Cypher System & Numenera by Monte Cook Games - Web DM - Planescape

[@WebDM]

Thanks for watching! Want more Web DM in your life? Get our podcast here: www.patreon.com/webdm

[@jesush7662]

Web DM I would love to see the podcast on Spotify. Dunno how much work it’ll be Love the channel, I use the channel as a huge resource for my gaming table :)

[@EdKauffmann]

any chance we'll be getting more Other-RPG-Overview type videos soon? :D

[@mike-1061]

How do npcs attacks of the GM can’t roll dice?

[@cameron.diamond]

I’d really enjoy more videos about Cypher System if y’all had a mind to make more. This video convinced me to try it, and I find it better in almost every way than 5e. Any plans to revisit this?

[@nicholassheavils209]

i need that sneeze as a ringtone

[@DamascoGamer]

That was loud asf.

[@Azeur]

Here's the sneeze for you, have a feeling it would getting annoying in the long run though. soundcloud.com/ahtl/sneeze/s-LeSNC

[@iGuttsi]

Make it a text alert

[@rpgquestboard]

As a planescape addict, I love whenever the setting comes up in WebDM videos. You can see Jim barely holding back his intense enthusiasm for the setting.

[@cameronlloyd9752]

This is the best primer on Numenera/Cypher that I have found. Cypher is my new system of choice, and I try to spread the word. This video is what I always share with people as a description.

[@Jader7777]

0:50 Shatter spell is cast. Take 6d6 thundering damage.

[@JPruinc]

Jared Prymont I studied at the Pierce Hawthorne School of Sneezing.

[@xezzee]

I was pretty sure he was stabbed, probably a critical hit and some sneak dmg right there. Take 2d4 +4d6 +5 stabbing damage.

[@GameNubQuin]

At first I was turned off by the game only having three classes but it should be emphasized that each class has a huge pool of abilities you will have to choose from, that when mixed with the focuses and whatever the other things are called, you get an astronomical amount of character variety.

[@Mikkel205]

They are called Type, Focus and Descriptor ;)

[@PaladinsFury]

So is it similar to Fantasy Age in that respect?

[@austinmcpherson2847]

GameNub Quin sort of, it's more like each class has a pool of available powers that define how your character works that are tied to the classes. a glaive can be a heavily armored heavy weapon user that is all about hitting hard or a no armor wearing dagger user for instance.

[@KarunaRealms]

There are also two Character Options books that expand on descriptor of focus options to personalize your character from the others. Plus the Character Options 2 book has two new types: The Glint (kinda like a bard) and The Seeker (Think Tomb Raider / Indian Jones). So that is 5 "Classes" and a ton of customize options of Descriptors and Focus

[@TonkarzOfSolSystem]

Very true, nearly to the point that calling them "classes" is misleading.

[@rustydeandarby]

I had a learned jack who explores dark places till something big happened and he almost died from an experience and ended up being a learned Jack who rides the lightning! Love this system!

[@richardwallace8381]

I know this video was made a couple of years ago but I finally picked up the Cypher system. I love it! ...and now I'm interested in Numenera, so a belated THANK YOU for this video!

[@AustinKazda]

It's when all three pools are depleted you are "dead". When one pool depletes, you are impaired, making it harder for you to do things. When two pools are depleted you are debilitated, and you are unable to do anything but talk.

[@applecrow8]

Tell me more about this 'hunk of metal with a cat at the end' weapon

[@danceallnite45]

One of my top 5 favorite rpgs of all time. I've always regretted the fact that my freinds refuse to leave 1985 when it comes to rpgs.

[@evidicus]

Love the system and setting. I'll be running a Numenera game at GenCon this year for the developer. Really excited to run it! Thanks for this great, concise overview!

[@Neceros]

Great video guys. Just found Numenera, but I've been a life-long fan of Mr Cook. FUCKING loved Arcana Evolved, so Numenera was no brainer.

[@Demogorgon7007]

I played Torment Tides of Numenera on Xbox 1 and I absolutely loved it, I didn’t realize it was a tabletop role playing game.

[@Crack_the_Skye]

It's a far future spiritual successor to PlaneScape

[@gogonomo5604]

"It could be a hunk of metal with a cat on the end. Who gives a shit." Legend

[@YUNOTROLLING]

As the main DM of my friend group you guys sold me on making them play this it sounds AWESOME! thank you.

