Back to skillsBack to Character Creation Page

Detect High Tech and Magic

Awareness
Intuition
Reasoning
Memory

Short Description

Detect High Tech and Magic is the ability to sense, recognize, and analyze the presence of advanced technology or magical effects in an environment.

Success Criteria

Effects

Modifiers and Restrictions

Action Examples

– DR 80: Identify if a visible item has magic or advanced tech with time to study it.

– DR 100: Sense unusual magical or technological energy in the area (e.g. lingering aura, disguised field).

- DR 120+: Recognize active effects or cloaked devices under time pressure or during combat.

- DR 120+: Detect and analyze obscure or alien tech/magic signatures with minimal information.

Long Description

Detect High Tech and Magic blends observation, logic, and instinct to uncover what lies beneath the surface. Whether scanning a room for hidden tech traps, examining a relic for arcane charges, or noticing subtle spatial distortions that suggest a cloaked device, this skill grants crucial awareness in tech-heavy or magic-laced environments. It is especially potent in hostile territory or exploration scenarios, where danger may be veiled by enchantment or stealth systems.

Effective Pairings

  • Identify Tech (to analyze discovered devices)
  • Magic Lore (to interpret magical function or history)
  • Peripheral Awareness (for broader passive detection)
  • Detect Illusions (to cross-check distortions)
  • Trap Disarming (to act on what was sensed)

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.