Cypher System Revised Edition vs Genesys
Compare Cypher System Revised Edition and Genesys side by side. See differences in complexity, dice, genre, and more.
| Cypher System Revised Edition | Genesys | |
|---|---|---|
| Genre | Universal | Universal |
| Tags | Toolkit, Modular, Character Building, Resource Management, Exploration, Theater of the Mind, Low-Prep, Strong GM Support, Narrative, Character-Driven | Toolkit, Narrative, Career-Based, Social Combat, Modular, Hackable, Character Building |
| Core Mechanic | The GM rates a task from 1 to 10 and multiplies that difficulty by 3 to set its target number. Players roll a d20 and succeed on a result equal to or above the target. Skills, assets, and Effort ease the task before the roll, with Effort paid from a stat Pool after Edge reduces the cost. | Assemble a pool of custom narrative dice: positive dice (Boost, Ability, Proficiency) from character ability and skill, negative dice (Setback, Difficulty, Challenge) from task difficulty and circumstances. Roll all dice and cancel opposing symbols: Success vs. Failure determines if the task succeeds, Advantage vs. Threat determines beneficial or harmful side effects, and Triumph/Despair trigger powerful narrative outcomes. All three axes resolve independently, so a check can succeed with complications or fail with a silver lining. |
| Dice | d20 | Custom dice |
| Complexity | Medium | Medium |
| Availability | Free core rules | Paid |
| Runnability | 5 of 5 book tools | 5 of 5 book tools |
| License | Cypher System Open License | Genesys Foundry (community content program) |
| Third-Party Publishing | Commercial publishing allowed — Cypher System Open License | Not yet researched |
| Summary only, not legal advice. Check current terms before publishing. | ||
| Publisher | Monte Cook Games | Fantasy Flight Games |
| Year | 2019 | 2017 |
| Languages | English | English |
| Best For | Groups building their own campaigns across genres who want detailed character choices and frequent resource decisions, with light mechanical preparation for the GM. | Groups who want a genre-flexible system where every dice roll generates narrative texture beyond pass/fail, and who enjoy interpreting results collaboratively at the table. |
| Highlights | Descriptor, type, focus, and optional flavors let players combine broad character concepts with specific abilities. Single-use cyphers continually refresh the powers available during play. Character arcs reward progress toward personal goals, while XP can also buy rerolls and changes to the story. | Every roll produces multiple axes of outcome, creating layered narrative results beyond binary success/failure. Full social encounter rules give non-combat interactions the same mechanical depth as combat. The GM Toolkit provides structured guidance for creating custom settings, species, talents, and gear. Six example settings (fantasy, steampunk, weird war, modern, sci-fi, space opera) included in the core book. |
| Considerations | Players budget stat Pools across Effort, abilities, and incoming damage. The GM must choose suitable character options and genre rules before a campaign begins. Abstract distances and flexible difficulty ratings rely on consistent table rulings. | Requires proprietary narrative dice or the Genesys Dice App: standard polyhedral dice cannot be used without conversion charts. Interpreting multiple symbol types on every roll can slow play for groups unfamiliar with the system. No free quickstart or SRD available. |