Survival Space

Constitution
Memory
Self Discipline

Short Description

Astronaut training allowing you to perform space walks, handle necessary equipment for surviving in vacuum or poisonous atmospheres, and avoid pitfalls when exploring in open space, on moons or exoplanets.

Success Criteria

Roll d100 + your Survival Space skill against DR 80

Effects

On a success you handle a dangerous or difficult situation in open space or in a non-planetary setting.

In battle you can eliminate penalties from Zero G or other environmental penalties from being in space. On a success you gain a +5 bonus with a +5 for each 20 in success rate.

Modifiers and Restrictions

+30 DR if attempting open space feats without proper equipment

+20 DR when operating under duress or during battle

-20 DR with a tieline to a control center or with access to specialised AI assistant

Action Examples

On a short space flight from a planet to its moon your pilot collapses and life support systems mysteriously turns off. You help your group in the emergency space suits. Success requires a roll against DR 100 as you are operating under duress.

Long Description

Survival skills for space are distinct from wilderness survival, and can include both technical abilities and personal traits necessary to operate in a spacecraft and survive in a hostile environment. These include managing life support systems like oxygen and pressure, operating complex equipment, and demonstrating physical and mental resilience like decision-making, physical dexterity, and the ability to handle pressure.

With this skill you can operate all normal equipment used when travelling or living in space environments.

In the event of a partial or total mission failure, astronauts also require extensive knowledge of water survival and other emergency procedures to ensure their safety after landing or splashing down.

Sequencing

Normally not sequenced.

Potential Counters

Normally not countered.

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.