How to Play the Cypher System!
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- čas přidán 7. 08. 2024
- If you are looking for a TTRPG that is easy to learn, but that still has some great depth and cruuunch, you might just be looking for the Cypher System! This video can teach you the basics of how to play!
Also, I realize there is a LOT more info packed into this video than in the How to Play Fate video, so I hope these chapters help!
0:00 - INTRO
1:42 - THE BASICS
5:43 - STATS & HEALTH
8:04 - EDGE
9:03 - SKILLS
10:02 - "CLASSES"
10:40 - TYPES
11:36 - DESCRIPTORS
12:43 - FOCUS
14:05 - FLAVOR/OTHER
14:48 - TIER
16:05 - XP & GM INTRUSIONS
19:23 - COMBAT
20:05 - DISTANCES
20:58 - ATTACKING
21:16 - ENEMY LEVEL/DIFFICULTY
23:39 - DAMAGE
26:10 - DEFENSE
26:41 - ARMOR
27:49 - CYPHERS
29:29 - ARTIFACTS
30:25 - IN CONCLUSION!
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Let me just say, I know there is a LOT of info. I did my best to organize it logically, but if you find you need to jump around a bit, I have also made sure to include plenty of chapters/sections in the description, so hopefully that helps out. I really hope this at least helps some folks better understand this incredible system.
I think You did great job compiling all that information in roughly 30minutes. I don't think D&D 5e would be any different in length.
I mean sure, both can be compiled to be "Roll D20 hardi hardi harr..." but to explain all characters, race and backgrounds in D&D 5e their role and where to write what ... you have a lot of information to talk in D&D 5e also ^_^
if I had to choose I like Cypher System more but I'm already deeply (-1000€) invested in D&D 5e so it has been hard to get people to play Cypher System ~
Thank you for the video, I'm actually going to DM a cypher system now, and seeing how easy it is to create enemies and how simple the combat is, is nice. Would you also perhaps do another video like this in the future? Such as the Cortex System?
@@MRDaved It's really funny that you say that, as How to Play Cortex Prime is what I've been working on for the 4th video in my "How to Play" series! I'm not sure how quickly I'll have it out (as these how to play videos definitely take more time than others) but I am excited to get it out there as soon as I can!
@@TheDungeonNewbsGuide I'm glad to hear that, because I've been recommended that system as an alternative to savage worlds, but never really grasped the rules. I hope your channel blows up soon in popularity, I like your videos, very easy to understand, unique, and I can see the effort into them.
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Great video. I'd encourage you to not disparage your videos as being "too long". We're here for information in lieu of combing through a 450 page book, you're saving us time. Also, I've watched a 4 hour review of iCarly so I wouldn't worry about the length so much.
Thank you! I'm glad folks aren't put off by the length.
a four hour WHAT!?
@@TheDungeonNewbsGuidethat’s what he said
@@julians.2597 that's what she said
I wholeheartedly agree. I watched a 13-hour video I think it was recently over the course of a couple days that was just about The phantom menace. And it was amazing.😂
This has been the easiest Cypher video to understand so far. Great use of images and examples!
The 2nd edition core Cypher book is jammed full of character ability options. It encompasses so many genre and mixed-genre possibilities, an impressive amount. Yet it still manages to be one of the easiest 'universal' homebrew toolkit systems available with which to choose, or plug in, what you need while retaining the flavors. Have been impressed with it.
This is the most clear Cypher System video I've seen yet. Finally, I think I get how it works, and it looks great! Thank you for the detail but also the clarity.
Thank you so much! I love hearing when I'm able to help people get into a game, especially this one as it is a personal favorite.
With all that's going in qith WotC, I'm looking for a new system. I've heard Cypher mentioned by a few YT creators, and this is the best basics breakdown I've found! Thanks for a great intro to the game. I'm sending this to my players to get their feedback on whether they would like to give this a try
Dude I have been trying to teach myself cypher system for a month. You just made that so easy
This is a great video. The clear explanation of the mechanics. The production values. Just enough humor. Only as long as necessary. Fantastic. Thank you!
