Alternity

This article is about the role-playing game. For the Transformers toyline, see Transformers: Alternity.
Alternity
Alternity introductory boxed set
Designer(s) Bill Slavicsek, Richard Baker
Publisher(s) TSR, Inc.
Publication date 199
!enre(s) Science "ction
S#ste$(s) %usto$
Alternity is a science "ction role&'la#ing ga$e (RP!) 'ublished b# TSR in 199
(unrelated to the science (antas# role&'la#ing ga$e o( the sa$e na$e sel(&
'ublished b# )a#de *ina$i in 19+). ,ollo-ing the ac.uisition o( TSR b#
)i/ards o( the %oast, the ga$e -as discontinued in +000 as 'art o( a broader
rationalisation o( TSR1s business holdings, but it retains a s$all and devoted
(anbase. Parts o( Alternity as -ell as TSR1s classic Star Frontiers ga$e have been
incor'orated into the d20 Modern ga$e, es'eciall# the d20 Future setting. The
"rst ca$'aign setting (or the Alternity ga$e, the Star*Drive setting, -as
introduced in 199.
System
%haracters -ere created -ith a 'oint&based s#ste$, and could be either hu$ans,
$utants, one o( several alien s'ecies 'resented in the core books, or original
aliens created b# the !*. %lasses -ere re'laced b# 'ro(essions, -hich dictated
-hat skills and abilities -ere chea'er (or an# given hero to get, though a (e-
skills (in 'articular, 'sionics) -ere restricted to s'eci"c 'ro(essions.
Skills are classi"ed into broad and s'ecialit# skills. 2arning a s'ecialt# skill
re.uires an associated broad skill, -hich re.uires a character to have su3icient
associated abilit# 'oints. S'ecial skill is (urther classi"ed into ranks, -hich
a3ects the skill1s scores. Skill scores are 'resented -ith the (ull score, hal( that
score, and one&.uarter that score. -hich re'resent the nu$bers needed to
achieve 4rdinar#, !ood, or 5$a/ing successes in an action round res'ectivel#.
6nlike $an# other s#ste$s, actions are deter$ined b# a control die and situation
dice. )hen !a$e$aster calls (or a roll, 'la#er rolls 1 control die and 1 situation
die. The control die is al-a#s a +0&sided die, -hile situation die can be a 0, 7, 8,
, 1+, +0&sided die, -here 0&sided die $eans the action onl# de'ends on control
die roll. Situation die can be 'lus die or a $inus die, in -hich the value in the
situation die is added to or subtracted (ro$ control die value. The total o( the
rolled nu$bers is checked against character1s action, skill, (eat, to indicate a
success or a (ailure. Rolling lo- is al-a#s better (or success(ull# co$'leting an
action.
The t#'e o( situation die being used de'ends on the di3icult# o( the action.
Di3icult# is scaled in die t#'es o( &d+0, &d1+, &d, &d8, &d7, 9d0, 9d7, 9d8, 9d,
9d1+, 9d+0, 9+d+0, 9:d+0. 5 character1s base situation die is 9d7 (or broad
skill or (eat check, 9d0 (or s'ecialt# skill or action check. 5 $inus situation
bonus $eans 'la#er uses a larger negative situation die set, -hile a 'lus
situation 'enalt# $eans a 'la#er uses a larger 'ositive situation die set.
In an action round, a round is divided into 7 'hases. 2ach 'hase relates to one o(
the degrees o( success that are achievable on an action check; 5$a/ing, !ood,
4rdinar#, and *arginal, in order (ro$ the "rst 'hase to the last. 5 hero can
atte$'t onl# 1 action 'er 'hase. 5cting orders o( characters are deter$ined b# a
d+0 die roll (or all 'artici'ants, -hich deter$ines the earliest 'hase in -hich a
character can act. 5ll actions in a 'hase are considered to occur si$ultaneousl#,
-ith the results o( those actions being a''lied at the end o( the 'hase. 5
character can act in as $an# 'hases as it has actions 'er round.
De'ending on ho- (ar belo- the skill score the 'la#er rolled, there are :
'rogressivel# better la#ers o( success and + levels o( (ailure. 5n action is
deter$ined using this sa$e s#ste$, $aking the ga$e ver# uni(or$. 4nl# ar$or
rolls and da$age rolls did not use the d+0.
<i(e 'oints, called 1Durabilit#1, are categori/ed into Stun, )ound, *ortal. Stun
da$age can i$$obili/e a character, but not li(e&threatening= -ound da$age can
i$$obili/e a character and in>icts 1 stun da$age 'oint (or ever# + -ound
da$age 'oints received= $ortal da$age can kill a character, and in>icts 1 -ound
da$age 'oint (or ever# + $ortal da$age 'oints received. Durabilities can be
re'aired b# healing, or;
?,or Stun, ending a scene.
?,or )ound, resting.
?,or *ortal, use o( the *edical Science@surger# skill.
Designed to be a generic rule set around -hich a ca$'aign -orld could be built,
it -as not ver# heavil# $arketed and su3ered (ro$ $ediocre sales -hich, along
-ith increased (ocus on the d+0 s#ste$, led to the discontinuation o( the ga$e in
+000.)iki'edia;%itation needed
*uch o( the content o( the Alternity ga$e has been absorbed into the d20
Modern role&'la#ing ga$e. The DarkMatter ca$'aign is an entire d20 Modern
eA'ansion and Star Drive is 'art o( the d20 Future eA'ansion. The Gamma World
ca$'aign is an d20 Modern eA'ansion b# S-ord B Sorcer# Studios ()hite )ol().
Dice Mechanics
Alternity uses (our, siA, eight, t-elve, and t-ent#&sided dice, but does not use the
'o'ular ten&sided die, 'erha's to hel' distinguish it (ro$ the co$'eting World of
Darkness and the Trinity role&'la#ing ga$e, 'ublished b# )hite )ol( !a$e
Studio.
The 'robabilit# curve created b# the addition or subtraction o( a d+0 and another
die is sha'ed like a 'lateau, -ith t-o straight lines on both ends o( the >at
region. This is inter$ediate bet-een the totall# >at 'robabilit# curve rolled b#
rolling a +0&sided die and the bell&sha'ed curve 'roduced b# die 'ool s#ste$s.
Published Products
Several books -ere 'ublished under the Alternity banner as core 'roducts,
accessories, or under s'eci"c ca$'aign settings.
Core Products
These 'roducts 'resented the basic rules and in(or$ation about the Alternity
s#ste$.
?Introductory Box Set & 5 boA set including all the basic in(or$ation (or 'la#ers
and ga$e$asters to learn the Alternity rules.
?Player's Handbook & Included all the rules (or 'la#ers and 'la#er characters.
Re.uired to 'la#.
?Gamemaster Guide & Included all the rules (or ga$e$asters and session
're'aration. Re.uired to 'la#.
?Fast Play & 5n abbreviated (or$ o( the rules to ease 'la#ers into the ga$e.
?Campaign Kit & The kit included a ga$e$aster1s screen and a booklet o(
record kee'ing (or$s.
Accessories
These 'roducts -ere not tied to an# o( the o3icial ca$'aign settings but could
be used -ith the$.
?Beyond Science A Guide to F! & 5n eA'loration and re-orking o( the ,C
abilities (a sci&" version o( $agic) in the corebook.
?"ata#are & The guide to co$'uters, hacking, and robotics.
?$ind#alking & The guide to 'sionics including revisions to the rules (ro$ the
corebook.
?Stars%ips & The guide to interstellar shi's and travel.
?&angents & This book eA'lored the conce't o( 'arallel realities in the sa$e vein
as the 90s television sho- Sliders.
Campaign settings
In addition to the general Alternity line o( 'roducts, (our ca$'aign settings -ere
'ublished, each -ith their o-n books, during the brie( li(e o( this ga$e line;
?Star*Drive & 5 s'ace o'era setting.
?DarkMatter & 5 setting si$ilar to The C&,iles television sho-.
?Gamma World & 5n u'date to the classic 'ost&a'ocal#'tic ga$e setting.
?StarCraft Adventures & Based on the 'o'ular co$'uter strateg# ga$e b#
Bli//ard 2ntertain$ent.
External links
?The o3icial Alternity (ansite
Amazing Engine
Ama'ing (ngine
AM1, Amazin !nine System Guide
Designer(s) David DEebD %ook
Publisher(s) TSR, Inc.
Publication date 199:
!enre(s) 6niversal
Amazing Engine -as a series o( role&'la#ing ga$e books that -as 'ublished b#
TSR, Inc. (ro$ 199: until 1997. 2ach 'ublication e$'lo#ed the sa$e $ini$alist
generic rules, as described in the Amazin !nine System Guide, but each -orld
book had an entirel# di3erent setting or genre. David DEebD %ook -as credited
-ith the design o( the ga$e rules.
History
In 199: TSR closed do-n all o( its subsidiar# role'la#ing lines, (ro$ Gamma
World and Marvel Su"er #eroes to $asi% D&D, and soon re'laced these -ith a
ne- universal ga$e s#ste$ released via the Amazin !nine System Guide
(199:).
;+F
Amazin !nine -as a si$'le beginner1s s#ste$, and a(ter the initial
rulebook, TSR started 'ublishing setting books, each o( -hich 'resented a
di3erent $ilieu to 'la# the ga$e in.
;+F
5(ter 1997, Amazin !nine -as cancelled
as -ell.
;+
Alternity -as intended to be TSR1s generic science&"ction s#ste$, a
re'lace$ent (or Amazin !nine.
;+7
Description
In Amazin !nine, 'la#er characters are generated -ith a set o( (our core
statistics. The core stats -ere intended to be $igrated (ro$ book to book,
kee'ing a general character design conce't. These stats -ere then used to build
rando$ abilit# scores, basic characteristics, and skills. The skills have
'rere.uisites -hich $ust "rst be learned. Skill checks are $ade using 'ercentile
dice.
Campaign settings
Belo- #ou1ll "nd su$$ar# in(or$ation (or the 'ublished -orldbooks.
Bughunters
5 near (uture -orldbook -here the 'la#ers are clones (orced to "ght the
aliens. Rec#cled (or d20 Future.
For Faerie, Queen, and Country
*agical Gictorian 2ngland -ith a t-ist. *agic and ,aeries are real. Includes
'oster $a'.
1
The Galactos Barrier
S'ace o'era a la Star Wars (eAce't that instead o( DThe ,orceD it1s called
$usic).
Kromosome
Bio'unk using both traditional c#ber-are and genetic $aterials (ro$ ani$als.
Magitech
D&D $eets 2arth. ,antas# $iAed -ith the conte$'orar# -orld. Basicall#, ho-
the -orld -ould be di3erent i( $agic -ere real and elves, d-arves, etc. -ere
around.
Metamorphosis Alpha to Omega
Post&a'ocal#'tic science "ction -ith high technolog# and $utants & based on
*eta$or'hosis 5l'ha.
Once and Future King
Hing 5rthur lives in 77I 5D. S'ace >ight, co$bat ar$or.
Taloid!
5 s'oo( co$ed# -orld -here #ou are re'orters (or a sensationalist ne-s'a'er
like the ones re(erenced in the "l$ 1*en In Black1. 5lso like the "l$, it1s all
true. The <och Jess $onster is an alien, 2lvis is alive and -ell etc.
Basic ole!Playing
Basic )ole*Playing +B)P,
1David %ook, %arl Sargent, Haren Boo$garden, For Faerie' (ueen' & Country, 199:, ISBJ 1&
I80F8&I91&F
$asi% )ole*+layin cover page
Designer(s) !reg Sta3ord and <#nn )illis
Publisher(s) %haosiu$
Publication date 190, 191, +00+, +00
!enre(s) 6niversal
Basic "ole#$laying (B"$) is a role&'la#ing ga$e s#ste$ -hich originated in the
(antas#&oriented )une(uest role&'la#ing ga$e rules. 5 'ercentile skill&based
s#ste$, $)+ -as used as the basis (or $ost o( the ga$es 'ublished b# %haosiu$,
including Storm,riner, Worlds of Wonder, Call of Ct-ul-u, Su"er.orld,
)in.orld, !lf/uest, #a.kmoon, !lri%0, and 1e"-ilim. +endraon (ac.uired in
199 b# !reen Hnight Publishing, and +00I b# )hite )ol(), -hile related, has
su3icientl# di3erent $echanics that it can be seen as a se'arate s#ste$. The
$)+ standalone booklet -as "rst released in 190. T-o #ears later it beca$e
'art o( the Worlds of Wonder boAed set. The "rst edition boAed set o( Call of
Ct-ul-u included the booklet as its character creation rules. !reg Sta3ord and
<#nn )illis are credited as the authors.
$)+ is si$ilar to other generic s#ste$s such as G2)+S, #ero System or Savae
Worlds in that it uses a si$'le resolution $ethod -hich can be broadl# a''lied,
in this case an atte$'t to roll under a certain nu$ber -ith 'ercentile dice. 2ach
incarnation o( the $)+ rules has changed or added to the core ideas and
$echanics, so that ga$es are not identical. ,or eAa$'le, in Call of Ct-ul-u, skills
$a# never be over 100K, -hile in Storm,riner skills in eAcess o( 100K are
-ithin reach (or all characters.
In +007, %haosiu$ 'ublished the $asi% )ole"layin $onogra'hs (the h#'hen -as
dro''ed in the later 'roducts). Books -ith a .uick and ineA'ensive 'rinted
(or$at o( ta'e binding and 'rinted cardstock covers, the (our $onogra'hs
(+layers $ook, Mai% $ook, Creatures $ook, and Gamemaster $ook) -ere
'rinted in order to assert %haosiu$1s co'#rights in the run&u' to the 'ublishing
and distribution o( Delu3e $asi% )ole"layin, a ga$e s#ste$ that is essentiall#
)une(uest 4rd !dition but -ith additions to allo- 'la# in other genres.
%haosiu$ released a ne- version o( $)+ on Lune +7, +00 as single
co$'rehensive book. %urrentl# the# are selling both a 'rinted and 'd( version o(
the ga$e.
History
The core rules -ere originall# -ritten b# Steve Perrin as 'art o( his ga$e
)une(uest. It -as !reg Sta3ord1s idea to si$'li(# the rules (eli$inating such
things as Strike Ranks and Mit <ocations) and issue the$ in a 18 'age booklet
called $asi% )ole +layin. 4ver the #ears several others, including Sand#
Petersen, <#nn )illis, and Steve Menderson, contributed to their "nal (or$.
The $)+ -as notable (or being the "rst role&'la#ing ga$e s#ste$ to introduce a
(ull skill s#ste$ to characters regardless o( their 'ro(ession. This -as develo'ed
in )une(uest but -as also later ado'ted b# the $ore skill&oriented Call of
Ct-ul-u and the dark (antas# saga o( 2lric in Storm,riner.
$)+ -as conceived o( as a genre&generic engine around -hich an# sort o( RP!
could be 'la#ed, $uch like G2)+S and the d+0 s#ste$ have beco$e toda#. In
order to underscore this, %haosiu$ 'roduced the Worlds of Wonder su''le$ent,
-hich contained the generic rules and several s'eci"c a''lications o( those rules
to given genres. Su"er.orld, s'eci"call#, began as a 'ortion o( the Worlds of
Wonder 'roduct.
The (antas# ga$e su''le$ent T-ieves World, based on the 'o'ular series o(
books b# Robert <#nn 5s'rin, used both the s#ste$ (or Advan%ed Duneons &
Draons as -ell as the )une(uest variation o( the $)+ (or character statistics,
re'resenting the t-o $ost 'o'ular ga$e s#ste$s o( the ti$e.
ules system
$)+ -as develo'ed (ro$ a core set o( attributes si$ilar to the original Duneons
& Draons (D&D). Si/e, Strength, DeAterit#, %onstitution, Intelligence, Po-er,
and 5''earance (or %haris$a) re'laced the DBD nor$s. ,ro$ that -as evolved
a structurall# si$ulationist s#ste$. There(ore hit 'oints (-hich increase -ith
eA'erience in D&D) -ere based on the average o( Si/e and %onstitution and
-ere (unctionall# static (or the li(e o( the character. Skills, using a d100, rather
than the D&D d+0, -ere used to si$ulate the -a# that 'eo'le learn skills.
2A'erience 'oints -ere re'laced b# an eA'erience check, rolling higher than
#our current skill on a d100. This created a learning curve that leveled out the
higher a skill -as.
)hereas D&D $erged ar$or -ith de(ense, $)+ treated the$ as se'arate
(unctions; the act o( 'arr#ing -as a de(ensive skill that reduced an o''onent1s
chance to success(ull# land an attack, and the 'ur'ose o( ar$or -as to absorb
da$age. The last $aNor ele$ent o( $an# $)+ ga$es is that there is no di3erence
bet-een the 'la#er character race s#ste$s and that o( the $onster or o''onents.
This ele$ent is shared -ith and originated in Tunnels and Trolls. B# var#ing
abilit# scores, the sa$e s#ste$ is used (or a hu$an hero as a trollish villain. This
a''roach also led .uickl#, as it did in T&T, to 'la#ers 'la#ing a -ide range o(
non&hu$an characters and ga$e -orlds that -ere dee'l# 'luralist.
"icensed games
%haosiu$ -as an earl# ado'ter o( licensing out its $)+ s#ste$ to other
co$'anies, so$ething that -as uni.ue at the ti$e the# began but rather
co$$on'lace no- thanks to the d+0 licenses. This 'laces the $)+ in the notable
'osition o( being one o( the "rst 'roducts to allo- other ga$e co$'anies to
develo' ga$es or ga$e aids (or their -ork. %o$'anies such as !reen Hnight and
Pagan Publishing earliest -orks -ere built to su''ort %haosiu$1s ga$es.
4ther, non&%haosiu$ ga$es have used $)+ (or its core rules. 5t-er Suns,
'ublished b# ,antas# !a$es 6nli$ited (,!6), used the$ under license. In
addition, Corum, a su''le$ent to the Storm,riner rules, -as 'ublished in the
(all o( +001 b# Darcs#de Productions.
$)+ -as used (through a s'ecial arrange$ent -ith S-edish ,redrik *al$berg)
as the base (or the highl# success(ul S-edish ga$e Drakar o%- Demoner (ro$
Target !a$es.
$)+ -as also licensed to 4ri>a$ in ,rance to create a ,rench language second
edition o( the #a.kmoon ga$e called #a.kmoon' 1ouvelle !dition. This version
-as an ada'tation o( the $echanics seen in the ne-er !lri%0 ga$e, adding ne-
rule s#ste$s s'eci"c to the setting (e.g. *utations and 1)eird Science1).
$)+ -as also licensed to La'anese co$'anies. $)+ ga$es in La'anese are
#oukao 6aiki Clu, (199F, school li(e and horror, Mobb# La'an), Genom Seed
(+007, $utant action, Shinkigensha) and Taitei no 6en )+G (+00F, Sci,i&
Nidaigeki, based on $ovie o( the sa$e title, S-inkiens-a).
A#ards
The $)+ itsel( has been the reci'ient, via its ga$es, o( $an# a-ards. *ost
notable -as the 191 4rigins 5-ard (or $est )ole"layin )ules (or Call of
Ct-ul-u. 4ther editions o( Call of Ct-ul-u have also -on 4rigins 5-ards
including the Mall o( ,a$e a-ard. The $)+ %haracter !eneration so(t-are has
also -on a-ards (or its design.
External links
?%haosiu$1s $asi% )ole*+layin %atalog Page
?Basic Role'la#ing %entral & The co$$unit# (ansite (or %haosiu$1s $asi%
)ole"layin ga$e s#ste$. BRP %entral hosts the basic role'la#ing (oru$, a -iki,
do-nloads, an o'en (an art galler#, (reshl# u'dated br' ne-s B a link list.
?---.basicr's.co$
Castles $ Crusades
Castles - Crusades
The astles ! rusades logo
Designer(s) Ste'hen %henault, Davis %henault, *ac
!olden, Robert Do#el, Todd Sand#, Todd
!ra#, La$es *. )ard
Publisher(s) Troll <ord !a$es
Publication date +007
!enre(s) ,antas#
S#ste$(s) d+0 S#ste$O4'en !a$e <icense
Castles % Crusades (abbreviated D%B%D) is a (antas# role&'la#ing ga$e
'ublished in +007 b# Troll <ord !a$es based u'on a stri''ed&do-n variant o(
the d+0 S#ste$ b# )i/ards o( the %oast. The ga$e s#ste$ is designed to e$ulate
the 'la# o( earlier editions o( the Dungeons B Dragons ga$e -hile kee'ing the
uni"ed $echanics o( the d+0 S#ste$.
History
The na$e o( the ga$e derives (ro$ the %astle B %rusade Societ#, (ounded in the
're&Dungeons B Dragons era b# !ar# !#gaA. The title is in ho$age to the role&
'la#ing industr#1s birth.
The ga$e -as initiall# released in +007 in a s'ecial boAed edition consisting o(
three digest&si/ed booklets, dice, and a cra#on in a -hite boA -ith art-ork b#
artist Peter Bradle# o( a knight on horseback. The reason (or the boA set -as to
have so$ething on hand (or sale at !en %on as the "nished 'roduct -as still
several $onths a-a#. 5 boAed set -as chosen (or its rese$blance to the earliest
versions o( Dungeons B Dragons, -hich could be (ound & de'ending u'on
'rinting & in either a -oodgrain boA or a -hite one. 5s a 'ro$otion through the
co$'an#1s -ebsite, the "rst :00 co'ies -ere signed and nu$bered b# the
designers. These signed and nu$bered co'ies -ere collectivel# kno-n as the
DS'artan :00D, a re(erence to ,rank *iller1s :00.
<ater that #ear, the 1st 'rinting o( the Pla#ers Mandbook -as released. Since
that ti$e, the Pla#ers Mandbook has seen additional re'rints, in +00I, +00F,
+009, and +01:. The co$'anion volu$e, *onsters B Treasure, -as released in
+00I, -ith additional re'rints 'ublished in +00F and +009.
System
%astles B %rusades1 ga$e $echanics are based on the d+0 s#ste$, designed b#
)i/ards o( the %oast. The s#ste$ has been $odi"ed to create a si$'li"ed
version o( the ga$e, one that (ocuses on the stor# and adventure $ore than the
$echanics. 5ll the core classes and races, the align$ent s#ste$, attributes and
hit 'oint s#ste$s -ere retained -ith onl# slight adNust$ents in hit dice. The
highl# intricate s#ste$ o( skills and (eats (ound in Dungeons and Dragons :.0
and :.I -as discarded, re'laced b# -hat the designers call the SI2!2 2ngine,
st#led as an eAtre$el# eas# ga$e $echanic -ith universal a''lications. 5s a
result o( these changes, the ga$e does not carr# the d+0 s#ste$ logo, but is
co$'liant -ith the ter$s o( the 4'en !a$e <icense.
The SI2!2 2ngine -orks on an attribute check s#ste$. 5ttributes are divided
into 'ri$ar# and secondar# attributes. Pri$ar# attributes have a base chance to
succeed o( 1+ -hile secondar# attributes have a base chance to succeed o( 1.
The ga$e1s re(eree, the %astle Hee'er, adds a challenge level to the base and the
resulting nu$ber, the challenge class, is the target nu$ber re.uired to succeed
at a check. The 'la#er adds the character1s level, an# attribute bonuses and class
bonuses to the roll. I( the result a(ter bonuses e.uals or eAceeds the challenge
class, the 'la#er succeeds. 2Ace't (or co$bat, the SI2!2 2ngine is desired (or
use (or an#thing that re.uires a check in the ga$e.
)hile the "rst t-o 'rintings o( the Pla#ers Mandbook -ere virtuall# identical
-ith the eAce'tion o( a change in (ont (or the headers, the third 'rinting
introduced a re'lace$ent barbarian class. The 7th 'rinting introduced an
eA'ansion to the illusionist -ritten b# La$es *. )ard that allo-ed the illusionist
to heal others. The current 'rinting introduces a strea$lined re'lace$ent to the
ga$e1s encu$brance rules (or (aster 'la#.
Setting
The core books o( the ga$e are setting agnostic. )hile 'la#ers can set the
adventure in an# setting the# -ish, so$e settings have been 'ublished (or the
ga$e.
Aihrde& 4nce na$ed 2rde, 5ihrde is Troll <ord !a$es1 ho$e setting. 4riginall#
a d+0 setting (or use -ith Dungeons B Dragons, -ork is currentl# in 'rogress to
convert the original %odeA o( 2rde book to the %astles B %rusades setting. 5
su$$ar# o( the setting is available in the )orld o( 5ihrde ,olio. Books like T-e
Free City of !skadia eA'and on the setting b# covering sections in $ore detail.
Castle 'agyg& The last setting created b# !ar# !#gaA, %astle Eag#g -as
intended to be a $egadungeon in the st#le o( his earlier %astle !re#ha-k. The
Pggsburgh hardcover described the environs surrounding the castle, -hile
'roducts such as 6''er )orks detailed the castle itsel(. !#gaA died in +00
be(ore -ork could begin on the dungeons the$selves, and shortl# therea(ter
!#gaA !a$es ((or$erl# Trigee 2nter'rises) discontinued the entire setting.