[@Goblinerd]

lol. While you should definitely introduce your players to this awesome game, no GM should "make" there players do anything.

[@PhilippeLemaire]

Jim, Pruitt, you guys not only sold me on Numenera, but on GMing for adults for the first time (I use my 7yo and his buddies as training ground). I now have maybe half of the books of the Numenera brand, and I'm about to start recruiting PCs for a campaign in The Strange, another Cypher System game where players visit pocket dimensions based of fictional work (one session could take place in Chrono Trigger, the next one in the Bible, why not?). Thank you very much for expanding my horizons and giving me the spark to start running games.

[@st.cimmerian1680]

Numenera is easily one of the best games I have ever played. Glad you guys reviewed it!

[@evidicus]

Checking my Web DM backlog & remembered this video influenced my purchase of Numenera. Now that MCG just finished a 2.0 overhaul of the Cypher System and Numenera, what are your thoughts? Any chance of an updated Web DM video on Numenera?

[@andyduke6119]

I'm saving up for the overhaul books.

[@CrazyConnor2]

I'm glad I'm not the only person who sneezes by screaming XD

[@jft4820]

I learned from my father.

[@williamstone6811]

Great episode. I for one would be very happy if a small part of your video schedule started including topic specific to Numenera and the Cypher system. Also glad I was not the only person who saw the planescape game just waiting to be discovered in Numenera.

[@TheHammertime51]

I watch plenty of informative RPG videos by KZbinrs but I'm only subscribed to Web DM. Great Work Guys.

[@BruceRCordell]

Great review guys, thank you! And omg, Cypher System Planescape game sounds like an absolute blast. TK808 FTW! ;) Just a note on Pools (Might, Intellect, and Speed); a character needs 2 of 3 Pools to go to 0 for the character to essentially be out of action. With 1 of 3 Pools at 0, the character is impaired, which means it's harder for them to apply Effort and they don't get the full benefit of special rolls, but they're still in the game.

[@Daszkal]

omg I have so much googling to do. this is exciting shit you guys.

[@comeon000]

As a DM who has run years of D&D/Pathfinder and owns Numenera I will say that I LOVE the setting, but do find the rules to be just a little too light for me. Our group felt the world was hollow when players had few rules to limit them. I believe it takes the right group to play this system, one that is more story-creators than adventure solvers. raw mechanics wise, Numenera falls right in between modern D&D and the Fudge system. Numenera setting: 10/10 Numenera mechanics: 6/10 This episode: one of my favorites.

[@i-am-your-conscience]

I will use the Ninth World of Numenera for a whole campaign in Starfinder. I also like FATE/FUGDE, but they are clear in where they wanted to go. The Cypher System I dont know what kind of direction it wanted to go to, and why there was such a high "not invented here" syndrome.

[@JOHNMARTIN-zm6zz]

First time I've heard of it, and I immediately thought ( So, this is where they got the idea to make Horizon Zero Dawn)

[@fakeplasticsoldier]

It's worth mentioning that this game system isn't limited to Numenera. There is a seperate book called the "Cypher system" book that is designed for you to make campaigns of any genre, from horror to fantasy to sci fi

[@tomharris5649]

Absolutely love the editing on this one guys. "Pause track...." loved it. lol

[@titan219]

You guys made me get the starter set and core book, Grats!

[@Goblinerd]

I cannot stress enough just how much I recommend getting Character Options 1 and 2!!!!

[@sniffingdogartofficial7257]

Arthur C Clark, Hell yes!! Always nice to hear people reference him still.

[@redsands1001]

SniffingDogArt Official That quote and references to his short story superiority are the ones i see most

[@sniffingdogartofficial7257]

Hah, seeing as I wrote this two months ago I admit at this point I can't remember what the quote was, but yeah always nice to hear him come up. The short stories were really something.

[@VictorFreezey]

Thank you for this, I am going to show my gaming group this and try to get them to play. I love the way everything sounds

[@firelegendmushroom]

I personally didn't love this system in my very short time playing it (mostly in that I like to have more options in character creation and more to work with rules-wise, but then I got into RPGs with Pathfinder so that's hardly surprising...) but it's still cool that you guys covered it, since it does do some interesting things.

