And now, to 3rd.

Let's start with the basics, the Mindblade itself. BESM 3rd edition has this nifty new attribute called power flux. With this attribute's ability to redistribute points, it would seem a natural fit for generating the adaptable mindblade. I'm going out on a limb here, but I'm going to say the mindblade is a fairly narrow power, so we'll use Power Flux - Minor for it. First, we need to be able to do the 15 base damage of the original. Without anything whacky, this will take three weapon levels (base 5 multiplier x 3 weapon levels). Weapon levels cost 2 points each, so there's 6 points. Each level of Power Flux gives us 4 points to work with, so we need to start with atleast 2 levels of Power Flux. This will also leave 2 points free to purchase ranks of weapon custom variables. That part negates the need for the Unique Weapon Ability: Variable Power as in the 2nd ed. version.

But wait, melee is now the base range! So we'll need a thrown version as well. Once again, 3 weapon levels for 6 points. Standard Variable Range rank 2 will give us a 100m range on it, so we're up to 8 points. So we'd need atleast 14 points to make both mindblade types! 4 levels of Power Flux - Minor. But wait, we only pay full price for the most expensive ability (8 points) and half for the rest (6 points) so if we want to cut it close we could get by with Power Flux - Minor level 3 (8+3=11) giving one point to play with. We still have pyschic strike to cover, which now can easily handle the Knife to the Soul ability.

Linked attacks cost one rank, but now the no frills 30 damage version is going to cost us. So we need 6 weapon levels for 12 points, and 1 point for linked. 13 points will need 4 levels of Power Flux - Minor. On the upside, throw mindblade will cost 4 points, and melee mindblade stil 3, so with no custom variables besides one linked, we'd need 13+4+3 = 20 points, so 5 levels of Power Flux - Minor for 25 character points.

So what we'd have right now is:
Power Flux - Minor (Mindblade) level 5 (25 points)
- Weapon Attack Level 6 (13 points), Psychic Strike, linked (Mindblade)
- Alternate Weapon Attack Level 3 (3 points), Mindblade
- Alternate Weapon Attack Level 3 (4 points), Throw Mindblade, Range 2 (100 m)

Bump that up to Power Flux - Minor level 6 for 30 points and there'd be 4 points to assign to custom variables. And remember, right now, there are no restrictions on these abilities, also, 25-30 does seem to be alot to spend on this, but now we should have about 120 points to play with after stats for a standard character, so it may not be so bad. Now it is time to go, so here ends this lesson.