Blu(side& Troll <ord !a$es1 ne-est setting (or %astles B %rusades, Blu3side is
a conversion and eA'ansion o( an earlier d+0 'roduct released b# Thunderhead
!a$es. Blu3side is designed to be 'laced an#-here the 'la#er desires in their
eAisting ca$'aign, or it can be used as a ca$'aign setting on its o-n.
%ther Books
?Castle 6ee"ers Guide
?5f Gods & Monsters ,y 7ames M8 Ward
?Classi% Monsters
?Monsters & Treasure of Ai-rde
?Code3 Celtarum
?Free City of !skadia
External links
?Troll <ord !a$es is the 'ublisher o( %astles B %rusades. The site includes a list
o( 'roducts in the line.
?%astles B %rusades Societ# %urrentl# active %B% Societ#, 'ublishes the
.uarterl# DDo$esda# BookD
?!ood$an !a$es 'ublishes several adventure $odules under the %astles B
%rusades license.
C%DA System
The CO)A *ystem is a role&'la#ing ga$e s#ste$ designed b# Deci'her, Inc.
Description
5(ter <ast 6nicorn !a$es -as 'urchased b# )i/ards o( the %oast the <ast
6nicorn sta3 soon $oved over to Deci'her, Inc. to create their Star Trek
)ole"layin Game, -hich used the C5DA System. The C5DA System -as also
used, in an altered (or$, in their 9ord of t-e )ins )ole"layin Game. It uses siA&
sided dice, and a standard set o( character statistics, as -ell as skills and edes
(-hich are si$ilar in (unction to the d20 System 1,eats1). %haracters belong to a
class, and can ado't $ore than one class as the# 'rogress.
The C5DA System ter$s character leveling advan%in and re(ers to characters
as having 1 advan%ements rather than being o( a 'articular level. 5dvancing
gives the 'la#er a nu$ber o( "i%ks -ith -hich to bu# u'grades to their
character1s statistics and abilities.
%haracters have a total hit 'oint 'ool seg$ented into health levels= each health
level o( da$age incurred i$'oses a -ound 'enalt# to certain actions. %haracters
also have a nu$ber o( 1-eariness1 levels= eAtended or intense activit# can result
in 'enalties to certain actions based on the nu$ber o( -eariness levels lost.
C%PS
C.)PS
over of the "nd edition #$%& core rule boo'
Designer(s) !reg Porter
Publisher(s) Blacksburg Tactical Research %enter
Publication date 199I
!enre(s) 6niversal
The CO"$* ga$e s#ste$, or Complete Omni+ersal "ole $laying *ystem, is a
generic role&'la#ing ga$e s#ste$. It -as created b# !reg Porter in 1990.
)hen the ga$e -as "rst 'ublished, it -as available in ga$e stores and
conventions. Beginning in +00:, Blacksburg Tactical Research %enter ended
'ublication o( %4RPS books and related $aterials. The# are available onl# in a
PD, (or$at do-nload, or 'rinted on de$and.
History
In 19F, Blacksburg Tactical Research %enter (DBTR%D) 'ublished its "rst ga$e,
Timelords, in -hich 'la#ers 'la#ed characters based u'on the$selves in a ti$e
travel setting. 5s a ti$e travelOscience "ction based ga$e crossing $an#
'ossible settings, $uch o( the ground-ork -as alread# laid (or converting the
base s#ste$ into a trul# universal RP!, and in (act so$e 'la#ers -ere alread#
using it as a generic ga$e s#ste$. The %4RPS s#ste$ is loosel# based on the
Timelords s#ste$, but dro''ing realis$ in eAchange (or s'eed and 'la#abilit#.
The C5)+S ga$e book -as "rst 'ublished in 1990 in a s$all (b# co$'arison to
other RP!s) 'rint run and li$ited $arketing. This -as standard business
'ractice (or BTR%, -hich has tried to never go into eAcessive debt to introduce a
'roduct. The s#ste$ -as initiall# critici/ed (or not being a trul# universal RP!,
(ocusing onl# on hu$an centered settings. BTR% atte$'ted to learn (ro$ this
criticis$ and $ake changes in the design o( its +nd edition, 'ublished in 199I,
and later in its neAt universal s#ste$, !A$A.
In 5ugust +00, 5''lied Gectors entered into a ne- contract to create the
%4RPS Rules 2A'ansion, -hich included a host o( addons (or the original ga$e,
including a bestiar# and re'rinted $aterial (ro$ the original "rst edition ga$e.
5lthough this -as a ne- contract, it (ollo-ed an unrealised earlier contract
entered into so$e ti$e be(ore. This -as $ade available in 5'ril +009.
In Se'te$ber +011 5''lied Gectors announced a license agree$ent -ith BTR%
to 'roduce the :rd edition o( the %4RPS role'la#ing ga$e. This -ill be a
co$'lete overhaul o( the s#ste$.
System
C5)+S uses a custo$ d10 based s#ste$ (or $ost actions.
Characters
5 character in C5)+S is built based on t-o t#'es o( statistic based on
Attributes and Skills. These are 'urchased in a 'oints based s#ste$, using
5ttribute Points (5P) to 'urchase attributes, and Skill Points (SP) to 'urchase
skills. The total nu$ber o( 'oints available to s'end de'ends on the setting and
!a$e *aster. 5 Dnor$alD hu$an $ight start -ith 1005P and I0SP, -hile a
su'erhero character $ight start -ith +005P and SP (or $ore).
Attributes
5ttributes are ranked on a 1&10 scale, -ith an average hu$an rating a 7&I in an#
one attribute and 10 being hu$an $aAi$u$. C5)+S uses siA basic 5ttributes;
Strengt%, Agility, A#areness, /illpo#er, Healt% and Po#er.
The cost o( an 5ttribute is the s.uare o( the 5ttribute rank 'urchased, so a
Strength o( 7 -ould cost 185P, and an 5gilit# o( I -ould cost +I5P.
Skills
Skills are linked to attribute scores via a'titudes (attributeO7) and a''lied to a
s'eci"c area. %ertain skill level re.uires Skill Points e.ual to s.uare o( the
desired skill level $inus the s.uare o( the related a'titude. Mence character -ith
a high attribute -ould have to s'end less Skill Points to develo' skills related to
that attribute.
Skills are (urther broken do-n into Primary, Secondary and &ertiary skills.
These break do-n s'eciali/ations o( s'eci"c skills. Secondar# skills have a
$aAi$u$ level o( one&hal( o( the associated Pri$ar# skill, and Tertiar# skills have
a $aAi$u$ level o( one&hal( o( the associated Secondar# skill. The a'titude
savings a''l# onl# to 'ri$ar# skills.
,or eAa$'le, the character -ith the Firearms skill o( 7 $a# decide to also
'urchase the associated Secondar# skill o( 9onarms -ith a $aAi$u$ o( +, and
the Tertiar# skill o( M*:;A2 -ith a $aAi$u$ o( 1. This character could then use
an *&185+ ri>e -ith a total skill o( F.
Ads and disads
Pla#ers can also use the 'oints (or additional advantages or gain $ore 'oints b#
acce'ting disadvantages. These are ver# generic like 5ge, 5uthorit#ODut#,
Jatural 5'titudeODebilit#, Ph#sical 5dvantageO<i$itation, Ps#chological
<i$itation and )ealth ('ositive or negative). The s#ste$ also gives so$e 'oints
(or -riting a character background and dra-ing a character 'ortrait.
Success olls
To kee' the s#ste$ si$'le and (ast $oving, success rolls are not needed (or
$an# actions. 5n# action a character $a# atte$'t is rated based on di3icult#. I(
the character1s a''ro'riate skill level is e.ual to or higher than the di3icult#, the
action succeeds auto$aticall#. I( it is lo-er, the 'la#er $a# roll 1d10. I( the# roll
less than 11 $inus the di3erence bet-een their skill and the di3icult# o( the
action ti$es +, the# succeed.
,or eAa$'le, the character above -ith a total skill o( F atte$'ts an action -ith a
di3icult# o( . It is higher than his skill, so it1s not auto$atic. The di3erence is
onl# 1, so he needs to roll a 9 or less. (11 & (+A1) Q 0). I( the action had a
di3icult# o( 9, he -ould need to roll a F or less.
)hile it $a# see$ con(using at "rst, this s#ste$ $akes success rolls ver# .uick
and 'redictable. The onl# rolls ever needed are 9, F, I, :, or 1. 5n# action -ith a
di3icult# $ore than I 'oints higher than a character1s skill is there(ore
i$'ossible unless the ca$'aign uses the Dlong shotD rule= i( the 'la#er rolls 1,
the# $a# roll again -ith a &I di3icult#.
Ad&ancement
%haracters advance b# increasing their skills and attributes. During 'la#,
characters earn additional 5ttribute and Skills Points related to the attributed
and skills the# used in 'la#. The cost to increase a skill or attribute is the
di3erence bet-een the cost o( the level the# currentl# have, and the cost o( the
level the# -ant. There(ore, to i$'rove a Strength score (ro$ I to 8 -ould cost
11 'oints (8R & IR Q <::, o$itting a'titude savings).
C%PS elated 'ame (orlds
?Timelords, a C5)+S version o( the original ga$e
?Dreamtime, a $#thical stone&age setting
?A"o%aly"se, a dark alternate histor# setting -ritten b# %harles Rice under the
'seudon#$ 2d Rice.
e)erences
?!a$e-#rd; Intervie- -ith !reg Porter, retrieved Jov +0th, +01:
?DJutshellD (ree 7&'age version o( the rules
Cortex Plus
Cortex System
Designer(s) %a$ Banks
Publisher(s) *argaret )eis Productions
Publication date +010
!enre(s) Role&'la#ing ga$e
The Cortex Plus System is a toolkit RP! s#ste$ that evolved (ro$ *argaret
)eis Productions, <td1s %orteA S#ste$. It has been used (or three 'ublished
ga$es and one 'ublished 'revie- to date, and the design 'rinci'les are in the
Cortex Plus Hackers Guide, a book o( advice in ho- to create ne- ga$es
using %orteA Plus, and list o( ne- ga$es 'roduced via kickstarter.
+
5ccording to
the Mackers1 !uide there are three basic 1>avours1 o( %orteA Plus= 5ction, Dra$a,
and Meroic.
+%orteA Plus Mackers !uide Hickstarter
4( the three currentl# 'ublished ga$es under this s#ste$ (-ith a (ourth
announced), <everage; The Role'la#ing !a$e -as no$inated (or the +011
4rigins 5-ard (or best Role Pla#ing !a$e,
:
and *arvel Meroic Role'la#ing -on
the +01: a-ard and the a-ard (or best su''ort as -ell as the +01+ 2Jnie 5-ard
(or Best Rules and runner u' (or Best !a$e.
7
Jote that des'ite the si$ilarit# in na$e, Corte3 +lus is not the %orteA S#ste$,
also 'roduced b# *argaret )eis Productions.
System
6nlike the %orteA S#ste$, %orteA Plus is a roll and kee' s#ste$ in -hich #ou roll
one die (ro$ each categor# and kee' the t-o highest dice in #our dice 'ool.
)hat goes into #our dice 'ool is -hatever is considered i$'ortant (or the ga$e
#ou are 'la#ing & but di3erent stories have di3erent things the# consider
i$'ortant so the i$'le$entation o( the s#ste$ has been di3erent (or each ga$e
so (ar. 5ll versions o( %orteA Plus use standard 'ol#hedral dice and the nor$al
dice notation ranging (ro$ d7 (a 7 sided tetrahedral die) to d1+ (a 1+&sided
dodecahedral die), and narrativel# notable (eatures are given dice (ro$ this list,
-ith d8 being the de(ault.
In all cases %orteA Plus uses dice 'ools ranging (ro$ d7 (terrible) to d1+ (the
best 'ossible), and ever# die in #our 'ool that is a natural 1 (and is called an
14''ortunit#1) causes so$e (or$ o( negative conse.uence -hich, de'ending on
the ga$e either creating a co$'lication (or the characters to overco$e or
adding to the Doo$ Pool that 'rovides the !a$e *aster resources -ithin the
scene. Because unless #ou roll reall# badl# even a 7 isn1t likel# to be one o( #our
best t-o dice and there1s a one in (our chance o( 'roviding a negative
conse.uence, adding a d7 to #our dice 'ool is considered a 'enalt#. Should it be
relevant, a die sho-ing a natural 1 $a# not be ke't (or the dice 'ool total.
*ost versions o( %orteA Plus (other than S$allville) give the character a set o(
three distinctions that the# can choose to add to their dice 'ool either as a d to
assist the$, or as a d7 to hinder the$ & but the# gain a 'lot 'oint b# using the d7
o'tion.
2.ui'$ent is nor$all# handled b# enabling the character to do things (#ou can1t
shoot so$eone -ithout a gun) but -here it is es'eciall# notable it is given a dice
rating and added to the dice 'ool as an asset. 5nd things that get in the -a# are
treated si$ilarl#, and added to the dice 'ool as co$'lications.
%orteA Plus also uses Plot Points & the nor$al uses o( -hich are to establish
so$ething as notable (turning it into an asset), 'o-er a stunt or abilit#, to add a
die to #our roll, or to kee' an additional die a(ter #ou have rolled.
:<everage RP! on RP! !eek
7*arvel Meroic Role'la#ing on RP! !eek
Action
%orteA Plus 5ction is used in both the <everage and ,ire># role 'la#ing ga$es,
and is the $ost traditional o( the three. The i$'ortant (actors are an attri,ute
(<everage uses the siA (ro$ the %orteA S#ste$, ,ire># uses
Ph#sicalO*entalOSocial), a Skill (<everage uses !ri(ter, Macker, Mitter,
*aster$ind, and Thie( -hich are based on the TG sho-. ,ire># has a list o( ++).
5lso in the dice 'ool can be a distinction, an asset, and a co$'lication a3ecting
the o''osition.
<everage, as a Meist or %on ga$e allo-s characters to s'end a 'lot 'oint to
establish ,lashback scenes to eA'lain -hat is reall# going on and -h# things are
not as bad as the# a''ear.
Drama
%orteA Plus Dra$a is used in the S$allville Role'la#ing !a$e, -hich -as the
"rst %orteA Plus ga$e. It has the $ost co$'licated character generation= the
'la#ers start b# dra-ing a relationshi' $a' that ste' b# ste' ties the 'la#er
characters to each other and the ga$e-orld. Instead o( attributes and skills, the
i$'ortant (actors are considered Relationshi's -ith other characters and Galues
(Dut#, !lor#, Lustice, <ove, Po-er, Truth in S$allville) and each relationshi' and
values having a state$ent attached and #ou can use the dice -hen acting in line
-ith the state$ent. 5 character can also challenge a value state$ent and
'ossibl# reNect it, allo-ing the$ to use it three ti$es in the dice 'ool on that roll
& but using a s$aller die (or the rest o( the session ever# ti$e the# -ant to
invoke that value or relationshi'.
)hen a character lose a contest and doesn1t give in in S$allville the# take stress
(Insecure, 5(raid, 5ngr#, 2Ahausted, and InNured) -hich can be used against
the$ & or the# can use at the cost o( increasing the a$ount o( stress the#1ve
taken, and being unable to act be#ond d1+ stress.
Heroic
%orteA Plus Meroic -as -ritten (or *arvel Meroic Role'la#ing and has the
largest dice 'ools. In addition to distinctions, assets, co$'lications, and stress
(as used in Dra$a & -ith stress being Ph#sical, *ental, and 2$otional in *arvel
Meroic), %orteA Plus Meroic characters have an 53iliation (Solo, Budd#, Tea$), at
least one 'o-erset and 'ossibl# $ore, and so$e S'ecialities (-hich re'resent a
$iA o( skills, resources, and contacts). The 'o-ersets are (urther detailed -ith
S(A and <i$its so the# $ore closel# re'resent the vision o( the character, and
character creation is largel# (ree(or$. 6nlike other %orteA Plus ga$es, the
de(ault is to kee' three dice -ith the third die re'resenting the e3ect si/e and
not being added to the total, onl# the si/e o( this die $attering. This third die is
kno-n as the 23ect Die. *arvel Meroic Role'la#ing co$$onl# uses large dice
'ools -ith seven se'arate categories (and 'otentiall# $ore than one 'o-er set).
The dice in *arvel Meroic are;
,ro$ the character;
?Distin%tion -hich $a# be invoked either 'ositivel# (or a d or negativel# (or a
d7 ($ore chance o( being a co$'lication, little chance o( being one o( the best
t-o dice)
?A=iliation (SoloOBud#OTea$). This re>ects -ho the character is -ith and the
nature o( the scene. 2ach character has one at d8, one at d, one at d10.
?+o.er Sets & re'resenting the characters1 'o-ers. To better re'resent a
character1s abilities these are t-eaked -ith S(A and li$its. 4ne die 'er 'o-er set
b# de(ault & but S(A can increase this.
?S"e%iality -hich re'resents a $iA o( character skill, kno-ledge, and
connections in their s'ecialt# "eld. 2A'erts are rated d, and *asters d10. 5 d10
s'ecialit# $a# be re'laced b# +d or :d8 and a d s'ecialit# $a# be re'laced b#
+d8.
There are also three 'otential dice (ro$ the situation;
?Asset & a situational advantage or an obNect that1s been created earlier.
?)esour%e created in a Dtransition sceneD a resource re'resents a character
building so$ething -ith their skill or calling on their contacts in advance.
?T-eir o""onent<s state & o''onents $a# have taken stress (i.e. har$) or
%om"li%ations (i.e. te$'orar# disadvantages) (ro$ 'revious actions, and one die
(or this $a# be included.
2Atra dice $a# be included through Plot Points, and characters seldo$ use all
those dice.
Published games using Cortex Plus
?S$allville Role'la#ing !a$e
I
?<everage; The Role'la#ing !a$e
8
?*arvel Meroic Role'la#ing
F
?Dragon Brigade RP! Suickstart
?,ire># (role&'la#ing ga$e)

?Rose$ont Ba#
9
eception
Rece'tion to %orteA Plus ga$es has been good, -ith *arvel Meroic Role'la#ing
-inning best rules at the +01+ 2Jnie 5-ards.
10
5 co$$on the$e in revie-s is
that there are no 'rocedural ele$ents, and #ou are instead rolling based on -hat
#ou consider relevant to the situation
11
and the -a# that 1s add narrative
co$'lications to the results that -ould not nor$all# be eA'ected in other role&
'la#ing ga$es.
1+
5nother the$e 'icked u' on in the s#ste$ is the -a# that it
allo-s balance bet-een characters such as )olverine and %a'tain 5$erica -hile
having enough $eat to distinguish the$.
1:
Cortex System
Cortex System
Designer(s) La$ie %ha$bers
Publisher(s) *argaret )eis Productions
Publication date +00I
!enre(s) Role&'la#ing ga$e
IS$allville RP! on RP! !eek
8<everage RP! on RP! !eek
F*arvel Meroic Role'la#ing on RP! !eek
,ire># RP! on RP! !eek
9Rose$ont Ba# Hickstarter
10+01+ 2Jnie 5-ard -inners
11Revie- o( S$allville Role'la#ing !a$e & RP!a$er
1+Roll Perce'tion Plus 5-areness & S,Signal revie- o( *arvel Meroic Role'la#ing
1:Resha'e )olverine and S'ider&$an1s -orld -ith the ne- *arvel RP! & io9
The Corte3 System is a generic RP! s#ste$ based on the Soverein Stone
System, and -as develo'ed b# *argaret )eis Productions, <td (or the Serenit#
(role&'la#ing ga$e). It -as subse.uentl# used (or their licensed $attlestar
Gala%ti%a and Su'ernatural RP!s, and brought out as a stand&alone s#ste$ in the
Corte3 System )ole +layin Game book
17
(also called the Corte3 Classi% System
)ole +layin Game).
1I
Serenit#, using the %orteA S#ste$, -as the +00I 4rigins
5-ard !a$er1s %hoice Role Pla#ing !a$e o( the Pear.
18
Jote that des'ite the si$ilar na$e, the %orteA S#ste$ is not the %orteA Plus
s#ste$, also 'roduced b# *argaret )eis Productions.
*he basic system
The s#ste$ uses dice -ith +, 7, 8, , 10, and 1+ sides, described -ith the
standard role&'la#ing ga$e notation o( d+, d7, d8, d, and so on, and the basic
resolution s#ste$ involves adding u' the total on all #our relevant dice and
co$'aring it to a static target nu$ber. The three 'arts o( #our dice 'ool are #our
relevant 5ttributes (5gilit#, Strength, Gitalit#, 5lertness, Intelligence, and
)ill'o-er) -hich range (ro$ d7 to d1+9d7, #our relevant Skill ((ro$ a list o( ++)
-hich range (ro$ 0 to d1+, and an# relevant 5ssets ('ositive character traits) or
%o$'lications (negative traits). Situational advantages can be re'resented either
b# changing the target di3icult# nu$ber or increasing or reducing the nu$ber o(
(aces on the dice rolled.
The Corte3 System also uses Plot Points, -hich increase characters1 survivabilit#
and give 'la#ers greater control over events in the ga$e. Pla#ers can s'end Plot
Points to gain eAtra dice -hen $aking a die roll, reduce the da$age (ro$ an
attack, or even $ake changes to the stor#line. So$e 5ssets also re.uire the
eA'enditure o( Plot Points. 5t the end o( a ga$e session, eAcess Plot Points are
converted to 5dvance$ent Points, -hich a 'la#er s'ends to i$'rove his or her
character1s abilities.
Character Creation
The ga$e uses a 'oint&bu# s#ste$ -ith a de(ault initial s'read bet-een
attributes, skills, and traits (the collective na$e (or advantages and
co$'lications) based on the intended 'o-er level o( the ga$e. This is si$ilar to
the silo1d 'oint bu# and s'ecial abilities and character >a-s used in a variet# o(
other role&'la#ing ga$es, such as *erits and ,la-s in )hite )ol( Publishing1s
original World of Darkness, Sualities and Dra-backs in 2den 6nis#ste$, and
2dges and Mindrances in Pinnacle 2ntertain$ent1s Deadlands and Savae
Worlds ga$es (to -hich the Serenit# s#ste$ bears a strong rese$blance).
17RP!.net revie- o( %orteA %lassic
1I%orteA %lassic S#ste$ RP! listing
18RP! !eek Serenit# RP! 'age
Published games using the Cortex System
?Serenit# (role&'la#ing ga$e)
?Battlestar !alactica Role Pla#ing !a$e
?De$on Munters Role Pla#ing !a$e
?%orteA S#ste$ Role Pla#ing !a$e
?Su'ernatural Role Pla#ing !a$e
eception
The initial rece'tion to the %orteA S#ste$ -as good, -ith the Serenit# Role
Pla#ing !a$e -inning the +00I 4rigins 5-ard (or !a$er1s %hoice; Best
Role'la#ing !a$e o( the Pear.
1F
The Battlestar !alactica Role Pla#ing !a$e
gained 'raise (ro$ S, )eekl# (or the Plot Point $echanis$s and the -a# the#
re'roduced the all&or&nothing $o$ents o( the Battlestar !alactica series.
1
The
Lournal o( Trans(or$ative )orks said that the s#ste$ itsel( could be considered
trans(or$ative given that the rules -ere $eant to evolve through 'la# sessions.
19
B# the ti$e o( the S$allville Role'la#ing !a$e, RP!a$er co$$ented that the
'resence o( the %orteA S#ste$ logo Dscrea$s $ediocre at bestD.
+0
D+, System
The d12 System is a role&'la#ing ga$e s#ste$ 'ublished in +000 b# )i/ards o(
the %oast originall# develo'ed (or the third edition o( Duneons & Draons.
+1

The s#ste$ is na$ed a(ter the iconic +0&sided dice -hich are central to the core
$echanics o( $an# actions in the ga$e.
*uch o( the d+0 S#ste$ -as released as the S#ste$ Re(erence Docu$ent (SRD)
under the 4'en !a$e <icense (4!<) as 4'en !a$e %ontent (4!%), -hich allo-s
co$$ercial and non&co$$ercial 'ublishers to release $odi"cations or
su''le$ents to the s#ste$ -ithout 'a#ing (or the use o( the s#ste$1s associated
intellectual 'ro'ert#, -hich is o-ned b# )i/ards o( the %oast.
1F+00I 4rigins 5-ards
1S, )eekl# revie- o( Battlestar !alactica
19Book Revie-; Su'ernatural role 'la#ing ga$e, b# La$ie %ha$bers & the Lournal o(
Trans(or$ative )orks
+0Revie- o( S$allville b# RP!a$er
+1The d+0 S#ste$ %once't; ,re.uentl# 5sked Suestions
The original i$'etus (or the o'en licensing o( the d+0 S#ste$ -as the econo$ics
o( 'roducing role'la#ing ga$es. !a$e su''le$ents su3ered (ar $ore di$inished
sales over ti$e than the core books re.uired to 'la# the ga$e. R#an Dance#,
Dungeons and Dragons1 brand $anager at the ti$e, directed the e3ort o(
licensing the ne- edition o( Dungeons and Dragons through the 1d+0 S#ste$
Trade$ark1, allo-ing other co$'anies to su''ort the d+0 S#ste$ under a
co$$on brand identit#. This is distinct (ro$ the 4'en !a$e <icense, -hich
si$'l# allo-s an# 'art# to 'roduce -orks co$'osed or derivative o( designated
4'en !a$e %ontent.