About to start playing TTRPGs for the first time, and we're using the Cypher System. The DM is developing a therapeutically-applied roleplaying game, and wants to use the books he's written and his educational background to test this all. Looking forward to trying it out, and I just wanted to thank you for explaining this all so well! I've watched Dimension 20 so am familiar with a lot of the mechanics of TTRPGs, but never played myself.
Awesome to hear you're getting into TTRPG with such a fun system, and about what your DM is doing! I hope it all goes well and is an awesome experience!
'could have used this video about nine months ago! We moved to Cypher because the GM (Me) suggested that it would be easier to run on zoom than other games that we've tried. And it works great, as anticipated. This is a great re-cap for those of us who think we know the system, and would be awesome for a new player - I actually emailed the link to my crew. One thing; I never came across the rule that a PC can move a Short Distance and attack if they make a level 4 Speed task. I'm not going to bother looking for it, to verity, because I like it so much that I'm just going to announce that it's allowed. You Tube needs more great videos on Cypher System like this one - and maybe a few on Ptolus, as well!
I'm not sure how soon it will be coming, but a video overview of Ptolus is actually something I have planned! I just have to get through it all first...should be a quick read, right?
And yeah, that short distance and basic melee attack (I don't think it can be a special ability, but I'm not 100% on that) might be something they only added in the revised "2nd Edition" cypher book. I'm not certain, but when I read it I was like "Oh dang, this is good info!"
@@TheDungeonNewbsGuide LOL!
@@TheDungeonNewbsGuide awesome! Speaking of "short reads" lemme know when you start working on Chuubo's Magical Wishing Machine (I think that's what it's called)
I was thinking of getting back into Cypher just yesterday and then this popped up. Magnificent timing! Thanks!
I’m sending my buddies straight here… Gotta get a game going with this system!!! :-)
That Jack Black Ending! :D
The System sounds more complex then I thought it would be :D
I think I will give it a try (in the Dragon Prince adaption :D)
It definitely gets a little more complex with some of the stuff, but I appreciate how the core of the game is just knowing Difficulty, altering it, and rollin' that d20. At first, as a longtime DnD vet it baffled me, I think mostly because of just how different it was. But it is one of those systems where once you get it, it is shockingly easy to use.
And thanks, I pride myself in a good JB singing voice (Tribute is my go-to karaoke jam) :)
Awesome video. Thank you for sharing.
damn the cypher system is even cooler than i remembered it
That beach ball exploding into red riding hood is the best thing I've seen on the internet
Your videos are such a great resource and enjoyable to listen to.
I'm building my own system and these make a great way to refresh my insight into other systems.
Cypher is so nice, I almost want to run it myself but I'm a massive nerd so I can't give up on my own ruleset 😂
Thank you! Love hearing about folks developing their own systems. I hope to hear about it some time
Thank you for this! I'm switching all my future adventure writing from D&D and the Cypher System felt perfect, but it was a lot to take in at first. I truly appreciate this breakdown.
Due to recent (cough cough) current events, our play group decided to branch out and try other systems and not gonna lie, I was little freaked out seeing the behemoth of the PDF for this system. But your video was truly a lifesaver for breaking it down to the brass tacks. And now, having it played it for the first time last week, I can say I'm really excited on all the possibilities this system brings! Many thanks for putting this together. Subscribed. And imma try watch all the other cool system tutorials on here~
Wish this video was out when I ran this last month! You’re the best man, love these RPG guides!
gotta love player-facing systems, so much faster to run
Gave this vid a shout-out as the best vid to teach Cypher, while doing a live with another CZcamsr.
I picked up the PDFs on a sale a while ago to do something different with my kids besides the hybrid AD&D(1,2,3,5 combined) edition we are playing. The concept sounded neat as most of my kids are more into “role” as opposed to “roll” playing.
