Ranged Attack of Opportunity

Intuition
Agility
Quickness

Short Description

Use ranged attacks as immediate responses when enemies expose themselves during specific actions that makes them an easy target - such as moving into your field of vision, stepping out of cover to attack, run straight at you- by seizing the moment to strike with precise shooting.

Success Criteria

Roll d100 + skill versus DR 80 + target intution

Effects

Success: You can shoot an extra shot where you can subtract the success rate from this skill from the normal penalty to extra attacks (standard is -50 for attack number 2). This subraction is to whichever attack you use as number 2 - this or the main attack in your action phase.

Failure: You add the failure rate to your next Fatigue Threshold Roll as a penalty.

Modifiers and Restrictions

Standard combat modifiers apply to the use of this skill.

+20 DR if you reuse this skill in the same battle (per use).

Action Examples

A bearlike creature runs straight at you. It has an animal Intuition (below 20) of 15 and you must roll your skill check against DR 95. You roll a total of 125 and can subtract 30 from the penalty to your main attack (as you have not had your action phase yet).

An opponent has been sitting in cover, but steps out to shoot at one of your allies unaware of your presence. They have 60 in intuition, but you attack from the flank (-15) and you are unnoticed (-15), so the total DR is 110. You roll badly scoring 100 in total and besides facing the full penatly to your next attack, you must add a penalty of 10 to your next fatigue threshold roll.

Long Description

Ranged Attack of Opportunity turns your combat instincts into deadly precision. When enemies expose themselves—by sprinting into the open, stepping into your sightline, or emerging from cover to strike—you can react instictively with a shot.

The shot does not interrupt the enemy’s action, but punishes carelessness or over-aggression. This is especially effective for characters who excel at quick shooting, utilizing battlefield advantages and battlefield awareness, allowing them to hold choke points or defend allies with punishing timing. Limited use of this skill is wise, at failure can tax your action points and fatigue you.

Sequencing

Mostly used as a reaction, so not good for sequencing.

Potential Counters

No direct 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.