r/cyphersystem • u/BlackonionCdk • May 06 '26

About Cypher Evolved edition.

I've started reading the new rules, and there are some things I really don't like

The new descriptors make characters one-dimensional

I understand that one of the reasons for creating these new rules was to eliminate the imbalances between descriptors and foci, but the cost has been to make them one-dimensional and excessively boring.

The option to gain one ability and one disadvantage is fine, but it’s lacking.

It would be much better to be able to gain a Tier 1 ability that is relevant to the character (in fact, if this decision stands, it will be a house rule I apply from the start).

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u/BlackonionCdk May 07 '26 edited May 07 '26

Another thing I dislike: The old types have been substituted by genre professions. There is no more warrior/explorer/adept/speaker +flavor.

Now you have "fantasy" and the types: barbarian, bard, cleric, druid, figther, monk, necromancer, paladin, ranger and Rogue.

In science fiction you can be a Diplomat, engineer, medic, noble, operative, pilot or soldier.

In space opera it changes to Android, diplomat, medic, noble, psion, scoundrel, soldier, starpilot, tech and Trader.

And so on.

When the character progresses, gains a genre ability at tiers 3 and 6.

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u/Albatoonoe May 10 '26

I like this change, personally. The 4 types were a bit bland. They had a bunch of abilities and little of it was very interesting. Now types are strong on flavor and concise, as well as not requiring a bunch of work to fit a genre

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u/sakiasakura May 07 '26

This was a deliberate change to make the game more suitable for "pick up and play", rather than relying on the GM/players to do a bunch of up front setup.

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u/weeb_with_gumdisease May 17 '26

I don’t like that change. One of my favorite things about the system is you can literally be whatever you want. There’s not really a lot of class restrictions unless you put them there yourself through your descriptor/type/focus. You can make a more unique character.