Cortex Prime
Core RulebookCore Mechanic
Assemble a dice pool from trait sets (attributes, skills, relationships, etc.) rated d4–d12. Roll the pool, keep the two highest for your total vs. opposition, then choose an Effect Die from the remainder to determine magnitude. Plot Points let players add dice, activate abilities, or alter the narrative. Every mechanical element is a swappable mod.
Best For
GMs who want to build a custom system from modular parts — homebrew designers, genre-mixers, and groups tired of forcing their stories into a pre-built framework.
Highlights
Highly modular — 18+ mods for core rules alone, clear writing with worked examples, Plot Point economy creates dynamic give-and-take, powered well-known licensed games (Marvel Heroic, Firefly, Leverage)
Considerations
Not playable out of the box — requires significant GM assembly, steep learning curve to understand which mods fit your game, less community content than Fate or GURPS, restricted third-party publishing ecosystem