Mechanics
The d+0 S#ste$ is a derivative o( the third edition D&D ga$e s#ste$. The three
'ri$ar# designers behind the d+0 S#ste$ -ere Lonathan T-eet, *onte %ook and
Ski' )illia$s= $an# others contributed, $ost notabl# Richard Baker and )i/ards
o( the %oast then&'resident Peter 5dkison. *an# give T-eet the bulk o( the
credit (or the basic resolution $echanic, citing si$ilarities to the s#ste$ behind
his ga$e 5rs *agica. T-eet, ho-ever, stated DThe other designers alread# had a
core $echanic si$ilar to the current one -hen I Noined the design tea$D.
++
To resolve an action in the d+0 S#ste$, a 'la#er rolls a +0&sided die and adds
$odi"ers based on the natural a'titude o( the character (de"ned b# siA abilities;
Strength, DeAterit#, %onstitution, Intelligence, )isdo$, and %haris$a) and ho-
skilled the character is in various "elds (such as in co$bat), as -ell as other,
situational $odi"ers.
+:
I( the result is greater than or e.ual to a target nu$ber
(called a Di3icult# %lass or D%) then the action succeeds. This is called the %ore
*echanic. This s#ste$ is consistentl# used (or all action resolution in the d+0
S#ste$; in 'rior ga$es in the DBD (a$il#, the rules (or di3erent actions, such as
the "rst&edition hit tables or the second&edition 5DBD DTM5%0D and saving thro-
$echanics, varied considerabl# in -hich dice -ere used and even -hether high
nu$bers or lo- nu$bers -ere 're(erable.
The d+0 S#ste$ is not 'resented as a universal s#ste$ in an# o( its 'ublications
or (ree distributions, unlike ga$es like !6RPS. Rather, the core s#ste$ has been
'resented in a variet# o( (or$ats that have been ada'ted b# various 'ublishers
(both )i/ards o( the %oast and third&'art#) to s'eci"c settings and genres, $uch
like the Basic Role&Pla#ing s#ste$ co$$on to earl# ga$es b# veteran RP!
'ublisher %haosiu$.
++Dungeons, Dragons, and d+0 & 5n Intervie- -ith Lonathan T-eet b# Therese <ittleton,
5$a/on.co$
+:S#ste$ Resource Docu$ent & The Basics 5nd 5bilit# Scores
The rules (or the d+0 S#ste$ are de"ned in the S#ste$ Re(erence Docu$ent or
SRD (t-o se'arate SRDs -ere released, one (or DBD edition :.0 and one (or
edition :.I), -hich $a# be co'ied (reel# or even sold.
+7
Designed (or (antas#&
genre ga$es in (usuall#) a 'seudo&$edieval setting, the SRD is dra-n (ro$ the
Dungeons B Dragons books +layer<s #and,ook v48>, !3"anded +sioni%s
#and,ook, Duneon Master<s Guide v48>, Monster Manual v48>, Deities and
Demiods v480, 2neart-ed Ar%ana, and !"i% 9evel #and,ook. In(or$ation (ro$
these books not in the SRD include detailed descri'tions, >avor&teAt, and
$aterial )i/ards o( the %oast considers Product Identit# (such as re(erences to
the !re#ha-k ca$'aign setting and in(or$ation on $ind >a#ers).
d+0 *odern has its o-n SRD, called the *odern S#ste$ Re(erence Docu$ent
(*SRD). The *SRD includes $aterial (ro$ the d20 Modern role"layin ame,
2r,an Ar%ana Cam"ain Settin, the d20 Mena%e Manual, and d20 Future= this
can cover a -ide variet# o( genres, but is intended (or a $odern&da#, or in the
case o( the last o( these, a (uturistic setting.
*rademark license
Because Duneons & Draons is the $ost 'o'ular role&'la#ing ga$e in the
-orld, $an# third 'art# 'ublishers o( the +000s 'roduced 'roducts designed to
be co$'atible -ith that ga$e and its cousin, d+0 *odern. )i/ards o( the %oast
'rovided a se'arate license allo-ing 'ublishers to use so$e o( its trade$arked
ter$s and a distinctive logo to hel' consu$ers identi(# these 'roducts. This -as
kno-n as the d+0 S#ste$ Trade$ark <icense. The d+0 S#ste$ Trade$ark
<icense (D+0ST<) re.uired 'ublishers to eAclude character creation and
advance$ent rules, a''l# certain notices and adhere to an acce'table content
'olic#. D+0ST< 'roducts -ere also re.uired to clearl# state that the# re.uire the
core books (ro$ )i/ards o( the %oast (or use. 5ll D+0ST< 'roducts also had to
use the 4!< to $ake use o( d+0 S#ste$ o'en content, but 'ublishers -ere able
to use the 4!< -ithout using the D+0ST<. !a$es that onl# use the 4!< -ere
(and are) not bound b# these restrictions, and several have included character
creation and advance$ent rules, allo-ing the$ to be used as standalone
'roducts.
)ith the release o( the ,ourth 2dition o( Duneons & Draons in +00, )i/ards
o( the %oast revoked the original D+0ST<, re'lacing it -ith a ne- license
s'eci"call# (or DBD, kno-n as the !a$e S#ste$ <icense. The ter$s o( this
license are si$ilar to the D+0ST<, but there is no associated 4!< or 4'en
%ontent, and the (ourth edition SRD $erel# lists the ite$s and ter$s -hich $a#
be used in licensed 'roducts. This did not a3ect the legal standing o( the 4!<,
and 'roducts based on the SRD $a# still be released under the 4!< alone.
+7S#ste$ Re(erence Docu$ent & ,re.uentl# 5sked Suestions
Criticisms
6nlike the 4!<, the d+0 S#ste$ Trade$ark <icense (D+0ST<) is revocable and is
controlled b# )i/ards o( the %oast. )i/ards o( the %oast has the abilit# to alter
the d+0 S#ste$ Trade$ark <icense at -ill and gives a short, :0 da# Dcure
'eriodD to recti(# an# issues -ith the license be(ore ter$ination. These changes
a''l# retroactivel# to all $aterial 'ublished under the d+0 S#ste$ Trade$ark
<icense.
)hen ga$ing co$'an# The Galar ProNect, under (or$er )i/ards o( the %oast
brand $anager 5nthon# Galtera, atte$'ted to 'ublish the d+0 $ook of !roti%
Fantasy (Bo2,), -hich (ocused on seAual content, )i/ards o( the %oast altered
the d+0 S#ste$ Trade$ark <icense in advance o( 'ublication o( $o!F b# adding
a D.ualit# standardsD 'rovision that re.uired 'ublishers co$'l# -ith Dco$$unit#
standards o( decenc#.D This subse.uentl# 'revented the book1s 'ublication under
the D+0ST<.
+I
)i/ards o( the %oast said this -as done to 'rotect its d+0 S#ste$
trade$ark. The $ook of !roti% Fantasy -as subse.uentl# 'ublished -ithout the
d+0 S#ste$ trade$ark under the 4!<. 4ther books subse.uentl# 'ublished
under si$ilar circu$stances include Skir$isher Publishing <<%1s 1uisan%es
-hich also includes on its cover the disclai$er D)arning; Intended ,or *ature
Readers 4nl#.D
The sa$e round o( changes to the license also li$ited the si/e at -hich the teAt
DRe.uires the use o( the Dungeons B Dragons Pla#er1s Mandbook, Third 2dition,
'ublished b# )i/ards o( the %oastD (-hich is re.uired to a''ear on the (ront or
back cover o( $ost (antas# d+0 S#ste$ 'roducts) could be 'rinted, and
'rohibited $aking 'art o( it larger than the rest. This -as 'erceived as being
ai$ed at the sa$e Galar book= earl# $ocku's o( the cover had the -ords
DDungeons B DragonsD in the above teAt 'rinted $uch larger and in a di3erent
(ont (ro$ the rest, right at the to' o( the (ront cover. This could have $ade the
book a''ear to be an o3icial Dungeons B Dragons 'ublication to a casual or
unin(or$ed observer. The 'ublished version does not have the o3ending teAt on
the cover.
%riticis$ is also levied at the conditions (or ter$ination o( the d+0 S#ste$
Trade$ark <icense through a breach o( its ter$s. The license re.uires that, u'on
breach o( the ter$s o( the D+0ST< -hich includes an# subse.uent $odi"cations
o( the license a(ter 'ublication o( a -ork using the d+0 S#ste$ trade$ark, all
inventor# and $arketing $aterial $ust be destro#ed. 5dhering to the breach
conditions is an onerous task (or s$aller ga$e co$'anies. The $ere threat o(
this condition being i$'osed -as a huge blo- to the no- de(unct d+0 S#ste$
'ublisher ,ast ,or-ard 2ntertain$ent, -hich had released several books that
used non&o'en )i/ards o( the %oast content due to co$'an# 'resident La$es
)ard1s $isunderstanding o( the license.)iki'edia;%itation needed
+IBook o( 2rotic ,antas# <oses D+0 license
4ther criticis$ is based around the 'art o( the d+0 S#ste$ Trade$ark <icense
-hich de"nes D4'en !a$e %ontentD to include ga$e $echanics and 'ur'orts to
license it. It is -idel# believed that ga$e $echanics are unco'#rightable in the
6S5, and according to a circular on the 6S %o'#right 43ice1s -ebsite,
+8
D4nce a
ga$e has been $ade 'ublic, nothing in the co'#right la- 'revents others (ro$
develo'ing another ga$e based on si$ilar 'rinci'les.D
4ne result o( this has been the abandon$ent o( the d+0 S#ste$ <icense b# so$e
'ublishers in (avor o( a si$'le D4!<D designation. *ongoose Publishing1s
licensed ga$es based on the %onan the Barbarian 'ro'ert# (Conan? T-e
)ole"layin Game) and the Robert 5. Meinlein novel Stars-i" Troo"ers, (or
eAa$'le, use s#ste$s that (unction nearl# identicall# to d+0 but do not carr# the
d+0 logo.
External links
?43icial -ebsite o( the d+0 S#ste$ and the 4'en !a$ing <icense
?TM2 (6J56TM4RIE2D 6J4,,I%I5<) 4P2J !5*IJ! <I%2JS2 4!< D+0 ,5S
& %o$'rehensive, 6nbiased D+0 Mistor# (1O1O+009)
?4'en !a$ing ,oundation
?The M#'erteAt d+0 SRD @ v:.I d+0 S#ste$ Re(erence Docu$ent
?D+0 S#ste$ at D*4E
?d+0 Resources & MT*< re(erence docu$entation (or d+0 4'en %ontent.
D- System
&%e "3 System
+86S %o'#right 43ice
The D; System? T-e Customiza,le )ole"layin Game
Designer(s) Garious authors
Publisher(s) )est 2nd !a$es
Publication date 1998
!enre(s) 6niversal
S#ste$(s) The D8 S#ste$
The ), *ystem is a role&'la#ing ga$e s#ste$ 'ublished b# )est 2nd !a$es
()2!) and licensees. )hile the s#ste$ is 'ri$aril# intended (or 'en&and&'a'er
role&'la#ing ga$es, variations o( the s#ste$ have also been used in live action
role&'la#ing ga$es and $iniature battle ga$es. The s#ste$ is na$ed a(ter the 8&
sided die, -hich is used in ever# roll re.uired b# the s#ste$.
System
Attributes and skills
%haracters in the D; System are de"ned b# attributes and skills. 5ttributes
re'resent the ra- abilit# o( a character in a certain area. *ost D; System ga$es
utili/e an#-here (ro$ siA to eight attributes, though these can var# greatl# in
nu$ber and na$e b# the ga$e in .uestion. 5cu$en, Intellect, Hno-ledge,
Perce'tion, Presence and Technical are eAa$'les o( $ental attributes= 5gilit#,
%oordination, *echanical, Ph#si.ue, Re>eAes and Strength are eAa$'les o(
'h#sical ones. Skills are the trained abilities o( the character and are associated
-ith a s'eci"c attribute (e.g., driving, acrobatics, and cli$bing $ight be skills
based on the Re>eAes attribute). 2ach attribute and the skills under it are rated
in values o( Dice and Pi's= Dice e.ual the nu$ber o( dice rolled and Pi's e.ual a
one or t-o 'oint bonus added to the roll to deter$ine the result. The $ore dice
and 'i's in the rating the better the character is at that skill or attribute. 5
character -ith a Strength rating o( 7D9+ is stronger than a character -ith a
Strength rating o( :D91, (or eAa$'le.
Actions and resolution
%haracter actions are resolved b# $aking dice rolls against a di3icult# nu$ber.
There are t-o t#'es o( di3iculties, standard and o''osed. To 'er(or$ a standard
di3icult# action, the ga$e$aster calls (or the 'la#er to roll the dice (or a certain
attribute or skill. The value o( each die is totalled and the 'i's are added to the
die roll to get a total. This total along -ith an# !* or s#ste$ i$'osed $odi"ers
is co$'ared against a target di3icult# nu$ber. To 'er(or$ an o''osed roll
action, the t-o 'arties involved (usuall# the 'la#er and a ga$e$aster controlled
character) both roll their a''ro'riate skills dice, total the$ and an# $odi"ers
and co$'are the results. I( the "rst 'art#1s roll is higher than that o( the second,
he -ins the contest and the rest o( the result is resolved. I( the second 'art#
e.uals or eAceeds his o''onent1s roll, then the second 'art# -ins the contest.
*he (ild Die
4ne o( the dice rolled (or each skill or attribute check or (or da$age is
considered to be the D-ild dieD, and is treated so$e-hat di3erentl# (ro$ the
other dice. I( a siA is rolled on the -ild die, then the die DeA'lodesD allo-ing the
roll o( an additional -ild die. The resulting siAes are added to the total, and the
roll continues as long as the 'la#er continues to roll siAes on the -ild die. I( a one
is rolled on the -ild die during the initial roll (not a(ter a siA is rolled), and
another one is rolled in the second roll, a critical (ailure or co$'lication occurs,
usuall# -ith bad results (or the character. I( a nu$ber other than one is rolled
a(ter an initial roll o( one, then that die, and the one -ith the highest nu$ber are
subtracted (ro$ the roll1s total. 6se o( the -ild die tends to $ake the ga$e (eel
$ore cine$atic.
.mpro&ing olls
In order to increase their characters1 e3ectiveness, 'la#ers $a# s'end character
'oints and (ate 'oints. The eAact nu$ber o( character 'oints that $a# be s'ent is
li$ited b# the a$ount 'ossessed b# the character, and the situation that the# are
used in, -ith t-o being the t#'ical li$it. 2ach character 'oint s'ent adds an
eAtra -ild die to one skill or attribute roll. 5 roll o( one has no negative e3ect
-ith -ild dice generated (ro$ character 'oints. 5lternatel#, a character $a#
s'end one (ate 'oint on an action. %haracters have (e-er (ate 'oints, but the
eA'enditure o( the$ doubles the a$ount o( dice rolled on an action.
/ariant resolution systems
*ost D; System ga$es use the resolution s#ste$ described above, -hich is
so$eti$es called The D8 %lassic S#ste$, though so$e variants eAist. In one
variant, The <egend S#ste$, instead o( adding the die totals u', the dice sho-ing
:, 7, I or 8 are each counted as a success. 6se o( a skill re.uires rolling a certain
nu$ber o( such successes. Pi's are not used in the <egend S#ste$. This
variation o( the s#ste$ -as re(erred to, in Nest, as DThe D8 variant (or the
$athe$aticall# challengedD on )2!1s o-n discussion (oru$. The <egend S#ste$
has been utili/ed in the #er%ules & @ena )ole"layin Game and the DC 2niverse
)ole"layin Game. 4ther variants, such as those (eatured in the Star Wars 9ive
A%tion Adventure Game and the Star Wars Miniatures $attles ga$e, involve
rolling a single siA sided die and adding the result to a skill or attribute. This
total is then co$'ared to a di3icult# nu$ber, as -ith the other variants.
History
(est End 'ames0 Early Cinematic P's
5 'recursor to the D; System "rst a''eared in G-ost,usters? A Fri-tfully
C-eerful )ole"layin Game, designed b# %haosiu$ alu$ni Sand# Petersen, <#nn
)illis and !reg Sta3ord, -hich -as 'ublished b# )2! in 198.
+F
The (ollo-ing
#ear, !reg %ostik#an, %urtis S$ith and Bill Slavicsek re-orked ele$ents (ro$
the !hostbusters ga$e into Star Wars? T-e )ole"layin Game.
+
,or a decade,
)est 2nd !a$es 'ublished over 170 titles (or the Star Wars 6niverse including a
$aga/ine, T-e Star Wars Adventure 7ournal.
+9
+FP2T2RS2J Sand#, )I<<IS <#nn # ST5,,4RD !reg, G-ost,usters? A Fri-tfully C-eerful
)ole"layin Game, )est 2nd !a$es, Je- Pork, 198, ISBJ 0&F7:1&07:&1
+%4STIHP5J !reg, Star Wars? T-e )ole*+layin Game, )est 2nd !a$es, Je- Pork, 4ctober
19F, ISBJ 0&F7:1&08I&+
+96no3icial Mistor# o( the D; System Part I b# Peter Sch-eigho(er
*he D- System Standalone 'ames
In 1998, )2! released T-e D; System? T-e Customiza,le )ole"layin Game,
-ritten b# !eorge Stra#ton, -hich -as the "rst core D; System book not tied to
a s'eci"c licensed or original 'ro'ert#. 5llo-ing total (reedo$ to create an# kind
o( role'la#ing ga$e through variation in attributes, skills, and ever# other ga$e
ele$ent all centered around the core $echanic o( rolling siA&sided dice against a
di3icult# nu$ber, the D; System book shared as $uch in co$$on -ith the role&
'la#ing ga$e toolkit ,udge as it did -ith other universal s#ste$s like !6RPS.
)2! (ollo-ed the D8 core book -ith Andiana 7ones Adventures (a re-orking o(
the earlier *asterBook setting) and the stand alone Men in $la%k )+G. 5nother
licensed ga$e, the #er%ules & @ena )ole"layin Game -as the last title released
b# the original )est 2nd !a$es be(ore their bankru'tc#, as -ell as the "rst to
use a $odi"ed D; System based resolution engine that -ould later be kno-n as
the <egend S#ste$. 5 hal(&"nished dra(t o( a D; System based Stargate S!&1
role 'la#ing ga$e re$ained un'ublished as a result o( the bankru'tc#.
:0
*he Humanoids Publishing Era
,ollo-ing the bankru'tc#, )2! -as $erged -ith ,rench co$'an# Peti, a
subsidiar# o( Mu$anoids Publishing. *ost o( )2!1s earlier licenses -ere
ter$inated at this 'oint, but the reconstituted co$'an# ac.uired another one
(ro$ D% %o$ics. This license resulted in a ne- <egend S#ste$ ga$e, the DC
2niverse )ole"layin Game, -hich released a (e- titles (ro$ 1999 until +001. 5s
Mu$anoids Publishing -as the 'ublisher o( the *etabarons gra'hic novels, the#
utili/ed the D; System to release an RP! based u'on that setting. Ron ,ricke
and (or$er )2! 'ublisher Scott Palter1s +si,ertroo"ers, the "rst licensed third
'art# D; System 'roduct, also sa- release during this 'eriod. Mu$anoids began
the 'rocess o( releasing PD, (or$at versions o( $an# o( the earlier )2! titles,
converting so$e to the D; System in the 'rocess. Mu$anoids released a PD,
version o( the S-atterzone 2niverse Guide containing an earl# version o( D;
S"a%e 5"era. 5n initial PD, version o( D; Adventure -as released as a rules lead
in (or the eventual re&release o( $loods-ado.s.
:1
:06no3icial Mistor# o( the D; System Part II b# Peter Sch-eigho(er
:1D8 5dventure announced on the Pahoo D8 S#ste$ grou' & registration re.uired
*he Purgatory Publishing Era
In Jove$ber +00:, shortl# a(ter the PD, release o( D; Adventure, the )2!
assets changed hands once again. The ne- o-ner, Purgator# Publishing, re&
released the ga$e in the (or$ o( three hardcover rulebooks. The rulebooks, each
-ritten b# Jikola Grtis, -ere actuall# three se'arate ga$es. 2ach shared the
sa$e core $echanics, but utili/ed di3erent attributes, skill sets, e.ui'$ent lists
and 'o-er s#ste$s. D; Adventure, an eA'anded hardcover release o( the earlier
PD,, covered -ild -est, 'ul', es'ionage, lo-&'o-ered su'er heroes, and other
$odern or near $odern ga$es. D; S"a%e shared $uch in co$$on -ith the
earlier Star Wars line, and detailed s'ace o'era and c#ber'unk ga$e rules. D;
Fantasy dealt -ith s-ord B sorcer#, high (antas# and s-ashbuckling ca$'aign
$odels. Hhe'era Publishing1s licensed D; System su'er hero ga$e Godsend
Aenda -as released shortl# therea(ter. In +00F, )2! announced Se"timus, a
ne- standalone D; System ga$e -ith a setting designed b# Bill %o3in and a
rules s#ste$ 'aralleling that o( Star Wars? T-e )ole"layin Game. Jear the end
o( the #ear, )2! 'ublisher 2ric !ibson tentativel# announced that the D;
System -ould soon be ado'ting a (ree license.
:+
5t the end o( the $onth o(
*arch, +00, )est 2nd !a$es announced that the DSe'ti$usD 'roduct -ould not
be released due to cost issues. In 5ugust +009, )est 2nd !a$es released $ost o(
the I1000 series o( D8 book -ith attached 4!< license o3iciall# classi(#ing the$
and the D; System as 4'en under the 4!< v1.0. This re&release -as in
antici'ation (or a (or$al launch o( the 4'enD8 -ebsite 'ortal and -orkstation,
$eant to aid 'ublishers and 'la#ers alike in creating, archiving, and searching
the -ealth o( D8 rules and variants. 5dditionall#, 5ugust 1:, +009, sa- the long
a-aited release o( Bill %o3in1s Se'ti$us -hich itsel( -as the "rst (or$al release
o( ne- $aterial under the 4'enD8 label.
External links
?Hhe'era Publishing, <icensed 'ublisher o( D; System and 9eend System
ga$es.
?)est 2nd !a$es ,ans Site, (oru$s (or the 5"en D; rules.
?)est 2nd !a$es1 D8 Rulebooks, D8 S#ste$ RP! rulebooks (or D8 5dventures,
D8 S'ace, and D8 ,antas# genres.
EABA
This article is about the role-playing game system. For the (A)A boxing association, see (uropean
Amateur )oxing Association.
(ABA
:+,ree D8
over of the (A)A core rule boo'
Designer(s) !reg Porter
Publisher(s) Blacksburg Tactical Research %enter
Publication date +00:
!enre(s) 6niversal
The End All Be All ga$e s#ste$, co$$onl# kno-n as EABA and 'ronounced
Dee&buhD, is a role&'la#ing ga$e s#ste$ designed to ada't to an# i$aginar#
ga$ing environ$ent. It -as created b# !reg Porter in +00:. The ga$e cites the
#ero System, G2)+S, and Call of Ct-ul-u as in>uences in its develo'$ent.
The ga$e books and related $aterials are available onl# in a PD, (or$at
do-nload, or 'rinted on de$and (ro$ Blacksburg Tactical Research %enter
(BTR%).
History
Prior P' History
Role&'la#ing ga$es (RP!s) o( the 19F0s and earl# 190s -ere environ$ent
s'eci"c, and inco$'atible -ith one another. ,or eAa$'le, TSR 'ublished its
Duneons & Draons ga$e s'eci"call# (or a (antas# environ$ent. 5nother ga$e
(ro$ the sa$e co$'an#, Star Frontiers, -as develo'ed (or science "ction&based
role&'la#ing. TSR 'roduced other ga$es (or other environ$ents, such as Gamma
World, To" Se%ret, Gan,usters, $oot #ill, and $ore. 2ach o( these ga$es -as
set -ith its o-n sel(&contained rules s#ste$, and the rules (or 'la#ing each ga$e
di3ered greatl# (ro$ one ga$e to the neAt.
This changed -ith the 'ublication o( G2)+S, or Generi% 2niversal )ole +layin
System, b# Steve Lackson !a$es in 19, the "rst co$$erciall# success(ul, all&
enco$'assing, DuniversalD role&'la#ing s#ste$. The conce't o( a generic basic
ga$e s#ste$, eA'anded as needed into various settings, beca$e the do$inant
subNect in RP! design. TSR converted its >agshi' D&D s#ste$ into a generic
s#ste$ -ith the release o( the Third 2dition o( Duneons & Draons and the
creation o( the 4'en !a$ing <icense (4!<) and the d20 System in +000.
