Creating a character in a Cypher System game is dead simple and it starts with creating a three-part sentence. All characters start out with a template for creation that reads as follows: “Your character is a *Descriptor*, *Type* who *Focus*.”
Confused? Not to worry, in this article we will walk through what each blank in the sentence means, how to distribute stats and get a character ready to hit the table in 10 minutes or less.
Perhaps the least intuitive part of getting started is what blank to start with. We want to pin down the Type first, even though the sentence structure is ordered has you designate your Descriptor, Type, and Focus. We will then come up with a Descriptor and Focus and distribute some stats and gear to finish things up.
The Second Blank –Type
The Type is about as close to a class (using other TTRPG’s as reference) as you are going to see in a Cypher game. This selection lets you choose from Fighter, Magic user, and Face of the party archetypes. This likely informs the other decisions more than any other, which is why we start here.
In most Cypher games four types are playable. They might have different names in different settings but we will use core rules and setting agnostic terms which are Warrior, Adept, Speaker, and Explorer.
One can play as a Warrior which is someone who is action oriented and handles problems with force and might over other options. This is the person you want next to you in a fight swinging a big sword or brandishing a blaster or bazooka. Concepts that fit this type well can range across many archetypes. If Conan the Barbarian, Xena the Warrior Princess or John McClane make you want to hit the gym, this is the type for you.
If magic or supernatural gifts is your jam, play an Adept. Characters of this type have mastery over powers of arcane or mysterious origin. They can blast, solve problems with analysis and investigation, or leverage other supernatural abilities. They might not be able to smash a door down with their fists, but they have options for that! If you want to play an iconic wizard like Gandalf, a chilly version of Elsa, or a powerful psychic such as Professor X, go with Adept.
Do you like to talk? A lot? For players who want to lead conversations, negotiate deals, make friends and influence people– Speaker is the way to go. They wield their words more than swords or firearms and specialize in diplomatic solutions. If Captain Jack Sparrow, and Loki are some of your favorites, you are in for a treat playing Speaker.
We round out our four options with Explorer. This is a character who has some physical ability like the warrior but has a tendency to have other features that make them a bit more well rounded. They are still action forward and have no problem facing down the danger of a dark cave or unexplained howls in the basement. Katniss Everdeen, John Wick, and Indiana Jones are great examples for this well rounded option.
Describe Yourself in One Word or Less –Descriptor
The Descriptor is something that helps describe and define your character. Sure you are a warrior, but what kind of warrior are you? One can reference an assortment of options from the free rules and setting books but they all come down to adding flavor and depth to your character. Playing a *sneaky* explorer is likely a much different play experience than a *virtuous* one.
Don't get too hung up on getting any of these perfect. Yes, they add more than just flavor including links to adventure and even some strengths and weaknesses– but you get what is written on the tin for the 50+ options in this category. A sneaky character is going to give you some advantages on stealthing around, but likely not very quickly.
Time to Focus Up –Focus
The last step in the sentence is picking your character’s Focus. There may be dozens of them in any given campaign and certainly a ton to choose from in the core rules. This is the one thing that no other player can pick, only you can do the things your focus allows for.
This is where we really specialize and separate a character who uses a big sword from one wielding rifles or brawling with no need for armaments. Foci include things like “Licensed to Carry, Fights Dirty, Entertains, Commands Mental powers, and so many more.
Unlike Descriptor and Type, the Focus is going to vary wildly from campaign to campaign and it's important to note that not all foci are going to be appropriate for every genre. While a focus like “Pilots Starcraft” is perfect for adventures in space, it is going to be out of place in a historical mystery setting in Victorian England. Be sure of the setting and check with your GM. Pick one that sounds fun, and know that you and you only wield the powers of the chosen Focus.
Come on in the Water is Fine –Pools
Your selections in Type, Descriptor, and Focus will inform how many points in each pool get assigned, and leave you with a few choices to put the spares. As a general rule, put any extra in the pool you think you will be using the most. An adept will want balance to sway towards intellect, while a warrior will want to put anything extra in might or speed. If in doubt, spread them evenly.
Gear Up –Equipment
The selections you make with the above options will also inform what sort of starting gear you get. Cypher keeps things abstract and lets you pick a variety of weapons and armors ranging from medium to light and gives a budget for common gear your character would have.
Putting it all Together – A Quick-Build Example
Now that we have the basics, let's make a character using these steps! For this example we assume this is a mid-century setting in a big city and we want to make a character that is proficient with firearms if needed but excels the most in sleuthing and solving mysteries.
Our type choice is an easy one, we will go with the Explorer. This will give a variety of skills both physical and otherwise. We make note our stats will be 10,9,9 and will keep this relatively balanced as we want a character who is well rounded. With our 6 additional points we simply add 2 to each. I roll a random background element and end up with “While exploring a remote location, you saw something strange you've never been able to explain.”
A great start. Perhaps this experience leans in to help us with a descriptor. Skeptical feels right and it grants us 2 points to the intellect pool which will help us with investigative tasks. I rolled a D4 for the adventure background and it landed on “You were following one of the other PCs because you were suspicious of them, which brought you into the action.”
Amazing, we already have a well informed start to our character and now all we need to do is pinpoint their expertise. In this example we will choose “Solves Mysteries” and gain access to the investigator and sleuth abilities, which will help us with perception and investigation tasks.
Now we put it all together with abilities and gear. The Explorer type grants us appropriate clothes, a weapon of our choice, two expensive items, two moderately priced items, and up to four inexpensive items. It also grants four explorer abilities.
For abilities we want to be able to wear some light armor without penalties and have a few combat and investigative skills. We will select Practiced with Armor, Practiced with all Weapons, Decipher, and Improved Edge so we can add to our intellect pool.
For gear we will pick up a medium handgun (from type). A motorcycle and film camera handles our expensive items. We can pick up a knife and leather jacket for moderate priced items and a handful of utilities for our inexpensive items like a padlock, flashlight, pack of playing cards, and a book.
Final touch, fill out the stat pools. Explorer gives us a starting base of 10,9,9 and six extra. We will use these six to distribute evenly to 12,11,11 and make note our descriptor gives us 2 points in intellect. The final breakdown is Might 12, Speed 11, and Intellect 13. With 1 edge in Might, and Intellect.
Congratulations! You are Stella Playborne, a skeptical explorer who solves mysteries!
Just like that we have our sentence, stat pools, abilities, gear, and most importantly a character ready to join the table complete with background elements and instant playability. The best part, all of this explanation and creation is free to access thanks to the Cypher System Reference Document (CSRD) which can be found here and a few other places like Old Gus’ fantastic hyperlinked site here.
For folks that are less pencil and paper and more cellphone and PC the “Cypher tools” suite of resources over at Monte Cook Games can get you going even faster.
As always, check in with your GM for what options are available in your campaign and if you need a place to play check out Startplaying.games!
