor worshipping practises. The Kroot are also capable of [[Warp]] travel, although they only seem to be able to travel to planets with functioning ecosystems.{{Cite This}}
  
==Necrons==
+
===Necrons===
The [[Necron]]s are innately non-psychic. Any psychic potential among the original Necron race was destroyed when they exchanged their mortal bodies for metal forms.
+
The [[Necron]]s are innately non-psychic. Any psychic potential among the original [[Necrontyr]] race was destroyed when they exchanged their mortal bodies for metal forms.{{Cite This}}
  
During the C'tan's war against the [[Old Ones]], the Old Ones were able to turn the tide against the C'tan and the Necrons by engineering races of psychic warriors.
+
During the C'tan's war against the [[Old Ones]], the Old Ones were able to turn the tide against the C'tan and the Necrons by engineering races of psychic warriors.{{Cite This}}
  
The C'tan feared the Warp, for they could not sense it or control it in any manner, and so they battled against it in many ways. They created the [[Pariah]], a psychic abomination, making life for psykers difficult by disrupting their link to the warp. They also destroyed or removed the ancient weapons known as [[Blackstone Fortresses]], which had been constructed by the Old Ones to release an immense psychic blast capable of destroying a C'tan utterly if they should ever rise again. Their most ambitious project is a ward designed to completely seal off the material universe from the warp, which they were unable to complete before they went into stasis sixty million years past.
+
The C'tan feared the Warp, for they could not sense it or control it in any manner, and so they battled against it in many ways. They created the [[Pariah]], a psychic abomination, making life for psykers difficult by disrupting their link to the Warp. They also destroyed or removed the ancient weapons known as [[Blackstone Fortress]], which had been constructed by the Old Ones to release an immense psychic blast capable of destroying a C'tan utterly if they should ever rise again. Their most ambitious project is a ward designed to completely seal off the material universe from the Warp, which they were unable to complete before they went into stasis sixty million years past.{{Cite This}}
  
==Tyranids==
+
===Tyranids===
The [[Tyranid]] forces are highly interconnected and linked to each other using psychic powers. The [[Hive Tyrant]] acts as a node for the other forces on the ground. The [[Dominatrix]]es act as relays between the [[Norn-Queen]]s and the other ground forces, helping to co-ordinate attacks from orbit.
+
{{main|Tyranid Psychic Powers}}
 +
The [[Tyranid]] forces are highly interconnected and linked to each other using psychic powers. The [[Hive Tyrant]] acts as a node for the other forces on the ground. The [[Dominatrix]]es act as relays between the [[Norn-Queen]]s and the other ground forces, helping to co-ordinate attacks from orbit.{{Cite This}}
  
They use the warp to communicate and travel, spending a good deal of their time in the warp, travelling between planets to find sustenance. Tyranids tend not to use their psychic powers offensively, except by the [[Zoanthrope]], whose psychic blasts are devastating to almost every unit in the game.
+
They use the Warp to communicate and travel, spending a good deal of their time in the Warp, travelling between planets to find sustenance. Tyranids tend not to use their psychic powers offensively, except for the [[Zoanthrope]]s and [[Neurothrope]]s, whose psychic abilities are devastating.{{Cite This}}
  
==Sources==
+
===Psychic-Foci===
*<sup>1</sup>:[[Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader]]
+
'''Psychic-Foci''' are techniques{{Fn|7b}} or devices used by Psykers to help them focus and enhance their powers. They could be sacred bones, carved wytch staves, blessed icons, crystals{{Fn|7a}}, sophisticated devices crafted by the [[Adeptus Mechanicus]] or by completing simple tricks. The most famous used by Psykers in the Imperium is doubtless the [[Emperor's Tarot]], which helps act as a powerful divinatory tool in the hands of a trained Psyker.{{Fn|7b}}
*<sup>2</sup>:[[Warhammer 40,000 4th Edition Rulebook]]
 
*<sup>3</sup>:[[Codex: Necrons]]
 
  
 
==Related articles==
 
==Related articles==
 
* [[Blank]] - psychic nulls
 
* [[Blank]] - psychic nulls
 +
* [[Cognoscynths]]
 
* [[Empath]]  
 
* [[Empath]]  
 
* [[Imperial Psychic Powers]]
 
