RPG Haven

For my birthday this year, I was awarded a gift card over at DTRPG, so I went looking for a new system... you know me...miss I have a problem and collect WAY too many systems...anyway.

I took to DeepSeek and ran a query to determine a game that would allow me to run an epic magical girl battle between Fate and Nanoha. I wanted tons of spell slinging, massive devastation, and ease of customization. After about eight different suggestions, it recommended a game system I don't have: Cypher System.

What intrigued me is the use of Stat Pools. Everything is powered by them. You spend points out one of your Stats (Might, Speed, or Intellect) and that allows you to do some Action. This means there's no Spell Slots. Perfect. I don't want to be limited to like five spells and then be done for the day. And although there isn't a Health Stat per se, any damage that you take is removed from your Might Pool (first). Recharging is pretty easy too, since there's several mechanics listed in the book to recover your Stat Pools.

Great. This looks like it could be a winner. The game is also highly customizable, and is genre-agnostic, and with over 1000 Abilities (I think that's what they're called) I shouldn't have any problem designing my two protagonists to get involved into a little after school cat fight! Now I just need to figure out why these two friends want to blow each other to Kingdom Come?

Cypher System sounds like one of those gems you discover by chance and end up loving. I like that it’s not too rigid. You can twist it into any kind of story you want. That flexibility makes it fun, especially when you want something fresh.

Sounds fun, though how do you have time getting all these games? lol.

I have a two hour commute via subway and bus just to get to work, and another two hour commute to get back home. Lot's of time to read and watch Actual Plays on YouTube. Someday I hope to get some friends together to actually play some of these games with somebody other than myself.

Senkusha wrote: Mon Nov 10, 2025 1:12 am I have a two hour commute via subway and bus just to get to work, and another two hour commute to get back home. Lot's of time to read and watch Actual Plays on YouTube. Someday I hope to get some friends together to actually play some of these games with somebody other than myself.

Oof, sucks you have a long commute but at least you can read up on this stuff

1stop wrote: Fri Oct 17, 2025 11:05 pm Cypher System sounds like one of those gems you discover by chance and end up loving. I like that it’s not too rigid. You can twist it into any kind of story you want. That flexibility makes it fun, especially when you want something fresh.

After exploring the publisher, Monte Cook Games, it turns out that, like, everything published is totally compatible with Cypher System. This means that specific settings like Numenera, The Strange, and No Thank You, Evil, etc can all be used within each other.

I recently picked up The Strange, and although its it's own game, much of the content can be used in a more generic Cypher System game. Furthermore, there are also many decks of cards that can be used with these games-- and I love me some Decks! As you can imagine, I'll be scooping up a couple decks with my next paycheck probably. It'll make a great Christmas Present to myself. LOL

Senkusha wrote: Fri Nov 14, 2025 11:50 am

1stop wrote: Fri Oct 17, 2025 11:05 pm Cypher System sounds like one of those gems you discover by chance and end up loving. I like that it’s not too rigid. You can twist it into any kind of story you want. That flexibility makes it fun, especially when you want something fresh.

After exploring the publisher, Monte Cook Games, it turns out that, like, everything published is totally compatible with Cypher System. This means that specific settings like Numenera, The Strange, and No Thank You, Evil, etc can all be used within each other.

I recently picked up The Strange, and although its it's own game, much of the content can be used in a more generic Cypher System game. Furthermore, there are also many decks of cards that can be used with these games-- and I love me some Decks! As you can imagine, I'll be scooping up a couple decks with my next paycheck probably. It'll make a great Christmas Present to myself. LOL

Great to hear its compatible, makes picking it up favorable.