Power Attack

Melee Expertise

Strength

Agility

Quickness

Short Description

Deliver a slower but devastating melee blow by focusing your full strength into a single, high-impact strike.

Success Criteria

Roll d100 + Power Attack skill bonus vs. standard DR 100

Effects

On Success: You deal 10% extra damage based on your total damage (including critical hits).

Each +20 Success Rate increases damage: DR 120 = +20% damage, DR 140 = +30% damage, etc.

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Modifiers and Restrictions

Standard +25 to DR for re-using this skill apply.

Action Examples

You declare Power Attack and roll a 120 on your skill check which equals +20%. Your original 20 damage becomes 24 damage.

Long Description

Power Attack allows a character to unleash a heavy, deliberate melee strike that sacrifices speed for raw force. It is ideal for finishing blows or breaking through resilient opponents when speed or precision is less important. This skill is commonly used by frontline warriors or berserker types who rely on brute strength. Timing, sequencing, and situational awareness are key to maximizing its effectiveness.

Sequencing

Power Attack is inherently sequenced with an attack, so all skills that makes the base attack more effecient are good sequencers.

Potential Counters

Glance, Parry Melee Attack and similar skills, spells and modules that can negate part or all of the original damage.

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.