Mind Reading

So many GMs want to limit or outright ban mind reading. While it can be a powerful ability- it's not the game-breaking power many people assume it is.

First of all, the subject gets a cumulative +1 bonus to saves against mind reading in the encounter.
Second of all, by default you gain surface thoughts. In order to mind probe, you give the character another save (with +1 to +5 based on how private the info is), you use a full round action, and you grant cumulative save bonuses again. If the info is subconsciously known and not actively known, the subject gains +5 to +10 on his save.

Subtle- First of all, you need to remember that powers without subtle are not subtle- meaning a character may know that his mind is being read, which will change his surface thoughts- if not cause him to actively resist. Remember, you can use extra effort to gain another save against an ongoing power- NPCs can do that too.

Surface Thoughts- You need to beat sense motive with a bluff check in order to force the target to think about something in particular. Failure means that the target doesn't think about that- and may have detected the ruse. He may then get a sense motive roll to realize that you are reading his mind- assuming that powers are not a secret to the character being read.

Double Mind Readers- If you're probing a target for information, and someone else is even reading his surface thoughts, they could become aware when the target is being forced to think of specific topics, partiularly since you effectively "ask a question" and receive your answer. Another mind reader could be aware of your influence, and may be able to take action.

Concentration- A character who has reason to suspect he is being mind read, or who knows he is, could potentially concentrate on a specific topic or something to avoid having his surface thoughts read. Use the concentration check result in place of the sense motive check or will save to avoid thinking of a given topic.

Horrific Thoughts- Some people may have surface thoughts (either naturally or on purpose since they suspect mind readers) that are so horrible, vile, offensive, or explicit that is bothers those looking inside their head. So if Betty the mind reader starts reading Ted's mind, Ted could be thinking of horrible details concerning the rape and murder of Betty, or something similar. In this case, he might cause Betty to either make a will save or concentration check to avoid breaking the mind reading connection because they can't bear to continue the connection.

Need to Know- While most people know who their immediate supervisor is, many might not have any idea why they're doing what their doing, or what the boss's master plan is. Take the Joker from The Dark Knight. In their first bank robbery he murders all the people involved in the plot from his own team. Those people had no idea what the total plan was, and mind reading them would have gotten misleading or false information. A behind the scenes puppetmaster villain could be doing the same with his minions- or even giving them false reasons for doing things, which would make mind reading useless without that being the reason that mind reading is useless.

Forced Amnesia- A character could be forced by mental effects to forget sensitive information. In this case, the information is considered subsconsciously known, giving a +5 to +10 to the will save associated with mind control, and that save cannot be voluntarily failed.

Not My Mind- A character being possessed, mind controlled, or otherwise acting against their own will might have the host mind read, the possessing mind read, or may simply have no memory of the events in question as they were not mentally present for them.

I've Been Tricked- Remember, you're reading the target's mind. If he was tricked by illusion, disguise, or other similar powers, he's going to remember things that way. This means you could be getting false information from mind reading. His own predjudices may take effect here also. If Bob is certain that Jim killed Fran, if for no other reason than a hunch, or a strong dislike for Jim, that could come across in the mind reading.

So before you start banning mind reading- just remember that it's not the end all be all power it might seem like.