*ime"ords
In 19F, BTR% 'ublished its "rst ga$e, Time9ords, in -hich 'la#ers 'la#ed
characters based u'on the$selves in a ti$e travel setting. 5s a ti$e
travelOscience "ction based ga$e crossing $an# 'ossible settings, $uch o( the
ground-ork -as alread# laid (or converting the base s#ste$ into a trul#
universal RP!, and in (act so$e 'la#ers -ere alread# using it as a generic ga$e
s#ste$. *uch o( the Time9ords s#ste$ -ould later be converted into !A$A.
C%PS
In the late 1990s, BTR% $ade its "rst generic RP! s#ste$, the Com"lete
5mniversal )ole +layin System, or C5)+S. The s#ste$ -as loosel# based on the
Time9ords s#ste$, but traded realis$ (or si$'licit# and s'eed. The rules -ere
'reviousl# 'ublished in 1990 under the sa$e na$e, as a $odern cons'irac# role&
'la#ing ga$e. Thus, it -as not a true universal s#ste$, and (ocused solel# on
hu$ans and hu$an&based settings.
System
Characters
5 character in !A$A is built based on attributes, skills, and traits. These are
'urchased in a 'oints based s#ste$, using 5ttribute Points (5P) to 'urchase
attributes, and Skill Points (SP) to 'urchase skills. Traits are 'urchased using
either t#'e o( 'oints, de'ending on -hat trait is 'urchased= negative traits can
also be chosen -hich give a character additional 5P or SP.
The total nu$ber o( 'oints available to s'end de'ends on the setting and 'la#ers.
5 gritt# 'ost&holocaust survival ga$e $a# onl# start -ith 05P and SP, -hile a
su'erhero based ga$e could start -ith 7005P and SP. In 'rinci'le a !a$e$aster
can balance the 'o-er o( (oes to the abilities o( the 'la#er characters b#
co$'aring their relative 'oint values.
Attributes
%haracters in !A$A have siA basic attributes;
?Strengt% T 5 $easure o( the characterUs "-ysi%al 'o-er and bulk, abilit# to
li(t, carr#, and do da$age
?Agility T 5 $easure o( the characterUs "-ysi%al agilit#, coordination, and
$anual deAterit#
?A#areness T 5 $easure o( the characterUs mental ca'acit#, intelligence and
'erce'tion
?/ill T 5 $easure o( the character1s (orce o( 'ersonalit#, and abilit# to endure
'ain
?Healt% T 5 $easure o( the characterUs "-ysi%al sta$ina, abilit# to resist
disease, and s'eed
?Fate T 5 $easure o( the character1s luck and 'aranor$al abilities.
5ttribute scores 'rogress eA'onentiall#, rather than linearl# as is t#'ical o( $an#
ga$es. Increasing an abilit# score b# : is an a''roAi$ate doubling o( the
5ttribute. ,or eAa$'le, a Strength score o( 9 could li(t a''roAi$atel# 100 kg,
-hile a score o( 1+ -ould double that to +00 kg.
5 score o( I&9 is considered average (or an# hu$an attribute, 1: is the u''er
li$it o( hu$an abilit#, and an#thing over 1I considered legendar#.
Skills
Skills are 'urchased using skill 'oints in a si$ilar $anner to attributes. 2ach
skill has an associated attribute= Firearms is based on 5gilit#, +rorammin
based on 5-areness, etc. 5 character -ithout an# abilit# in a 'articular skill can
use the base attribute -ith a 'enalt# to deter$ine the success o( an action.
S'ending 'oints on a skill -ill eli$inate the 'enalt# and s'ending $ore 'oints
-ill grant bonus dice.
The basic ga$e s#ste$ 'rovides an eAtensive list o( 'ossible skills and
s'eciali/ations to the$, and each setting co$es -ith listings o( additional
setting&s'eci"c skills. Pla#ers are encouraged to create $ore skills as needed to
cover -hatever ga$e setting or st#le the# $ight -ant.
*raits
Traits are additional things about a character, 'ositive or negative, that hel'
>esh the$ out. Traits are 'urchased using either 5P or SP, de'ending on -hich
trait is -anted. So$e negative traits give the 'la#er additional 5P or SP to
s'end.
5n eAa$'le is the character1s age. *ost characters are considered to start at
bet-een 18@+0 #ears old ((or hu$ans). 5n older character -ould lose 5ttribute
Points, as an aging 'erson -ould generall# get 'h#sicall# -eaker= but gain Skill
Points, as the# generall# have learned $ore skills in their longer li(e.
%haracters could also be $ore (or less) -ealth# than average, or have a s'ecial
abilit# like eAce'tional luck or the abilit# to use $agic (de'ending on the ga$e
setting). Garious ga$e setting include rules (or $an# additional traits, and
'la#ers are encouraged to create $ore as the# see "t.
Success olls
!A$A is a d8&based dice 'ool s#ste$. 5 higher abilit# or skill level -ill allo- a
'la#er to roll $ore dice to deter$ine success or (ailure o( an action, but onl# a
li$ited nu$ber o( dice & usuall# three, although there is a Trait that 'er$its (our
or $ore under certain conditions & $a# be chosen (ro$ the total nu$ber o( dice
rolled. I( there are $ore than three dice in the 'ool, one o( the$ $a# be
converted to a 9+. So an action -ith a di3icult# o( 1 -ill al-a#s succeed, but an
action -ith a di3icult# higher than +0 -ill al-a#s (ail, as +0 is the highest
'ossible roll on :d89+. 5dditional (actors $a# $ake an action $ore or less
di3icult, thus increasing or decreasing the nu$ber needed (or success.
Combat
%o$bat in !A$A is handled either b# o''osing rolls ($VlWe) or against a set
di3icult# (ranged), both o( -hich $ight be $odi"ed b# things like target si/e,
$ove$ent, visibilit# and so on. There are also nu$erous o'tional rules, such as
eA'losions, called shots, hit locations and their s'eci"c da$age e3ects,
auto$atic "re, 'arr#ing etc.
Damage and de)enses
!A$A has t-o t#'es o( da$age, lethal and non&lethal. %utting and 'iercing
attacks tend to be lethal, crushing attacks hal(&lethal and unar$ed attacks non&
lethal.
Ad&ancement
I$'roving the characters is done -ith eA'erience 'oints, -hich are either
accu$ulated (or general use b# adventuring, or (or s'eci"c skills b# training.
EABA!related games
?Fires of #eaven & science "ction setting
?Bt-rek & a lo- tech O (antas# setting
?Colonies & science "ction setting
?1eoTerra & c#ber'unk O virtual realit# setting
?Time9ords & ti$e travel setting
?S"a%eTime & science "ction O c#ber'unk
?Dark Millennium & alternate histor#, /o$bies in 11th centur# 2arth
?Ae of )uin & 'ost&a'ocal#'se setting
?Code?$la%k & $odern da# horror setting
?War"World & (antas# O 'sionic O $odern setting
?!A$Alar" & a live action role&'la#ing version o( the rules
?!A$Aany.-ere & a highl# tri$$ed version o( the rules, (ocusing on 'ortabilit#
and 'la#abilit#
External links
?Blacksburg Tactical Research %enter -eb site
?!A$A lite, a (ree version o( !A$A
?5 large revie- o( 25B5 on r'g.net
1ate 2role!playing game system3
FA&(
Fate Core *+th ed., cover page
Designer(s) ,red Micks, Rob Donoghue
Publisher(s) 2vil Mat Productions
Publication date +00:, +01:
!enre(s) 6niversal
Fate is a generic role&'la#ing ga$e s#ste$ based on the F2DG! ga$ing s#ste$.
It has no "Aed setting, traits, or genre and is custo$i/able. It is designed to o3er
$ini$al obstruction to role&'la#ing b# assu$ing 'la#ers -ant to $ake (e-er dice
rolls.
Fate -as -ritten b# ,red Micks and Rob Donoghue= the 1st edition -as 'ublished
in earl# +00:,
::
and the latest version (7th edition) -as 'ublished success(ull#
through cro-d sourcing Hickstarter in +01:. Fate gained adherents both (or its
high level o( su''ort, -hich is unusual (or a (ree ga$e, and (or the nu$erous
innovative ga$ing $echanics. )iki'edia;%itation needed
System
(Jote that this section re(ers to ,ate %ore as the latest edition)
::htt';OO---.(ater'g.co$O-'&contentOu'loadsO+01:O0FO(ate1e.'d(
,ate is based on the old ,6D!2 s#ste$, and uses F2DG!1s verbal scale and
,udge dice, but $ost versions o( ,ate esche- the use o( $andator# traits such as
Strength and Intelligence. Instead, it uses a long list o( skills and assu$es that
ever# character is D$ediocreD in all skills eAce't those that the character is
eA'licitl# de"ned as being good at. 2Ace'tional abilities are de"ned through the
use o( Stunts and As"e%ts.
5n as'ect is a (ree (or$ descri'tor o( so$ething notable about either the
character or the scene, and is so$ething that is true. 5 relevant as'ect can also
be invoked (or a bonus a(ter rolling (either (or 9+ or to reroll the dice) b#
s'ending a (ate 'oint, and $a# also be co$'elled to in>uence the setting b#
o3ering the 'erson -ith the as'ect a (ate 'oint (-hich the# can re(use b#
s'ending one o( their o-n) to 'ut the$ at a disadvantage relevant to the as'ect=
the eAa$'le given in the rule book re(ers to one o( the 'la#er character1s )ivals
in t-e Collee Ar%ane (as'ect being co$'elled) attacking the$ in the bath so
the# don1t have access to their e.ui'$ent.
Stunts are eAce'tional abilities that grant the character a s'eci"c $echanical
bene"t= these $a# be dra-n (ro$ a 're&de"ned list o( stunts included in the
rules, or created (ollo-ing guidelines 'rovided b# the authors. 5s'ects, on the
other hand, are al-a#s de"ned b# the 'la#er. ,or eAa$'le, a 'la#er $a# choose
to give their character an as'ect o( DBra-n#D (or D*uscle *anD or D)ir#
StrengthD)= during 'la#, the 'la#er $a# invoke those as'ects to gain a te$'orar#
bonus in a relevant situation. 5s'ects $a# also relate to a character1s
'ossessions, e.g. the character Indiana Lones (or eAa$'le, $ight have the 5s'ect
D)hi' and ,edoraD.
1A*E &ersus 1ate 2naming con&entions3
)hen the s#ste$ -as originall# 'ublished ,5T2 -as considered an acron#$ (or
X,udge 5dventures in Tableto' 2ntertain$entY and then X,antastic 5dventures
in Tableto' 2ntertain$entY. *ost recentl# FAT! has been si$'li"ed to Nust be
Fate and is no longer an acron#$.
:7
1ate %'" resources
)hile there has been concern that F2DG! -ould restrict its Do'enD license and
thus (orce Fate to change to a di3erent underl#ing $echanic, such (ears have
subsided once F2DG! itsel( -as released under the 4'en !a$ing <icense. Fate
has an associated PahooZ !rou' to discuss the ga$ing s#ste$ and share settings
and conversions o( other role&'la#ing ga$es.
:7,ate not ,5T2, b# ,red Micks
1ate 4rd Edition
The :rd edition o( Fate -as no longer a generic RP! like the "rst t-o versions,
but set in the 'ul' genre. It is called S'irit o( the %entur# and -as no$inated in
+00F (or an 2Jnie a-ard (or $est )ules. The :rd edition rules also are used (or
the Dresden Files role&'la#ing ga$e. The S#ste$ Re(erence Docu$ents (or S"irit
of t-e Century
:I
and Dias"ora
:8
are also currentl# available. Several other role&
'la#ing ga$es are built on the ga$e $echanics o( Fate 480.
1ate Core 25th edition3 and 1ate Accelerated
Edition 21AE3
5 ne- (7th) edition called Fate Core (again a generic version) -as 'ublished in
+01:, (unded b# a success(ul cro-d(unding ca$'aign, and is released under t-o
,ree content licenses; %% BP :.0 and the 4'en ga$ing license.
5s a result o( the cro-d (unding e3ort, 2vil Mat Productions released Fate
A%%elerated' a strea$lined version o( the rules based on the sa$e core $echanic
intended to get 'la#ers into the ga$e (aster. 4ne notable di3erence is that skills
are re'laced -ith the a''roaches o( %are(ul, %lever, ,lash#, ,orce(ul, Suick, and
Sneak#.
6ickstarter Success
To release the ne- version o( ,ate, 2vil Mat Productions ran a Hickstarter
ca$'aign that initiall# asked (or [:,000. 5t the end o( the ca$'aign the# raised
[7::,:8I and eA'anded the 'roduct line signi"cantl#, adding t-o -orld books
and a s#ste$ toolkit, as -ell as a host o( other boons.
:F
P's based on 1ate
This list includes i$'le$entations o( the ,ate s#ste$ as -ell as RP!s eA'licitl#
ins'ired b# it.
:
?Ae of Art-ur
?Aents of S8W8A818G8
?Atomi% )o,o
?A.esome Adventures
:ISot% SRD
:8Dias'ora SRD
:Fhtt';OO---.kickstarter.co$O'roNectsOevilhatO(ate&core
:,ate and Its Branches \ ,ate
?Base Raiders
?$lood & #onor
?$ulldos0
?C-roni%a Feudalis
?Da.nin Star? Fate of !os
?Dias"ora
?2drigohr (Dark 5ge o( <egends)
?T-e Dresden Files
?#ouses of t-e $looded
?AC51S
?T-e 6er,eros Clu, CFate !ditionD
?9eends of Anlerre
?Malmsturm
?MindEammer
?Jova PraAis (Transhu$an Sci&")
?S"irit of t-e Century
?Star,lazer Adventures (based on the Starbla/er co$ics series under license
(ro$ D% Tho$son)
?Strands o( ,ate (Presents the ,ate rules as a universal s#ste$ (or use in an#
setting, 'o-er level, or genre.)
?A World of De.
A#ards
In the +00: Indie RP! 5-ards, Fate -on a nu$ber o( a-ards;
?,irst Place & $est Free Game of t-e Bear
?,irst Place & $est Su""ort
?Third Place & Andie )+G of t-e Bear
?Reci'ient & Andy<s C-oi%e A.ard
The ,ate role'la#ing ga$e has resulted in -inning the (ollo-ing 2JJI2S
a-ards;
?+017 $est We,site' Silver Winner for Fate S)DF $est AidGA%%essory' Silver
Winner for !ldrit%- Fate Di%eF $est Family Game' Gold Winner for Fate
A%%elerated !ditionF $est Game' Gold Winner for Fate Core SystemF $est )+G
)elated +rodu%t' Silver Winner for Strane Tales of t-e CenturyF $est )ules'
Gold Winner for Fate Core SystemF $est Su""lement' Silver Winner for Fate
System ToolkitF +rodu%t of t-e Bear' Silver Winner for Fate Core System
:9
?+011 $est Game' Gold WinnerF $est 1e. Game' Gold WinnerF $est +rodu%tion
Halues' Silver WinnerF $est )ules' Gold WinnerF $est Writin' Gold WinnerF
+rodu%t of t-e Bear' Silver Winner T Dresden ,iles Role'la#ing !a$e
70
?+00 Jo$inated (or $est Su""lement I S'irit o( the Season
71
?+00F $est )ules' Silver WinnerF $est Game' #onora,le Mention T S'irit o( the
%entur#
7+
External links
?The Fate Role&Pla#ing !a$e
?2vil Mat Productions, $akers o( Fate
?Fate %ore and ,52 SRD (the ne- rules (ro$ the Hickstarter)
1udge 2role!playing game system3
Fudge
Designer(s) Ste3an 41Sullivan
Publisher(s) !re# !host Press
Publication date 199+
!enre(s) 6niversal
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70htt';OO---.ennie&a-ards.co$OblogOabout&usO+011&no$inees&and&-innersO
71htt';OO---.ennie&a-ards.co$OblogOabout&usO+00&no$s&and&-innersO
7+htt';OO---.ennie&a-ards.co$OblogOabout&usO+00F&no$s&and&-innersO
Fudge is a generic role&'la#ing ga$e s#ste$ (or use in (ree(or$ role&'la#ing
ga$es. The na$e DF2DG!D -as once an acron#$ (or Freeform 2niversal
Donated (later, Do*it*yourself) Gamin !nine and, though the acron#$ has since
been dro''ed, that 'hrase re$ains a good su$$ation o( the ga$e1s design
goals. Fude has been no$inated (or an 4rigins 5-ard (or $est )ole*+layin
Game System (or the Deryni )ole*+layin Game.
Rather than being a rigidl# 're&de"ned set o( rules like d20 System or G2)+S,
Fude o3ers a custo$i/able toolkit (or building the users1 o-n s'eciali/ed role&
'la#ing ga$e s#ste$. Such things as -hat attributes and skills -ill de"ne
characters are le(t to be deter$ined b# the !a$e *aster and 'la#ers, and
several di3erent o'tional s#ste$s (or resolving actions and con>icts are o3ered.
Fude is not tied to an# 'articular genre or setting and -orld builders are
encouraged to invent a''ro'riate attributes and rules tailored to the ca$'aign.
History
The 'roNect that -ould lead to Fude -as "rst 'ro'osed b# Ste3an 41Sullivan on
1F Jove$ber 199+ on the rec.ga$es.design ne-sgrou',
7:
and over the (ollo-ing
$onths that online co$$unit# -ould contribute to the directed 'roNect.
77
4ne o(
the earliest sti'ulations o( 41Sullivan -as that the basic s#ste$ -ould al-a#s
re$ain (ree to the 'ublic over the internet, and the PD, o( the 199I version still
is.
7I
The 199I version o( Fude is available under a non&co$$ercial licence.
!re# !host Press, -ith the endorse$ent o( Ste3an 41Sullivan, 'ublishes an
eA'anded (or$ o( the Fude s#ste$. There have been three !re# !host Press
editions, the $ost current being the Fude :0t- Anniversary !dition, -hich
includes several suggested rules s#ste$s (or co$$on RP! ele$ents and an
eAa$'le basic (antas# DbuildD o( the ga$e.
In *arch +007, !re# !host Press ac.uired the co'#right o( Fude, and on 5'ril
8, +00I, the# released a version o( Fude under the 4'en !a$e <icense.
The 4!< license has allo-ed the FAT! role*"layin ame to use Fude as its
underl#ing $echanic.
78
In 1999 +yramid $aga/ine na$ed Fude as one o( T-e Millennium<s Most
2nderrated Games. 2ditor Scott Maring stated that DFude is an eAtre$el#
>eAible, rules&light s#ste$. It -orks great, and ever#bod# -ho 'la#s it, loves it.
)h# isn1t it $ore 'o'ular] I dunno.D
7:net.r'g.(ree(or$ 1 o( +
77net.r'g.(ree(or$ + o( +
7I,udge Designer1s notes
78htt';OOr'gblog.t#'e'ad.co$Or'g^blogO+00IO0IOthe^(ate^interv.ht$l
7ame
5t the ti$e Fude -as conceived, it -as st#lish to give role&'la#ing ga$es
acron#$s (or na$es ((or instance, G2)+S and TW!)+S) and originall# the
usenet design 'roNect re(erred to the ga$e as S92G, (or DSi$'le <aid&back
6niversal !a$eD. Mo-ever, this -as soon changed to F2DG! (or D,ree&(or$
6niversal Donated !a$ing 2ngineD, but also because the -ord invoked
connotations o( an eas# to $ake source o( (un. This again -as changed -hen
!re# !host Press released their 199I hardco'# version o( the ga$e, to D,ree&
(or$ 6niversal Do&it&#oursel( !a$ing 2ngineD.
)ith the 'ublication o( the 2A'anded 2dition in +000, the (ad (or acron#$&based
na$es had long since (aded, and the -riter and the 'ublisher both (elt that the
(orced acron#$ had beco$e irrelevant. The ga$e has been re(erred to o3iciall#
as Nust Fude ever since, though (ans o(ten still re(er to it in the old $anner as
F2DG!.
'ame mechanics
In Fude, character Traits such as 5ttributes and Skills, are rated on a seven&
level, ascending adNective scale; Terri,le' +oor' Medio%re' Fair' Good' Great' and
Su"er,8
Fude characters can also have !i(ts and ,aults, -hich are 'ositive and negative
traits that do not "t into the adNective scale.
1udge dice
Fude uses custo$i/ed DFude diceD -hich have an e.ual nu$ber o( 'lus, $inus
and blank sides. 5 nu$ber o( these dice are rolled, usuall# (our at a ti$e (D7d,D
in ,udge dice notation), and (or ever# 'lus side that co$es u' the result o( using
the Trait is considered one ste' higher (e.g. (ro$ Fair to Good) and (or ever#
$inus side that co$es u' the result is considered one ste' lo-er. The goal is to
$atch or sur'ass the di3icult# level, also on the adNective scale, o( the test. Thus,
a Good attribute is considered to be Great i( #ou -ere to roll t-o 'lus sides, one
$inus side, and one blankTthe $inus side cancels out one o( the 'lus sides and
the re$aining 'lus side raises the result b# one ste'. The sa$e Good attribute
-ould be considered +oor i( #ou -ere to roll three $inus sides and one blank.
The sa$e dice roll can be achieved -ith siA&sided dice, treating a 1&+ as _&`, a :&7
as _ ` and a I&8 as _9`.
There are also several alternative dice s#ste$s available that use ten&sided dice,
coins, or 'la#ing cards.
Complexity
The rules o( Fude are highl# custo$i/able and can be adNusted (or the level o(
si$'licit# or co$'leAit# desired b# the !a$e *aster and Pla#ers. 4verall, the
s#ste$ is designed to encourage role&'la#ing over strict adherence to an
arbitrar# set o( rules. In (act, the $ain Fude docu$ents encourage 'la#ers to
DLust ,udge ItD= that is, to (ocus on the stor# being created rather than on the
ga$e rules. ,or eAa$'le, one character creation $ethod encourages 'la#ers to
"rst -rite 'rose descri'tions o( their characters and then translate those into
Fude Traits.
External links
?!re# !host Press1 Fude -eb'age
?Ste3an 41Sullivan1s Fude -eb'age
?Sera'hi$ !uard1s -eb'age. Sera'hi$ !uard 'ublishes #eart(uest, the "rst
co$$erciall# 'ublished Fude&based role&'la#ing ga$e, in addition to other
,udge ga$es, and su''ort (or other ga$ing s#ste$s as -ell.
?RP!!eek <isting ,udge S#ste$
?online (udge ga$es ame fude -ebsite
1uzion
Fu'ion +4ersion 5621,
Designer(s) ,u/ion <ab !rou's
Publisher(s) ,u/ion <ab !rou's O Mero !a$es
Publication date 199
!enre(s) 6niversal
Fuzion is a generic role&'la#ing ga$e s#ste$ created b# the collaboration o( R.
Talsorian !a$es and Mero !a$es. Fuzion is a co$bination o( the Interlock
S#ste$, (used in ga$es like Mekton and Cy,er"unk 2020), and the M2R4 s#ste$
(used in C-am"ions, 7usti%e' An%8, Star #ero, etc.). Fuzion is an ada'table s#ste$
-hich can be 'la#ed in an# genre and setting i$aginable.
Fuzion is noted (or its ani$e&genre su''ort, custo$i/able rules >eAibilit#, and
being one o( the "rst generic ga$e s#ste$s to be released (or (ree over the
internet. It is one o( the "rst ga$es to readil# allo- licensing, albeit not the
Dhands&o3D licensing o3ered b# the 4'en !a$ing <icense (4!<) that ca$e about
so$e #ears later. 5 $odi"ed 4!< set o( rules based on Fuzion is 'ublished b#
!old Rush !a$es as the A%tion0 System.
There are t-o versions o( Fuzion that have been 'ublished; the si$'li"ed
-nstant Fuzion, and $ore detailed Total Fuzion (also kno-n as +rimary
Fuzion). 5 third, Ma.imum Fuzion, -as hinted at in Fuzion&based $u,,leum
Crisis RP!, but has never been 'ublished.
Making 1uzion characters
Fuzion uses a 'oint&based creation $ethod (or building characters. This s#ste$
is si$ilar to both o( the 'arent s#ste$s as -ell as other generic ga$es like
G2)+S.
Character Points
Fuzion characters are built -ith C-ara%ter +oints CC+sD, also kno-n as Stat
Points. De'ending on the D'o-er levelD o( the ga$e, the Re(eree (or !a$e
*aster), assigns 'la#ers a nu$ber o( %Ps to bu# 5ttribute Stats. 6suall#, 70 to I0
'oints are enough (or a heroic Daction&adventureD setting. ,e-er 'oints -ould be
given (or lo-&'o-er ga$es set in a $ore realistic, D$undaneD -orld. 5 hundred
(or $ore) 'oints are given (or high&'o-ered, su'erheroic adventures. %Ps are
used to bu# levels in +rimary Stats -hich are the basic attribute abilities o( the
character.
