Bear Hug

Strength

Agility

Constitution

Short Description

A grappling technique used to restrain and control a target by locking them in place, limiting movement and combat effectiveness.

Success Criteria

Roll 1d100 against DR 100 + target strength (and combat modifiers such as rear attack (+25) and surprise attack (+25)).

Effects

Target cannot move except to try to break free of the bear hug.

‍

You and the target are both considered vulnerable (-25 to DB) due to the mutual struggle.

‍

Target has a -10 on spell casting which is increased by 10 for each round in the bear hug.

Modifiers and Restrictions

Action Examples

You charge a fleeing cyborg operative and grapple them into a crushing lock. Rolling Bear Hug, you restrict their movement and force them into a defensive struggle.

You leap from cover and wrap your arms around a psionic infiltrator just as she prepares to cast. You roll Bear Hug and succeed — cutting off her movement and words mid-spell making it harder for her to cast the spell.

Long Description

Bear Hug immobilizes the target, restricting their movement and coordination. While held, the target cannot move or reposition and suffers a penalty to spellcasting and precision-based abilities due to physical pressure and breath control. They are treated as vulnerable in melee (–25 to attack rolls) and may only attempt basic actions or escape attempts.

You must succeed on a new roll each round to maintain the hold. The Bear Hug is especially effective for shutting down mobile opponents, locking down priority targets, or controlling the battlefield without needing to strike lethal blows.

‍

Sequencing

Ambush Grapple: Sneak into position and take down target quietly- Sneaking + Silent Takedown + Bear Hug: 3 AP

‍

Pin Caster: Feint or bait spellcaster before locking them down: Feint Attack + Bear Hug: 2 AP

‍

Intercept & Grapple: Sprint into combat and grapple before target escapes: Dash + Bear Hug: 2 AP

Potential Counters

- Peripheral Awareness (detect attempt and eliminate bonusses)

- Danger Sense (detect attempt and elimiinate bonuses)

- Martial Arts – Throws (will be an opposite roll)

- Reality Interface - (detect attempt and eliminate bonuses)

- Storm Shard Emitter - (deal damage to the bear hugger)

- Frost Step (teleport away + leave icy trap)

- Fear Aura (force bear hugger to retreat)

‍

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.