[@samsoni7e178]

I love how they use Crown Royal bags for their dice, I do the same thing.

[@MindFeather]

my group has been running a mix of Planescape and The Strange. the latest world they've jumped to is an X-Files spin-off based on the "Alternity Dark Matter" setting which Monte Cook also worked on. we are having a blast. glad to hear you guys are having such fun with it as well.

[@jordentaylor2455]

You should try Mutants and Masterminds, a D20 superheroes game. Its somewhat based on Third Ed D&D.....but point based, with no hit points, and uses only a D20. I've ran horror, superheroes, dimension hopping and others. Really good to use.

[@juniorkabir1865]

Great timing, WebDM! I just heard about this last week, thought it sounded cool! Wound up finding a copy on eBay, it's in the mail as I type; can't wait!

[@Peter-su8fd]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I was recently gifted this book and knew nothing about it.

[@MrDane1876]

Thanks for going over this game, getting ready to play this game for the first time

[@WebDM]

Have a great time!

[@calvinballaka8905]

Dang, this is pretty cool! I actually originally got into tabletop RPG not because of D&D, but because of FATE Core, since the rules were available online for free! I never did play any FATE Core, but that's what opened me up to the concept and idea, so the notion of talking about other tabletop games is super chill with me. Can't wait to see y'all next Wednesday!

[@kayosiiii]

I have had the books for Numerinera (pdfs) a while back you guys have gotten me exited to try and get a game going. With regards to DM intrusions, I would take a look at the Dresden Files RPG (and the system it's based from) as this [DM Intrusions] mechanic is clearly inspired by the compel mechanic in that game (which - it's a great mechanic I am happy to see more games adapt it). Specifically in that system there are mechanisms for the players to signify what sort of complications they are interested in having their characters experience and for the gm to pull from to create these complications.

[@Kielsram]

Now that I understand the Cypher system a little better, I think I might purchase the book in the future. I've seen the book in my local game store and I pull it off the shelf from time to time but I never really understood what I was reading. Really glad you decided to do this episode.

[@shilohelgin2408]

As a dm I love the simplicity but as a player and a little bit as a dm I kinda miss the idea of getting lost in the details creating your own individual player

[@zonegamma8197]

yes there is other games out there and I'm glad you talked about Numenera and Cypher. It is now my prefered system for it's simplicity and flexibility. Running a Fallout game at the moment

[@subsoniclight]

Finally. Numenera was the first game I GM'd for, and it was a lot of fun playing with the setting.

[@Arkanoid1212]

I think its a great game. Wiping the board clean and all that, going back to the three archetypes but yet... presenting such a depth of customization. Of course most of us are familiar with D&D in one form or the other and this is something else. But a lot of thought and creativity went into it clearly. Where it really shines is the fluff. It is a very cool world to play in. Those aeon priests... are they really so scientific and peaceful? Well read again. Its quite thought provoking. I like that. Plus... the corebook is all you ever need. Its all in there. Its a good game to start out with. Whatever system you are rooted in you have to give it some credit. Personally, i think its a masterpiece. I wouldn't mix up systems, although you clearly can. This stands best on its own, i think. The difference, i think is that D&D is a evolved system (with all its offshoots, i am looking at you 4th). This is in its infancy still.

[@dmoldbeard5585]

I'd love to run Numenera, but can't drum up any excitement in my group to play. They are mostly 3.5/Pathfinder loyalists and don't want to learn a new system. One of the things I miss about my early days in the hobby was the way we transitioned from one System to another. AD&D one night Star Frontiers, Gamma World, Top Secret, or Champions the next. I seems like now players are far more married to systems.

[@anthonycraig4698]

I feel for you

[@Moondarq]

I'm having the same issue with my group. Everyone loves their 6-hour tactical combats with their minis on the battle mat.

[@Sean-ne3gx]

the system sounds interesting and the world sounds really cool... one more thing I need to add to my "play it" list, so much to try and so and so little time. Also, Travis, I love how you refuse to take requests when it'll be funny.

[@lordneraxis8051]

Been looking for other systems to play besides d&d this video has been very helpful. Would love to see more about the Cypher system.