* [[Imperial Psychic Powers]]
 +
 +
==Sources==
 +
*{{Endn|1}}: [[Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader]], pgs. 135-136, 139-140
 +
*{{Endn|2}}: [[Warhammer 40,000 4th Edition Rulebook]], pg. 125
 +
*{{Endn|3}}: [[Imperial Armour Volume Seven - The Siege of Vraks - Part Three]], pg. 179
 +
*5: [[Warhammer 40,000 6th Edition Rulebook]]
 +
**{{Endn|4a}}: pg. 135
 +
**{{Endn|4b}}: pg. 167
 +
**{{Endn|4c}}: pgs. 413-423
 +
*{{Endn|5}}: [[Codex: Dark Eldar (5th Edition)]] pg. 5
 +
*{{Endn|6}}: [[Codex: Dark Eldar (7th Edition)]] pg. 41
 +
*8: [[Dark Heresy Core Rulebook]]
 +
**{{Endn|7a}}: pg. 151
 +
**{{Endn|7b}}: pg. 162
 +
 +
===Uncited===
 +
{{Uncited}}
 +
*[[Codex: Necrons (3rd Edition)]], {{Cite This}}
 +
*[[Codex: Imperial Guard (5th Edition)]], pg. 47
  
 
[[Category:Abhumans and Mutants]]
 
[[Category:Abhumans and Mutants]]
[[Category:Psychic Powers]]
+
[[Category:Psychic Powers| ]]
 
[[de:Psioniker]]
 
[[de:Psioniker]]

Revision as of 10:22, 11 September 2017

A psyker is a being who exhibits the ability to use psychic powers. Many races have these individuals, whereas other races are innately non-psychic and never produce psykers, like the C'tan and Necrons, which despise psykers so far as to engineer warriors that actively seek out and destroy them. Some races, like the Eldar, are inherently psychic.

Psychic powers are most commonly drawn from the Warp, but Orks draw power from their collective Waaagh!.

Psychic powers can take many forms, from predicting enemy movements to projecting bolts of devastating psychic energy. Some can even aid troops towards more devastating attacks.

Psychic Disciplines

Although the powers of Psykers are many and varied, they usually fall into one of several disciplines. The five most common are[4c]:

  • Biomancy: Manipulation of biological energy and processes.
  • Divination: Predicting the future.
  • Pyromancy: Manipulation of fire.
  • Telekinesis: Converting psychic energy into physical force.
  • Telepathy: Contacting and controlling the minds of others.

Other Psychic disciplines include Daemonology and Theosophamy.

Psykers by Race

Human Psykers

The earliest human psykers were powerful beings known as Shamans, but after their end and the creation of the Emperor, psykers would no longer remain known among humanity for millennia. First appearing in large numbers by the end of M22[4b], Psykers represent humanity's future: the ideal creature into which mankind will evolve, a more powerful, intelligent and capable life form. Psyker mutation is becoming increasingly common among humanity, presaging the emergence of a new, psychic race. This new race is still weak, its members lacking the mental strength needed to resist the dangers of the Warp. They are both a threat and a boon to the Imperium.[1]

Left unchecked, psykers present a potential danger to entire worlds, and much of the Inquisition's role is focused on hunting them down. The Imperium ensures psykers are suppressed, tracked down and controlled; those strong enough will be recruited into Imperial service, fulfilling vital roles in the Imperium as Astropaths and Sanctioned Psykers. The weakest are doomed to serve humanity through service in the Adeptus Astronomica, or as nourishment for the Emperor of Mankind.[1] The Imperium classifies its own Psykers based upon their level of psychic ability. Known as The Assignment, the levels given indicate the power of the Psyker. An Omnicron level Psyker may only have mild subconsciously activated psionic abilities while an Alpha-Plus level Psyker is capable of snapping a Titan in two.[2]

Imperial Guard

The Imperial Guard's psychic units are the Primaris Psyker and the weaker Sanctioned Psyker. They are trained at the Adeptus Astra Telepathica's Scholastia Psykana for service on the battlefield.[Needs Citation]

The Inquisition

Inquisitors are invariably exceptional humans, and consequently many are potent psykers.[Needs Citation]

Space Marines

Space Marines also shun those with psychic powers, but they too make use of one unit, the Librarian. He is similarly trained, but also benefits from advanced equipment, such as the psychic hood. These advantages, coupled with his exceptional Space Marine physiology, make the Librarian more useful than the average Sanctioned Psyker.[Needs Citation]

The Librarian's powers are slightly more powerful, but still nothing compared to some other races' powers.[Needs Citation]

Chaos Space Marines

Chaos Space Marine armies are similar in design to those of Space Marines, using Sorcerers instead of Librarians.[Needs Citation]

