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Questions tagged [cypher-system]

For questions primarily relating to Monte Cook's Cypher System. Cypher System was created originally for Numenera, then adapted to The Strange, and finally released in its own right.

For questions primarily relating to Monte Cook's Cypher System.

Cypher System was created originally for Numenera, then adapted to The Strange, and finally released in its own right.

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The "Foolish" descriptor in Cypher System seems way too good. Have I missed something?

The Foolish descriptor on p. 73 of the Cypher System Rulebook seems to be intended for playing characters who are idiots. A character with this descriptor has -4 to their Intellect pool, and all expenditures from that pool have +1 to their cost.…
John Dallman
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How to implement GM intrusion on a heavily improvised campaign?

I tend to improvise a lot. For example, on a campaign I usually just think the place where the players starts, their first "objective" and a bit of the setting and the world, but everything as light strokes. GM intrusions, for what I've read, looks…
Trolleitor
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Is Predictive Equation an Asset?

I am wondering if Predictive Equation and similar abilities count as Assets in the Cypher system. While some explicitly state that they grant an asset, Predictive Equation instead says that The next time you interact with it (possibly in the…
Arkhaic
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How does training work with special abilities used for attack and defense?

The rulebook states that a character can improve a special ability just like any other skill. But it also states that the character can become trained (or specialized) in any skill but attack or defense. What rule do I apply if I want to improve…
Ohmnibus
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Do both PCs need matching skills/abilities to get the Complementary Actions bonus?

In the Cypher system, if two player characters are taking different actions that help each other, both get a bonus. In the book, it's explained that in order to do that the second character has to have the skill / ability that the first is using.…
MakorDal
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Awarding experience from discoveries on an uncharted land

I'm GMing a game were the setting is the fallout universe, all my players are vault dwellers and started the campaign underground, knowing nothing about the surface world. That mean that they're learning new things, on nearly every step. On our…
Trolleitor
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What kind of scenes can Dreamcraft be used to display?

For the Awakens Dream focus, how would the tier 1 ability Dreamcraft be used to display a scene? I'm unclear as to what the "scene" could be. Either: a) a full on scene with objects and a different setting other than reality. Even if my character…
Capellan
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What are the differences between "Escape" and a common task to get free?

The Explorer special ability Escape (2 Speed point), as stated in the (old) Cypher System Rulebook is used to get free (p. 41): You slip your restraints, squeeze through the bars, break the grip of a creature holding you, pull free from …
Ohmnibus
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How to choose which Edge to apply when multiple stat pools are involved?

The special ability "Successive Attack" costs 2 points of Speed, and can be used after a successful attack to make another attack. So it work like this: First attack. If enemy is down the PC can use Successive Attack and immediately make a second…
Ohmnibus
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Cypher System Edge Application question

Effort costs 3 points from a pool on the first use and 2 on the second use. But this is only if the second use is from the same pool, as I understand it. If it was from a different pool, it would cost another 3 points. Am I right?
ogion
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Action per target to initiate VS Edge

In the Cypher System rulebook, some abilities (like Accelerate Third Tier Speaker) say that instead of dealing efforts to decrease the difficulty, you can use it to affect more targets, but you must spend one action per target, and so one target per…
ShubbNiggu
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What are the limits of "Unmovable"?

At Tier 3, the focus "Stands like a bastion" grant the ability "Unmovable" (p. 171): You avoid being knocked down, pushed back, or moved against your will as long as you are upright and able to take actions. Enabler. What if a character with…
Ohmnibus
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Can Effort be used to lower the difficulty, if Effort can be used for something else?

Looking at the Mind Control ability (fourth-tier Adept), it says: Instead of applying Effort to decrease the difficulty, you can apply Effort to increase the maximum level of the target. Does this mean that if you use Effort, you must use it to…
Capellan
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