[@Akravator12]

I really enjoyed this! I would love to see more videos going over other systems. I personally only have experience with D&D, so it's nice to hear about how they work.

[@yramid6770]

I just started playing in a Cypher System game in the Sci Fi genre. I absolutely love it.

[@paperwatt]

Props to the youtube overlords for cycling this back up to the top. We need some more system discussion these days

[@antowright]

Great game. Might run another couple of sessions of it after watching this video. Also loved that behind the scenes clip at the end.

[@rossm7346]

So excited to try Numenera someday! And the Cypher system, maybe with the upcoming Old Gods of Appalachia

[@CitanulsPumpkin]

I've been working on adapting D&D 5E rules to a Buffy the Vampire Slayer campaign set in the years following the show. The house rules are about 10 full pages detailing all the superpowers of the Slayer Race, followed by 70 pages of homebrew backgrounds and lore detailing how the magic schools work. After flipping through the cypher system core rulebook, I can already tell the design doc for running the same campaign would be 5 pages max. Basically the rules for Slayers would use the Power Shifts optional rule in the super hero campaign chapter. All Slayers are Strong Warriors who blank, with the blank being one of the melee focused foci. They'll also get 3 power shifts in Strength, and at least 1 each in dexterity, healing, and resilience. They can also increase one of their power shifts by 1 whenever they successfully slay a master vampire (any vampire over 100 years old.)

[@rottenapplegaming3008]

Numenara is a great setting. Cypher system as a whole is awesome. You can pretty much play anything you like. We have run Scooby Do, power rangers, walking dead, aliens vs Cowboys and sky high. They were so easy to run and teach new players the mechanics in minutes. Though I still love 5-E Cypher Is my go to system for sure.

[@ohnoesspiders]

The new Expanded Worlds book for Cypher has a ton of stuff for running a Fallout-based campaign. Really got the mental juices flowing for me.

[@rottenapplegaming3008]

Expanded worlds is great you should also check out The strange Worlds numberless it's just like expanded worlds with few dozen mini settings and baddies for those settings.

[@TheNerdySimulation]

I've thought about getting a copy of Cypher System to run for my homebrew setting, since I built it entirely without mechanics or a certain game system in mind. I ended up adopting Savage Worlds, since it is also a Generic System (Starter Rules were completely free, and the Core Book, the only book you need to run the game, was only $10) that can mix and match genres with virtually no work on the part of the GM, but still creates a solid ground of rules to to build your games off of. If I was in the middle of campaigns, I'd probably look into it more, especially since you guys did such a good job at detailing the way the system runs and works. Is it strange that most other people online couldn't really explain it in the same way that you guys did? Maybe it was just me, but multiple people on Reddit failed to fully establish how the mechanics worked. So I really appreciate you guys taking the time to explain it a helpful and succinct fashion. I'll have to check the rules out sometime, maybe when I'm not busy trying to run a Campaign. Which, honestly, isn't that often. I tend to try and jump back into Campaigns as quickly as possible, due to the way I run things.

[@proforeveryone]

About to go to bed...goddammit web dm.

[@hiredgoon13]

this seems a lot like the d10 storyteller system from white wolf, and fate core.

[@dragonslyer74]

I want to say that I just played my 1st game with numera tonight and I was a Swift glave who fights with 2 weapons and it was a really interesting fun time but you have to do a jet I mind trick on yourself and learn to unlearn what you've already learned about role playing games cause this game puts everything that you thought you knew about role playing games and throws it out the window and gives you a whole new world of rules ideas and fun to play with

[@nathanjoslin3972]

I have enjoyed running campaigns with the cypher system, it is so much easier and more in depth for everyone

[@maniacOtaku]

Was thinking of Anathem too right after they mentioned the monastery. Good read.

[@mayzer2061]

Having started to play D&D recently and since i'm about to dm my first session, i was wondering what your opinion would be Pruit, on a spelljammer campaign using the cypher system. I wanted to change things a bit and i love the cypher system from what i read, so any tips would be apreciated! Big hug from Portugal

[@hollowedprophet2110]

Have you guys ever looked at the Pathfinder Kingmaker system? There's a Twitch streamed game of it adapted to 5e and it makes for an interesting style of game

[@roqueadeleon]

This sounds fun 😯 rules seems fairly simple (lol but I see those huge books 😂) - setting seems so cool.

