Sliding attack

Agility
Quickness
Strength

Short Description

Execute a sliding maneuver into melee range, striking from an unexpected angle while repositioning within your opponent’s guard.

Success Criteria

Roll d100 + Sliding Attack skill vs. DR 100

Will often end in opposed roll versus skills like Attack of Opportunity, Keep at Bay, Whirlwind and similar.

Effects

On success, you gain +5 to your Attack Bonus, plus an additional +5 per 15 Success Rate

SR 10 = +5 total, SR 30 = +15 total, etc.

You may reposition to any location within melee range of the target - such as to their side or rear for bonuses to the attack.

Modifiers and Restrictions

Standard combat modifiers apply.

Must be sequenced with an attack and you must start the move outside of target melee range.

+20 to DR if you have used this skill against same opponent.

Action Examples

Evading a Whirlwind Zone: Enemy prepares a Whirlwind → You declare Sliding Attack→ Roll 130 → Versus target total of 120 Whirlwind -> SR 10→ +5 to attack bonus AB, and you slide behind the opponent, avoiding the spin zone plus gain a bonus to attack from behind.

Long Description

Sliding Attack is a fast, low-profile melee maneuver that combines explosive offense with deceptive mobility. The user initiates a compact slide across the battlefield—under a guard, past a weapon's reach, or under defensive skills —and delivers a powerful strike from an unexpected direction.

This technique not only increases striking accuracy but also allows you to shift your position without provoking enemy reactions. It’s highly effective against opponents relying on static defense zones, such as Whirlwind or Keep at Bay, and is favored by agile frontline fighters who thrive on breaking rhythm and line control.

Sequencing

Sequence with movement skills to cover more ground, spells that make you harder to see and/or hit for bonuses etc.

Initiative burst, touch spell, sprinting etc.

Potential Counters

Skills that aim to keep opponents out of melee range, unflankable to minimize penalty etc.

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.