Your info was to the point, informative and fun to watch. As others said, don’t fret over the video length.
Nice video! New players to RPGs picked it up very quickly, love that Cypher system its focused on exploration and not combat.
I've recently learned about Cypher System in part thanks to people telling me my D&D homebrew (and how I've run monsters since 3e) sound like I already play Cypher System. This video has been a huge help in understanding it! Thanks!
Before Watchin: I have been long yarned to play Cypher System. We started a campaign. Setting ended up being "Think of Star Wars" and now we are generally on same page. Two reasons why Star Wars, only thing we all know (2 players and I as Gm) and it is maybe the easiest way to understand "Space pew pew" (Look up from youtube fallout 4 pew pew mod)
We have Graceful Explorer who Talks to the Machines and Resilient Speaker who Is Idolized By Millions.... I made the simplest mission to be "Deliver this box from A to B"
First PC is Human or so I think, Second PC is Ewok and they have 5 Ewok followers ~ and the Ewok is Known Cook and activist ... I'm not sure who owns the ship which they are flying around.
Now I'm just waiting one player to get free time and Ambush her with more games :3 we used World Anvil to store the two PC and I forgot to take notes :D Dyslexia is a B____
This is an awesome breakdown of the system and exactly what I needed to see if this is something I want to try.
You are very good at explaining.
A very nice overview of the system, thanks!
This is an amazing video. Love your teaching style. Perfect use of humour which in my opinion doesn’t at all compromise the flow of the tutorial.
I started playing this system 6 months ago and has become my absolute favourite rpg to GM. It’s a joy to run and to set up. I always hated converting creatures from DND to another system but with Cypher it doesn’t feel like a chore but something creative.
Thanks a bunch for this vid. Subbed and liked!
One of the better vids on this! Getting the cards for Cypher/TheStrange/Numenera... pretty much allows the GM to run the games with little preparation.
Astonishingly good video!!! If one is running or playing a game of Cypher, they need to watch this first. It should be mandatory.
Well done! Keep up the good work!
I wanted to learn more about this game and so many of the 'quick' look or 'simple guides' were too short and vague and left me confused this was THE PERFECT length for getting a proper understanding of the game! You did a great job breaking it all down in ways to understand (and with good visuals and text) Thank you!
Great job at explaining a system that doesn't get enough love.
This is one the best general tutorials I've seen
Thank you for making this video! I enjoyed your engaging descriptions of the mechanics with visual aids, and your charismatic delivery
That’s some super quality content, thank you so much!
This is actually genius, really informative and I have sent it to all of my players to watch as I think it will bring them along in their understanding of the system. Thanks for doing this.
Cypher is my first go to when I run games. I've watched your Cortex Prime as well, trying to wrap my head around that one still.
These videos are really great. Thank you for doing them! Please keep going!
Wow! Thanks for laying this out so nice!
Oo this is just the video I needed. I have an idea for a game and want to use Cypher to make it happen but i've never used or played in Cypher before so this was super helpful
Great video! I encouraged all my players (old and new) to watch this over lunch. I watched it myself as a refresher on Cypher. Thanks for the great content!
FWIW, the way multiple allies can sequence their turns however they like when their initiative results are clumped together has the benefit of never requiring re-rolls for ties. It's not a trivial time-saver with large groups.
Probably the best vid to explain the Cypher System.
I'm about to start a Cypher Ptolus campaign, and found this. Perfect for my players, well done.
This system looks fascinating. I'm gonna have to look into those adventure books for it. Thanks for the great video! Very well made.
This is my go-to video for new players on Cypher. I also use it as a refresher if I haven't played in a long time. I really do enjoy Cypher and I LOVE your explanation! Thank you for this video and for being you ❤
Your video is now my study guide. Thanks much.
