Retreat Coordination

Presence
Boldness
Self Discipline

Short Description

Organize a strategic withdrawal under pressure, ensuring allies retreat safely while maintaining defensive cohesion.

Success Criteria

Roll 1d100 + Retreat Coordination Skill vs. DR 100

Effects

All conscious allies gain a bonus to their Defensive Bonus (DB) equal to the Success Rate (SR), but also receive an attack penalty equal to the SR for the rest of the round.

Unconscious allies may be revived for 2d6 rounds if an adjacent ally spends 1 AP and assists them (standing or dragging to safety).

Modifiers and Restrictions

–10 to –30 DR if enemy is unaware, distant, or recently disoriented

+10 DR if used while flanked or surrounded

–10 DR if used from cover or within allied formation

Action Examples

Retreat under cover fire from allies in formation: DR = 100 – 20 (allies suppressing enemy) = 80

Roll = 118 → SR = 38 → Allies gain +38 DB and –38 Attack for rest of round

Escape under chaotic conditions while dragging two unconscious allies: Situation: The leader calls for retreat, spending 2 AP assisting two allies under fire. Modifiers: –10 (enemy distracted)

DR = 90 Roll = 136 → SR = 46

Result: All allies gain +46 DB, suffer –46 AB. Both unconscious allies are stabilized and active for 2d6 rounds each

Long Description

Retreat Coordination is not a simple act of running away—it is the practiced skill of guiding allies out of a hostile engagement in an organized and defensible manner. A retreat, when well-coordinated, can prevent a total rout and instead transform into a tactical regrouping that allows allies to survive, reposition, or escape an unfavorable encounter. This skill represents battlefield awareness, leadership under fire, and the capacity to make the hard decision to withdraw while maintaining control.

Mechanically, the skill provides a significant DB bonus to all conscious allies but requires accepting an equally large penalty to their offensive capabilities for the rest of the round. This trade-off emphasizes the defensive nature of the maneuver. The ability to revive unconscious allies temporarily adds a strategic lifeline to fallen comrades, provided someone is near and willing to help. Timing, initiative, and awareness of terrain and enemy behavior are crucial to successfully executing this maneuver under pressure.

Sequencing

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Potential Counters

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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.