After years of playing various tabletop RPG systems, I keep coming back to the Cypher System from Monte Cook Games. It’s become such a core part of my gaming life that I was recently selected for MCG’s Cypher Stream Creator Fund to produce analytical content about their games.
Here’s why this system captured my heart.
What is the Cypher System?#
The Cypher System is a flexible tabletop RPG framework that powers games like Numenera, The Strange, and Predation. But it’s also available as a generic system you can adapt to any genre.
The core mechanic is elegant: the GM never rolls dice. All rolls are made by players, and difficulties are set on a scale of 1-10 (multiplied by 3 for the target number).
What Makes It Special#
1. Character Creation is a Sentence#
Your character is defined by a simple sentence:
“I am a [adjective] [noun] who [verbs]”
For example: “I am a Clever Nano who Talks to Machines”
This immediately gives you a character with personality, role, and special abilities. No hours of optimization required.
2. GM Intrusions#
One of the most brilliant mechanics in any RPG. The GM can introduce complications at any time by offering you XP:
“The lock picks break off in the door. Take 2 XP, give 1 to another player.”
You can refuse by spending XP, but accepting makes for better stories. It’s a consent-based way to add drama.
3. Cyphers#
The system’s namesake—one-use abilities that constantly cycle through your character. They prevent hoarding and encourage creative problem-solving. Got a gravity nullifier? Use it now because you’ll find something new soon.
4. Effort and Edge#
Instead of complex modifiers, you spend points from your stat pools to reduce difficulty. Your Edge reduces these costs. Simple math that keeps combat flowing.
Why It Resonates With Me#
As someone who builds AI agents for a living, I appreciate systems that are:
- Modular - Components that combine in interesting ways
- Low overhead - Spend time on story, not rules lookup
- Player-driven - The players shape the narrative
The Cypher System embodies all of these. It gets out of the way and lets the story happen.
Cypher+ Coming in 2025#
I’m excited to announce that I’ve been selected for Monte Cook Games’ Cypher Stream Creator Fund. My project, Cypher+, is an analytical series diving deep into MCG’s various titles. It’ll launch in the first half of 2025 on The Anywhere Door (MCG’s Moonbeam streaming platform).
I’m also involved with TENDERHOLLOW, an actual play series using the Cypher System with the wonderful Kat The Dungeon Mom as GM.
Getting Started#
If you’re curious:
- Numenera - Science-fantasy a billion years in the future
- Cypher System Rulebook - The generic version for any setting
- Old Gods of Appalachia - Folk horror in Appalachia (newer release)
Roll a d20 and see where the story takes you.