Cyphers - Fallen Engineering

[Traskus]

Engineers often eschew magic. They say it's "too dangerous" or "asking for reality to turn inside out" or some other nonsense. To survive in a dangerous Wheel and to apply their knowledge in more productive ways, they develop cyphers. Cyphers require a steady hand to make and extensive study to understand. Using an cypher can appear magical to the ignorant. Cyphers are not item creation. It is not crafting to make a cypher (at least, not this kind).

Any scientist, professor, or doctor will tell you it takes years of study to learn what is necessary to make a cypher. An average techpriest knows the rite of percussive maintenance and any fighter can at least maintain their own gear to keep it field-ready, but true experts can jury-rig a briefcase to be an automatic machine gun turret. I mean, he might get hit too but that's the game you play.

Cypher systems are a technique school system in the vein of magic or martial techniques for character builds that do not have said schools but still want "special" options in-game. Cyphers might have combat utility, they might not.

Engineer Level

A character's engineer level is referenced by the highest number of ranks they have in any cypher field. Like other technique schools, cypher fields can build on each other. A character's highest ranks in an cypher system are limited by their level.

Gaining Cypher Ranks

Cypher field ranks are gained in a way similar to other technique schools but not without its differences. A cypher field is tied to one of the following skills: academic lore, common lore, crafts, drive, medicae, pilot, or tech-use.¹ This will be outlined in the cypher field's entry. In order to enter this cypher field you must have at least 1 dot in the field's associated skill. In order to advance ranks in a cypher field, your current class must have the skill the cypher field uses.

¹If you're wondering, these are the skills in the techpriest class minus ballistics and weaponry. This, as all things, is open to change with feedback but for now I believe the synergy most represents the intent of the subsystem.

Experience point expenditure is the same as in magic schools and martial technique schools. 200 xp to gain the first rank, and 100*current rank xp to advance. They may also gain a rank by taking the upgraded feat and foregoing gaining a bionic.
Focii:

The first level of a cypher field lists the target item of the field including parameters of what qualifies as the focus and an entry bonus. The focus of a cypher field is usable in cyphers unless the cypher itself outlines items it must be used with. Think of it as a focus that all "spells" in the field have listed under their keywords. The second through fifth levels have at least one cypher to learn, most have more, and some levels have a rank bonus that is gained automatically.

An example of target object versus specific object can be found in the programming field. A target object, no matter what you have access to, can be used in the combat precognition and tracer software cyphers. It doesn't specify an object so you can use any target object you have cypher compatibility with. Vehicles, combitools, armor, etc. It's weird but them's the breaks. On the other hand, the ICE sentry and daemon cyphers specifically demand to be used with a computer.


Using Cyphers

Using a cypher qualifies as the "use a skill" action in combat and is concurrent with using the object the cypher applies to unless otherwise specified (ex. using a cypher that applies to a dataslate also qualifies as using the dataslate). They are one-time effects.

Using a cypher risks the device providing feedback or even malfunctioning. If the engineer fails the activation test then they either gain 1 level of fatigue or lose 1 hp, plus one per check on the failure. If they cannot gain fatigue they have to lose the hp but they can mix and match otherwise.

If the cypher rolls more 1s on the activation test than their level then the device becomes ineffective. They may reactivate the device with a half action TN 15 test using the skill+characteristic combination the cypher had. They may retry each turn until they succeed or give up.

Devices with less clear definitions of "ineffectiveness" such as armor will have them outlined on the cypher field's pages and be unique to cyphers from that field.


Magic Must Defeat Magic!

Cyphers are not magic. They're advanced technology and the applications thereof. Their damage is not magical (unless it is, see below), mechanical interactions with them is not the same as magic (unless it is). Magic is intended to be superior to cyphers. Effects that can dispel or resist magic (see: dispel or ruby ray) can be used to nullify cyphers but not the other way around. Things like eldritch trick or spell focus don't work on cyphers. This is not only to keep things intuitive but also to keep cyphers slightly weaker than magic. As of writing there are no cyphers that can outright dispel magic, destroy artifacts, or permanently undo the otherworldly. I don't intend there to be, and I implore prospective engineers to think the same.

Unless your SM disagrees, in which case go for it. Maybe it's more fun and/or better balanced that way.

Learning Cyphers

The second through fifth level of a cypher field lists at least one cypher. Upon gaining a new rank in a cypher field, you may choose one cypher from that rank to learn.¹ You may not go back and exchange the cypher you learn for a different one later.

