Economics

Reasoning

Intuition

Empathy

Short Description

Knowledge of the basic economic situation in a given culture. Expert knowledge of accounting, money systems, currencies and prices in a known culture.

Success Criteria

Effects

Modifiers and Restrictions

Action Examples

Situation: A hostile megacorp is dominating the local economy. Action: Use Economics to detect and exploit weaknesses in their pricing model, supply chain, or black-market exposure. Roll vs DR 100–180 (or an opposed roll against their local representative): On success, you cripple their resource flow, devalue assets, or sow economic unrest that can shift political power.

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Situation: You’re building a front organization to move money or influence trade. Action: Use Economics to design a realistic and profitable shell business or Ponzi scheme. Roll vs DR 110–160: On success, the operation generates passive income, masks illicit funds, or creates temporary political leverage.

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Long Description

Economics is the study of money systems, pricing, and accounting practices across different cultures. It helps you make informed decisions in trade, investment, and resource management, especially when navigating unfamiliar towns, factions, or planetary economies.

This skill is particularly useful when estimating local price levels, managing long-term finances, or negotiating deals. It can also generate passive income from assets or properties your character owns. Characters using Economics may combine it with skills like Bribery, Law, or Administration to build influence through wealth and systemic understanding.

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.