Combat in the Cypher System is designed to be fast and narrative, which works great for our purposes.

Here's how a combat turn is going to work in this game:

The GM sets up the situation and describes any actions the NPCs will take. If the GM does not indicate that the NPCs take any actions, that means the PCs have the initiative and can declare actions as normal.

When the PCs attack:
  1. A player declares an attack. This requires several things:
    • Attack mode: List what type of attack you're making, in narrative, if you like.
    • Target: List what target(s) you're trying to hit with your attack. Again, this can be part of your narrative.
    • Modifiers: Be sure to call out any modifiers you think should apply to the check. This speeds things up and cuts down on the possibility of conflict later on.


  2. The GM replies with the Type of check (Might / Speed / Intellect) and a Difficulty number, including any Hindrances that may apply to the check, and rules on the listed modifiers. The GM will also indicate either the target's remaining Health or whether a hit is likely to kill the current target.

  3. The player indicates any Assets or bonuses that apply to the check. If ze's using Edge to improve hir odds, ze also indicates that. Each Hindrance that hasn't been offset with an Asset or Edge increases the Difficulty by one (1); each Asset leftover reduces the Difficulty by one (1).

  4. The player rolls 1d20 against the final Target Number. (i.e., Difficulty x3) and pastes the results into a post. If ze wishes to use an XP for a reroll, ze indicates that in the post and pastes the reroll.

  5. Based on the result, the player narrates hir character's actions. If the GM indicated that a successful hit would finish an opponent, the PC can choose to incapacitate or kill the foe in whatever way ze chooses, appropriate to the attack. Otherwise, the PC can narrate a successful attack in any way that does not kill, maim, or incapacitate the target or the target's possessions.
    In the case of a 1, the player can choose to narrate the failure or wait for the GM's intrusion.
    In the case of a 17-18, the player gains the standard damage bonus. Ze can either apply the bonus directly or convert the damage to effect.
    In the case of a 19-20, the player gains the standard damage bonus and either a minor or major effect. Ze can apply the bonus directly and use the damage for effect, and should include the desired minor or major effect in the result narration.

  6. As the situation warrants, the GM may embellish or amend the final narration in a new post, based on the existing roll. Otherwise, play moves forward.

These last three steps can be combined in a single post, but they should be done in the proper order.

When the PCs defend:
  1. The GM declares how the foe(s) attack. This requires several things:
    • A narration indicating the form the attack takes and whom it targets.
    • An indication of the Type of check (Might / Speed / Intellect) and the Difficulty to overcome the attack, along with the amount of damage (before Armor) inflicted by the attack if the Defense check fails. If the damage targets a different pool than the character's Might Pool, the GM will note it here. Otherwise, damage is applied as follows: Might -> Speed -> Intellect
    • If the player suffers any Hindrances to hir check, the GM will list them here.


  2. The player indicates any Assets or bonuses that apply to the check. If ze's using Effort to improve hir odds, ze also indicates that. Each Hindrance that hasn't been offset with an Asset or Effort increases the Difficulty by one (1); each Asset leftover reduces the Difficulty by one (1).

  3. The player rolls 1d20 against the final Target Number. (i.e., Difficulty x3) and pastes the results into a post. If ze wishes to use an XP for a reroll, ze indicates that in the post and pastes the reroll.

  4. Based on the roll, the player narrates the result of the attack. Ze may also have to mark damage on hir character sheet.

  5. As the situation warrants, the GM may embellish or amend the final narration in a new post.