Dodge Missile

Agility
Quickness
Boldness

Short Description

Evade a ranged attack by ducking, twisting, or leaping out of its path.

Success Criteria

Opposed roll against attack roll.

Effects

A successful roll causes the incoming ranged attack to miss entirely.

A failed roll causes you to lose 1 extra Action Point as you shortly stagger from the hit.

Modifiers and Restrictions

+20 to DR if missile is shot in short range, standard in medium range and -10 if shot at long range.

+15 to DR if missile is shot from a gun, rifle etc.

Standard combat modifiers apply (including +25 to DR if re-used).

+25 DR against spells that goes against defensive bonus.

Action Examples

You attempt to dodge an attack from a rifle at medium range. The attack has an attack roll of 120. You have 70 in this skill but unfortunately only roll a 30 reaching 100 in your skill check. You are hit, take damage and lose 1 extra AP.

Long Description

Dodge Missile represents a character’s trained reflexes and spatial awareness, used to avoid physical projectiles during combat. Whether it’s an arrow, bullet, or shrapnel, the skill allows you to negate a ranged attack if your roll exceeds the attacker’s result. Unlike passive defense, this is an active evasion skill—making it ideal for mobile characters and those in light armor.

It plays a vital role in combat survivability, especially against high-damage ranged enemies. Dodge Missile is often sequenced with other defensive or offensive actions to maintain pressure while staying protected.

Sequencing

Sprinting (1 AP) + Dodge Missile (1 AP) = You sprint towards a ranged attacker anticipating a shot. When it comes, you attempt to dodge it and continue your sprint. Add Charge (+1 AP) and attack (+2/+3 AP) for a powerful sequence that lets you cover ground fast, somewhat secure and finish with a powerful attack.

Potential Counters

Quick Shot — Fires multiple times, overwhelming your Dodge attempts.

Precise Shot — Increases accuracy, raising the DR you must beat.

Smart Counterfire Module: If you succeed with Dodge Missile, this triggers and grants the attacker a bonus to their next attack against you

Spell Sniping: Nullifies skill-based evasion from spells

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.