Lunging Attack

Boldness

Agility

Strength

Short Description

Strike an enemy from beyond melee range by lunging forward and immediately retreating, making it harder for the opponent to react or counter.

Success Criteria

Use this skill instead of your attack bonus for your attack (must be sequenced costing 3 AP in total).

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Can end in an opposed roll against skills such as keep at bay, disengage and simila (you still attack if successful, but if they win the opposed roll, you will be within melee range)

Effects

On success, you can do a melee strike and remain at a distance (do not enter melee engagement zone)

Modifiers and Restrictions

Standard combat modifiers apply.

Action Examples

You are fighting a hard-hitting enemy, so instead of entering their melee zone where they can freely attack you, you call for Lunging Attack with your rapier and use your skill in Lunging Attack for the attack instead of your normal attack bonus - this costs you 3 AP, but you are free to use defensive maneuvers such as keep at bay or just dash away to safety.

Long Description

Lunging Attack allows a melee fighter to reach into combat from a distance, striking quickly and pulling back before the target can retaliate. This hit-and-retreat style technique is ideal for disrupting enemies, catching foes off guard, or attacking from behind allies or cover. It is especially useful for polearm users or agile fighters avoiding melee engagement. However, if timed poorly or read by the opponent, it leaves you exposed.

Sequencing

Must be sequnced with an attack, but can be sequenced with offensive enhancing skills, spells and modules or (more defensively) movement skills. Keep at bay is also a perfect match for this skill.

Potential Counters

Can be countered by skills such as Whirlwind, Anticipate or closing.

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.