¹I do not currently have plans for a "spell book" for cypher fields out of interest of trying to be a little weaker than magic/martial technique schools.


Cyphers

The cyphers available to characters are listed and described below. The description of each cypher is presented in a standard format. Each category of information is explained and defined below.

Name
The first line of every cypher description gives the name by which the cypher is generally known.

Field (Level)
Beneath the cypher name is a line giving the cypher field that the cypher belongs to and the level of that cypher.

Activation Test
The type of Test the cypher requires. This will typically be the skill designated in the first level and a characteristic (usually the one the skill usually uses). Not always, but usually. If a characteristic is temporarily altered by spells or abilities then use the characteristic's unaugmented rating.

Target Number
The TN is the threshold to activate the cypher. Many cyphers gain in strength as you get raises above the cypher's base TN.

Action
Most cyphers have an activation time of a half action. Others take a full action, and others take a reaction action or merely a free action.

Keywords
These rules use the following keywords to describe qualities of a cypher.

Attack: This cypher counts as an attack against the target. If the focus to use the cypher is an artifact, the attack is magical in nature.

Combo-OK: You can use this cypher to make a combo.

Fieldcraft: This cypher is often used in field situations and cannot be used in combat or social combat.


Focus: This cypher requires a specific item to function. If it is destroyed, the cypher ends. If this keyword is not listed, any target object you know how to use as a focus may be used.

Language Dependent: In order for the cypher to function, the engineer and the target must share a common language. Trade, human, c++, etc.

Mind-Affecting: This cypher affects the mind of the target, and so can only be used on targets that are sentient.


Ranged Touch: To affect a target with this cypher requires hitting the target with a ranged attack (Level + Ballistics).

Saving Throw: The effects of this cypher can be resisted by the target. The saving throw will be outlined in the cypher itself.

Somatic: This cypher has somatic components. It cannot be used if the engineer is bound, grappled, or otherwise unable to move.


Subtle: The activation of this cypher is not immediately obvious. Onlookers can test perception + wisdom (tn 20) to notice it. They still notice the effects but not its origin or the nature thereof.

Touch: A touch cypher requires the engineer to touch the target for the cypher to take effect. Touching an unwilling target requires an unarmed attack Test (using Brawl).

Web: Using this cypher requires a reliable internet connection.


Duration

The length of time the cypher lasts. Cyphers can measure their duration in real units such as days or as game units such as rounds or scenes. Indefinite cyphers have no fixed duration and last until the engineer wills it canceled. Instant cyphers are, well, instant. Their effect is immediate and fleeting like recovering a force shield's strength. When a cypher's duration is listed as Concentration, it will include the action the engineer must spend each round in order to maintain its effect.

Description

This portion of a cypher description describes what the cypher does and how it works. If one of the previous entries included "see text" this is where the explanation is found. If the cypher you're reading about is based on another cypher, you might have to refer to a different cypher for the "see text" information.



Cypher Combos

With long practice and focus, it's possible for an engineer to combine cyphers together, becoming able to activate multiple cyphers at once. For example, a magos who has mastered the combo of Nerf This and Suiting Up can blow up their vehicle and immediately summon it (though damaged). Combos represent a level of technical expertise above simple cyphers, and are more dangerous for the engineer to use, but far more effective.

Developing Combos

Characters develop combos through refining their craft, devoting hours of effort toward integrating their abilities and understanding their cyphers and how they interact. Because of the sheer amount of effort and danger required to make a Combo, a character cannot purchase cypher combos during character creation.

Using a cypher combo qualifies as using a cypher.

During play, a character can develop combos through arduous practice. The experience point cost of Combos developed during
play is equal to 50 xp per level of each cypher in the combo.

However, Story Masters don't have to let a character learn a Combo just because the player has enough XP saved up. Combos are hard -they're less a studied method of using their gear and more trying to jerry-rig cyphers together on the fly.


General Guidelines

Using a combo allows a character to use two, three, or more cyphers with a single action. Don't worry if this seems like it could get confusing. This section will go over the rules for using combos in detail.

The Test for using a combo uses the lowest of the characteristics and skills that apply to the cyphers in the combo. The TN of the combo is that of the highest TN cypher in the combo, plus five for every cypher beyond the first. The target object of the combo is chosen when making the combo.