Thank You for these types of videos. I've read the rules for Cypher (and other rules) and sometimes I don't get what they mean. But this explains things that I couldn't wrap my head around.
hey :D you mentioned this channel in a facts video, i decided to give it a look and i'm glad i did :D thanks for the great video, was really helpful :)
Thanks. A great refresher for me. I played Numenera when it originally came out. Was thinking of buying Cypher 2e. You convinced me. Cheers!
Oh so my "i am a weather boy who would like to know" joke I've been throwing around could be a fun magic type character!
No matter which rules video of your's I watch, at the end I think: Oh, I got it! This sounds so fun to play! Welll... Now I only need my group to be on board with trying new systems every session ^^
This video was absolutely hilarious, and informative! I think I might purchase Cypher lol.
Excellent work! Thank you! You might consider adding a chapter for effort. This is a part of the rules took me a little longer to wrap my head arround and I replayed that section at 3:17 a few times.
Thank you so much for making this! A lot of the other tutorial videos for Cypher on CZcams were either uninformative or.... Creepy. Thank you for making something useful I can link new players too!
You're very welcome! I'm always happy to hear when I can help folks get into Cypher!
Omg I'm so freaking excited to try this. I've been looking for a satisfying alternative to dnd and this sounds like it hits alllll the right spots (apart from being a dice hoarder). Gonna go buy this right now, can't wait to try it.
PS love the ending song. Evocative.
This is the coolest system I've ever seen.
video coulda been longer in my opinion, never heard of cypher before but excited to try it now
i just played this yesterday. it was awesome.
This quick job through the basics of the cypher system was SO helpful! I'm starting a new campaign that involves a LOT of travel between worlds and needed a system that would easily allow players to switch between genres, including magic, non-magic, sci-fi, whatever as they travel between planes. Given the worlds in which the system is used (Numenera, the Strange...) I think might be just what the doctor ordered. Thanks!
Great intro video. Love me some Cypher. Take my sub, damnit! :)
Thank you, teacher! 😀
This has quickly become my favorite system to gm.
Oh man I love how you compared these to various types of Chess games. Like to see you do that with more TTRPGS
Thanks for this. I'm joining a game this Saturday.
Very well done. All other explanations I could find were incomplete or confusing.
Great video. Subscribed.
Nice intro to the system. I'd love to see a similar video on the Savage Worlds (SWADE) system.
Looks like a great system. Thanks for this video!
Cypher is such an unfortunate name for these one-off goodies, though.
great video thank you
It's kinda funny that I've been running D&D enemies much like how you described Cypher System enemies.
Much easier for 4e but it worked well in 3e and 5e
Very clear intro to the system. Thanks for putting it in text on screen. But for the love of God, please use calm music instead of that scatting jazz! Very difficult to absorb the info with the distracting track.
Oh I love the sound of this. i'd prefer more than three stats though.
That's fair, though I find the freedom in making skills as your level can really fill in the gaps left by having fewer stats. You can have two characters with almost identical stats, but their skills could make them feel wildly different.
@@TheDungeonNewbsGuide fascinating. I definitly want to try this out.
Neat. The Stat Pool thing makes me think of Traveller, just simpler. Also, I get some FATE vibes here (not a bad thing). The biggest shock to me, though is that Monte Cook made it LOL. Given his pedigree of Rolemaster, to HERO System, to 3.5 D&D, I just though he was only into uber crunch complexity systems (again, not that there is anything wrong with those if they are your cup of tea, I've personally long had a love of HERO and was a longtime proponent of 3.5 D&D as well). Looking at picking up one of this to read over in depth
Omg. I understand! I understand!!
Helpful. thank you
Thank you for the video. * - *
Another really good introduction video for a TTRPG!
It's interesting because I'd consider "Fate, but crunchier" (as in more formalized character options and combat) a game I'd really like to play at the moment and that was pretty much what the intro described. But many things other than the character creation (which looks really cool!) seem to not be my cup of tea:
* Trading long term character progression for short term benefits and it being tied to the intrusions.
