Monte Cook Games has launched its crowdfunding campaign for Cypher: Third Edition. The newest edition, originally announced in July, promotes a streamlined version of the award-winning TTRPG system. The campaign was fully funded within hours of it going live.
The Cypher: Third Edition Backerkit Campaign
According to its Backerkit campaign page, Cypher: Third Edition will remain the same TTRPG fans have enjoyed for years. Its underlying systems of fast-paced gameplay around a single d20 is still around. The campaign confirms that this new edition will be backwards compatible with any material released before. The system will encompass two books: A Character Rulebook and the GM Guide.
The biggest changes affect character creation and character options. The new edition will focus on making games easier to jump into. This includes premade character archetypes for Cypher's different premade settings. Instead of a pre-existing archetype (Warrior, Explorer, or Adept) and reworking it, the fantasy setting will have barbarian and druid characters ready to go.
A second key part of Cypher: Third Edition is the introduction of a Divination Deck. This GM tool can generate various ideas for stories, hooks or complications in a larger narrative. For those who prefer to play online, the campaign includes official VTT support for both Roll20 and Alchemy RPG. VTT access is available as an add-on priced at $75.
If you back the campaign at certain pledge levels, you will receive a fast library of previous Cypher system material at no extra cost. This includes eight standalone adventures, nine campaign settings like Gunslinger Knights and Path of the Planebreaker, and nine genre books bringing a Horror, Sci-Fi, or Fairy Tale twist to your game. All of these books will be provided in PDF format.
The different pledge levels for Cypher: Third Edition are as follows:
- Character Rulebook Only for $49: A physical copy of the Cypher Character Rulebook
- Cypher Corebook Set for $99: Physical copies of the Cypher GM Guide and Character Rulebook, and PDF copies of the Cypher Second Edition Core Rulebook and Cypher Adventures Library
- Amazing Campaigns for $169: Everything from the Cypher Corebook Set pledge level (PDF and Print), the Cypher Fantasy, Science Fiction, and Superhero (and More!) Character creation zines in both print and PDF, a Cypher deck, a Divination Deck, a Manifest Cypher deck, and the Cypher Adventures and Settings library in PDF,
- All In for $279: Physical and PDF copies of the Cypher Corebook set autographed by the developers, five physical copies of all three character creation zines, the Divination, Cypher, and Manifest Cypher decks, PDF copies of the Cypher Second Edition Core Rulebook and the Cyper Adventures, Settings, and Genres library, a revised Cypher Bestiary, and a deluxe slipcase.
Lastly, Monte Cook Games states that the Cypher: Third Edition books and products will contain any artwork created by generative AI. Furthermore, they state that they have accounted for as many productions as they can regarding the ongoing trade tariffs.
At time of writing, the Backerkit campaign has raised $226,432, more than double its initial funding goal of $100,000. The campaign ends September 25.
