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Sabotage

Assassination
Creativity
Agility
Reasoning

Short Description

Sabotage involves covertly undermining or destroying resources, equipment, or structures, often requiring cunning strategies and stealthy execution.

Success Criteria

Effects

Modifiers and Restrictions

Action Examples

  • Plant an explosive inside a generator (DR 100 with prior recon or schematics - harder if not).
  • Jam a starship’s navigation module without being noticed (DR 120, harder if ship is active or if you are not a trained pilot/space etc.).
  • Quietly disable a security camera using a hacking spike (DR 100, +20 penalty if under surveillance).
  • Sabotage enemy weapon reload systems mid-battle (DR 125, requires prior access).

    You get at least +20 penalty to DR, if you require the sabotage to take place within a specific, delayed time frame.

    • Long Description

    Sabotage is crucial in infiltration missions, shipboard warfare, and resistance operations. Use it to delay enemy reinforcements, disable escape routes, or sow chaos before a fight begins. It pairs exceptionally with:

    • Move Silently (to infiltrate undetected),
    • Hardware Sabotage (for tech-specific targets),
    • Heist Specialist (for pre-placed tools or setups),
    • Disguise (to pose as a technician),

    Sequencing

    Potential 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.