A combo takes an action equal to the longest action of the cyphers in the combo. Duration of the cyphers are handled separately. If one cypher requires a Web, then the entire cypher will fail if the engineer can't provide it. Language dependency and saving throws are handled per effect rather than at large.

Attacks are rolled separately for each part of a combo, and a miss doesn't cause the whole combo to collapse. Unless all cyphers in a combo are subtle, the combo is not subtle at all.

The same cypher cannot be used twice in a combo - the cyphers chosen must be different. So no doubling a cypher's effect just by making a combo.

Academic Lore
Name	Characteristic	Focus
Apokalypsi	Intelligence	Auspex
Netrunning	Wisdom	Computer
Programming	Intelligence	Computer

Common Lore
Name	Characteristic	Focus
Aspidakinesis	Willpower	Charm
Epikrato	Composure	Implement
Vanus	Fellowship	Computer

Crafts
Name	Characteristic	Focus
Katastrofi	Wisdom	Multi-tool
Panopliakinesis	Wisdom	Combi-Tool
Prostasia	Intelligence	Multi-tool

Drive
Name	Characteristic	Focus
Panzerkampf	Intelligence	Multikey

Medicae
Name	Characteristic	Focus
Exelixi	Wisdom	Medkit
Metaptropi	Wisdom	Medkit
Prosthesis	Constitution	Bionic

Pilot
Name	Characteristic	Focus
Skafoi	Intelligence	Multikey

Tech Use
Name	Characteristic	Focus
Augmentation	Constitution	Bionic
Automata	Intelligence	Combi-tool
Warpsmithing	Willpower	Implement

[Traskus]

So, engineering. Mechanically it's a middle-ground between magic and martial techniques, with the competitive advantage that you don't need to purchase ranks or build techniques. In exchange, it's a tad weaker and relies more on peripherals like skill dots and of course the items you're affecting.

This takes from cypher system, numenera, some 40krpg, bit of shadowrun, starfinder, and a bit of wod.

[Traskus]

The big challenge right now is better assigning cypher schools to certain skills based on what class required skills best align with them. I think apokalypsi, netrunning, programming, panzerkampf, exelixi, skafoi, and automata are in the right place even if their characteristics need changing (and they might).

The chore after that is pulling away from intelligence so it doesn't hold super-majority.

[GuardianTempest]

This isn't class restricted so far, right? Or is it "The associated skill must be part of the class' support list"? Either way it's nice.

[Traskus]

It is not. You just need the dot to get it and be high enough level to advance it. It incentivizes having class skills as it is.

[berserkx33]

May 13, 2020 14:44:32 GMT -6 Traskus said:

A little preamble.

SPOILER: Click to show

Almost a year ago the user berserkx33 posted the engineering field system. At first I posted my own engineering fields because it was a fun new thing and to help give the idea traction even if I thought it needed refinement. Then I proceeded to mercilessly critique and criticize what he had because I worried jumping on it too early would tell him it didn't need the refinement it did.

Now I'm worried I scared him off because he felt bullied. If he felt bullied I don't blame him. I handled that situation all wrong and for that I'm sorry. I want people to feel welcome here and to posit new ideas shamelessly stolen from other games, so long as it doesn't completely upend the system. Everyone is a newbie at one point and first impressions are everything.

I'm saying this now because if berserkx33 hadn't made the engineering field system I would never have made cypher systems. I wanted to move in a direction more toward magic than technique to mirror magic and make things easier to pick up. The cypher system probably does need refinement no matter how long this was in pre-production.

Without further ado, cyphers.

Engineers often eschew magic. They say it's "too dangerous" or "asking for reality to turn inside out" or some other nonsense. To survive in a dangerous Wheel and to apply their knowledge in more productive ways, they develop cyphers. Cyphers require a steady hand to make and extensive study to understand. Using an cypher can appear magical to the ignorant. Cyphers are not item creation. It is not crafting to make a cypher (at least, not this kind).

Any scientist, professor, or doctor will tell you it takes years of study to learn what is necessary to make a cypher. An average techpriest knows the rite of percussive maintenance and any fighter can at least maintain their own gear to keep it field-ready, but true experts can jury-rig a briefcase to be an automatic machine gun turret. I mean, he might get hit too but that's the game you play.

Cypher systems are a technique school system in the vein of magic or martial techniques for character builds that do not have said schools but still want "special" options in-game. Cyphers might have combat utility, they might not.