[@elib6465]

So numenera is essentially the dm saying "why you hitting yourself! why you hitting yourself!"

[@Goblinerd]

O_o .... XD Well damn, that's an interesting way to put it! Thanks, this made me laugh so hard!

[@rustydeandarby]

No, not really.

[@rocktroll2002]

so have either of you tried the talislanta system or amber diceless roleplaying system? both are unique in settings and how they approach playing a rpg

[@methodofinstruction1368]

Jon, have you ever considered doing some campaign diaries about games you have played in the past? They sound awesome! Also, have you guys finished Curse of Strahd yet and when are we going to hear your guys in depth comments about it? Ps You guys still fucking rock and I can't get enough WebDM!💚

[@shilohelgin2408]

Please do more planescape videos I really want to run it and am planning on it but I feel a little unsure still on how you do. Like how powerful are gods or demon lords or what is life like on the outer planes Also thanks I love all your videos

[@MaxSDSF]

Shiloh Elgin read the 5E DMG it's got good info on the planes. Or find a copy of the 4e (or any addition) "Manual of the Planes" very good inspiration and info

[@CW257866]

If you can, track down the 2nd Edition Planescape boxed campaign setting. There's _so_ much lore there and maps. There's also a couple of 2nd Edition Monster appendicies that give good information on various creatures. I loved reading all about this world though these resources. The rules are obviously obsolete, but there's still a ton of great lore. Also, you can play some Planescape: Torment from Steam

[@CW257866]

Hey! I found a PDF scan of what seems to be the entire Planescape Box Set-- even awkward captures of the maps. It doesn't include the monster appendices I mentioned, but they were never part of the box to begin with. Man, I love the art in this. dnd.rem.uz/Advanced%20D%26D%20(unsorted)/Planescape%20Campaign%20Setting.pdf

[@shilohelgin2408]

Thanks alot!!

[@MaxSDSF]

CW AtWork you're a god among men

[@MarkersandMonsters]

Very cool , thanks for introducing this system, I really want to give it a try now.

[@HeroicDoseOfFilm]

This was awesome! More please.

[@lukegood8802]

Trav was really out to get you guys this episode. Since your talking other editions I'd love to hear your thoughts on the new 'Open Legend' system that was kickstartered. Heavily endorsed by Ed Greenwood and Matt mercer!

[@taigness]

been waiting for this episode :D

[@Major1ee5crewed1]

Have you guys tried the Fantasy Flight RPG system?

[@EurekaBe]

I would love to have them comment the changes found the second edition

[@sinmaan7568]

My basic knowledge of Cypher comes from a single read of Numenera, a VERY high magic/scifi/superhero feel game. But would the system also be user-friendly for things a little bit more gritty like a Warhammer (40K or Fantasy) or Dark Sun simulation? Thanks for sharing the wisdom!

[@JoJoFan87]

I wonder if it's possible to use the mechanics of the game but for a different setting?

[@kj4ddm]

Awesome! The Strange is a great setting as well based on the Cypher System...now I'd like to hear your guys' take on Star Wars (FFG) Edge of Empire / Age of Rebellion / Force and Destiny

[@bluespruce786]

Any video set in a geodesic dome needs to have the option for multiple thumbs up! Barvo!!!

[@bluespruce786]

Carpe DM and Jason and the Argonauts! This is too much nerdism...can't resist... Must watch Dr.Who

[@Anonymous-ii9wq]

Pruitt could take an eye out with that sneeze.

[@Bokogi]

how is the book so damn thick if its supposed to be "rules light"?

[@kadomi]

The book contains a huge campaign setting section, a bestiary, cyphers and artifacts and a GM guide. The rules section by itself is very slim.

[@dangarthemighty0980]

If you really want to try simple systems that gets out of the way and are fast. Try Fate or Savage Worlds. I do like the Cypher system too, but these are also really great system for that rules light speedy play.

[@Goblinerd]

Yeah, when I moved away from D&D5E, I ran into SW and fell in love. It has its flaws, don't get me wrong, but what system doesn't! I love the Wounds system, Setting Rules, and Trappings! Now-a-days when we plan a new one-shot or campaign, I find myself asking thee players "Do you guys want to Play D&D, Shadowrun, Numenera, etc?", but really what I'm asking them is which setting/genre would they want to play, because the mechanics are always SW! We get top play a bunch of different games which have there own tone and feel, yet we never have to relearn and master a new system: it really opens up doors!

