Tactical Deception

Presence
Creativity
Boldness

Short Description

Use coordinated misdirection to disrupt enemy expectations and enable your allies to shift tempo - carrying momentum into the next round for a sudden surge of tactical advantage.

Success Criteria

Roll 1d100 + Tactical Deception skill vs. DR 100

Effects

All allies may carry 1 unused Action Point from this round into the next round, enabling coordinated overload actions.

In the next round, all allies gain +2 to Initiative, plus an additional +2 per 10 points of Success Rate.

Modifiers and Restrictions

-20 DR if skill has been used before

Allies must have 1 unspent Action Point in the current round to take benefit from this skill in the next (including the initiative bonus).

Action Examples

Orchestrating a visible reorientation toward a false objective: DR = 100

Roll = 114 → SR = 14→ Allies carry 1 AP forward, gain +2 +2 = +4 Initiative next round.

Long Description

Tactical Deception operates on a broader strategic level than standard feints, influencing how enemy forces perceive your group's overall intent. Through choreographed misdirection—such as false retreats, deceptive flanking pressure, or staged vulnerability—you trick the opposition into adjusting their plans prematurely. The true benefit, however, lies in how your own allies capitalize on the moment.

A successful Tactical Deception allows all allies to bank one unused Action Point, carrying it into the next round to fuel an aggressive follow-up. Additionally, their initiative surges, giving them the opportunity to act before opponents can respond. This maneuver changes the pace of battle, enabling overwhelming sequences, early disabling actions, or rapid repositioning that catches foes off balance. Timing, coordination, and a good understanding of enemy expectations are key to pulling it off effectively.

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.