Ballistics

Reasoning

Agility

Memory

Short Description

Mastery of projectile motion, impact prediction, and environmental adjustments for ranged weapons and similar relying on projectiles.

Success Criteria

Roll d100 versus DR 100

Effects

You get a bonus of +10 to shots at a range of 50 meters or higher for 1 round and a +5 bonus per 10 success rate.

For grenades and simillar the minumum range is 15 meters for the same bonus.

Modifiers and Restrictions

+20 DR if the target is moving erratically.

+30 DR if firing through obscuring cover or wind.

-20 DR if using stabilized position or targeting stationary foes.

Action Examples

You fire your rifle at a target that is 100 meters away. You declare that you will use Ballistics. The target is moving towards you in a erratic pattern, so you must roll 130 before you start getting a bonus. You have 80 in the skill and roll 70, which gives you a success rate of 20 = +20 to the shot (and other shots for the duration).

Long Description

Ballistics combines physical precision and environmental awareness to achieve superior ranged attacks. It encompasses calculating lead times, bullet drop, and impact vectors in chaotic or obscured battlefields. Essential for any marksman, sniper, or ranged tactician, Ballistics not only improves damage potential but enables creative and disruptive actions—like disarming enemies from afar, firing around corners, or forcing opponents to reposition under pressure. Skilled users can manipulate the battlefield through area denial or high-precision eliminations.

Sequencing

Use as part of a sequence with your main attack.

Potential Counters

Dodge Missile

How to use this page

All the information above is intended as a guide to help you navigate the many situations that can arise during your game. Since it's both impossible—and frankly uninspiring—to plan for every possible outcome, players are encouraged to think creatively when using their skills. Game Masters, in turn, are encouraged to embrace and support that creativity.

Whenever possible, aim to resolve situations through narrative choices, logical thinking and role playing. If that’s not feasible, agree on a Difficulty Rating (DR) using the provided Success Criteria and Modifiers. These are not rigid rules, but suggestions - starting points to help you find the right level of challenge. The player describes their intended action, and the Game Master proposes a DR. This should be open to brief discussion at the table, ideally resulting in consensus. If not, the Game Master has the final say.

It’s important to emphasize that all suggested effects, modifiers, and action examples are exactly that: suggestions. If you’re unsure how to resolve something, they offer a reliable fallback—but wherever possible, we encourage you to push boundaries. That’s where some of the most memorable and exciting moments in play are born.

Sequencing and Potential Counters are far from exhaustive. With hundreds of skills, spells, and tech modules in the game, the possibilities are too vast to list. You’re encouraged to explore combinations that make sense in your story and setting and in the situations that arise in your game. Sequencing and countering are core to Cosmic Odyssey - they’re where strategic depth meets dramatic flair, and where legendary moments often take shape. Even if no sequencing and counters are mentioned, some certainly exists and can be smartly utilized.

So explore boldly, improvise wisely, and enjoy the game as it unfolds around your choices.