The Lost and the Damned

The forces of Chaos known collectively as the Lost and the Damned includes Rogue Psykers. Of questionable sanity and highly dangerous, Rogue Psykers are even more prone to possession by Daemons.[3]

Eldar

The Eldar are a psychic race, and some of their most powerful units have strong psychic powers. Eldar who tread the Path of the Seer are Warlocks. Spiritseers are specialised Warlocks. Farseers are Eldar lost on the Path of the Seer.[Needs Citation]

Their powers are usually subtle, ranging from having visions of the future, detecting enemy movements, to fighting mental battles. However, a Farseer may be capable of using telekinetic power to hurl a battle tank into the air. One particular Craftworld, Ulthwé, may also group together its most powerful psychic units, making an expensive, but devastating unit.[Needs Citation]

Dark Eldar

The Dark Eldar are similar in nature to the Eldar, but have given up the use of psychic powers. They do use psychic objects, but any psyker found on Commorragh is usually treated with great caution and fear. Because of the nature of their city, the use of psychic powers is one of the few things forbidden in the city of Commorragh.[5] Shadowseers are a notable exception to this rule.[6]

Orks

Ork psykers are unique in that they draw their psychic power from other Orks instead of directly from the warp. A large mob of Orks tends to generate what has become known as a Waaagh! field, which is then absorbed by the Ork psykers known as Weirdboys. They have little control over this and too much of a build-up will likely explode the Ork's head and devastate the surrounding area. A Weirdboy avoids combat, like most other fragile psykers, but can cast green flames capable of melting armour and killing the warriors inside. The powers of the Weirdboys are unpredictable and may have catastrophic results, but the gains from these units are often seen by the Warboss.[Needs Citation]

Tau

The Tau have not developed psychic abilities, possibly due to a chemical mixture in their brains that prevents access to the warp. Why they developed this is unknown, but it prevents the Tau Empire from being easily corrupted by the forces of Chaos. None of their units have psychic abilities.[Needs Citation]

At least two of the Tau's allied races, the Kroot and the Nicassar, however, possess psychic powers. The Nicassar mainly use their psychic powers for the purpose of navigating their Dhows through the vast reaches of space, and also provide escort vessels for the Tau Space Fleet.[Needs Citation]

Kroot who have fed upon creatures with psychic power may develop powers of their own. These Kroot are referred to as Shamans by their kindreds, and are responsible for leading their fellow Kroot in their ancestor worshipping practises. The Kroot are also capable of Warp travel, although they only seem to be able to travel to planets with functioning ecosystems.[Needs Citation]

Necrons

The Necrons are innately non-psychic. Any psychic potential among the original Necrontyr race was destroyed when they exchanged their mortal bodies for metal forms.[Needs Citation]

During the C'tan's war against the Old Ones, the Old Ones were able to turn the tide against the C'tan and the Necrons by engineering races of psychic warriors.[Needs Citation]

The C'tan feared the Warp, for they could not sense it or control it in any manner, and so they battled against it in many ways. They created the Pariah, a psychic abomination, making life for psykers difficult by disrupting their link to the Warp. They also destroyed or removed the ancient weapons known as Blackstone Fortress, which had been constructed by the Old Ones to release an immense psychic blast capable of destroying a C'tan utterly if they should ever rise again. Their most ambitious project is a ward designed to completely seal off the material universe from the Warp, which they were unable to complete before they went into stasis sixty million years past.[Needs Citation]

Tyranids

The Tyranid forces are highly interconnected and linked to each other using psychic powers. The Hive Tyrant acts as a node for the other forces on the ground. The Dominatrixes act as relays between the Norn-Queens and the other ground forces, helping to co-ordinate attacks from orbit.[Needs Citation]

They use the Warp to communicate and travel, spending a good deal of their time in the Warp, travelling between planets to find sustenance. Tyranids tend not to use their psychic powers offensively, except for the Zoanthropes and Neurothropes, whose psychic abilities are devastating.[Needs Citation]

Psychic-Foci

Psychic-Foci are techniques[7b] or devices used by Psykers to help them focus and enhance their powers. They could be sacred bones, carved wytch staves, blessed icons, crystals[7a], sophisticated devices crafted by the Adeptus Mechanicus or by completing simple tricks. The most famous used by Psykers in the Imperium is doubtless the Emperor's Tarot, which helps act as a powerful divinatory tool in the hands of a trained Psyker.[7b]

Related articles

Sources

Uncited