Uneven progression between PCs always has been an eyebrow raiser for me. I think at max tier this provides a cool alternative to progressing further, but during leveling I'd hate to be in the spot where I have to take one for the team and spend XP to get out of a bad situation. "Epic fight! Was close, but made it!" - "Yeah, lets not do that again, I lost XP doing this..." I see this as a point of unnecessary friction in groups that aren't 100% on the same page on how and when to distribute and spend XP. And I don't want to imagine not leveling up with everyone else because I decided to take a reroll once where the second roll turned out to be worse than the first.
* Paying ability usage & effort with "HP".
There is always a substantial cost and the roll you do afterwards still might make it fail. It seems like a system where having bad dice luck feels really bad. Basically, however accurate and well informed your decision to invest resources is, a die roll will decide if that was a good or bad idea. And if it makes it a bad idea you not only not hit the attack you spend resources to power up - you also lose "health" and might die due to that. I think due to spending pools not giving any guaranteed benefit in the most cases (as far as I have seen from this video, there might be abilities etc for this) and them possibly being more needed in the future, it's just too hard to make an informed choice about when you want to use them. Which for me would lead to "I'm only voluntarily spending them when I feel I have to or I'm sitting on full pools." As a GM though, I can see this being a good way to bait players into making an average fight more risky than it is.
* The namesake consumables.
I usually end up hoarding stuff in games where I can not reliably and predictably fill them up again. If they just come up randomly and you cycle through them (which is greatly encouraged by the low cypher maximum) it makes your character do situational stuff that might not fit its theme. This is the point I'd be most interested in hearing more details about - what makes consumables work particularly well in the Cypher System when compared to others? My jumped-to conclusion is that you'll want and need to preserve your pools as much as possible because they are so multi-functional that anytime a moment shows up where a situational item can be used it will be used.
To sum up, I think combining health with ability usage and XP with (temporary) narrative + mechanical advantages makes for a tidy character sheet and very impactful choices. However, just looking at them makes me hesitant about interacting with them and question if those should really be intertwined this way. It's probably a matter of preference, but my impression is that I would not be keen on making decisions (spending resources) in this system.
Anyway, I have to go look up how much "class" features and combat options can change my mind about those points ;)
Those are some good points, but I would love to address them, as I think you bring up some stuff that a lot of folks might think as well! Not trying to refute anything you're saying, as this system really just might not be for you, but just hoping to give a perspective.
- Honestly, the spending XP for the other benefits is something I've seen players raaarely do, aside from occasionally gaining a follower or something for 3xp. Really, I think almost all players look at spending XP like that as something to do once they've hit max Tier. And XP gain doesn't have to be tied to GM Intrustions, depending on how the GM likes to run things, but it is a nice way to keep the game interesting. The GM is also encouraged to do an Intrusion for each player once or twice a session, to make sure everyone is getting xp. Still, I've seen GMs just give out flat XP to everyone at the end of sessions.
- So, as far as spending "HP" for stuff, a few things...
- A lot of that will be spent on abilities, many of which aren't just for a slightly better chance at a roll.
- It tends to balance out with the amount you have in those Stat Pools pretty well, and with your recovery rolls. I haven't had players really hesitate to use some points until battles start getting more down to the wire.
- Sometimes it definitely is a risk that won't pay off, but no more so that dropping a big spell slot in D&D for a spell with a chance to miss. Honestly, in D&D, I'm infinitely more upset as wasting an 8th level spell slot than wasting a little health.
- Edge. You are able to gain a decent amount of Edge as you level, and even at Tier 1 can typically make sure to have 2 Edge in a Stat if you want. This makes a number of early abilities free, and also makes Effort have a minimal cost in that stat. Then as you level up, gaining more Edge, you can do more and more powerful stuff for free, so long as it is in the main stat you've put your Edge into. Or you can spread the Edge points around to be fairly good at multiple Stats. I maybe didn't make it clear just how much more powerful Edge can make you feel, and how much it adds to that sense of progression. Also, if your group of players is trying to make all of their characters serve different purposes in the group, it helps a LOT to make each character feel like they have the areas where they shine. One of my biggest gripes in D&D is in like 75% of Skill Checks, typically 3 or 4 players are always so close in their bonuses in that skill that no one of them ever feels really valuable...ugh, I could ramble on this all day, so I'll stop.
