Numenera
SCIENCE-FANTASY TABLETOP RPG (2013) by MONTE COOK (D&D 3E lead designer) using his CYPHER SYSTEM. Set 1 BILLION YEARS in Earth's FUTURE — the NINTH WORLD — where 8 prior civilizations have risen + fallen, leaving alien 'NUMENERA' (relics + tech). Players are Explorers who scavenge these wonders while their meaning is often incomprehensible. Signature: PLAYER-FACING resolution (players roll all dice, GM never rolls). ARTHUR C. CLARKE 'sufficiently advanced technology' vibe. Kickstarter-funded record-breaking launch.
Quick facts
Category
Tabletop Role-Playing
Type
Team sport
Players
2–8
Duration
~240 min
Where played
indoor
Country of origin
🇺🇸 United States
Estimated origin
2013 Kickstarter ($517k record for RPG); Cypher System core book 2015; Numenera Discovery + Destiny 2018 (2nd Ed)
Olympic
No
Popularity
regional
How it works
Objective
Cooperative narrative role-play in the Ninth World; explore, discover numenera, survive.
Rules
Basic rules
CHARACTER = 3 words: NOUN (Type: Glaive/Nano/Jack), Adjective (Descriptor), Verb (Focus)
Signature 'I am an [Adj] [Noun] who [Verb]s' identity structure.
PLAYER-FACING: PLAYERS roll all dice; GM never rolls (unless narrative)
Signature player-facing resolution.
TASK DIFFICULTY 1-10; d20 roll must beat difficulty × 3; players can spend EFFORT to lower difficulty
Signature d20 + effort system.
CYPHERS: single-use tech items players constantly find + use
Signature cypher mechanic.
GM INTRUSIONS: GM introduces complications, player earns EXP
Signature GM Intrusion narrative mechanic.
Scoring
Cooperative narrative; success measured by story + XP accumulation.
Win condition · No winner; ongoing narrative.
Equipment
Numenera core rulebook + character sheets + d6 + d20 + d100
Signature Cypher System rules
Cyphers (one-shot relic cards) + Artifacts (permanent tech items)
Signature 'numenera' relics
Terminology
- The Ninth World
- Setting — Earth 1 BILLION years in future after 8 fallen civilizations.
- Numenera
- In-world term for alien/incomprehensible tech left by past civilizations.
- Cypher
- One-use tech item; players carry many + must burn them regularly.
- Effort
- Currency spent to lower task difficulty.
- GM Intrusion
- GM narrative complication; player earns 2 XP (keeps 1, gives 1).
- Monte Cook
- American RPG designer, lead designer of D&D 3rd Edition; founder Monte Cook Games.
Where it is played
Sources & provenance
- Monte Cook Games — Numenera— Monte Cook Games
- BoardGameGeek— BGG RPG