Psi Corps - The P Scale

The P Scale

The P Scale or Psi Scale is a method of measuring telepathic power used by the Psi Corps with lower ratings are more common than higher ones. However, the stronger the telepath's P-level, the more control and discipline is needed, as it becomes much harder to block out the random thoughts and voices of others; a low-ebb background 'noise' is generally heard by all teeps above a P-5 in their own thoughts. Training and careful focus is required to control and quiet down the background noises mentally heard by telepaths.

• P-0s and P-1s are usually latent telepaths, with next to no abilities. Some latent telepaths can still sense if they are being psychically probed, which non-psychics would be completely unaware of.
• P-2s and P-3s have weak abilities and may be used commercially.
• P-4s and P-5s are the most common commercial telepath levels, potent enough to be a valuable asset in negotiations. Training of P-5s can be tough; most of those who train burn out, and some become brain dead.
• P-6 to P-9s are military and government employed telepaths. Used and hired for intelligence.
• P10 is the upper level of Psi Corps training, and are assigned as instructors at Psi-Corp. P10s can read the mental actions of other telepaths and block heavy scans from higher P12s for a short time, perform long-range scans. A handful of P10s can perform telekinesis but these are rare and the ability unstable.
• P11s are in administration position of the Psi-Corps but can also be assigned as Psi-Cops.
• P12 is the highest official rating. Such teeps can become Psi Cops; they are able to read the minds of others at long ranges, have sufficient strength to break through blocks weaker teeps may build around their own minds, and can manipulate the memories of others mundanes and lower-ranged telepaths like the P5s. P12s can even communicate with normals via telepathy and detect and scan the levels of P5s although two may be required.

Mention is made in the show and related media of individuals who may be so powerful as to rate outside the scale entirely, often referred to as P13s. The scale does not measure telekinetic abilities, but as one out of 10,000 human telepaths have TK and roughly one out of three telekinetics (teeks) is sane, this is not a significant issue. The telepathic measurement systems of alien races are not described in the series, nor are non-human telekinetics mentioned.