- Cyphers. This definitely messes with the mindset of players who like to hang on to special one-use items, myself included. And that mindset can really depend on how the GM gives them out and all as well. I've had folks ask me about this in the past, and I've just told 'em "Hey, just double or triple the limit if you want. Or just give Subtle Cyphers at the limit, and make the others unlimited." The system holds up without that rule, so feel free to bend or break it.
I hope that helps address some of your concerns, but if not that's understandable! It isn't for everyone, and it definitely has some unusual approaches. But for me personally, it's an absolutely blast. Thanks for the detailed comment!!
@@TheDungeonNewbsGuide
I appreciate the detailed reply!
For the XP system, this is about what I guessed. I think it's a bit of a shame that before max tier players are discouraged from fully engaging with it but it should make for a good mechanic when it comes into play.
About pools I'm of course lacking the experience with the system, I just feel like understanding what they are supposed to do (raising the stakes in the resource management department) and find the idea interesting. But I don't get what actually makes it work well and more importantly, fun. I assume the abilities do the heavy lifting in this category, making it worth it and interesting to use your pools to power them. I still do think though, that the opportunity cost is much higher than in other systems, because the pools are so much more universal than different separate resources in other games.
When PCs go low on pools and that stops them from using abilities, that might make a lot of sense within certain themes and setting narratives, but is it enjoyable to play? This makes me think of what is called "snowballing" in multiplayer games - one side getting ahead lowers the chance of the other one catching up and making a comeback. Using high stake abilities when you're low on health to turn around a fight is usually quite epic and fuels the heroic fantasy, but aren't those moments quite limited when low "health" also means you can't bring out your big hitters anymore?
I admit I'm not a fan of consumables, I rarely see them making the game more fun for me. They have to strike a balance between taking the spotlight away from the PCs' abilities (instead of them doing what they do best they succeed because they happened to have the right item for the job) and them being used being worth the action ("Yes, I could throw caltrops over there, but casting Entangle or just attacking would probably make much more sense, right?"). I wouldn't have mentioned it if they weren't giving the system its name, which made me curious about there being special mechanics that might make them integrate better with the rest of the system.
I'm sorry if I'm overly critical, it usually means I'm very interested in a game (and you are an excellent source of information) :D
@@TheDungeonNewbsGuide - Great points, and better stated than I could've done.
Regarding "spending HP" for improving chance, the Stats are much easier & faster to recover than most RPGs. So spending some when needed isn't as big of a deal compared to other systems which limit recovery times to once or even twice a day. The back and forth pace is faster in Cypher.
Algeyr - If you want to try Fate Core, but want some more crunch added to it, I'd suggest picking up the sizable 'Baroque Space Opera' 3rd-party book from DTRPG. Don't know if you're into far-future dark scifi but it fills in a lot of the parts I found too nebulous and ill-defined in Fate while still using the same system. Better definition for stuff like ship combat, the setting's version of netrunning, more health/damage range, Psionics, Nano-Magery, Items & Artifacts, etc. Plus it's universe drips style, is packed with hooks, and takes inspiration from many popular sci-fi settings (Dune, Farscape, WH40k, and more) while putting a mystical spin on all of it's tech-like-magic dark & distant future.
Dunno if you're into that type of sci-fi but AFAIC, it's the only great Fate setting I've seen and it adds some definition in areas Fate needed. Of course, you could just grab Cypher 2e and cook up whatever you want because it's pretty amazing if you don't mind some picking & choosing from such a toolkit beforehand.