Engineer Level

A character's engineer level is referenced by the highest number of ranks they have in any cypher field. Like other technique schools, cypher fields can build on each other. A character's highest ranks in an cypher system are limited by their level.

Gaining Cypher Ranks

Cypher field ranks are gained in a way similar to other technique schools but not without its differences. A cypher field is tied to one of the following skills: academic lore, common lore, crafts, drive, medicae, pilot, or tech-use.¹ This will be outlined in the cypher field's entry. In order to enter this cypher field you must have at least 1 dot in the field's associated skill.

¹If you're wondering, these are the skills in the techpriest class minus ballistics and weaponry. This, as all things, is open to change with feedback but for now I believe the synergy most represents the intent of the subsystem.

Experience point expenditure is the same as in magic schools and martial technique schools. 200 xp to gain the first rank, and 100*current rank xp to advance. They may also gain a rank by taking the upgraded feat and foregoing gaining a bionic.
Focii:

The first level of a cypher field lists the target item of the field including parameters of what qualifies as the focus and an entry bonus. The focus of a cypher field is usable in cyphers unless the cypher itself outlines items it must be used with. Think of it as a focus that all "spells" in the field have listed under their keywords. The second through fifth levels have at least one cypher to learn, most have more, and some levels have a rank bonus that is gained automatically.

An example of target object versus specific object can be found in the programming field. A target object, no matter what you have access to, can be used in the combat precognition and tracer software cyphers. It doesn't specify an object so you can use any target object you have cypher compatibility with. Vehicles, combitools, armor, etc. It's weird but them's the breaks. On the other hand, the ICE sentry and daemon cyphers specifically demand to be used with a computer.


Using Cyphers

Using a cypher qualifies as the "use a skill" action in combat and is concurrent with using the object the cypher applies to unless otherwise specified (ex. using a cypher that applies to a dataslate also qualifies as using the dataslate). They are one-time effects.

Using a cypher risks the device providing feedback or even malfunctioning. If the engineer fails the activation test then they either gain 1 level of fatigue or lose 1 hp, plus one per check on the failure. If they cannot gain fatigue they have to lose the hp but they can mix and match otherwise.

If the cypher rolls more 1s on the activation test than their level then the device becomes ineffective. They may reactivate the device with a half action TN 15 test using the skill+characteristic combination the cypher had. They may retry each turn until they succeed or give up.

Devices with less clear definitions of "ineffectiveness" such as armor will have them outlined on the cypher field's pages and be unique to cyphers from that field.


Magic Must Defeat Magic!

Cyphers are not magic. They're advanced technology and the applications thereof. Their damage is not magical (unless it is, see below), mechanical interactions with them is not the same as magic (unless it is). Magic is intended to be superior to cyphers. Effects that can dispel or resist magic (see: dispel or ruby ray) can be used to nullify cyphers but not the other way around. Things like eldritch trick or spell focus don't work on cyphers. This is not only to keep things intuitive but also to keep cyphers slightly weaker than magic. As of writing there are no cyphers that can outright dispel magic, destroy artifacts, or permanently undo the otherworldly. I don't intend there to be, and I implore prospective engineers to think the same.

Unless your SM disagrees, in which case go for it. Maybe it's more fun and/or better balanced that way.

Learning Cyphers

The second through fifth level of a cypher field lists at least one cypher. Upon gaining a new rank in a cypher field, you may choose one cypher from that rank to learn.¹ You may not go back and exchange the cypher you learn for a different one later.

¹I do not currently have plans for a "spell book" for cypher fields out of interest of trying to be a little weaker than magic/martial technique schools.


Cyphers

The cyphers available to characters are listed and described below. The description of each cypher is presented in a standard format. Each category of information is explained and defined below.

Name
The first line of every cypher description gives the name by which the cypher is generally known.

Field (Level)
Beneath the cypher name is a line giving the cypher field that the cypher belongs to and the level of that cypher.

Activation Test
The type of Test the cypher requires. This will typically be the skill designated in the first level and a characteristic (usually the one the skill usually uses). Not always, but usually. If a characteristic is temporarily altered by spells or abilities then use the characteristic's unaugmented rating.

Target Number
The TN is the threshold to activate the cypher. Many cyphers gain in strength as you get raises above the cypher's base TN.

Action
Most cyphers have an activation time of a half action. Others take a full action, and others take a reaction action or merely a free action.

Keywords
These rules use the following keywords to describe qualities of a cypher.

