Network (Technokinesis)

**Technokinesis** is the control of electronics. Network controllers' minds are directly attuned to works of technology, and they often specialize in whichever sort of devices they first controlled when they discovered their kinesis. Network controllers can use their minds to hack into and control many technological devices, or create new ones—if they have access to the raw materials.

Nanobots are an unlikely but common specialization, from which the kinesis gets its common name: these users have a network of bots that follow them in a dispersed cloud, with which they can infest other devices to control them through a medium, rather than directly by thought—the bots don't become visible until they cluster together to perform a task. In battle, Network controllers often achieve victory by procuring the most helpful devices for the situation, or through sheer skill with the gadgets in which they specialize.

Sometimes referred to in slang as techies.

### **Common Strengths**

* Network controllers are very effective against ranged attacks, since their devices can create forcefields that block forces like fire blasts, spouts of water or confetti.
* By delegating activities to their machinery, Network controllers can achieve victory through sheer action economy. If their foes enter a temporary powered-up mode, they can weather the storm by focusing entirely on defense while their robots do the offense for them.
* Network controllers can take advantage of whichever fancy weapons will be most helpful in a given fight: laser guns, flamethrowers, tasers and more!
* The nanobot specialization plays even further into many of these strengths, as the Network controller directs them to come together and form new devices and countermeasures—or send them on the offensive and destroy their enemies under a torrent of lasers, or countless tiny flame-projectiles together forming a fireball!

### **Common Weaknesses**

* Relying on the sword comes at the expense of the swordarm. Network controllers tend to have below average durability and speed compared to other kinetics.
* While using nanobots to repair tissue and heal is a possibility, their damage is only average, though they do have many ways to apply it to bypass immunities and exploit weaknesses.
* Area-of-effect attacks can be especially potent against network controllers, damaging both the technokinetic and their special machines at once.
* The nanobot specialization might seem difficult to counter, but the tiny bots have to come together to perform significant actions. Their opponents can more easily strike and destroy them while they're clustered like this.

### **Sample Abilities**

* Don't forget your ability to sabotage opposing technology! Futuristic weaponry is nice and all, but your foes might find it less effective against you than those other, inferior kineses.
* Technokinetics are often fond of lasers, and begin with them as their default method of attack. Consider starting here and branching out with more attack modes that turn out to be useful!
* Nanobots can be incredibly versatile. Consider using them to repair wounds, scan areas for hazards and assemble useful gizmos.
* Alternatively, go big! You might be able to summon specific devices into battle from a hidden location, and after summoning several distinct parts, combine them together into a terrifying war machine.
* Any unique abilities you want to give your character!

#### **Sample Archetypes**

Feel free to take inspiration from these archetypes when making your technokinetic. Emulate one of their styles, combine their features, or go another direction entirely!

**The Innovator** brings a few choice inventions into battle, which they upgrade further with situationally-useful enhancements. Every fight lets them build the tools that best solve the problem their opponent embodies, but if their foe can drastically shift their combat style midway through a fight, the prior time investment could be invalidated.

**The Datacloud** is perpetually surrounded by an invisible network of airborne nanobots, which gather information, enhance their bodies, and materialize to form useful items. Nanomachines can arrange themselves in countless combinations to provide unrivaled versatility, but individual tiny machines are very fragile—they're too small to individually target, but area-of-effect kinetic abilities that disable a significant portion of a technokinetic's nanobots can be especially devastating.

**The Simulator** uses their kinetic technology to create uniquely-shaped forcefields under their control, then project light onto their surfaces to create solid barriers, landscapes, objects and creatures—many of them use their powers to recreate characters and aesthetics that resonate with their tastes. Their creative powers are limited only by their imagination, but their tendency to get lost in their own designs can blind them to the true threat their opponents pose, leaving them unprepared for techniques that disrupt their little universe.