Biology

Memory
Reasoning
Intuition

Short Description

Understand the structure and behavior of living organisms to analyze, adapt, or exploit their biological traits in and out of combat.

Success Criteria

Roll d100 versus DR 100

Target must have below 20 in intelligence and social skills (monster/animal - does not work on NPCs).

Effects

In Combat: Success: You will be told a stat of your choice such as: Health, Resilience, Base Defense, Armor, Strength, Constitution, Agility, Quickness, Combat Movement, Magical Abilities, Special Abilities, Ranged Attacks, Melee Attacks, Resistances (Magic, Energy, Hybrid).

For each +20 success rate, you can choose 1 extra.

Out of Combat: All of the above (takes 1 hour per stat) and things like behavior patterns, experimental potential, training potential etc.

Modifiers and Restrictions

–10 DR — Specimen is well-preserved or fully alive

–10 DR — You’ve encountered similar species before

+20 DR — Sample is incomplete or heavily damaged

+30 DR — Complex alien or rapidly mutating organism

Action Examples

You kneel beside a wounded drake mid-combat and invoke Biology to scan its anatomy. You roll a 125 and choose to get information on its Resilience and Resistances.

Long Description

Biology is the study of organic systems and evolutionary functions across species, environments, and alien ecologies. It enables deep analysis of anatomical structures, vital processes, and adaptive traits—granting tactical knowledge in combat or research contexts. In high-risk encounters, this skill lets you assess your enemy’s biology to determine their combat stats or key vulnerabilities.

When used outside combat, Biology provides additional insights into an organism’s behavior, training potential, evolutionary background, or experimental adaptability—valuable for those pursuing Bio-Modification, Astrobiology, or precision medicine. The more time invested, the deeper the insight, making this a vital skill for long-term campaign success.

Sequencing

Not optimized for sequencing.

Potential Counters

No direct counters.

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.