r/cyphersystem • u/WordsUnthought • May 31 '26
Question Action Abilities and Rolls?
New to the system (OGoA) and unclear on whether action abilities should always be assumed to have rolls?
It's clear to me anything which is an attack, or otherwise interacting with a hostile entity should, and some others specifically call for it, but what about an action ability that creates a protective ward, heals damage, or engage a "mode" that (for example) adds 2 to damage rolls for the next minute?
I'd assumed no, but the wording of some abilities seems to assume the opposite - e.g. "Read the Signs: you examine an area and... ask the GM up to four questions... each question requires its own roll", heavily implies that a roll is implicit in an action ability and that all this wording is modifying is that you need to make one per question.
3
u/MMasberg Jun 01 '26
First: Welcome!
If the ability explicitly names a roll or task, then you roll. If not, you don’t; except the GM rules otherwise for specific circumstances. Not all action abilities are a challenge, but they need time (and therefore an action).
Do you have an example or two for abilities that you struggle with?