%ption Points and Po#er Points
5"tion +oints C5+sD, or %a$'aign Points, are given to characters to bu#
%haracter 4'tions. 4Ps are assigned b# the Re(eree and are usuall# ke't
se'arate (ro$ the %haracter Point 'ool. The Re(eree usuall# gives a 'ool o( as
$an# 4Ps as he gives %Ps. 5t the 'la#er1s choice, an# le(tover %Ps not used to
bu# Stats can be traded (or 4Ps at a ratio o( 1;I, (1 %P Q I 4P) and vice versa.
4Ps can also be converted into $one# to bu# 2.ui'$ent at a ratio o( 1;100= (1
4P Q 100 units o( currenc#). The actual t#'e o( currenc# is de'endent u'on the
genre being 'la#ed, ((or instance a (antas# $edieval&era ga$e $a# use gold
'ieces, a $odern action ga$e set in the 6nited States -ould use dollars, a sci&"
(uture setting $a# use galactic credits).
%ertain ca$'aigns using the Fuzion s#ste$ can have +o.er +oints C++sD, -hich
are assigned to the 'la#ers b# the Re(eree Nust like %Ps and 4Ps. PPs are o'tional
and are used -ith *agic, Psionics, and Su'er Po-ers. %Ps can be traded (or PPs
at a ratio o( 1;1, (1 %P Q 1 PP), and 4Ps can be traded as -ell, at a ratio o( I;1,
(I 4P Q 1 PP). 6sing PPs hel's the Re(eree kee' su'er'o-ers under control b#
restricting ho- o(ten a character can use the$.
Primary Stats
In Total Fuzion, a character usuall# has ten Stats, (or %haracteristics), organi/ed
in (our grou's as (ollo-s;
P%ysical Group
?%onstitution (%4J)
?Strength (STR)
?Bod# (B4DP)
$ental Group
?Intelligence (IJT)
?)ill'o-er ()I<<)
?Presence (PR2) (or Personalit# (P2R), or %ool (%44<)
7F
Combat Group
?Techni.ue (T2%M)
?Re>eAes (R2,)
?DeAterit# (D2C)
$o4ement Group
?*ove$ent (*4G2)
7F%#ber'unk G.: Rulebook
In the sli$$ed do-n Anstant Fuzion rules, the character has onl# (our $ain Stats
based on each o( the (our Stat grou's; Ph#sical, *ental, %o$bat, and *ove$ent.
%haracter Points are used to bu# levels in a Stat at a ratio o( 1;1= 1 %P bu#s 1
level o( a Stat. ,or the average Dco$'etentD hu$an, each Stat has a level o( : or
7, -hile 1 and + re'resent $undane abilities. Stats o( I and 8 are considered
DheroicD= F and , are Dlegendar#D= 9 and above are Dsu'erhu$anD.
Fuzion is a >eAible and easil# $odi"able s#ste$, so $ore Stats can be added to
an# categor# b# the Re(eree as the# see "t. ,or instance, in a $agical -orld, the
Re(eree could add a *ana Stat (or the casting and control $agic s'ells, or add a
%o$eliness Stat, -hich rates the 'h#sical attractiveness o( a character. <ike-ise,
Stats can be re$oved -ithout too $uch di3icult#. I( the Re(eree (eels there is no
real di3erence bet-een DeAterit# and Re>eAes, the# could re$ove one or the
other, and use a single Stat (or both.
Deri&ed Stats
Fuzion characters have nu$erous Derived Stats, -hich get their values based on
the level o( a 'ri$ar# Stat and 'er(or$ing a $athe$atical (or$ula to calculate a
nu$ber. ,or instance, a character gets Mit Points (called #its), and Stun Points
(called Stun), b# taking their Bod# Stat and $ulti'l#ing it b# I. There(ore, a
character -ith a Bod# Stat o( I -ould have +I Mits and +I Stun. Derived Stats
do not cost 'oints to 'urchase. De'ending on the genre, the Re(eree can choose
-hat Derived Stats he -ants in his ca$'aign. So$e are re.uired, like Mits, Stun,
and Recover#, but others, like <uck and Mu$anit#, are o'tional. %haracters can
also trade u' to 1O+ o( their Stun 'oints (or $ore Mits i( the# so desire.
In Anstant Fuzion, a character has t-o Derived Stats; Mits and De(ense.
Skills
Fuzion characters have Skills that re'resent s'eci"c areas o( kno-ledge that are
use(ul in the ga$e. Skills are 'urchased -ith 4'tion Points at a ratio o( 1;1, (1
4P Q 1 level o( a Skill). Fuzion has a large arra# o( Skills to choose (ro$.
Re(erees and 'la#ers can also $ake u' their o-n skills as needed. Skills are
organi/ed b# t#'e;
?Fig%ting Skills are used $ainl# in co$bat situations (or evading attacks and
using hand held -ea'ons. The# $a# also be used (or *artial 5rts and unar$ed
co$bat. 6suall# a character (ocuses on a 'articular t#'e o( -ea'on, such as
S-ord, *ace, Dagger and Mand&to&Mand.
?)anged Fig%ting Skills are used (or handling ranged -ea'ons such as guns
and bo-s. 6suall# the# are (ocused on a 'articular t#'e o( ranged -ea'on, such
as %rossbo-, Shotgun and Rocket <auncher.
?A#areness Skills are such skills as Perce'tion, Search, Tracking and <i'
Reading
?Control Skills are used (or o'erating vehicles and handling ani$als. 6suall#
the# are (ocused on a t#'e o( vehicle, such as 5uto$obile driving or Melico'ter
'iloting.
?P%ysical or Body Skills are such skills as 5crobatics, %li$bing, and Stealth.
?Social Skills are such skills as Briber#, Interrogation and 2ti.uette.
?&ec%nical or &ec%ni7ue Skills are co$'leA skills such as Surger#, ,irst 5id,
De$olitions and <ock'icking.
?Per8ormance Skills are such as 5cting, Singing, Painting and 'la#ing a
s'eci"c kind o( $usical instru$ent.
?Kno#ledge Skills re'resent co$'leA areas o( s'eciali/ed education, such as
%ri$inal <a-, ,orensics, %he$istr#, 2ngineering, and ,oreign <anguage.
,or (ree, a starting character gets a set o( !veryman Skills that are 'icked b# the
Re(eree as a''ro'riate to the ca$'aign. 2ver#$an Skills include + 'oints each in
such Skills as 2ducation (-hich includes all basic kno-ledge a character learns
through #ears o( schooling like basic $athe$atics and reading (or eAa$'le), and
other skills, like 2vasion, Mand&to&Mand, <ocal 5rea Hno-ledge and Perce'tion.
,or a $odern or (uturistic ca$'aign, Driving and %o$'uter 6se $a# also be
co$$on 2ver#$an skills. 5t the Re(eree1s discretion, the 2ducation skill can be
used as a catch&all (or -hen a character (aces a challenge in a skill the# do not
'ossess= the# can D-ing itD b# adding their 2ducation skill bonus to the die roll.
Character options
%haracter o'tions co$e in the (or$ o( Talents, %o$'lications, Perks, <i(e'aths,
and Te$'lates.
Talents re'resent s'ecial innate abilities o( a character that cannot be taken
a-a# (ro$ the$, or used b# another character. The# re'resent certain areas o(
s'ecial training, or inherited abilities that are not covered b# Skills. In a -a#,
the# are si$ilar to 5dvantages in G2)+S, or ,eats in a d20 System ga$e, and
o3er bene"ts to the character. Talents cost : 4'tion Points each. So$e Talents
include; %o$bat Sense, <ightning %alculator, Photogra'hic *e$or#, <ight
Slee'er, S'eed Reading, and 5$bideAterit#.
Com"li%ations re'resent s'ecial hindrances to the character. The# are si$ilar to
Disadvantages in G2)+S. %o$'lications are a -a# to gain back 4Ps to s'end
else-here. 2ach %o$'lication returns a nu$ber o( 'oints based on the
hindrance the# give the character, and ho- o(ten the# cro' u' in the ga$e. 5
'er$anent %o$'lication, such as *issing <i$b, is al-a#s a 'roble$ (or a
character and returns $an# 'oints. 4thers, like 2ne$# or De'endent, $a# cro'
u' occasionall# during a ga$e and o3er less 'oints back. So$e other
%o$'lications include; Bad Te$'ered, Sense o( Dut#, Stubbornness, De'endents,
Phobias, Bad Re'utation, Povert#, and 5ddiction.
+erks are si$ilar to Talents, but are not innate to the character. The# can be lost
or taken a-a# b# actions in the ga$e. The# usuall# include S'ecial 2.ui'$ent,
Securit# %learances, <icenses, Per$its, and %ontacts (-ho a character can use to
gain in(or$ation or call in (avors (ro$).
9ife"at-s are an o'tional -a# to rando$l# generate character backgrounds and
'ersonalities through a series o( tables. 5 character rolls on a list o( o'tions, or
the# can 'ick and chose the$ as the# see "t. So$e <i(e'ath choices could give a
character a s'ecial Talent, %o$'lication, or Perk (or (ree.
Tem"lates are (eatured in certain Fuzion ca$'aigns, -hich can be chosen b#
'la#ers to hel' design a -ell rounded character suited (or a s'eci"c career, (such
as 'olice o3icer, soldier, doctor, etc.). Te$'lates eA'lain things about the
character1s Nob, and give a listing o( 'articular Skills, Talents, %o$'lications,
Perks and starting e.ui'$ent.
1uzion game mechanics
)henever a character does so$e kind o( critical action in Fuzion that needs to
be resolved, a character $akes a die roll to see i( the# succeed or (ail at the task.
There are t-o kinds o( resolution tests in Fuzion= those rolled against a Di=i%ulty
Halue CDHD deter$ined b# the Re(eree, and those rolled against -hat another
character does. DGs range (ro$ Dver# eas#D, such as he(ting a bag o( garbage to
the street (DG +), to Dcos$icD, like he(ting a $ountain and thro-ing it into an
ocean (DG 1009). )hen resolving a contest bet-een characters, the DG o( the
check is the result o( the roll the o''osing (orce $akes or, to save ti$e, the
Re(eree could add a set nu$ber, D9CD, to an JP%1s abilities, -hich t#'icall# is
910 -hen using :d8 or 9I using 1d10.
Regardless o( -hat the character is rolling against, the 'la#er has to roll the
target nu$ber or higher on the dice to succeed. This the o''osite o( Fuzion<s
'arent, the M2R4 S#ste$ (-hich is si$ilar to the !6RPS $echanic), -here the
roll $ust be e.ual to, or less than the target nu$ber to succeed.
esol&ing actions
6nder standard rules, Fuzion o3ers t-o -a#s to resolve actions -ith dice. 5
Re(eree can 'ick either using three siA&sided dice (:d8), like the M2R4 S#ste$,
or one ten&sided die (d10), like the Interlock S#ste$ used in Cy,er"unk and
Mekton. 6sing :d8 (or checks subNects it to the $ore 'redictable Dbell curveD
and has a higher 'robabilit# o( success. 6sing a d10 is $ore un'redictable and
adds a level o( uncertaint# and sus'ense. )hen using d10, the DG values are set
lo-er than -hen using :d8.
5nother as'ect o( Fuzion1s >eAibilit# is the eas# ada'tation to the use o( d1+ or
d+0 dice (or $aking checks. %onsult the table belo- (or variations o( the
Di3icult# Galues b# die t#'e;
Di3icult# Galue 1d10 Resolution
(9I)
:d8 or 1d+0
Resolution
(910)
91d8&1d8 or
91d10&1d10
(90)
91d1+ (8)
%hallenged (DG
0)
I 10 0 8
2ver#da# (DG 7)9 17 7 10
%o$'etent (DG
)
1: 1 17
Meroic (DG 1+) 1F ++ 1+ 1
Incredible (DG
18)
+1 +8 18 ++
<egendar# (DG
+0)
+I :0 +0 +8
The resolution (or$ula is; Stat J Skill J Die )oll vs8 Di=i%ulty Halue CDHD. )hen
an action is o''osed b# another character or t-o characters are co$'eting to
co$'lete the sa$e action, the (or$ula beco$es Stat J Skill J Die )oll vs8 Stat J
Skill J CDie )oll or J@D. %o$bat resolution is si$ilar to an o''osed skill check. I(
a character1s Stat 9 Skill alread# $eets or eAceeds the DG, it is usuall#
considered an auto$atic success -ithout $aking a die roll.
There is also the o'tional rule o( Criti%al Su%%esses and Criti%al Failures. I( using
a d10, rolling a 10 is a %ritical Success, and allo-s a second roll. The result o(
the second roll is added to the "rst to calculate the result. ,urther 101s $a# be
rerolled. 5 roll o( 1 is an critical (ailure and #ou subtract 1d10 (ro$ #our total.
)hen using :d8= a roll o( all siAes, (an 1), is a %ritical Success, and t-o
additional dice can be rolled and added to the result. 5 roll o( three ones, (a :), is
a %ritical ,ailure, (even i( all #ou onl# needed to roll -as a : to succeed the
check), and subtract +d8 (ro$ the total. 5 %ritical ,ailure $a# re'resent
so$ething $ore disastrous ha''ening to the character as the Re(eree sees "t. 5
%ritical ,ailure on a <ock'icking task, (or eAa$'le, could trigger a silent alar$
the character -asn1t a-are o(.
Combat actions
Fuzion uses rounds, (called +-ases), to ti$e actions taken in co$bat. 5 t#'ical
Phase in Fuzion re'resents : seconds o( real ti$e, and +0 Phases Q 1 $inute.
During a Phase, a character can 'er(or$ one o( several $asi% A%tions, such as
5ttack, Block (Parr#), or *ove.
Advan%ed A%tions usuall# take $ore ti$e and additional 'hases to 'er(or$, like
casting a s'ell, or 'er(or$ing another co$'leA task.
Free A%tions take such little ti$e that can be 'er(or$ed i$$ediatel# and do not
use u' ti$e, such as dro''ing an ite$, standing u', or calling to an all#. The
character in a 'art# -ith the highest Re>eAes stat acts "rst, or the# can hold the
action and -ait to see -hat so$eone else is doing. There are no Initiative checks
unless the Re(eree decides to rando$l# see -ho goes "rst. In such a case, the
Re>eAes Stat can be added to the :d8 die roll. 6suall# a 'art# o( several JP%1s
act on one Initiative. Initiative is rolled again (or each co$bat Phase, or to save
ti$e, the !* can o't to use the sa$e initiative (or the rest o( the co$bat scene.
)hen $aking an o''osed roll against another character, (or JP%), the resolution
is handled di3erentl# and atte$'t to counteract -hat the o''osition does.
The t#'ical o''osed check (or$ula is; Atta%k Halue CAHD J Die )oll vs8 Defense
Halue CDHD J Die )oll' or Defense Halue J Flat @
To $ake things easier, a 'la#er should calculate their character1s 5Gs and DGs
ahead o( ti$e be(ore beginning 'la#. 5nother o'tion (or the de(ender to choose
Flat @, (or ,lat 10), -here the Di3icult# is al-a#s 10 9 the de(ender1s DG. The
attacker onl# rolls dice during the co$bat Phase, -hich hel's s'eed a co$bat
scene along. The ,lat C can be (urther $odi"ed b# ar$or, cover and range
'enalties.
esol&ing damage
<iving characters in Fuzion can take t-o kinds o( da$age= 9et-al Damae, (that
subtracts Mits), or Stun Damae, that subtracts Stun 'oints. )hen Mits (all to
/ero, a character is unconscious and $a# be d#ing. <osing (urther Mits can kill a
character i( it should (all t-ice belo- their Bod# Stat, that is, a character -ith
Bod# I, (and +I Mits), dies -hen his Mits (all to &10. )hen Stun (alls to /ero, a
character is out cold. 5t this 'oint, an# (urther da$age beco$es Stun )ollover at
1OI the Stun da$age and begin deducting (ro$ their Mits. )hen a character
loses 1O+ o( their Mits, all their stats dro' b# +. I( :O7 Mits are lost, all stats dro'
b# 7.
Inani$ate obNects, have Stru%tural Damae +oints or SDPs. )hen an obNect loses
all its SDPs, it is rendered useless= (a vehicle shuts do-n and grinds to a halt, a
-ea'on -ill no longer "re, etc.). It is destro#ed -hen it reaches t-ice its SDPs in
da$age. To kee' things si$'le, (and avoid rolling lots o( dice), large scale
-ea'ons in>ict 'oints o( da$age called 6ills, -hich re'resent destruction on a
$uch larger scale. Hills are used (or such things as giant $echa robots and
s'aceshi's. )ea'ons that in>ict Hill da$age are not usuall# s$all enough to be
carried around b# characters.
%haracter si/ed -ea'ons in Fuzion have Damae Classes, or (D%s). 2ach 'oint o(
D% re'resents a siA&sided die that is rolled to see ho- $uch da$age the -ea'on
can cause. SiA&sided dice are al-a#s used (or da$age rolls, regardless o( using a
d10 (or other die t#'es) (or checks. ,or instance, a light -eight handgun
t#'icall# has a D% o( := $eaning :d8 is rolled to deter$ine the da$age it causes
-hen it hits so$ething. So$e -ea'ons also have a Wea"on A%%ura%y CWAD value.
This nu$ber is (urther added to the 5ttack roll and raise the chances o( getting a
success(ul hit.
*elee -ea'on so$eti$es have a Minimum Strent- value. This is an o'tional
rule to add $ore realis$. 5 character $ust 'ossess the listed $ini$u$ level o(
STR to (ull# in>ict the -ea'on1s da$age. ,or ever# 'oint o( STR under the
$ini$u$, the -ea'on does one less die o( da$age. ,or eAa$'le; 5 BattleaAe has
a D% I and a *ini$u$ STR o( I. 5 character -ith an STR :, that uses the
BattleaAe, su3ers a &+ 'enalt# to his 5ttack roll. It -ill also onl# in>ict D% : o(
da$age because the character1s STR is + less than the $ini$u$ o( I. The
character also su3ers a &+ 'enalt# to an# Re>eA checks and Re>eA&based Skill
checks -hen -ielding the -ea'on.
,or unar$ed 'h#sical da$age, a character deals 1 D% o( 'unching da$age 'er
level o( STR Stat, that is, a character -ith STR : does : D% o( da$age. Hicking
adds an additional D%, that is, -ith a STR o( :, a character deals 7 D% o( da$age
-ith a kick.
So$e Fuzion ca$'aigns o3er an o'tional #it 9o%ation C-art -here :d8 is rolled
to deter$ine -hat s'eci"c 'art o( the bod# is hit b# an attack. De'ending on the
location, the da$age $a# be $odi"ed. ,or instance, i( da$age is a''lied to the
head, the da$age taken is doubled. I( a hand is struck, the da$age is halved.
6sing Mit <ocations allo-s Called S-ots -ith a &7 'enalt# to an attack roll to
strike a s'eci"c area.
e#ards
5(ter a good ga$e o( Fuzion, Re(erees can re-ard characters -ith $ore 4'tion
Points, (or 5-ard Points), -hich the# can use to i$'rove skills, and convert to
$one# to bu# $ore e.ui'$ent. 2nough 4Ps that are saved u' can later allo- a
'la#er to raise a Stat or t-o, and $a#be bu# a Talent or Perk, ho-ever the 'rice
(or (uture abilit# u'grades beco$es costl# and kee's characters (ro$ beco$ing
too 'o-er(ul, too .uickl#. ,or eAa$'le, to raise a skill (ro$ 7 to I costs a nu$ber
o( 4'tion Points 'er 'oint o( the skill1s neAt level. In this case, I o'tion 'oints. To
raise it again to 8, costs 8 $ore 'oints. To raise a 'ri$ar# stat costs I o'tion
'oints 'er level starting -ith the "rst. ,or eAa$'le, to raise a stat (ro$ 7 to I
costs +I o'tion 'oints (IAI). 5gain to 8 -ould cost :0 $ore 'oints (IA8).
'ames that use 1uzion
?Armored Troo"er Hotoms (R. Talsorian); 5 science "ction ga$e based on the
ani$e o( the sa$e na$e. (ISBJ 0&9:F+F9&9:&I)
?Artesia? Adventures in t-e 6no.n World (5rchaia Studios Press); 5 (antas#
ga$e based on the 5rtesia series o( co$ic books. (ISBJ 1&9:+:8&10&8)
?Atomik Fuzion; The 5to$ik (a$il# o( ,u/ion 'roducts (Alienz, Cy,er.are,
Mai%k, Motor.arz, +sioniks, Hiilantian and WA)) -ere eAhaustivel#
researched b# *ark %hase and 'ublished (reel# under the 5to$ik GorteA Studio
7
i$'rint. Due to a disagree$ent over licensing restrictions, the 5to$ik ,u/ion
line has been converted to generic role 'la#ing aids tied to no one ga$ing
s#ste$ and are no longer (ree.
?$u,,leum Crisis )+G (R. Talsorian); 5 high&'o-ered c#ber'unk ga$e based
on the ani$e o( the sa$e na$e, -ith t-o su''ort books. (ISBJ 0&9:F+F9&0&:)
?C-am"ions? T-e 1e. Millennium (Mero !a$es); 5n u'date o( the setting o( the
classic %ha$'ions su'erhero role 'la#ing ga$e, -ith t-o su''ort books. (ISBJ
0&9:F+F9&&9)
?C-roni%le 00:? @enomor"- Anvasion RP! (Dill# !reen Bean !a$es); Mardcore
science "ction -ar ga$e -ith strong $ilitar# content. The$ed like 5liens, The
Thing, Trans(or$ers.
?Cy,er"unk v480 RP! (R. Talsorian); The canon se.uel to %#ber'unk +0+0, it
takes 'lace so$eti$e in the +0:0s. (ISBJ 1&919::&0:&I)
?Draon,all K (R. Talsorian); 5 role&'la#ing ga$e using Instant ,u/ion, based on
the ani$e o( the sa$e na$e. (ISBJ 1&919::&00&0)
?Guardian 2niverse (Dill# !reen Been !a$es); Su'erhero ,u/ion su'erhero RP!
-ith one su''ort book. (ISBJ 0&9F7789&0&F)
?9i-ts"eed; Migh&(antas# s'ace o'era, ins'ired b# Star Trek and Star )ars, as
-ell as a do/en other sci&" settings, -ith t-o su''ort books. (The co$'an# and
the 'roduct have the sa$e na$e, as <ights'eed is the onl# 'roduct <ights'eed
$akes.) ( RP!no- 'urchase link)
?Senoku (!old Rush !a$es); Mistoric La'anese role'la#ing in La'an1s -arring
states 'eriod. (Mardcover ISBJ 1&90:0I&71&:, So(tcover ISBJ 1&90:0I&I0&+)
( RP!Jo- Purchase <ink)
?S-ards of t-e Stone? an electronic&onl# (antas# RP!.
?Teenaers from 5uter S"a%e (R. Talsorian); 5 -ild ani$e high school co$ed#
ga$e. The third edition -as $arketed as a ,u/ion title, but the s#ste$ 'redates
,u/ion b# several #ears and bears little $echanical rese$blance to other ,u/ion
ga$es.
7htt';OO---.$eta&earth.co$Oato$ikO
?2sai BoEim,o )ole"layin Game; 5nthro'o$or'hic ani$al role'la#ing in (eudal
La'an, based on the 6sagi PoNi$bo co$ic book series b# Stan Sakai. 6ses Instant
,u/ion. (ISBJ 1&90:0I&0+&+)
?Hi%toriana (Meres# !a$ing); Gictorian era (antas# role'la#ing -ith a strong
scienti"c ro$ance >avor. (ISBJ 1&907879&00&9)
?@andoria? Saa Colle%tion (Dill# !reen Bean !a$es); Sci&,iO,antas# ga$e -ith
a strong Phantas# Star the$e. (ISBJ 9F090190:)
?Korro (!old Rush !a$es); Role'la#ing in S'anish colonial %ali(ornia, based on
the Eorro novels b# Lohnston *c%ulle#. Instant ,u/ion (ISBJ 1&90:0I&+8&C) and
Total ,u/ion editions are available.
External links
?,u/ion <inks (ro$ the s#ste$1s current o-ner R. Talsorian, a s'arse but hand#
list.
?D!B! The creators o( !uardian 6niverse, Candoria and Ceno$or'h Invasion
?!old Rush !a$es co$'an# -ebsite && 5lthough !R! has started selling their
ga$es under the 4!< as A%tion0, the# still 'rovide su''ort (or the original
,u/ion versions o( their ga$es, and A%tion0 ga$es are generall# 9IK co$'atible
-ith ,u/ion.
?Trans(u/ion, a 'age -ith $ost o( the (ree ,u/ion "les in one 'lace, as -ell as a
selection o( conversions and 'lugins $ade b# others.
'8MSH%E System
&%e Gums%oe System (st#lised as T-e G2MS#5! System) is a role&'la#ing
ga$e s#ste$ created)iki'edia;*anual o( St#leODates and
nu$bersa%hronological ite$s b# Robin <a-s, designed (or running investigative
scenarios. The 're$ise is that investigative ga$es are not about "nding clues,
the# are about inter'reting the clues that are (ound. The Gums-oe System is
used in various ga$es 'ublished b# Pelgrane Press.
