Dash

Agility
Quickness
Strength

Short Description

Dash is a rapid movement technique that allows a character to cover short distances very fast but at the cost of defense.

Success Criteria

Effects

Modifiers and Restrictions

Action Examples

Roll d100 against DR 100. If successful, your combat movement is improved by 0.5 meters + 0.5 per 15 success rate.

If you continue your dash, you lose 1 Action Point to fatigue per extra round.

While dashing, any attacks against you have a +20 bonus.

Long Description

Dash is ideal for repositioning, closing gaps, or escaping zones of danger quickly. Unlike standard movement, Dash boosts your distance but at a cost—reducing your defense as you focus solely on speed. On a successful roll, you gain 0.5 meters + 0.5 per 15 SR in movement. However, you subtract half of your SR from your Base Defense for the round.

It is most effective when combined with Closing (to engage), Disengage (to retreat safely after dashing), or Spring Attack (to strike mid-dash). Aerial Dash and Adrenal Defence also synergize well when verticality or reactions are needed during or after the burst. Dash opens creative sequencing options—but always leaves you vulnerable if mistimed or unsupported.

Sequencing

Potential 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.