I recently wrote a short text about Numenera, and how one central notion of the game is the use of cyphers: one-time-use powerful devices. This is reflected in the name of the system Numenera uses: the Cypher System.

A friend commented that it struck him how cyphers were a central element of the system and not of the setting. I replied that, in my opinion -and guessing- you could remove them from the game and still play, but the game would be boring.
 Cyphers are a constant source of novelty in the game.

However, I'd like to know if anyone has given this serious thought. What effect does removing cyphers have on the game, if you've done it?