4( the ga$es in the line, Trail o( %thulhu -on the +010 <ucca !a$es a-ard (or
best role 'la#ing ga$e
79
and 5shen Stars -as a +011 no$inee (or the 4rigins
5-ard (or best RP!.
I0
79RP! !eek 'ro"le o( Trail o( %thulu
I0RP! !eek 'ro"le o( 5shen Stars
Concept
The Gums-oe System is designed around the idea that investigative scenarios
are di3icult to run -ith $ost role&'la#ing s#ste$s. The 'roble$ is identi"ed as
i$'ortant clues being $issed due to (ailed dice&rolls, resulting in 'la# grinding to
a halt.
The Gums-oe System is designed to solve this b# $aking the ga$e not about
"nding clues, but about inter'reting the$. 5ttention is given to designing
investigative scenarios, -hile at the sa$e ti$e the (ocus is 'ut on encouraging
the 'la#ers to take control o( the investigation (and, thereb#, the stor# being
told).
The Gums-oe System is 'la#er&centric, 'utting die rolling in the hands o( the
'la#ers -henever 'ossible. Jon&'la#er character abilities either $odi(# the roll
$ade b# the 'la#er, or succeeds or (ails de'ending on -hat the ga$e $aster
"nds dra$aticall# a''ro'riate. Direct con>ict bet-een characters, such as
co$bat, is an eAce'tion.
Character creation
Pla#er characters in the Gums-oe System are created b# using build points to
bu# rating points in character abilities. Points are s'ent on a one&(or&one basis.
2ach 'la#er character receives a nu$ber o( investigative build 'oints de'ending
on the nu$ber o( 'la#ers and the setting. In T-e !soterrorists setting, t-o
'la#ers receive :+ investigative build 'oints each, -hile "ve or $ore 'la#ers
receive +0 build 'oints each. 5n# nu$ber o( investigative build 'oints can be
s'ent on an investigative abilit#, though $ore than : or 7 'oints is rarel# use(ul.
2ach 'la#er character receives a nu$ber o( general build 'oints de'ending on
the setting, but regardless o( nu$ber o( 'la#ers. In T-e !soterrorists setting
'la#ers receive 80 general build 'oints each. 5n# nu$ber o( general build 'oints
can be s'ent on a general abilit#, as long as the second highest rated abilit# is at
least hal( that o( the highest rated. 5(ter a scenario is co$'leted, 'la#er
characters receives ne- build 'oints that can be used as either investigative or
general build 'oints. The a$ount ac.uired de'ends on the length o( the scenario.
There are no levels through -hich 'la#er characters 'rogress.
'ame mechanics
5ll $echanics in the Gums-oe System revolve around character abilities.
5ttributes, co$$on to $ost role&'la#ing ga$es, are not used in Gums-oe. Rating
'oints goes into a pool o( 'oints that can be used in spends related to that
abilit#. S'ent or lost 'oints (ro$ abilit# 'ools are re8res%ed at various 'oints o(
'la#.
.n&estigati&e abilities
The 'ur'ose o( investigative abilities is to "nd clues that advance the stor#.
These clues are called core clues. Investigative abilities al-a#s -ork= there are
no dice rolls involved. I( a scene contains a core clue and a 'la#er character uses
an investigative abilit# that relates to the clue, the character -ill "nd the clue.
5 s'end (or an investigative abilit# costs 1 or + 'oints. 5 s'end gives additional
clues. These clues are not necessar# to solve the scenario, though the# should
give additional in(or$ation or other bene"ts. S'ent 'ool 'oints (ro$
investigative abilities are re(reshed bet-een scenarios.
2Aa$'le o( investigative abilities; 5rchitecture, %o' Talk, ,orensic 5ccounting.
'eneral abilities
!eneral abilities are used -hen an unkno-n outco$e is dra$aticall#
a''ro'riate. ,or these situations, the !u$shoe S#ste$ utili/es a single siA&sided
die, -hich is rolled against a di9iculty (or target nu$ber). This is called a test.
The standard di3icult# is 7, though it can be $odi"ed to an#thing (ro$ + to to
re'resent s'ecial circu$stances.
5s long as the die roll is e.ual to or higher than the di3icult#, the 'la#er
character has succeeded in its action.
5 s'end (or a general abilit# can be as high as that abilit#1s 'ool. 2ach 'oint
s'ent adds 1 to the die roll. S'ent 'ool 'oints (ro$ general abilities are
re(reshed bet-een scenarios, though s'ecial circu$stances can re(resh so$e
'oints during 'la#.
2Aa$'le o( general abilities; 5thletics, Mealth, Shooting.
Health and stability
Though Mealth and Stabilit# are general abilities, the# (unction di3erentl#. )hile
other abilities are eAhausted once the# reach 0, Mealth and Stabilit# can reach
negative nu$bers. This re'resents serious inNur# or $ental illness. I( either
abilit# reaches b1+, the 'la#er character has died or gone 'er$anentl# insane.
6se o( a''ro'riate abilities can re(resh so$e s'ent or lost 'oints in Mealth and
Stabilit# during 'la#. 5'art (ro$ that, Stabilit# re(reshes bet-een scenarios,
-hile the 'la#er character is re.uired to rest to re(resh Mealth.
Products
Pelgrane Press has 'roduced a nu$ber o( ga$es that use the Gums-oe System.
?T-e !soterrorists (+00F) & 5s elite investigators o( the 4rdo Geritatis, the
characters co$bat occult terrorists -ho are intent on tearing the (abric o( the
-orld b# eA'osing it to the creatures o( the 4uter Black. )ritten b# Robin <a-s.
?Fear Atself (+00F) & Set in a si$ilar -orld to that o( T-e !soterrorists, Fear Atself
instead (ocuses on ordinar# 'eo'le -ho are dra-n into con(rontation -ith the
creatures o( the 4uter Black. The ga$e introduces 's#chic 'o-ers to the
Gums-oe System. )ritten b# Robin <a-s.
?$ook of 2nremittin #orror (+00F) & Details creatures and arti(acts o( the 4uter
Black. 5lso contains scenario outlines (or T-e !soterrorists and t-o scenarios (or
Fear Atself. Previousl# released as d+0 book, it has been eA'anded (or the
Gums-oe System. )ritten b# Dave 5llso' and 5drian Bott.
?Trail of Ct-ul-u (+00) & 43ers a ne- take on cults, creatures and gods o( M. P.
<ovecra(t1s literature, and addresses their uses in investigative role&'la#ing.
)ritten b# Hen Mite.
?Mutant City $lues (+009) & In a -orld -here 1K o( the 'o'ulation has gained
$utant 'o-ers 'olice 'rocedure has changed (orever. The characters are
$e$bers o( the Meightened %ri$e Investigation 6nit that s'eciali/es in cri$es
involving the $utant co$$unit#. )ritten b# Robin <a-s.
?As-en Stars (+011) & 5 gritt# s'ace o'era -here the characters are (reelance
troubleshooters -orking in the re$ote region kno-n as the Bleed. )ritten b#
Robin <a-s.
?1i-t<s $la%k Aents (+01+) In this va$'ire s'# thriller, the characters are
secret agents -ho discover and con(ront va$'iric cons'iracies. )ritten b# Hen
Mite.
e)erences
?<a-s, R. (+00F). T-e !soterrorists. Pelgrane Press. ISBJ 9F&0&9I:991&:&I.
External links
?Pelgrane Press )ebsite
'8PS
G:)PS
G2)+S Fourt- !dition logo
Designer(s) Steve Lackson
Publisher(s) Steve Lackson !a$es
Publication date 198 (1st and +nd ed.), 19 (:rd ed.),
+007 (7th ed.)
!enre(s) 6niversal
S#ste$(s) G2)+S
The Generic /ni+ersal "ole$laying *ystem, or G/"$*, is a tableto' role&
'la#ing ga$e s#ste$ designed to allo- (or 'la# in an# ga$e setting. It -as
created b# Steve Lackson !a$es and "rst 'ublished in 198 at a ti$e -hen $ost
such s#ste$s -ere stor#& or genre&s'eci"c.
Pla#ers control their in&ga$e characters verball# and the success o( their actions
are deter$ined b# the skill o( their character, the di3icult# o( the action, and the
rolling o( dice. %haracters earn 'oints during 'la# -hich are used to gain greater
abilities. !a$ing sessions are stor#&told and run b# D!a$e *astersD (o(ten
re(erred to as si$'l#; D!*sD).
G2)+S -on the 4rigins 5-ard (or $est )ole"layin )ules of :LMM, and in +000 it
-as inducted into the 4rigins Mall o( ,a$e. *an# o( its eA'ansions have also
-on a-ards.
History
Prior P' history
Prior to G2)+S, role'la#ing ga$es (RP!s) o( the 19F0s and earl# 190s -ere
develo'ed es'eciall# (or certain ga$ing environ$ents, and the# -ere largel#
inco$'atible -ith one another. ,or eAa$'le, TSR 'ublished its Duneons &
Draons ga$e s'eci"call# (or a (antas# environ$ent. 5nother ga$e (ro$ the
sa$e co$'an#, Star Frontiers, -as develo'ed (or science "ction&based role&
'la#ing. TSR 'roduced other ga$es (or other environ$ents, such as Gamma
World ('ost&a'ocal#'tic adventures), To" Se%ret (s'ies and secret agents),
Gan,usters (Roaring T-enties adventures), and $oot #ill (5$erican 4ld )est).
2ach o( these ga$es -as set -ith its o-n sel(&contained rules s#ste$, and the
rules (or 'la#ing each ga$e di3ered greatl# (ro$ one ga$e to the neAt. 5tte$'ts
-ere $ade in Advan%ed Duneons and Draons to allo- cross&genre ga$es
using Gamma World and $oot #ill rules= ho-ever, characters could onl# be used
in a ne- genre b# converting their statistics. Though it -as 'receded b# $asi%
)ole*+layin (%haosiu$, 190) and the Mero S#ste$ (Mero !a$es, a s#ste$ that
eA'anded to $ulti'le genres starting in 19+), G2)+S -as the $ost
co$$erciall# success(ul)iki'edia;%itation needed generic role&'la#ing ga$e
s#ste$ to allo- 'la#ers to role&'la# in an# environ$ent the# 'lease -hile still
using the sa$e set o( core rules. This >eAibilit# o( environ$ent is greatl# aided
b# the use o( technolog# levels (or Dtech&levelsD) that allo- a ca$'aign to be set
(ro$ The Stone 5ge (T<&0) to the Digital 5ge (T<&) or be#ond.
*he '8PS concept
Role&'la#ing ga$es o( the 19F0s and 190s, such as Duneons & Draons,
generall# used rando$ nu$bers generated b# dice rolls to assign statistics to
'la#er characters. G2)+S, (ollo-ing the lead o( the Mero S#ste$ "rst used b#
the C-am"ions role&'la#ing ga$e, assigned 'la#ers a s'eci"ed nu$ber o( "oints
-ith -hich to build their characters. These 'oints -ere s'ent to get attributes,
skills, and advantages, such as the abilit# to cast $agic s'ells. 5dditional 'oints
can be obtained b# acce'ting lo-er&than&average attributes, disadvantages, and
other li$itations.
G2)+S1 e$'hasis on its generic as'ect has 'roven to be a success(ul $arketing
tactic, as $an# ga$e series have source engines -hich can be retro"tted to
$an# st#les. Its a''roach to versatilit# includes using real -orld $easure$ents
-herever 'ossible (Drealit#&checkingD is an i$'ortant 'art o( an# G2)+S book).
G2)+S also bene"ts (ro$ the $an# do/ens o( -orldbooks describing settings or
additional rules in all genres including science "ction, (antas#, and historical.
*an# 'o'ular ga$e designers began their 'ro(essional careers as G2)+S
-riters, including %.L. %arella, Robin <a-s, S. Lohn Ross, and Fude creator
Ste3an 41Sullivan. It is so$eti$es stated)iki'edia;*anual o( St#leO)ords to
-atcha6nsu''orted attributions that a large contingent o( 'eo'le -ho do not
'la# G2)+S 'urchase G2)+S su''le$ents because o( the talented and creative
-riters. G2)+S -orldbooks set in historical 'eriods can o(ten be used as
re(erence books)iki'edia;%itation needed as the# usuall# include a bibliogra'h#
suggesting additional sources.
'8PS history
The i$$ediate $echanical antecedent o( G2)+S -as T-e Fantasy Tri" (TFT), an
earl# role&'la#ing ga$e -ritten b# Steve Lackson (or the co$'an# *etaga$ing
%once'ts. Several o( the core conce'ts o( G2)+S "rst a''eared in TFT,
including the inclusion o( Strength, DeAterit# and Intelligence as the core
abilities scores o( each character.
5 Basic !6RPS set -as 'ublished in 198 and 19F and included t-o booklets,
one (or develo'ing characters and one (or 5dventuring.
In 1990 G2)+S intersected 'art o( the hacker subculture -hen the co$'an#1s
5ustin, TeAas, o3ices -ere raided b# the Secret Service. The target -as the
author o( G2)+S Cy,er"unk in relation to 2911 2$ergenc# Res'onse s#ste$
docu$ents stolen (ro$ Bell South. The incident -as a direct contributor to the
(ounding o( the 2lectronic ,rontier ,oundation. 5 co$$on $isconce'tion holds
that this raid -as 'art o( 4'eration Sundevil and carried out b# the ,BI.
4'eration; Sundevil -as in action at the sa$e ti$e, but it -as co$'letel#
se'arate. See Steve 7a%kson Games' An%8 v8 2nited States Se%ret Servi%e.
5 (ree PD, version o( the G2)+S rules -as released as G/"$* 0ite. This
li$ited ruleset -as also included -ith various books such as G2)+S Dis%.orld
and Trans-uman S"a%e.
Steve Lackson !a$es released G2)+S Fourt- !dition at the "rst da# o( !en %on
on 5ugust 19, +007. It 'ro$ised to si$'li(# and strea$line $ost areas o( 'la#
and character creation. The changes include $odi"cation o( the attribute 'oint
adNust$ents, an edited and rationali/ed skill list, clari"cation o( the di3erences
bet-een abilities (ro$ eA'erience and (ro$ inborn talent, $ore detailed
language rules, and revised technolog# levels. Designed b# Sean Punch, the
,ourth 2dition is sold as t-o (ull&color hardcover books as -ell as in the PD,
(or$at.
Mechanics o) the game
Character points
5 character in G2)+S is built -ith character 'oints. ,or a beginning character in
an average 'o-er ga$e, the 7th edition suggests 100@1I0 'oints to $odi(#
attribute stats, select advantages and disadvantages, and 'urchase levels in
skills. Jor$al JP%s are built on +I&I0 'oints. ,ull&>edged heroes usuall# have
+00@+I0 'oints, -hile su'erheroes are co$$onl# built -ith 700@00 'oints. The
highest 'oint value recorded (or a character in a G2)+S sourcebook is 10,7I+
(or t-e #arvester ('. ) in G2)+S Monsters.
In 'rinci'le, a !a$e *aster can balance the 'o-er o( (oes to the abilities o( the
'la#er characters b# co$'aring their relative 'oint values.
Attributes
%haracters in G2)+S have (our basic attributes;
?Strengt% +S&, T 5 $easure o( the character1s 'h#sical 'o-er and bulk, abilit#
to li(t, carr#, and do da$age
?"exterity +"!, T 5 $easure o( the character1s 'h#sical agilit#, coordination,
and $anual deAterit#
?Intelligence +I;, T 5 $easure o( the character1s $ental ca'acit#, acuit# and
sense o( the -orld
?Healt% +H&, T 5 $easure o( the character1s 'h#sical sta$ina, recover# s'eed,
energ# and vitalit#, abilit# to resist disease
2ach attribute has a nu$ber rating assigned to it. Jor$all# the# begin at 10,
re'resenting t#'ical hu$an abilit#, but can go as lo- as 1 (or nearl# useless, to
+0 (or higher) (or su'erhu$an 'o-er. 5n#thing in the to 1+ range is considered
to be in the normal or averae area (or hu$ans. Basic attribute scores o( 8 or
less are considered %ri""lin T the# are so (ar belo- the hu$an nor$ that the#
are onl# used (or severel# handica''ed characters. Scores o( 1I or $ore are
described as amazin T the# are i$$ediatel# a''arent and dra- constant
co$$ent.
Pla#ers assign these ratings s'ending character 'oints. The higher the rating the
$ore 'oints it -ill cost the 'la#er, ho-ever, assigning a score belo- the average
10 gives the 'la#er 'oints back to assign else-here. Since al$ost all skills are
based on DeAterit# or Intelligence, those attributes are t-ice as eA'ensive (or
#ield t-ice the 'oints, i( 'urchased belo- 10). In earlier editions ('re 7th
2dition) all attributes (ollo-ed the sa$e cost&'rogression, -here higher
attributes cost $ore 'er increase than attributes close to the average o( 10.
5ttribute scores also deter$ine several se%ondary %-ara%teristi%s. The (our
$aNor ones are each directl# based on a single attribute;
?Hit Points +HP, T ho- $uch da$age and inNur# can be sustained, based on
ST
?/ill +/ill, T $ental (ocus and strength, -ithstanding stress, based on A(
?Perception +Per, T general sensor# alertness, based on A(
?Fatigue Points +FP, T a $easure o( eAertion, tiredness, and hunger, based on
#T
In earlier G2)+S editions (that is, 'rior to the 7th 2dition) Mit Points -ere based
on MT and ,atigue Points -ere based on ST.
The other secondar# characteristics (Da$age, Basic <i(t, Basic S'eed, Dodge,
*ove) are calculated (ro$ one or $ore attribute values using individual tables or
(or$ulae.
Character ad&antages and disad&antages
G2)+S has a 'ro(usion o( advantages and disadvantages -hich enable 'la#ers or
!a$e *asters to custo$i/e their characters. The $#riad o'tions available and
the re-ards the s#ste$ 'rovides 'la#ers (or care(ull# creating their characters
are attractive to ga$ers -ho enNo# a high degree o( >eAibilit# in character
design.
5 'la#er can select nu$erous 5dvantages and Disadvantages to di3erentiate the
character= the s#ste$ su''orts both $undane traits (such as above&average or
belo-&average )ealth, Status and Re'utation) as -ell as $ore eAotic s'ecial
abilities and -eaknesses. These are categori/ed as 'h#sical, $ental or social,
and as eAotic, su'ernatural, or $undane. 5dvantages bene"t the character and
cost 'oints to 'urchase. Selecting Disadvantages returns character 'oints and
allo-s 'la#ers to li$it their characters in one -a# in eAchange (or being $ore
'o-er(ul or gi(ted in other areas. Disadvantages include such 'ositive attributes
as honest# and truth(ulness -hich li$it the -a# a character is 'la#ed. There are
also $an# Perks and Suirks to choose (ro$ -hich give a character so$e
'ersonalit#. Perks ($inor 5dvantages) and Suirks ($inor Disadvantages) bene"t
or hinder the character a bit, but the# $ostl# add role&'la#ing >avor.
2nhance$ents and li$itations can tailor an advantage or disadvantage to suit
creative 'la#ers. These $odi(# the e3ects and 'oint cost o( advantages and
disadvantages. ,or eAa$'le, to create a Ddragon1s breathD attack, a 'la#er -ould
select the Innate 5ttack abilit# (the abilit# that allo-s a 'la#er to 'er(or$ an
attack $ost hu$ans could not), and select burning attack 7D (nor$all# +0
'oints). Then, the 'la#er -ould $odi(# it as (ollo-s; cone, I #ards (9100K)=
li$ited use, :Oda# (&+0K)= reduced range, A1OI (&+0K). The "nal 'ercentage
$odi"er -ould be 980K, $aking the "nal cost :+ 'oints. This addition to the
s#ste$ greatl# increases its >eAibilit# -hile decreasing the nu$ber o( s'eci"c
advantages and disadvantages that $ust be listed. ,inall#, mitiators can
the$selves tailor advantages and disadvantages (see G2)+S $io*Te%- (or such
an eAa$'le).
Skills
G2)+S has a -ide variet# o( skills intended to enable it to su''ort an#
conceivable genre (such as 5crobatics and Gehicle Piloting). 2ach skill is tied to
at least one attribute, and the characters1 abilities in that skill is a (unction o(
their base attributes 9 or & a certain a$ount.
The availabilit# o( skills de'ends on the 'articular genre the G2)+S ga$e is
'la#ed. ,or instance, in a generic $edieval (antas# setting, skills (or o'erating a
co$'uter, or >#ing a "ghter Net -ould not nor$all# be available. Skills are rated
b# level, and the $ore levels 'urchased -ith character 'oints, the better the
characters are at that 'articular skill relative to their base attribute.
Skills are categori/ed b# di3icult#; 2as#, 5verage, Mard, and Ger# Mard. 2as#
skills cost (e- 'oints to 'urchase levels in, and the cost 'er skill level increases
-ith each level o( di3icult#. !a$e $echanics allo- that eventuall# it $a# be less
eA'ensive to raise the level o( the base attribute the skills de'end on as o''osed
to 'urchasing higher levels o( skills. 5 'la#er can generall# 'urchase a skill (or
his character at an# level he or she can a3ord. The lo-er #ou choose the (e-er
'oints it costs to bu# the skill, and the higher #ou go, the $ore 'oints it costs.
So$e skills have de(ault levels, -hich indicate the level rating a character has
-hen using that skill untrained (i.e. not 'urchased). ,or eAa$'le, a character
-ith a DeAterit# o( 1+, is using the %li$bing skill untrained. %li$bing has a
de(ault o( DC&I or ST&I, -hich $eans that using the skill untrained gives hi$ a
%li$bing skill level o( F (1+&I) i( he tied it to the DeAterit# stat. I( the character
had a higher Strength stat, he could have a better chance o( success i( he tied
the %li$bing skill there instead.
So$e skills also have a Tech <evel (T<) rating attached to the$, to di3erentiate
bet-een Skills that concern si$ilar conce'ts, but -hose tasks are acco$'lished
in di3erent -a#s -hen used -ith di3ering levels o( technolog#. This hel's during
ti$e traveling scenarios, or -hen characters are (orced to deal -ith 'articularl#
outdated or advanced e.ui'$ent. ,or instance, a $odern boat builder1s skills
-ill be o( less use i( he is stuck on a desert island and (orced to -ork -ith
'ri$itive tools and techni.ues. Thus, the skills he uses are di3erent -hen in his
sho' (Shi'buildingOT<) and -hen he is on the island (Shi'buildingOT<0).
Success rolls
G2)+S uses siA&sided dice (or all ga$e $echanics using standard dice notation.
5n Daverage rollD o( three siA sided dice generates a total o( 10.I= this $akes an
DaverageD skill check (a skill o( 10, based on an un$odi"ed attribute) e.uall#
likel# to succeed or (ail.
*aking statistic and skill checks in G2)+S is the reverse o( the $echanics o(
$ost other RP!s, -here the higher the total o( the die roll, the better. G2)+S
'la#ers ho'e to roll as lo- as 'ossible under the tested statistic1s rating or skill1s
level. I( the roll is less than or e.ual to that nu$ber, the check succeeds. There is
no Dtarget nu$berD or Ddi3icult# ratingD set b# the !a$e *aster, as -ould be the
case in $an# other RP! s#ste$s. Instead the !* -ill a''l# various $odi"ers to
add or subtract to the skill level. In this -a#, 'ositive $odi"ers increase the
chance (or success b# adding to the stat or skill level #ou $ust roll under -hile
negative $odi"ers deduct (ro$ it, $aking things $ore di3icult.
,or eAa$'le; a 'la#er $akes a 'ick 'ocketing test (or her character. The
character has a Pick'ocket skill -ith a level o( 11. 6nder nor$al circu$stances &
i.e., under an averae stressful situation, according to the $anual & the 'la#er
$ust roll an 11 or less (or the character to succeed. I( the 'la#er rolls above 11,
then the character has (ailed the atte$'t at 'ick 'ocketing.
There are so$e eAce'tions (or ver# high or lo- rolls, dee$ed criticals. Jo $atter
the level o( the skill, a die roll o( 1 is al-a#s a %riti%al failure, and a roll o( : or 7
is al-a#s a critical success (a roll o( 1F is a critical (ailure as -ell, unless the
character relevant skill level is 18 or $ore). The !a$e *aster $a# decide in
such cases that, in "rst case (a roll o( 1, or 109 over the $odi"ed skill level),
the character has (ailed $iserabl# and caused so$ething disastrous to ha''en
or, in the other case, that he or she succeeds incredibl# -ell and gains so$e
bene"t as a result.
Combat
%o$bat in G2)+S is organi/ed in 'ersonal turns; i.e., ever# character gets a turn
each second, and during his or her character1s turn he or she $a# take an action,
such as attack or $ove. 5(ter all characters have taken their action, one second
has ela'sed. ,ree actions are si$'le actions that can be done at an# ti$e.
%haracters in a 'art# have a set initiative that is entirel# based u'on their Basic
S'eed characteristic.
