Soft Tread

Agility
Self Discipline
Creativity

Short Description

Move silently and without trace through wilderness terrain, using subtle weight shifts and environmental awareness to avoid detection.

Success Criteria

Roll d100 + Soft Tread skill vs. DR 100 + Target's General Perception

If actively observed or pursued by a trained individual, make an opposed roll vs. the target’s Tracking etc.

Effects

On success, you move undetected through natural terrain

On failure, your presence is revealed—either by sound, trail, or visual movement

Modifiers and Restrictions

–10 to -30 DR in soft or noisy terrain (forest, shallow water, wind cover)

+10 to +20 DR in dry, brittle, or echo-prone terrain (rock, ruins)

+20 DR if moving quickly or while carrying non-combat gear or in urban etc. areas.

+10 to +40 if target is aware of you presence.

-10 to DR per 10 meters away from target

Action Examples

Flank a patrolling drone in a ruined canyon while carrying a backpack

DR = 100

+10 DR (echo-prone ruins)

+20 DR (non-combat gear)

–20 DR (20 meters from target)

→ Final DR = 110

Roll = 125 → Success

Long Description

Soft Tread is used to move quietly and carefully through wilderness without alerting others to your position. By reading the terrain, controlling breath and weight distribution, and using the environment to mask your presence, you can approach targets, escape from view, or relocate without notice.

This skill is commonly used by scouts, hunters, survivalists, and ambushers. Its effectiveness depends not only on your body control, but also on how well you use the terrain to your advantage. Unlike urban sneaking, Soft Tread relies on blending with nature, minimizing impact, and staying one with the environment.

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.