Renowned game designer Monte Cook, known for his work on Dungeons & Dragons, found success with his future fantasy RPG Numenera in 2015. This game was a hit on Kickstarter, allowing Cook to establish Monte Cook Games. The company focuses on the Cypher System, which debuted in Numenera and has since become a popular system for Game Masters to create unique worlds.
The Cypher System revolves around rolling a d20 to meet or exceed a target number, with the difficulty level determined by narrative factors. Players can use pools of points to influence difficulty, spending points such as Might or Intellect to enhance their character’s abilities. Characters are created by choosing an adjective, noun, and verb to describe them, which also impacts their abilities and connections to the story.
Experience points are a fluid currency in the Cypher System, used for character advancement and influencing dice rolls. The Cypher System Rulebook provides GMs with the tools to build their own worlds, covering various genres from fantasy to romance. Story-based XP through character arcs is a key feature, allowing players to advance by progressing in their personal narratives.
The Cypher System offers decks for NPCs, XP, and GM intrusion ideas, providing a tactile element to gameplay. Various settings powered by the Cypher System, such as Numenera and The Strange, offer unique themes and gameplay experiences. Sourcebooks delve deeper into genres like superheroes and horror, offering new mechanical ideas and campaign hooks for Game Masters to explore.
For players looking to customize their experience, Cypher System Cypher Tools is a free online toolset that allows for character building and finding the perfect monster for encounters. The system also includes the Setting Finder to guide players on which books are needed to enhance their gameplay experience. The Humble Bundle for the Cypher System is set to end on June 1st, 2024, offering a comprehensive collection of tools and resources for Game Masters and players alike.