There are t-o kinds o( attacks; *elee ('ossibl# -ith hand&to&hand -ea'ons, or
unar$ed co$bat) and Ranged (bo-s, guns, thro-n -ea'ons, so$e Innate
5ttacks, etc.). 5ttacks $ade b# a character are checked against their skill -ith
the 'articular -ea'on the# carr#. ,or instance, i( a character is using a 'istol, as
-ith an# other skill, it is bene"cial to have a high level in the !uns skill. <ike an#
other skill check, a 'la#er $ust roll e.ual to or less than the level o( the skill to
succeed. ,ailure $eans a $iss, success scores a hit. Si$ilarl#, critical hits $ean
that the blo- $ight in>ict signi"cantl# $ore da$age to its target= critical $isses
$a# lead to a rather un'leasant and uneA'ected event (such as dro''ing the
-ea'on or hitting the -rong target). 5ttack $odi"ers are set b# the !* -hen
(actoring in things like distance, s'eed and cover that $ake a success(ul strike
$ore di3icult.
5(ter a success(ul attack, eAce't in the case o( a critical hit, the de(ender usuall#
gets a chance to avoid the blo-. This is called an 5ctive De(ense, and takes the
(or$ o( a Dodge (deliberate $ove$ent out o( the 'erceived 'ath o( the attack),
Parr# (atte$'t to de>ect or interce't the attack -ith a li$b or -ea'on), or Block
(e3ort to inter'ose a shield or si$ilar obNect bet-een the attack and the
de(ender1s bod#). 6nlike $an# RP! s#ste$s, an 5ctive De(ense is an uno''osed
check, $eaning that in $ost cases, the success o( an attack has no e3ect on the
di3icult# o( the de(ense. Dodge is based on the Basic S'eed characteristic, -hile
Parr# and Block are each based on individual co$bat skills, such as ,encing,
Harate, or Sta3 (or Parr#, and Shield or %loak (or Block.
%ertain skills, attributes and e.ui'$ent, -hen strung together, can be used to
great e3ect. <et us sa# a gunslinger (ro$ the 4ld )est is (acing a (oe= he can use
the %o$bat Re>eAes abilit# to react be(ore his ene$#, the ,ast&Dra-(Pistol) skill
to get his t-o guns out, the !unslinger abilit# to allo- hi$ to ski' the ai$ing
ste', and the Dual&)ea'on 5ttack(Pistol) skill to "re both his guns at once. This
-ould have taken around 8 turns, i( he had none o( these skills.
Damage and de)enses
Da$age (ro$ $uscle&'o-ered -ea'ons, (clubs, s-ords, bo-s, etc.) is calculated
based on the character1s ST rating. The -eaker a character is 'h#sicall#, the less
da$age he or she is ca'able o( in>icting -ith such a -ea'on. Purel# $echanical
-ea'ons (guns, bea$ sabers, bo$bs, etc.) have a set da$age value.
)hen da$age is in>icted u'on characters, it is deducted (ro$ their Mit Points,
-hich are calculated -ith the Strength stat ('rior to G2)+S 7th 2dition, Mit
Points -ere derived (ro$ the Mealth stat). <ike $ost other RP!s, a loss o( hit
'oints indicates 'h#sical har$ being in>icted u'on a character, -hich can
'otentiall# lead to death. G2)+S calculates shock 'enalties -hen so$eone is hit,
re'resenting the i$'act it causes and the rush o( 'ain that inter(eres -ith
concentration. Di3erent -ea'ons can cause di3erent 1t#'es1 o( da$age, ranging
(ro$ crushing (a club or $ace), i$'aling (a s'ear or arro-), cutting ($ost
s-ords and aAes), 'iercing (bullets), and so on.
4ne 'eculiarit# about loss o( Mit Points is that in !6RPS, death is not certain.
)hile a ver# high a$ount o( total MP loss -ill cause certain death, there are also
several 'oints at -hich a 'la#er $ust success(ull# roll MT, -ith di3erent grades
o( (ailure indicating character death or a $ortal inNur#.
De'ending on the nature o( the attack, there -ill so$eti$es be additional
e3ects.
Ad&ancement
%haracter advance$ent (ollo-s the sa$e s#ste$ as character creation.
%haracters are a-arded character 'oints to i$'rove the$selves at regular
intervals (usuall# at the end o( a ga$e session or stor#).
!*s are (ree to distribute eA'erience as the# see "t. This contrasts -ith so$e
traditional RP!s -here 'la#ers receive a 'redictable a$ount o( eA'erience (or
de(eating (oes. The book reco$$ends 'roviding 1&: 'oints (or co$'leting
obNectives and 1&: 'oints (or good role&'la#ing 'er ga$e session.
5dvance$ent can also co$e through stud#, -ork, or other activities, either
during ga$e 'la# or bet-een sessions. In general, +00 hours o( stud# e.uals one
character 'oint -hich can be a''lied (or the area being studied. Sel(&stud# and
on the Nob eA'erience take $ore ti$e 'er character 'oint -hile high tech
teaching aids can reduce the ti$e re.uired.
So$e intensive situations let a character advance .uickl#, as $ost -aking hours
are considered stud#. ,or instance, characters travelling through the 5$a/on
$a# count ever# -aking $o$ent as stud# o( Nungle survival, -hile living in a
(oreign countr# could count as eight hours 'er da# o( language stud# or $ore.
"icensed #orks
The co$'uter ga$e 'ublisher Inter'la# licensed G2)+S as the basis (or a 'ost&
nuclear -ar role&'la#ing video ga$e (Fallout) in 199I. <ate in develo'$ent,
Inter'la# re'laced the G2)+S character&building s#ste$ -ith their o-n
SP2%I5< S#ste$. 5ccording to Steve Lackson, DThe state$ent on the Inter'la#
-eb site, to the e3ect that this -as a $utual decision o( SL !a$es and Inter'la#,
is not true. _...` )e are not clear -hat their 'ro'osal to "nish and release the
ga$e -ithout the _G2)+S` license entails, (or us or (or the ga$e, and have
absolutel# not agreed to it.D
G2)+S For Dummies (ISBJ 0&7F1&F:+9&:), a guidebook b# Stuart L. Stu'le,
BNoern&2rik Marts(vang, and 5da$ !ri3ith, -as 'ublished in +008.
e)erences
?<eNo#euA, Pierre (Lul#@5ugust 199+). D!6RPSD. Casus $elli (F0); 1F. Revie- o(
the ,rench translation (,rench)
External links
?43icial -ebsite;
Hea&y 'ear
Hea4y Gear is a ga$e universe 'ublished since 1997 b# %anadian 'ublisher
Drea$ Pod 9. It includes a tableto' tactical -arga$e, a role&'la#ing ga$e and a
lesser kno-n co$bat card ga$e (#eavy Gear Fi-ter). The setting is also kno-n
through the P%&ga$e incarnations 'ublished b# 5ctivision in 199F and 1999,
develo'ed a(ter 5ctivision lost the rights to the $attlete%-OMe%-Warrior series. It
also s'a-ned a 70&e'isodes, :D&ani$ated TG series in +001, -hich (eatured a
$uch si$'li"ed version o( the universe develo'ed in the role&'la#ing ga$e.
The background universe o( the ga$e is eAtre$el# detailed; several $illion
-ords have been 'ublished to date in $ore than a hundred books and ga$e
accessories. 5 continual e'ic stor#line runs throughout all o( the ga$e1s
$aterial, -ith ne- 'ublications $oving chronologicall# along the ti$eline.
#eavy Gear is best kno-n (or its hu$anoid co$bat vehicles (or $echa); the
1!ears1 and 1Striders1 used b# the $ilitar# (orces in the setting. Its $echa designs
are t#'ical o( those (ound in the )eal )o,ot ani$e genre= the# are $ost si$ilar in
si/e and tactical role to those in R#ousuke Takahashi1s 19: Armored Troo"er
Hotoms ani$e. The#1re, in (act, generall# used in role o( s'ecial (orces rather
than ar$ored vehicles.
Plot and setting
#eavy Gear is set on a distant, "ctional 'lanet called Terra Jova around 7,000
2arth Standard Pears (ro$ no- (5D 81:+). Terra Jova -as once the 'ride o( the
6nited 2arth !overn$ent1s colonies. Mo-ever, an econo$ic colla'se (orced the
62! govern$ent to abandon Terra Jova and all its other colonies centuries
be(ore the 'eriod de'icted in the ga$e setting, leaving Terra Jova in a dark age.
2ventuall#, %it#&states rose (ro$ the ashes and either through treaties or
t#rann#, united to (or$ national unions called <eagues. These <eagues -ould in
turn all# (again either 'eace(ull# or (orcibl#) to (or$ the su'er'o-er blocs that
do$inated the te$'erate southern and northern he$is'heres o( the 'lanet.
The 'lanet1s geogra'h# is 'ri$aril# land containing dee' underground -ater
reserves, but (e- large bodies o( o'en -ater, and no oceans. This is unlike 2arth
-hich is covered b# F0K ocean. The 'lanet has its o-n eAisting ecos#ste$ o(
'lants and ani$als, though $ost ani$als are re'tilian in nature, such as the
bison like Barnab# used as livestock, and the 'roli"c Mo''er -hich is the
e.uivalent o( 2arth1s rabbit. The single do$inant land (eature is a $assive
$ineral rich, hot, desert belt around the e.uator o( the -orld kno-n as the
Badlands. This territor# is not do$inated b# an# one 'olitical grou', and is
considered o'en territor# to ever#one, and contains $an# bandit grou's kno-n
as Rovers. *ost 'eo'le live in the northern or southern 'olar regions -here
te$'eratures are $ore acce'table to hu$an li(e, and other terrain t#'es such as
(orests, grasslands, s-a$'s and Nungles can be (ound. S$all ice ca's -ith arctic
conditions and glaciers are (ound on the true north and true south 'oles.
5s the setting is 'ri$aril# the backdro' (or a series o( strateg#, role'la#ing, and
video ga$es the $ilitar# and -ea'onr# are the $ain (ocus. 4ne o( the $ost
'o'ular -ea'on s#ste$s o( the various grou's on Terra Jova are the $achines
kno-n as Meav# !ears that give the universe its na$e. The# are 1+& to 1&(oot&
tall (:.F to I.I $) bi'edal, ar$ored, single occu'anc# $ilitar# co$bat units. The
!ears are less heavil# ar$ed and ar$ored than $ain battle tanks used b# the
Terra Jova ar$ies. Mo-ever, the !ears 'rovide a $iA o( ca'abilities that 'rove
e3ective as the settingOga$e rules t#'icall# allo- victor# through $aneuver
-ar(are and 'lace less e$'hasis on ra- "re'o-er and ar$or.
Several $aNor -ars take 'lace over ti$e, including the )ar o( the 5lliance. 5
ne- dictatorial govern$ent on 2arth atte$'ts to re&take its (or$er colonies b#
(orce using its o-n advanced -ar $achines such as hover tanks and ar$ies o(
'ur'le skinned !R2< su'er soldiers (!eneticall# Reco$binant 2A'editionar#
<egionaries). In this -ar both the Jorth and the South coo'erate to "ght o3 the
%olonial 2A'editionar# ,orce, -hich during their "rst de(eat and -ithdra-al
abandon $an# 'ersonnel (both hu$an and !R2<), -ho eventuall# settle Terra
Jova and (or$ the cit#&state o( Port 5rthur.
5s o( 81:+ 5D (TJ 19:8, local calendar), the %on(ederated Jorthern %it#&States
(%J%S) and the 5llied Southern Territories (5ST) are recovering and rebuilding
(ro$ the )ar o( the 5lliance. Des'ite the loo$ing co$$on threat 'osed b# the
eventual return o( 2arth1s colonial ar$ies, the 'olar su'er'o-ers have great (ear
and ani$osit# (or each other, an analog# o( the real -orld J5T4 and )arsa-
Pact, -hile the inde'endent %it#&States o( the Badlands si$'l# tr# to survive the
cross"re.
Con)ederated 7orthern City!States
The 'olitical situation on Terra Jova has three $aNor nations o( the north 'olar
region banding together to (or$ their alliance called the %on(ederated Jorthern
%it#&States to o''ose the 5llied Southern Territories (ro$ the south 'ole.
7orthern "ight Con)ederacy
5 large nation kno-n (or its devotion to the $aNor religion o( Sorrento
Revisionis$ based on the teachings o( an earl# -andering desert colonist
'ro'het na$ed *a$oud. Sorrento Revisionis$ is a sect that 'reaches
conservatis$, and the necessar# use o( (orce to $ake the -orld a better 'lace.
The# are $ost o(ten $otivated to con>ict b# that reason, and even incor'orate
cha'lains into $ilitar# units.
Mercantile 1ederation
5n industrial 'o-er that 'uts a 'rice on ever#thing, including bu#ing and selling
votes in their 'olitical s#ste$, and has a keen interest in eA'loiting the unta''ed
resources buried in the sand and rock o( the Badlands.
(estern 1rontier Protectorate
5 region o( o'en 'lains and ranching that 'ro$ote (a$il#, hard -ork, and
'atriotis$ b# $ilitar# service. Indeed, the ),P re.uires a 'erson to be a
reservist in the Protectorate ar$ed (orces in order to be elected to high o3ice,
and onl# $ilitar# veterans $a# vote.
Allied Southern *erritories
The south 'ole o( Terra Jova like-ise has an overall 'olitical grou'ing kno-n as
the 5llied Southern Territories. 6nlike the three nations (or$ing the %J%S,
-hich are generall# on an e.ual level -ith one another 'oliticall#, the Southern
Re'ublic do$inates over the other three southern nations in order to "eld the
strength necessar# to $eet Jorthern aggressive 'olicies to-ards the$.
Southern epublic
The real 'o-er o( the southern 'ole. The# are the largest nation on the 'lanet
-ith both territor# and 'o'ulation, and do$inate the other southern nations b#
$ilitar# (orce i( necessar#. The# are o'enl# (ree -ith $an# individual rights o(
eA'ression, a high level o( art and culture, and legalised vices, but -ith the $aNor
eAce'tion o( (reedo$ (or 'olitical dissent. The govern$ent is intolerant o( dissent
and o''osition grou's, and e$'lo#s secret 'olice. Prisoners o(ten (or$ 'oorl#
trained and e.ui''ed $ilitar# units.
Mekong Dominion
5 nation o( $anu(acturing, $one# lending, and cor'orations as govern$ent.
The# are also $ini$all# ar$ed, using their s$all $ilitar# as a dual 'ur'ose
'olice (orce and o(ten hires outside (orces to su''le$ent their o-n -hen
necessar#.
Humanist Alliance
This nation uses science and technolog# to structure their societ# in an atte$'t
to create har$on# and uto'ia. This ideal has al$ost attained religious status in
their 'eo'le. The# 'lace citi/ens into castes based on a'titude testing and are
highl# educated at all levels. Research and develo'$ent, and an e3icient skilled
-ork (orce are so$e o( their greatest assets.
Eastern Sun Emirates
5 (ractured nation o( individual %it#&States that are al$ost nations unto
the$selves. The# are led b# hereditar# $onarchs kno-n as 2$irs -ho rule over
their co$$on citi/ens -ith no $iddle class in bet-een.
Minor po#ers on *erra 7o&a
5long -ith the $aNor 'olar regions, several s$aller (actions eAist on Terra Jova.
Peace i&er
5n inde'endent cit# state in the Badlands o( Terra Jova. The# are an industrial
nation ca'able o( so'histicated, but 'ractical $anu(acturing. This nation is ho$e
to PaAton 5r$s, one o( the (e- inde'endent cor'orations outside the t-o 'olar
regions to build $ilitar# hard-are, including Meav# !ears o( their o-n design.
Peace River is the largest inde'endent nation in the Badlands. The Peace River
$ilitar# also tries its best to de(end other bandland nations (ro$ encroach$ents
b# either 'olar <eague, but is o(ten stretched thin to cover such a vast area.
Their other $aNor con>icts involve Rovers, the bandits o( the Badlands.
Port Arthur
The re$nants o( the (ailed eA'editionar# ar$# sent b# 2arth to recon.uer Terra
Jova, Port 5rthur -as one o( their 'ri$ar# staging bases in the Badlands. 4ver
one&hundred thousand hu$an o3icers and !R2< (!eneticall# Reco$binated
2A'editionar# <egionaries) su'er&soldiers -ere abandoned b# the 2arth >eet
concentrated on Port 5rthur. ,ro$ here the# have established a nation (or
the$selves, and bene"t (ro$ the high technolog# o( the %olonial 2A'editionar#
,orce (%2,) hover tanks, and !R2< in(antr# to sa(eguard their territor#.
o&ers and independents
*ost 'eo'le in the Badlands o-e their allegiance to no nation. The# live as
(a$ilies, gangs, or individuals. S$all (acilities o( hu$an habitation kno-n as
4asis To-ers are s'otted around the Badlands at an# available sur(ace, or
shallo- -ells o( -ater, and s$all&scale agriculture can even be atte$'ted.
Mo-ever, $ost Badlanders $ake their living as $iners or caravan traders. The#
'l# back and (orth bet-een the 'olar regions and (ar >ung industrial sites o( the
Badlands selling and bu#ing goods.
Rovers are the cri$inal ele$ent o( the Badlands. The# are grou's o( local
outcasts, cri$inals esca'ing the la-, deserters >eeing their ho$elands, si$'le
runa-a#s, or even hereditar# rovers born to other rovers -ho live in the -ilds o(
the badlands and 're# on local trade caravans, inde'endent $iners, and
ho$esteaders.
The# are a co$$on 'roble$ in the la-less Badlands. Rather than -ork (or their
living, the# take (ro$ others. *ost Badlanders 'rotect the$selves in so$e
(ashion, though an un-ritten code has develo'ed over ti$e -here Rovers onl#
take enough (or the$selves, and -ill not leave their victi$s destitute or -ithout
the su''lies to survive. Mo-ever, the cruelt# andOor hu$anit# o( the Rover bands
runs the (ull s'ectru$ o( decenc#. *an# Rover bands even o'erate Meav# !ears
salvaged (ro$ (orgotten battle "elds, stolen, or even bought on the o'en or black
$arkets.
Mysteries and oddities o) Hea&y 'ear
The #eavy Gear series has a nu$ber o( unresolved $#steries in the setting. 5
(e- o( these are listed belo-. It is unkno-n i( an# o( these -ill be revealed due to
the develo'er turnover at Drea$ Pod 9.
?Stoneheads; The 'lanet o( Terra Jova is s'rinkled -ith large round stone heads
si$ilar to those o( 2aster Island but -ith a $uch $ore 5sian st#le. These date
back to the earliest coloni/ation o( the 'lanet or 'ossibl# be(ore and the $eaning
o( the giant $arkers is unkno-n.
?The Horeshi, or sand&riders, are a culture o( desert&d-elling no$ads si$ilar to
the ,re$en o( the Dune universe. Their eAistence on Terra Jova is a $#ster#.
?4ne o( the %2,1s >eets disa''eared -hen sent to the colon# -orld o( Je-
Lerusale$.
1. (The (ate o( this >eet is touched u'on on the )eturn to Cat<s !ye book
(or #eavy Gear $litz0.)
?The 2astern Sun 2$irates sa- $assive changes during the 'ublished Storyline
$ooks cul$inating in the launch o( an ancient s'acecra(t. It is unkno-n -here
that s'acecra(t -ent.
?*ac5llen cave net-ork; *uch o( the -ater on Terra Jova is subterranean. The
*ac5llen net-ork o( caves contains $ost o( it, and is nearl# a -orld-ide
'heno$enon. Jatural artesian s'rings a''ear all over the globe, even
occasionall# in the dee' deserts o( the Badlands. *ost o( the net-ork is dee'
underground, o(ten thousands o( (eet belo- the sur(ace. 2ven -hole ecos#ste$s
o( li(e eAist in so$e o( the airless and 'er'etuall# dark areas o( the net-ork. The
eAtent o( the cave s#ste$ is unkno-n.
?)hite Sand; 4ne o( the $ore unusual ha/ards o( the e.uatorial deserts o( the
Badlands is the 'heno$enon kno-n as -hite sand. This sand is highl# corrosive
and dangerous volcanic ash. It is so corrosive it can destro# $achiner# and can
slo-l# eat through $ost $etals che$icall#. It is even used as -ea'onr# in the
(or$ o( bags o( sand thro-n into air&intakes or to be inhaled.
?Bo-ser; 5 near sentient 4JJet co$'uter installed into a %J%S heav# gear that
has run a-a# (ro$ its $ilitar# base -ithout a 'ilot. Sightings o( Bo-ser
occasionall# "lter in (ro$ the Badlands.
1. (Bo-ser is kno-n to be 'iloted b# Sadie DBoo$ Boo$D Toe'(er in the
#eavy Gear Arena book.)
?<andshi's; 6nusual $agnetic 'ro'erties o( the 'lanet Terra Jova allo- (or
large shi's able to hover a (e- (eet o3 the ground kno-n as <andshi's. The#
(or$ the e.uivalent o( a D-et nav#D that other 'lanets -ith sur(ace -ater -ould
have. 5 $ini$u$ si/e is necessar# to take advantage o( this uneA'lained
'ro'ert#, so all <andshi's are the si/e o( ocean going vessels such as (rigates,
destro#ers, battleshi's, and aircra(t carriers. Because o( their cost, the# are
unco$$on.
?4rder o( the Blue %rescent. 5 religious grou' based on the teachings o( the
desert 'ro'het *a$oud. Blue %rescent 5dherents t#'icall# shave their hair bald,
tattoo a blue %rescent on their (oreheads, give u' all 'ersonal 'ro'ert# be#ond
-hat the# can carr#, and $ust visit the $aNor locations that *a$oud once lived
in the Badlands during their li(e. The# are noted (or being generous, (riendl#, and
o(ten volunteer (or civic duties and charities, but are not 'aci"sts. Blue %rescent
5dherents can be (ound serving in the $ilitar# o( $an# o( Terra Jova1s <eagues.
Hea&y 'ears
The na$esake $achines o( the universe setting are the Meav# !ears. The# are
1+& to 1&(oot&tall (:.F to I.I $) $achines usuall# -eighing bet-een I to 1+ tons,
that rese$ble robotic hu$anoids. The# seat a single 'ilot inside the chest and
head unit. The# 'rovide a >eAibilit# to the battle"eld o( Meav# !ear setting that
$ake the$ $ore use(ul than $ost other units, though the# do not do$inate.
The# can traverse $ore di3icult terrain (aster, and change direction s-i(ter than
tanks, -hich is i$'ortant to a setting that e$'hasi/es $obilit#, and not Nust
"re'o-er, to succeed in co$bat.
The# are 'o-ered b# a uni.ue 'iston engine called a G&engine $ounted as a
back'ack. This is di3erent (ro$ $ost science "ction settings, -hich use so$e
(or$ o( nuclear 'o-er or a $ore obscure or invented 'o-er source. %on(usingl#,
this G&engine is not the sa$e design as a $odern G&engine, but an alternative
-orking design invented b# students at the 6niversit# o( %olorado. The engine
-orks b# having t-o rotating c#lindrical engine blocks -ith $ulti'le cha$bers in
each block. The blocks so$e-hat rese$ble large scale c#linders (ro$ a revolver
handgun. The t-o rotating c#linders are set a''roAi$atel# 90 degrees (ro$ each
other, and shared bet-een each rotating block are several solid G&sha'ed rods
that serve as 'istons. 5s the blocks rotate inside their static housings o'enings in
the sides o( the rotating and static 'ortions o( the engine -ill line u' and act as
intake and eAhaust 'orts, and also electrical contact connections trigger the
s'ark 'lugs. The rotation o( the c#linder blocks can then be ta''ed (or electrical
'o-er generation or directl# (or h#draulic 'ressure.
The co$'uter s#ste$ that enables the $achines to $ove and o'erate >uidl# are
called 4'tical Jeural Jet-orks, or 4JJets (or short. The# are learning
co$'uters that -ork, in $an# -a#s, si$ilarl# to an organic brain and are trained
to 'er(or$ advanced tasks instead o( being 'rogra$$ed -ith so(t-are. The#
o'erate using light instead o( electricit#, and use $icrosco'ic cr#stals to (or$
logic circuits (or the light to 'ass through. Je- connections are $ade over ti$e
b# the co$'uter and allo- it to learn ne- instructions. This (actor leads the
4JJet co$'uter to develo' traits, instincts, and habits over ti$e based on the
'ilots that o'erate -ith the$. So$e (unctions beco$e auto$atic as the co$'uter
tries to 'redict -hat the 'ilot -ants and has used in the 'ast in si$ilar
situations. This allo-s (aster reactions in $ost situations, but can so$eti$es also
cause indecision on the 4JJet1s 'art i( tactics or 'atterns change in an unusual
situation. Meav# !ear 'ilots tend to (or$ a bond -ith their !ears1 4JJets, or at
least recogni/e the e3icienc# that an eA'erienced 4JJet 'rovides= 'ilots (orced
to abandon a da$aged or disabled !ear o(ten take -ith the$ the 4JJet unit
(ro$ beneath their seats.