Attack: This cypher counts as an attack against the target. If the focus to use the cypher is an artifact, the attack is magical in nature.

Combo-OK: You can use this cypher to make a combo.

Fieldcraft: This cypher is often used in field situations and cannot be used in combat or social combat.


Focus: This cypher requires a specific item to function. If it is destroyed, the cypher ends. If this keyword is not listed, any target object you know how to use as a focus may be used.

Language Dependent: In order for the cypher to function, the engineer and the target must share a common language. Trade, human, c++, etc.

Mind-Affecting: This cypher affects the mind of the target, and so can only be used on targets that are sentient.


Ranged Touch: To affect a target with this cypher requires hitting the target with a ranged attack (Level + Ballistics).

Saving Throw: The effects of this cypher can be resisted by the target. The saving throw will be outlined in the cypher itself.

Somatic: This cypher has somatic components. It cannot be used if the engineer is bound, grappled, or otherwise unable to move.


Subtle: The activation of this cypher is not immediately obvious. Onlookers can test perception + wisdom (tn 20) to notice it. They still notice the effects but not its origin or the nature thereof.

Touch: A touch cypher requires the engineer to touch the target for the cypher to take effect. Touching an unwilling target requires an unarmed attack Test (using Brawl).

Web: Using this cypher requires a reliable internet connection.


Duration

The length of time the cypher lasts. Cyphers can measure their duration in real units such as days or as game units such as rounds or scenes. Indefinite cyphers have no fixed duration and last until the engineer wills it canceled. Instant cyphers are, well, instant. Their effect is immediate and fleeting like recovering a force shield's strength. When a cypher's duration is listed as Concentration, it will include the action the engineer must spend each round in order to maintain its effect.

Description

This portion of a cypher description describes what the cypher does and how it works. If one of the previous entries included "see text" this is where the explanation is found. If the cypher you're reading about is based on another cypher, you might have to refer to a different cypher for the "see text" information.



Cypher Combos

With long practice and focus, it's possible for an engineer to combine cyphers together, becoming able to activate multiple cyphers at once. For example, a magos who has mastered the combo of Nerf This and Suiting Up can blow up their vehicle and immediately summon it (though damaged). Combos represent a level of technical expertise above simple cyphers, and are more dangerous for the engineer to use, but far more effective.

Developing Combos

Characters develop combos through refining their craft, devoting hours of effort toward integrating their abilities and understanding their cyphers and how they interact. Because of the sheer amount of effort and danger required to make a Combo, a character cannot purchase cypher combos during character creation.

Using a cypher combo qualifies as using a cypher.

During play, a character can develop combos through arduous practice. The experience point cost of Combos developed during
play is equal to 50 xp per level of each cypher in the combo.

However, Story Masters don't have to let a character learn a Combo just because the player has enough XP saved up. Combos are hard -they're less a studied method of using their gear and more trying to jerry-rig cyphers together on the fly.


General Guidelines

Using a combo allows a character to use two, three, or more cyphers with a single action. Don't worry if this seems like it could get confusing. This section will go over the rules for using combos in detail.

The Test for using a combo uses the lowest of the characteristics and skills that apply to the cyphers in the combo. The TN of the combo is that of the highest TN cypher in the combo, plus five for every cypher beyond the first. The target object of the combo is chosen when making the combo.

A combo takes an action equal to the longest action of the cyphers in the combo. Duration of the cyphers are handled separately. If one cypher requires a Web, then the entire cypher will fail if the engineer can't provide it. Language dependency and saving throws are handled per effect rather than at large.

Attacks are rolled separately for each part of a combo, and a miss doesn't cause the whole combo to collapse. Unless all cyphers in a combo are subtle, the combo is not subtle at all.

The same cypher cannot be used twice in a combo - the cyphers chosen must be different. So no doubling a cypher's effect just by making a combo.

