Manipulate Perception

Diplomatic

Presence

Empathy

Reasoning

Short Description

Alter how a person or group interprets a situation, event, or relationship—without outright deception.

Success Criteria

d100 + Manipulate Perception skill vs. DR 100 + target Resilience

Effects

Success: You reframe the situation in the minds of your target(s); you may deflect blame, downplay severity, or redirect scrutiny

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Failure: You appear manipulative or evasive, increasing suspicion or solidifying the opposing viewpoint

Modifiers and Restrictions

–20 DR — The audience is already uncertain or looking for answers

‍–10 DR — You have social authority or emotional leverage

‍+20 DR — Contradicting known facts or firsthand accounts

‍+15 DR — Opponent has already framed the narrative convincingly

‍+25 DR — Hostile or emotionally charged setting

Action Examples

After a failed mission, you frame the outcome as a strategic delay rather than a loss. You declare Manipulate Perception. The GM sets DR to 100, but reduces it to 90 due to your officer rank.

Long Description

Manipulate Perception doesn’t involve lying outright but reinterpreting truth to shape emotional or social outcomes. This may involve emphasis, omission, tone, or symbolic choices. It’s ideal for turning a failure into a moral victory, redirecting criticism, or setting the stage for a political play.

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While it doesn’t overwrite facts, it can be more powerful than deception when facts are vague, outcomes are subjective, or emotions run high. It’s best used by leaders, diplomats, or those navigating damage control or narrative warfare.

Sequencing

Not good for sequencing.

Potential Counters

Influence Detection – Recognizes social manipulation patterns

Sense Motive – Reveals the intent behind your reframing

Reality Interface Module — Resists emotional misdirection and improves interpretive clarity

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.