Seven Psionic Kata is a short product from Misfit Studios. The product is just over 350 kilobytes, and is roughly the same size zipped. The product is meant to be a supplement to psionics as used in Fantasy d20.

The product is a short one, at only seven pages long. This includes one page for the cover, one for the introduction, one for the copyrights, product identity, and open game content, and one for the OGL itself, leaving only three pages of game mechanics. The product is entirely in black and white, notwithstanding the d20 and Misfit Studios logos on the cover. Only two pieces of black and white artwork are found in the product. No table of contents or bookmarks are presented (nor are they necessary).

The introduction deals with where the idea for psionic kata came from, and how they work in-game. The original idea was inspired by some of the Oriental Adventures material from AEG. Psionic katas are methods by which psionic characters can undergo a physical ritual (usually a dance-like series of movements) to channel their inner psionic energies through one of their body?s chakra paths, creating a special effect.

In game terms, acquiring a psionic kata is similar to gaining a feat. Only psionic characters can gain them, and all have requirements (such as feats, skill ranks, etc). Unlike feats, they can otherwise be gained at any time, but cost experience points to learn. Once learned, they can be used simply by spending a requisite amount of time activating them, at which point they remain active for a certain length of time.

While the ideas presented here are innovative, the execution could have used a bit more detail. For example, the exact mechanics of activating a kata aren?t touched upon much. If it takes ten minutes to activate The Way of Psychic Fire, does that mean that the character cannot undertake any other actions during that period? If he?s interrupted, does he need to begin all over again? Likewise, using that kata requires you to ?expend your psionic focus.? Does that mean if must remain expended to gain the bonuses of the kata, or do you just need to expend it once, and then can regain it? Little questions like these pop up regarding the various katas, but answers aren?t given. While these are minor problems, in a product so short, they stand out.

Seven Psionic Kata is a good product that lends flavor to psionic characters in your game. It presents a simple new mechanic that is easy to learn. However, it does require the GM and the player to have to fill in some of the gaps, and depending on the answers, that can have significant impact on how powerful the new mechanics here are. <br><br> <b>LIKED</b>: The new katas presented are simple and easy to understand, making them quick but colorful additions to psionic characters.<br><br><b>DISLIKED</b>: Various questions about the mechanics of activating and using the various katas aren't answered by the product, which was irking.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Acceptable<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Satisfied<br>

As the title implies, Atlantean Studios?/Misfit Studios' "Seven Psionic Kata" presents seven new kata for use by psionic characters in your D&D game. After a brief introduction explaining what kata are (the kata concept was introduced in AEG's "Way of the Samurai") and how they work within the d20 game, writer Elton Robb wastes little time in showing us the goods (and actually presents a bonus eighth psionic kata when he adapts the 'Striking as Fire' kata from "Way of the Samurai" into 'The Way of Psionic Fire' to give an example of the format used throughout "Seven Psionic Kata").

The kata 'Poise of the Psychic Balance' exemplifies the grace and stability of a psionic kata. After 10 minutes of preparation time and 20 experience points, the character using this kata earns bonuses to Balance checks or rolls to resist being tripped since to the character is centering their psionic focus in their solar plexus or thighs. The 'Psychic One Strike' increases the psionic character's speed (by providing a bonus to Initiative) at the expense of one of the character's extra attacks (and 1200 experience points and 30 minutes of preparation time), while 'Shroud of the Void' (for 3000 experience points and 35 minutes of preparation time) grants a character 50% concealment. All the kata are well-rounded in that some of them are devoted to attack, some are devoted to defense, and so on.

This is a small .pdf - only seven pages - and the formatting is plain and straight-forward. The art is slim; the cover art is an Elmore piece, and there is but one other piece of art in the entire supplement. With the assertion that these kata are graceful and elegant, the opportunity for further art to demonstrate this elegance is missed.

Overall, "Seven Psionic Kata" is still a solid addition to your Asian-flavored game. <br><br> <b>LIKED</b>: Simple formatting, easy to understand and easy to use<br><br><b>DISLIKED</b>: Lack of art<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Very Good<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Satisfied<br>