Hedgehog Tactics

Defense

Strength

Agility

Self Discipline

Short Description

Fully commit to defense, becoming a fortress against melee attacks in the current battle round.

Success Criteria

Roll d100 against DR 100

Effects

Add the success rate of your skill check to your defensive bonus for this round.

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You cannot attack or move for the rest of this round.

Modifiers and Restrictions

+15 DR per round you do this in same battle.

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Action Examples

You give up your attacks this round to become the frontline barrier between allies and a charging beast. You have 70 in your skill bonus and roll 60 on your skill check for a total of 130 = you can add 30 to your defensive bonus this round.

Long Description

Hedgehog Tactics represents the pinnacle of static melee defense. This technique involves locking down your offensive options to achieve peak defensive posture, much like a hedgehog curling into a spiked ball. You channel all your strength, agility, and discipline into reinforcing your stance, deflecting and absorbing blows with hardened efficiency.

Ideal when holding choke points, protecting wounded allies, or stalling overwhelming melee forces, this skill allows you to become nearly unmovable for a turn. However, your inability to retaliate makes you reliant on teammates or future repositioning.

Sequencing

Hedgehog Tactics (1 AP) + Multiple Opponents (1 AP) = you can use your enhanced DB against multiple opponents.

Main Attack (2/3 AP) + Hedgehog Tactics = If you win the initative, you can attack first and then go directly into a strong defense. Add Defensive Stance (+1 AP) to be even more effective.

Potential Counters

Feinting: Forces you to react prematurely, undermining your braced stance - specially if followed up with an attack (spell) versus resilience.

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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.