@@NefariousKoel I know only D&D 5e and Cypher System. You need to rest 2 to 5 times for 11h 10min 6seconds (4d6+4 which is 8 to 28 recovery) for full recovery 0/0/0 -> 12/14/8 .... I like to think that is 2 to 5 days when you have to work on days...
I do agree that some points are easy to get back fast. Action to gain 1d6+1 points. You can also once heal X points to a pool with task difficult of X. You might be Resilient gaining extra recovery roll as action. Your party might have Works Miracles who can heal your pool points. These also make the recover faster ofc. on average one recovery returns you 4,5 poitns to your pool and if you are missing 33 - it takes 8 recovery rolls on average to get them back.
But I disagree in sense full recovery takes 2 to 5 days while many TTRPG in my understanding allows you make full recovery in 1 day... or at least D&D 5e Long Rest is 8h, less than Cypher Systems fourth 10h recovery.
Great video. Been looking at getting a supers game going for some time now. I am coming from D&D. And a very long time at that. Have been looking for something a bit more relaxed to run. Lets face it. D&D can be a headache at times if you are one who puts in some work for each session beforehand. Not saying that Cypher would not need prep work. It just seems vastly forgiving.
Cypher is a really solid choice. I would also recommend checking out my How to Play Sentinel Comics video. That's my person favorite systems for supers games, but it has a very different feel. Definitely not perfect for every supers game, but I love it
Great video, it seems like this systems is just what I need for my future intention to do a modern fantasy sci-fi campaign and world I want to build! I'm a GM who's not good with math, and only played D&D 5e, but it seems really cool! Do you have any particular videos you've made or recommend for going over the rolling, enemy design and combat of Cypher even more than in your video?
P.S.-My wording might be goofed with this headache I have right now, hopefully this all makes sense!
I did the thing!
Any plans on making a "Actual play, Cypher system" video? You really got me fired up to learn this, but was surprised at how few videos i found actually digging into the mechaincs with good examples.
Actually spent some time working on an overlay for just that purpose! Even considering starting to stream it and then uploading edited versions of those here
Cool! Hope you find time for that, would be really useful! Actual plays are good, but its not uncommon that and 3h play session only has aroud five dice rolls or unique mechanic uses. So not always the best way to get the details that way of you new. But its tons easier to make a acutal play then a scripted/edited how to, toytaly understandable.
Heh... difters
Great video, really interested in this systemnow.
I regularly steal the XP system and other stuff from Cypher System when running D&D. It makes 5e run better.
The thing I steal from 5e when running Cypher is the paired down list of skills in 5e. That's the one thing that isn't a direct improvement over 3e/3.5 the way everything else in Cypher feels like. We don't need swim, climb, and jump skills when Athletics works for it all. For everything not covered under the 5e skills the tool proficiencies in 5e work just fine.
Running scifi? Add Vehicles: space, air, and big rig to land and water. Then add computers as a tool proficiency, and roll hyperspace jump plotting and navigation into navigators tools.
Running Cyberpunk? Net diving is an aspect of computer tool proficiency.
Running anything pre industrial age? The 5e list of tool proficiencies is fine.
Running modern? Add whatever tool sets fit your characters and campaign.
The most appealing thing about Cypher System is that it's clear the devs took what they learned from creating 3e D&D and evolved with the times and the good changes both 4e and 5e brought to the hobby. Looking at pathfinder 2e by contrast it's clear those devs looked at what was new in 5e, plucked the lowest hanging fruit, and said "How can we make this more like 3.5?" Cypher answers every "there's not enough character options" and "why doesn't it do this" complaint about 5e that pathfinder 2e fans say pathfinder does, and Cypher does it without adding needlessly long feat trees and broken character options like the ones that bogged down 3.5 in its final days. Cypher learned from the shortcomings of 3.5 in ways pathfinder clearly refuses to.
I once asked, what happens if your Int pool is first at 0? Or is the Speed pool only exception for recovery limiting your movement speed to 0?
