User:Kaworu1992/Cypher System
| Designers | Monte Cook, Bruce R. Cordell, Sean K. Reynolds |
|---|---|
| Publishers | Monte Cook Games |
| Publication |
|
| Genres | Universal |
| Languages | English |
| Systems | Cypher System |
| Website | https://cypher-system.com/ |
Cypher System is a RPG game system published by Monte Cook Games. The game is universal and lightweight, adapting a game system (also called Cypher System) from previous game of the publishers, Numenera into its own separate system. Monte Cook Games so far has supported the game with both genre supplements (such as Godforsaken for fantasy or Claim the Sky for superheroes roleplaying) and setting supplements (for instance, Gods of the Fall or Unmasked). The game has also been used as a base for standalone games, like for example Tidal Blades: the Roleplaying Game.
The publisher also created Cypher System Reference Document (CSRD) containing free rules taken both from the corebook and genre supplements. The CSRD is published using it's own free license, the Cypher System Open License.
Mechanics
[edit]Cypher System uses d20. Players are always rolling, trying to achieve at least the amount on the dice indicated by the level of the roll. The level is between 1 and 10 and every number should be multiplied by 3 for the minimal amount on die for success.
Some levels seem impossible (for example, level 10 would demand rolling 30 od d20). However, players can lovel the levels, by training (-1 level for roll) or being specialized (-2) in some skills, having the so-called assets (for example, a good computer when programming) or by using Effort.
PLayers have 3 Pool (Might, Speed, Intellect) in which they have points and so-called Edge, it is the amount on which they can lover the cost of abilities and roll using a given Pool. If a character has to spend 3 points from their Intellect Pool, but the yhave Edge 2 for Intellect, it means they pay only 1 Intellect point from their Pool.
Level of effort lover the roll. The first level costs 3 Pool points, and every next additional one cost 2 points. Thus, if a character needs to move something heavy, and they have Edge 3 in Might, their first level of Effort is free(and often automatic).
Situations in game in which characters face more harsh conditions (comparable to rolling 1 on d20 in D&D) are dealt with using GM Intrusion. It means that in exchange for something extra hard happening to the characters, their players get additional experience points. Also, this way its easier to shape the drama of the story and encounters. There is an option for GM of achieving free GM Intrusion if the players roll 1.
It's always players who roll the die - for attack of their characters and for defense against monsters that attack them.
Character Creation & Advancement
[edit]Characters ale created similarly to those in Numenera. There are types (equivalents of "characters' classes" in D&D) such as Adept, Warrior, Explorer and Speaker. There are also descriptors (one-word phrases which give minor bonuses, such as Weird of Strong), focuses (things they character specializes with, such as healing, fighting without weapons or using fire powers). Focuses and types give characters new abilities every tier (level) they advance. The created characters should possess a defining sentence, according to the schemat "I am a [Descriptor] [Type] who [Focus]". An example can be "I am an Appealing Speaker who Descends from Nobility".
To advance a level, a player needs to buy 4 different bonuses (new skill, increase stats Pools, increase Edge and increase maximum Effort level). Every bonus costs 4 experience points (gotten not for killing enemies, but for advancing the plot of the adventure, victory, good roleplaying and/or making an important discovery). The maximum tier of a character is 6.
Reception
[edit]The reviewer for RPG.net, while reviewing 2nd edition Corebook, gave it a grade A[1]. They were especially enamored in the physical book looks, noting " The book is gloriously done in hardback and solid binding, with full-color pages, including color-coded chapters to help you reference sections quickly. The art is very evocative, professional, and apropos to the content."[1].
The system was also reviewed on a blog Reviews from R'lyeh[2]. The author noted that "The Cypher System Rulebook presents an excellent, flexible set of rules and advice for the Game Master who wants a game where her players and their characters shine and exciting, dynamic stories are told."[2].
James Mephit in their review wrote about the second edition that "There’s no denying that this book is an improved version of the Cypher System Rulebook. It’s got lots of good options and if you play Cypher then you definitely should consider upgrading to this version of the rules."[3].
Polter.pl published a review of the game in 2023. The reviewer gave it a positive grade, but found the game to be less fun than Numenera of the same publisher. There was also expressed doubt over whether rules for particular genres were detailed enough and an open question if the genre supplements were necessary to play[4].
In online store DriveThruRPG, the second edition of the game became a Mithral Bestseller[5]. This means it sold between 2 000 and 5 000 copies.
Bibliography
[edit]- Cook, Monte; Cordell, Bruce R.; Reynolds, Sean K. (2019). Cypher System Corebook. Monte Cook Games. ISBN 9781939979971.
External links
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "Review of Cypher System Rulebook Second Edition". RPG.net. 2020-05-19. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ a b "Decyphering the Cypher System". 2023-06-11. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ "Review of the Revised Cypher System Rulebook". 2019-12-26. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ "Cypher System Rulebook". Polter.pl. 2023-04-23. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
- ^ "Cypher System Rulebook". DriveThruRPG. Retrieved 2024-11-21.