[@nathandavis2386]

Owning both systems, I find that both have their strengths and weaknesses. However, I have found that Numenera is unparalleled as an intro to role-playing games. It's an amazing load of my shoulders as a GM, and really engages the creativity of the people I'm playing with. Savage Worlds, I find, is a great second system to learn, but as the very first thing to expose them to, it's going to be Numenera.

[@jordentaylor2455]

@@Goblinerd if you want an easy wound system, try mutants and masterminds. By how much you fail is how much your wounded.

[@phonixmonkey77]

Awesome. Haven't even watched but yes... awesome!

[@jbonzmcgee]

best sneeze ever.

[@davedukeuk]

Amazing episode guys!

[@Minakie]

Having run out of new videos to watch, I started re-watching all videos from newest to oldest until I eventually watched all of them, since I'm fairly new to D&D and didn't watch any of the older videos. I was super excited for this video now that I know you guys are collaborating in Arcana of the Ancients and was looking forward to learning more about Numenera. Now, I'm actually considering maybe running my first campaign using the cypher system instead of D&D5e cause it does sound a lot more DM-friendly, especially if you're new to TTRPGs, and what I have in mind is more along the lines of a "you're regular people fighting monsters" low magic setting than "you're heroes and will win every fight" (which is what the 5e system seems to be tailored for), so this sounds like something I could make use of.

[@general0ashnak]

Damn but I'd be very interested in you guys looking at something like Earthdawn or Shadowrun.

[@TheGoblinZero]

great overview will have to check out the system.

[@SuperMorganius]

Not sure how I feel about the whole task element of the rules. I think I'm a little too attached to rolling dice as the DM. Really like the way you described character creation though, it sounds awesome as hell. As a side point, I'd love to see episodes touching on Dark Heresy and the other WH40K RPGs, the Middle Earth RPG, and possibly the Dragon Age RPG though I doubt the demand is high enough for the last one. Also some episodes on RPGs that failed but you enjoyed or enjoyed elements of would probably be cool too. Love this channel, keep up the great work!

[@SimeonDenk]

The thing I don't get about Numenera is, instead of a scale of 1-10 and you have to multiply by 3 every time you do anything, why don't they just scale it 1-30 and nobody needs to multiply?

[@ryanhale6339]

I'd love to see your take on the Savage Worlds system in general, and the Savage Rifts! setting in particular.

[@downsjmmyjones101]

Numenera is a great system for the more creative and intuitive role-players and GMs. So little of a campaign is reliant on stats and rules that creativity is really allowed to become the focus. I you like numbers and systems then this might not be for you. If you want to be immersed in a world with boundless options and storytelling as its central idea then you'll probably have a blast.

[@Ζήνων-ζ1ι]

That shirt...that shirt is so awesome.

[@Azetchki]

In The New Character Options module for Numenera, there is 2 New ''Classes'': A Pathfinder and A social chameleon. Also, if you are playing Numenera, I would recommand not making a character based only on combat: depending on your GM, you might get bored. Numenera is more about the interaction with the weird technology and people than the combats.

[@NeflewitzInc]

It sounds like a great system to run a Kill Six Billion Demons campaign in.

[@titan219]

Numenera or Starfinder ? I'm looking for a sci-fi fantasy setting game.

[@novachrome7544]

Mystic class was finished recently in UA what do you guys think about the class and how would you play it?

[@pedrohernandez6618]

guys you are amazing. just as nerds and freaks and smart as i like my dm advicers.

[@taigness]

one issue i ran into with numenera is that for the players.. a lot of actions they did all somewhat felt the same. the fact that all social/investigate/knowledge checks quickly became intelligence checks is one of those issues. What are some ways you would tackle this feeling of samyness?

[@jimdavis141]

taigness I've noticed a similar issue with Intelligence-based rolls in Cypher. I handled it by description and narration; the pool is the same and the rolls are the same, but I describe the scene, the relevant skills, and npc actions in detail. I also ask that my players do the same.