Swimming

Constitution
Strength
Agility

Short Description

The ability to move efficiently through water, helping you survive, navigate, and act under aquatic conditions.

Success Criteria

Effects

Modifiers and Restrictions

Action Examples

– Cross a river without being carried by the current (DR 80)

– Swim long distance in calm waters (DR 100)

– Evade underwater predator or swim in strong current (DR 120–140)

– Swim in heavy armor or carry another person (DR +20 to +40)

Long Description

Swimming allows characters to travel through aquatic environments or survive in emergencies such as shipwrecks or underwater ambushes. It determines how well you perform actions like stealthy dives, underwater combat movement, or carrying items without drowning. Mastery in Swimming also reduces penalties in water-heavy zones or when interacting with underwater tech and ruins.

Pairing Suggestions
– Use with Survival to locate safe water entries or craft flotation
– Pair with Athletics or Endurance to boost stamina in long swims
– Combine with Operate Machinery when piloting aquatic gear or suits
– With Toxicology or Herbalism to recognize aquatic hazards or healing flora

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.