The OGL/SRD madness of 2023 brought me here.
You've chosen a fine port to weather out this storm!
Thank you for introducing me to this system. It seems to be the perfect blend of DnD similar but setting agnostic that Ive been looking for. I look forward to trying it out myself!
"Grew up on Vogsphere" == automatic 'like' of the video. :-D
How would Cypher go at simulating a game based on the Show, SUPERNATURAL?
Honestly, I think it would probably work pretty good. The base book has good rules for modern settings with supernatural elements, and plus some suggestions for Horror that could really spice it up. All in all, I think it would be a great choice if you wanted something with a little more crunch and structure than like Monster of the Week.
Apparently a lot of people liked the idea of Aspects, Compels and Fate Economy huh? :) Or is it vice versa if Cypher was first?
Fate was definitely first! Cypher certainly comes at things from a different angle, but yeah, it is hard to ignore the similarity there!
@@TheDungeonNewbsGuide thank you for the answer!
What would Rolemaster be?
If I pick a number and multiply it by three to get the difficulty target, why wouldn't I just pick the difficulty target?
The reasoning is that everything affects the difficulty level. If an enemy is difficulty 7, and you attack with 1 asset, 1 skill, and 2 effort, then it's a difficulty 3 roll, so I need a 9 or higher. Feels easier than an enemy being a 21, and using a 3 asset, 3 skill, and 6 effort to get to 9, at least for most people. Plus it keeps things simpler so you don't get too granular deciding if an enemy is difficulty 16 or 15 and stuff like that.
Do you have a cheat sheet?
i bought recently cortex prime rulebook and after your video i regret...this second one is more complex (i've been playing rpg for more than 30 years) and even it offers multiple choices or options at the end i'm totaly lost....in short, Cypher system talks more to me than Cortex 😒
I'll honestly admit, I haven't actually heard anything about Cortex Prime, but I understand that feeling of getting a system that just doesn't jive with you (looking at you, Alpha Omega!). But maybe you could still find some cool concepts in it to inspire you in other systems? Fingers crossed for you.
But yeah, I recommend Cypher System to almost everyone. It is a little weird to find your footing in at first, but everyone that I have ran introductory one-shots in it has said they really liked it. Nice thing is, if you just get the PDF version, it is pretty inexpensive, I think.
@@TheDungeonNewbsGuide 😉 i bought yesterday the pdf version, thanks for your advice
@@garenne0169 So, just wanted to say that your mention of the Cortex Prime rulebook, curiosity got the best of me and I bought it. I've been trying to read through it, and I do not blame you one bit for feeling lost reading it!!
This book absolutely feels like it was designed as a resource for referencing, and not as something to read and understand. The order and presentation make it hard to get through without constantly jumping around to figure out what they are talking about.
But I think I can see why you got it. After hours and hours of studying, I THINK I have a decent understanding of it, and it seems cool. I need to put in a lot more work to really get it down, but I am honestly thinking of doing a "How to Play" of it to help folks not have to go through what we have lol
@@TheDungeonNewbsGuide thanks for this message i'm feeling less alone 😂 but a little bit frustrated because i think it has a good potential and flexibility, may be more than Cypher (i red it meanwhile and i love it) i'm looking forward your how to cortex prime !!!!
@@TheDungeonNewbsGuide Please do! I personally love Cortex and I've played about a half dozen games in it with my crew, but even after going over the system at the start of every session some of my players still can't wrap their heads around creating assets or using plot points properly! I'm hoping Cypher will be a better alternative for my players since it seems to be a bit more rooted mechanically vs Cortex that's more about bartering with the GM.
I just can't get into a game where the GM is essentially only setting challenge ratings.
Definitely #4 can stop hearing about it so what is it???
so... the mumu cult, huh? where can i join?
Just look within yourself, and you'll find Mumu has been in your heart all along, just waiting to be embraced.
video: the dm doesn't roll.
me: oh, okay then. *hugs dice and slinks away*