Academic Lore
Name	Characteristic	Focus
Apokalypsi	Intelligence	Auspex
Netrunning	Wisdom	Computer
Programming	Intelligence	Computer

Common Lore
Name	Characteristic	Focus
Aspidakinesis	Willpower	Charm
Epikrato	Composure	Implement
Vanus	Fellowship	Computer

Crafts
Name	Characteristic	Focus
Katastrofi	Wisdom	Multi-tool
Panopliakinesis	Wisdom	Combi-Tool
Prostasia	Intelligence	Multi-tool

Drive
Name	Characteristic	Focus
Panzerkampf	Intelligence	Multikey

Medicae
Name	Characteristic	Focus
Exelixi	Wisdom	Medkit
Metaptropi	Wisdom	Medkit
Prosthesis	Constitution	Bionic

Pilot
Name	Characteristic	Focus
Skafoi	Intelligence	Multikey

Tech Use
Name	Characteristic	Focus
Augmentation	Constitution	Bionic
Automata	Intelligence	Combi-tool
Warpsmithing	Willpower	Implement

Oh, THANKS A LOT for that, you didn't scare me off, I actually had been working on those ideas for a few months but than I lost my job and finished college and the new job didn't give me enough free time to go back to it, you make me very happy that someone took the effort to finish that idea into something full.

That was an amazing idea and really makes me happy that this seed of an idea was expanded and is now a full on thing. I have been messing with my own stuff. But I really hope it takes off.

[Traskus]

I. Liiiiiive.

Hey welcome back. Glad to see you enjoy it. Do tell me if you use cyphers and how that goes. I hear someone is using one but I don't know for sure.

[berserkx33]

May 28, 2022 14:18:22 GMT -6 Traskus said:

I. Liiiiiive.

Hey welcome back. Glad to see you enjoy it. Do tell me if you use cyphers and how that goes. I hear someone is using one but I don't know for sure.

I'm currently trying to convince a group of friends to play DtD and I plan on adding cyphers into the game. It was me talking to them about it that led me to remember this place and see the post. I will share the results.

[thecursedkatana]

So, do these interact with the Spark exaltation, just asking.

[GuardianTempest]

Jan 10, 2023 20:57:47 GMT -6 thecursedkatana said:

So, do these interact with the Spark exaltation, just asking.

No specific interaction but just about any class and exaltation can take them as they're not restricted to anything. But there are no Cypher-specific interactions apart from Teros letting you take one.

[Traskus]

Jan 10, 2023 20:57:47 GMT -6 thecursedkatana said:

So, do these interact with the Spark exaltation, just asking.

Any field that shares a name with a spark asset has synergy, with varying subtlety.

[thecursedkatana]

Jan 10, 2023 21:26:17 GMT -6 GuardianTempest said:

Jan 10, 2023 20:57:47 GMT -6 thecursedkatana said:

So, do these interact with the Spark exaltation, just asking.

No specific interaction but just about any class and exaltation can take them as they're not restricted to anything. But there are no Cypher-specific interactions apart from Teros letting you take one.

Well, Sparks are mad scientists, so I think that would be appropriet

[GuardianTempest]

Jan 11, 2023 18:11:36 GMT -6 thecursedkatana said:

Jan 10, 2023 21:26:17 GMT -6 GuardianTempest said:

No specific interaction but just about any class and exaltation can take them as they're not restricted to anything. But there are no Cypher-specific interactions apart from Teros letting you take one.

Well, Sparks are mad scientists, so I think that would be appropriet

True but Cyphers are still a rather experimental system made from scratch so folks are still being cautious and trying not to make homebrew too dependent on each other. Plus, I didn't make it; Traskus did (see below)

Jan 11, 2023 9:01:57 GMT -6 Traskus said:

Jan 10, 2023 20:57:47 GMT -6 thecursedkatana said:

So, do these interact with the Spark exaltation, just asking.

Any field that shares a name with a spark asset has synergy, with varying subtlety.

Yes, it does have Synergy but no Cypher-exclusive mechanics since Sparks predate the creation of Cyphers.

[thecursedkatana]

Jan 11, 2023 18:21:13 GMT -6 GuardianTempest said:

Jan 11, 2023 18:11:36 GMT -6 thecursedkatana said:

Well, Sparks are mad scientists, so I think that would be appropriet

True but Cyphers are still a rather experimental system made from scratch so folks are still being cautious and trying not to make homebrew too dependent on each other. Plus, I didn't make it; Traskus did (see below)

Jan 11, 2023 9:01:57 GMT -6 Traskus said:

Any field that shares a name with a spark asset has synergy, with varying subtlety.

Yes, it does have Synergy but no Cypher-exclusive mechanics since Sparks predate the creation of Cyphers.

I see, would you take cypher fields as a Spark?

[GuardianTempest]

Jan 11, 2023 18:50:32 GMT -6 thecursedkatana said:

I see, would you take cypher fields as a Spark?

Depends on the build, like a lot of things. I haven't played a Spark yet though, but I know another player who plans on taking Epikrato.