Detect Magic

Magic Insights

Memory

Reasoning

Intuition

Short Description

Discern whether items, creatures, or effects are magical in nature through focused observation and arcane perception.

Success Criteria

Roll D100 versus DR 100

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Can often end in an opposed roll against attempts to hide magic such as secret casting, illusionary spells etc.

Effects

On success, you determine whether an item, object, effect, creature, or location is magical.

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If you have +15 success rate, you can determine the overall purpose of the magic.

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If you have +25 success rate, you can determine the strength of the magic (GMs discretion).

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Modifiers and Restrictions

-20 DR: Target item is in your hands and you have 1 minute

+20 DR: If target item is worn or actively used (such as in a battle situation) by an opponent.

-20 DR if spell (effect) is from a familiar spell category

Action Examples

After defeating a caster, you pick up their amulet and spend 1 minute examining it. Roll 105 → success. You confirm the amulet is magical.

You suspect a nearby enemy is using a magical weapon. You roll 125 and subtract 20 for a total of 105 → success. The weapon glows faintly with an arcane signature.

Long Description

Detect Magic is the caster’s primary tool for identifying mystical presences in the environment. Whether probing enchanted relics, searching for hidden wards, or confirming if an effect is supernatural, this skill offers the foundation for arcane awareness. However, it’s limited in scope—detection does not equal understanding. While this skill can alert you to the presence of magic, deeper analysis requires additional insights, such as Identify Item, Magic Lore, or Spellcraft.

It’s particularly useful between battles, when time and access allow careful study—but a skilled user can still pull off critical reveals under pressure.

Sequencing

Not optimized for sequencing

Potential Counters

No direct counters, but skills and spells that inherently hide magic nature such as illusions and secret casting can lead to an opposed roll.

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.