[RPG] In Numenera do players roll when using a cypher

cypher-systemnumenera

I understand that in numenera players roll against an enemies difficulty level, but when using a cypher is that the same type of roll.

It makes sense for one time cyphers like an explosive grenade throw could be a speed or might dc check.

What about cyphers that are multiple rounds like the Overwatch Slayer that does level + 2 damage for level rounds. Does the player roll each round to hit the enemy against its DC and if so can they spend effort etc to hit? If they don't roll each round is the damage just automatic?

Best Answer

Cyphers require an attack, usually Int-based (with a few exceptions).

From the Numenera Corebook, p84:

Each character gets one turn each round. On a character’s turn, she can do one thing—an action. All actions fall into one of three categories: Might, Speed, or Intellect (just like the three stats). Many actions require die rolls—rolling a d20.

Every action performs a task, and every task has a difficulty that determines what number a character must reach or surpass with a die roll to succeed. Most tasks have a difficulty of 0, which means the character succeeds automatically. ... Actions that are usually difficult or that become difficult due to the situation (such as shooting at a target in a blizzard) have a higher difficulty. These actions usually require a roll.

From the Numenera Corebook, p280 (emphasis mine):

If a character uses a cypher, the action to use it is Intellect based unless otherwise described or logic suggests otherwise. For example, throwing a detonation might be Speed based because the device is physical and not really technical, but using a ray emitter is Intellect based.

So every action requires a roll unless it's clearly trivial. Cyphers require an Int roll unless Might or Speed makes more sense.

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