The -ea'onr# o( the Meav# !ear is usuall# lighter and less 'o-er(ul than a $ain
battle tank, as !ears the$selves t#'icall# -eigh onl# a "(th (or less) the -eight
o( a tank. The# t#'icall# have one auto$atic cannon carried as a !ear si/ed hand
held assault ri>e. The# also t#'icall# have a shoulder $ounted $ulti'le&launch
$issile launcher rack, as -ell as a s$all anti&'ersonnel (rag$entation grenade
launcher (or use against in(antr#. Mo-ever, variants o( $an# $achines, es'eciall#
heavier $odels, can carr# or $ount a -ide variet# o( -ea'ons, such as heav#
$ortars, ba/ookas, guided $issiles, larger hand&held grenade launchers, "eld
guns or cannons, and even advanced directed energ# -ea'ons.
Meav# !ears can -alk, run, cra-l, and generall# $i$ic $ost o( the $obilit# o(
the hu$an (or$, on -hich the# are 'atterned. This >eAibilit# a3ords the Meav#
!ear $an# o( the advantages o( an in(antr#$an, such as the abilit# to traverse
di3icult terrain and $ake e3ective use o( cover, -hile at the sa$e ti$e having
the resilience and "re'o-er o( a light ar$ored vehicle. *ost !ears also have a
secondar# $ove$ent s#ste$ consisting o( -heels (or tracks (or heavier gears)
"tted to the soles o( their (eet, 'o-ered either b# e3icient electric $otors or a
drive train connected to the G&2ngine. The use o( the alternate $ove$ent
s#ste$s a3ord a higher s'eed and increased (uel e3icienc# on roads or >at
terrain, and reduce -ear on leg Noints -hen traveling long distances. Mo-ever,
the -heels sacri"ce $aneuverabilit# and cannot be used in heav# terrain due to
their relativel# s$all si/e, re.uiring the !ear to s-itch back to -alker $ode
-hich eAcels at the task.
Art#ork $ Design
The #eavy Gear books are notable (or their heavil# illustrated content. 2ach
book (eatures highl# detailed 'lans and cuta-a#s o( the $achines, along -ith
>ags, insignias, $a's and other visual in(or$ation to hel' 'la#ers1 i$$ersion.
*ost o( the art-ork -as done b# illustrator !hislain Barbe, -ho -as also
res'onsible (or the art-ork o( 7ovian C-roni%les, another Drea$ Pod 9 ga$e line
-ith si$ilar ani$e ins'irations. 5lthough he le(t Drea$ Pod 9, !hislain 'roduced
book covers (or the #eavy Gear (ranchise until #eavy Gear $litz0 9o%ked &
9oaded. %urrentl#, art-ork is 'rovided b# a tea$ o( individuals= 5velardo
Paredes, *ariko Shi$a$oto and David Tau/ia, a$ong others.
The $ain the$es o( $an# art-orks include the Meav# !ears the$selves, -ith
distinctive back'acks (or the G&engine, single e#e head units, and at least a s$all
area o( the $achine 'ainted -ith an alternating #ello- and black -arning stri'e
'aint sche$e.
Jorthern $ilitar# co$bat $achines are t#'icall# sha'ed -ith s.uare ar$or
'lates, and are usuall# na$ed (or 'redator# $a$$als such as bears and large
cats.
Southern $ilitar# units are like-ise given a distinctive look. The# usuall# include
nu$erous rounded and s'herical sha'ed ar$or 'lates. The# are usuall# na$ed
(or re'tiles, o(ten snakes.
ules
5ll editions o( #eavy Gear use so$e variation o( Drea$ Pod 91s o-n Sil-ouette
ga$e s#ste$. The "rst and second editions o( the ga$e contain both Role&
'la#ing and Tactical )arga$e Rules. DTacticalD #eavy Gear calls (or the use o(
heA $a's and 'a'er counters or $iniatures.
The third edition o( the #eavy Gear )+G uses a se'arate Sil-ouette C5)!
)ule,ook, -hich is needed (or 'la#. The #eavy Gear 4rd !dition book contains
use(ul su$$aries (ro$ $an# +nd edition 'roducts, co$bined -ith so$e detailed
statistics (or both the Sil%4R2 and 4!< D+0 s#ste$s.
#eavy Gear? $litz0 9o%ked & 9oaded is the $ost recent #eavy Gear? $litz0
rulebook, the "rst o( -hich -as released concurrentl# in +008 -ith a ne- line o(
$iniatures. It contains no role&'la#ing $aterial and is st#led as a dedicated
-arga$e= it contains a strea$lined rule s#ste$, an innovative ne- ar$# building
s#ste$, co$'lete ar$# lists and background in(or$ation (or "ve (actions, a basic
ca$'aign s#ste$, a 'ainting guide, and a ti$eline o( historic events in the Meav#
!ear universe. The #eavy Gear? $litz0 rules are intended (or use -ith 1;177 scale
$odel terrain, but it is still 'ossible to use heAed $a'sheets and 'a'er counters.
The #eavy Gear $litz0 ruleset -as a no$inee (or the +00F 4rigins 5-ard (or Best
*iniatures !a$e or 2A'ansion o( the Pear.
In *a#, +009, Drea$ Pod 9 released DReturn to %at1s 2#eD, the "rst eA'ansion
book (or #eavy Gear $litz0, -hich 'rovides background in(or$ation and ar$#
lists (or three ne- ar$ies.
Silhouette C%E P' ules
The Sil-ouette )+G, kno-n in later editions as SilC5)! is a si$ulationist s#ste$
that de"nes characters in ter$s o( 10 base attributes (agilit#, kno-ledge, etc.), I
derived attributes (health, etc.), and a variet# o( skills. Skill rolls $ake u' the
DbackboneD o( the s#ste$, -hile basic and derived 5ttributes serve as $odi"ers
to the roll.
The task resolution and tests involve rolling a nu$ber o( 8&sided dice, taking the
highest result, adding in $odi"ers (or attributes andOor situation, and then
co$'aring it to a set threshold nu$ber. I( the result is higher than the threshold
the test is a success= i( it is lo-er the test is a (ailure. The $argin b# -hich the
test succeeded (*argin o( Success, *oS) or (ailed (*argin o( ,ailure, *o,) hel's
to deter$ine the "nal outco$e. %haracters $a# su3er 'enalt#&in>icting -ounds
rather than de'leting a set nu$ber o( health 'oints.
So$e 'la#ers regard the s#ste$ as 'articularl# lethal, es'eciall# (or
ineA'erienced characters. 5 variet# o( o'tional rules are available in the
SilC5)! rulebook to $itigate this lethalit#.
DP9 ceased 'roducing RP!s bet-een +008&+00 (or their entire ga$e catalog,
including #eavy Gear.
4n 5ugust +F, +00, Steve Lackson !a$es announced that the# had entered into
an agree$ent -ith Drea$ Pod 9 to 'roduce a (ourth edition o( a #eavy Gear
role'la#ing ga$e.
I1
The 'roNect never got 'ast the 'lanning stages, ho-ever, and
on 5ugust 9, +010, Steve Lackson !a$es announced that the# -ere relin.uishing
the rights to #eavy Gear back to DP9.
I+
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Drea$ Pod 9 announced that the# -ould 'roduce a (ourth edition o( a #eavy
Gear RP! the$selves, -ith a tentative release date o( late +011.
I:
This edition
-as not 'ublished.
Hea&y 'ear +,th Anni&ersary Edition
4n *arch I, +017, Drea$ Pod 9 announced that a ne- #eavy Gear RP! -ould
be 'roduced b# 5rkrite Press <<%, -hich is co&o-ned b# Drea$ Pod 9 sta3
$e$bers.
I7
Hea&y 'ear 1ighter
Meav# !ear ,ighter is a stand&alone t-o&'la#er card ga$e set in the Meav# !ear
universe. It -as 'ublished b# Drea$ Pod 9 in 1997, and is currentl# out o( 'rint.
'ame Description
Meav# !ear ,ighter is a card&based dueling ga$e in -hich t-o Meav# !ears duel
in the Badlands. It is not a collectible card ga$e= ever#thing needed to 'la# is
contained in the boA.
2ver# 'la#ing card is illustrated -ith a (ull color 'icture o( a !ear. The# are
divided into 5ttacks o( various strengths, De(enses, and S'ecial 23ects. Both
'la#ers dra- (ro$ the sa$e 'ile.
The ga$e does not use dice or 'a'er. 2ach 'la#able !ear has a (ull color
recordOaction sheet that is used to kee' track o( actionsOda$age -ith s$all
counters. %ards are dealt (ro$ a 'la#er1s hand to cause da$age, de(end against
ene$# attacks, and create various s'ecial e3ects.
Expansion Sets
The ga$e received an o3icial eA'ansion set, 2.ui'$ent B )ea'ons, in 199I. 5s
its na$e i$'lies, it added ne- 2.ui'$ent and )ea'on cards that could be
'la#ed on the !ears.
Several D$ini&setsD -ere included as 'ro$otional $aterial in the 'ages o( various
$aga/ines, notabl# *echa Press and )hite )ol( *aga/ine. These cards -ere
al-a#s o'tional and allo-ed 'la#ers to create s'ecial co$bat conditions as -ell
as eAecute di3erent $aneuvers.
5 set -as designed that -ould have (eatured ne- vehicles (notabl# tanks and
Striders), but it -as never 'ublished.
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Miniatures
#eavy Gear has had three successive lines o( -arga$ing $iniatures starting
-ith the )AFM 'roduced 1;F scale line, then the in&house 'roduced 1;177 scale
Ta%ti%al )ules and var#ing scale Fleet line, and the current 1;177 scale
rescul'ted line (or #eavy Gear? $litz0
The <=> scale )AFM line -as launched in 199I. The $iniatures -ere largel#
cast in lead until 'ublic sa(et# concerns, originall# raised in 199:, in>uenced the
ga$ing industr# to cast lead&(ree $iniatures. The 'rice increase (ro$ the
ado'tion o( lead&(ree 'e-ter $ade Drea$ Pod 9 reconsider the si/e and scale o(
their $iniatures. 5s a result, the )AFM line o( #eavy Gear $iniatures -as
discontinued and never eA'anded be#ond the Jorthern and Southern Terra
Jovan (actions.
The <<?? scale (1+$$) Ta%ti%al )ules line -as launched in 199F. It -as largel#
the result o( a desire to decrease the 'roduction cost inherent in lead&(ree,
'e-ter $iniatures. The Ta%ti%al )ules line -as also develo'ed -ith a greater
attention to the control o( 'ro'ortions o( the various #eavy Gear designs using
%5D illustrations as guides. The #eavy Gear $iniature range -as then eA'anded
be#ond the Jorthern and Southern (actions to include designs (ro$ the Badlands
and %olonial 2arth ,orces (actions. The later Ta%ti%al )ules line $iniatures -ere
scul'ted b# Phili''e ,errier <e %lerc, -ho Noined Drea$ Pod 9 in +001. Me also
'rovided #eavy Gear li$ited edition resin $iniatures through his bouti.ue
studio, *ini$aniak.
During the sa$e era as the Ta%ti%al )ules $iniatures, Fleet S%ale $iniatures
-ere also introduced -hich ranged (ro$ <@52 scale (or in(antr#, tanks, heav#
gears, and striders to <@522 scale (or landshi's.
The <<?? scale (1+$$) #eavy Gear? $litz0 line -as launched in +008. It
'reserved so$e o( the Ta%ti%al )ules line $iniatures (or recasting. Mo-ever, the
$aNorit# o( the Ta%ti%al )ules line $iniatures -ill be rescul'ted. The intention o(
this change -as that the $iniatures bear a closer rese$blance to the original
hand dra-n illustrations, that the# have a greater range o( 'ossible 'oses, and
that unit recognition is $ade easier (or overall i$'roved ga$e'la#. In order to
acco$'lish this, the di3erence in si/e bet-een so$e $iniatures has been
eAaggerated b# a''roAi$atel# 10K and the $iniatures are no- cast on s'rues,
-hich allo-s $an# s$aller, $odular 'arts to be cast. 5nother e3ect o( the #eavy
Gear? $litz0 line o( $iniatures has been an a''reciable increase in detail due to
ne- scul'ting and resin&$aster casting techni.ues. It has also 'roduced the "rst
ne- #eavy Gear designs in $an# #ears.
,usion *odels has also 'roduced a <@5 scale resin $odel o( #eavy Gear1s
Hodiak heav# assault !ear.
/ideo games
,aced -ith the loss o( the $attlete%-OMe%-Warrior 'ro'ert#, 5ctivision1s
Production 2Aecutive, ,rank 2vers (JPPM), s'earheaded the ac.uisition o( the
video ga$e license in 199I. The stor# o( the "rst ga$e, #eavy Gear, (ollo-ed the
cre- o( the %J%S landshi' (an enor$ous hovercra(t carrier), 1Gigilance1 as the#
'la#ed a cat&and&$ouse ga$e across the Badlands -ith a rival landshi' (ro$ the
5ST, the 1Draco1. The ga$e -as $ade (or the )indo-s 9I o'erating s#ste$ and
-as 'artl# based on a ga$e engine derived (ro$ eAisting Me%-Warrior 2?
Mer%enaries code. It -as released in 199F.
II
Be(ore the release o( the P% ga$e
an arcade version based on the Girtualit# Mard-are Plat(or$s -as develo'ed but
never released. It is unkno-n i( the d-indling interest in Girtual Realit# arcade
ga$es or the high cost o( $anu(acturing -ere the reasons, but (ro$ the eAisting
(ootage one can assu$e that the ga$e -as alread# in a .uite late stage o(
develo'$ent since even ani$ated instructions on ho- to use the 5rcade
hard-are and an intro video -ere i$'le$ented as seen in the (ootage. The
-orking title -as DMeav# !ear 2Atre$eD.
I8
In the second ga$e, #eavy Gear 2, an atrocit# caused b# the Je- 2arth
%oncordat (J2%) T the destruction o( the Badlands cit# o( Peace River b# an
anti&$atter bo$b T leads to a (or$al cease&"re bet-een the Jorthern and
Southern <eagues. 5 tea$ o( elite S'ecial&4's 'ilots (ro$ across the 'lanet,
e.ui''ed -ith advanced 'rotot#'e !ears and a ne-l# unveiled inters#ste$
assault shuttle, are sent through the interstellar Tannhauser gate to the 'lanet
%a'rice, the nearest J2% base, to "nd out $ore and strike back at the ene$#.
The ga$e -as $ade (or the )indo-s 9 o'erating s#ste$, though a <inuA
version -as also released later on b# <oki So(t-are. 6nlike the 'revious title, it
used an entirel# ne- ga$e s#ste$, -hich -as also used in Anterstate <M2. It -as
-ell received b# critics, -ith an 1.78K average rating on ga$erankings.co$
IF

and being considered the best ga$e o( the genre at the ti$e b# !a$eS'ot.
I
5(ter #ears o( the Meav# !ear (ranchise la#ing dor$ant a licensing deal -as
announced on 5ugust 1, +01+ bet-een Sto$'# Bot Productions and the o-ner o(
the (ranchise Drea$ Pod 9. The 'ress release indicates a ne- P%, console, and
$obile ga$e -ill be 'roduced. Meav# !ear 5ssault is being develo'ed -ith 2'ic
!a$es 6nreal 2ngine 7, and is no- in 5l'ha.
*/ series
Main article: -eavy .ear *T/ series,
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!a$eRankings su$$ar#
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In +001, a co$'uter&ani$ated TG series titled #eavy Gear? T-e Animated Series
-as 'roduced b# 5udu Paden at *ain(ra$e 2ntertain$ent and 5delaide
Productions (or Son# Pictures 2ntertain$ent. The series lasted 70 e'isodes
(though t-o o( these -ere Dreca'D e'isodes and $ore still -ere cli' sho-s). It
'la#ed in s#ndication in various $arkets -orld-ide.
The Drea$ Pod 9 creative sta3 had ver# little in'ut in the series1 content, and
the ani$ated universe di3ers signi"cantl# (ro$ the ga$e1s. The sho- -as ai$ed
at an audience $uch #ounger than the one the 'ro'ert# had 'reviousl# targeted.
The 'roducers1 original intent -as to start the series -ith a $echa&co$bat
tourna$ent held bet-een the villainous Ganguard o( Lustice and the honorable
Shado- Dragons (re'resentatives o( Terra Jova1s Jorthern and Southern ar$ies
res'ectivel#), but a(ter the resolution o( the tourna$ent stor#line rising tensions
-ould lead to -ar bet-een the Jorth and South, -hich -ould in turn be (ollo-ed
b# an invasion (ro$ 2arth tr#ing to recon.uer its old colon# 'lanet, (orcing the
Jorth and South to Noin (orces (or their o-n survival. )orries that having the
villains (ro$ the earl# e'isodes (the Ganguard characters) suddenl# -orking -ith
the heroes, and shi(ting (ro$ a tourna$ent&st#led co$'etition to all&out $echa
-ar(are, -ould have been too con(using (or their targeted age grou' led to a
decision to not use the -ar stor#line. )hat ended u' ha''ening on the sho- -as
that the# ran the tourna$ent stor#line as 'lanned but even though the
tourna$ent had been 1-on1 -ithin the "rst do/en or so e'isodes, the t-o tea$s
Nust ke't having eAhibition $atches and the like (or the re$ainder o( the 70
e'isode run.
The Din&universeD eA'lanation (or the di3erence bet-een the universes is that the
ani$ated series is a Terra Jovan entertain$ent 'rogra$ not unlike real&-orld
'ro(essional -restling.
DGD releases include t-o volu$es released in Jorth 5$erica in +00+ b#
%olu$bia TriStar Mo$e 2ntertain$ent each -ith "ve e'isodes edited together
into D(eature lengthD stories. +007 sa- a release in the 6H o( a t-o disc Season
5ne set including both D(eature lengthD stories and three standalone e'isodes
-hich collectivel# 'resent the "rst thirteen e'isodes o( the series in one (or$ or
other, but lacks the bonus content 'resent on the Jorth 5$erican releases. 5lso
in +007 5nchor Ba# issued a single disc release in %anada -ith another "ve
e'isodes (ro$ later in the series.
The entire series is currentl# available (or strea$ing (or (ree in the 6S and
%anada on Son# o-ned %rackle. It1s also available (or strea$ing in %anada on
Jet>iA.)iki'edia;*anual o( St#leODates and nu$bersa%hronological ite$s
The e'isodes -ere originall# 'roduced in -idescreen and 'resented as such on
the DGD releases, -hile $ost s#ndication broadcasts -ere o( a cro''ed 'an and
scan version o( each e'isode. The strea$ing versions available (ro$ %rackle and
Jet>iA are also o( these 'an and scan versions.
Publication History
?#eavy Gear Fi-ter (199I), stock nu$ber I%,&0+, card ga$e -hich -as
released be(ore the ,irst 2dition Rulebook.
?#eavy Gear Fi-ter? Wea"ons and !/ui"ment (199I), stock nu$ber I%,&0:,
card ga$e eA'ansion 'ack.
?#eavy Gear Fi-ter? $ooster A Card Set (199I), stock nu$ber not available,
card ga$e eA'ansion 'ack.
?First !dition )ule,ook (Lul# 199I), "rst and second 'rintings stock nu$ber IS!&
001 (ISBJ +&9+1IF:&+8&1), later 'rintings stock nu$ber DP9&001 (ISBJ 1&
98FF8&0I&1), rulebook -hich co$bined role'la#ing and -arga$ing rules, and
an earl# version o( the ga$e1s Gehicle %onstruction S#ste$ rules to create ne-
!ears and conventional vehicles.
?5"eration 7unle Drums (4ctober 199I), stock nu$ber IS!&08, ISBJ +&9+1IF:&
:0&C, introductor# adventure (eaturing both role'la#ing and Tactical ga$e
$aterial.
?Field Guide? 1ort-ern He-i%les : (Dece$ber 199I), stock nu$ber DP9&009,
ISBJ +&9+1IF:&+&, eA'ansion $odule -ith additional !ears and -ea'ons
o'tions (or the Jorthern (action on Terra Jova. Includes (ull&color counters
sho-ing the !ears in the book, (or use in tableto' 'la#.
?Field Guide? Sout-ern He-i%les : (Dece$ber 199I), stock nu$ber DP9&010,
ISBJ +&9+1IF:&:1&, eA'ansion $odule -ith additional !ears and -ea'ons
o'tions (or the Southern (action on Terra Jova. Includes (ull&color counters
sho-ing the !ears in the book, (or use in tableto' 'la#.
?First !dition Gamemaster<s S%reen and Counters (1998), stock nu$ber DP9&
0+0, tri(old screen (or !a$e$aster and (ull&color counters (or use in tableto'
'la#.
?9ife on Terra 1ova (Lanuar# 1998), stock nu$ber DP9&00+, ISBJ 1&98FF8&00&
0, -orld sourcebook (or Terra Jova, the 'ri$ar# setting (or the ga$e.
?Anto T-e $adlands (*arch 1998), stock nu$ber DP9&01, ISBJ 1&98FF8&0+&F,
regional sourcebook (or the Badlands, the e.uatorial region o( Terra Jova.
?Field Guide? 1ort-ern He-i%les 2 (5'ril 1998), stock nu$ber DP9&01+, ISBJ 1&
98FF8&01&9, eA'ansion $odule -ith additional !ears, conventional vehicles and
-ea'ons o'tions (or the Jorthern (action on Terra Jova. Includes (ull&color
counters sho-ing the !ears and vehicles in the book, (or use in tableto' 'la#.
?Field Guide? Sout-ern He-i%les 2 (5'ril 1998), stock nu$ber DP9&01:, ISBJ 1&
98FF8&0:&I, eA'ansion $odule -ith additional !ears, conventional vehicles and
-ea'ons o'tions (or the Southern (action on Terra Jova. Includes (ull&color
counters sho-ing the !ears and vehicles in the book, (or use in tableto' 'la#.
?Ta%ti%al Air Su""ort (*a# 1998), stock nu$ber DP9&00, ISBJ 1&98FF8&07&:,
ne- rules and background to include aircra(t in Meav# !ear ga$es. Includes
additional rules (or the ,irst 2dition Gehicle %onstruction s#ste$, -hich -ere
re'laced -ith the rules in the Second 2dition Technical *anual.
?Te%-ni%al Manual (Lul# 1998), stock nu$ber DP9&007, ISBJ 1&98FF8&08&C,
sourcebook describing the -ea'ons and technolog# o( the Meav# !ear universe.
?Duelist<s #and,ook (5ugust 1998), stock nu$ber DP9&00I, ISBJ 1&98FF8&0F&
, sourcebook describing the gladiatorial s'ort o( Dueling. Includes role'la#ing
and Tactical ga$e $aterial.
?C-ara%ter Com"endium : (Se'te$ber 1998), stock nu$ber DP9&0+1, ISBJ 1&
98FFF8&0&8, character sourcebook (eaturing in>uential and note-orth#
characters and grou's (ro$ around Terra Jova.
?Ta%ti%al Field Su""ort? Artillery & Ground Warfare (4ctober 1998), stock
nu$ber DP9&018, ISBJ 1&98FF8&10&, sourcebook -ith ne- rules (or
$ine"elds, artiller# su''ort and $orale, along -ith ne- -ea'ons o'tions.
?Sout-ern Army 9ist 5ne? Sout-ern )e"u,li% (Jove$ber 1998), stock nu$ber
DP9&0+7, ISBJ 1&98FF8&09&7, ar$# sourcebook (or the Southern Re'ublican
5r$# -ith ne- and eA'anded role'la#ing and Tactical ga$e $aterial. Though it
is labeled DSouthern 5r$# <ist 4ne,D no other books -ere 'ublished in this
(or$at.
?1ort-ern He-i%le Com"endium 5ne? Gears & Striders (Dece$ber 1998), stock
nu$ber DP9&0+I, ISBJ 1&98FF8&11&8, sourcebook (eaturing additional !ears
and -ea'ons o'tions (or the Jorthern (action on Terra Jova. The Gehicle
%o$'endiu$s eA'and on the $aterial included in the earlier ,ield !uides, and
(eature $an# ne- designs.
?Sout-ern He-i%le Com"endium 5ne? Gears & Striders (Lanuar# 199F), stock
nu$ber DP9&0+8, ISBJ 1&98FF8&1+&7, sourcebook (eaturing additional !ears
and -ea'ons o'tions (or the Southern (action on Terra Jova.
?1ort-ern )e%ord S-eets 5ne? Gears & Striders1 (,ebruar# 199F), stock nu$ber
DP9&0+F, ISBJ 1&98FF8&17&0, set o( Tactical ga$e record sheets (or the
vehicles described in Jorthern Gehicle %o$'endiu$ 4ne.
?Sout-ern )e%ord S-eets 5ne? Gears & Striders (,ebruar# 199F), stock nu$ber
DP9&0+, ISBJ 1&98FF8&1I&9, set o( Tactical ga$e record sheets (or the
vehicles described in Southern Gehicle %o$'endiu$ 4ne.
?C1CS C1ort-ernD 9eaue,ook 5ne? 1ort-ern 9i-ts Confedera%y (*a# 199F),
stock nu$ber DP9&0:0, ISBJ 1&98FF8&18&F, regional sourcebook.
?Sout-ern 9eaue,ook 5ne? Sout-ern )e"u,li% (5ugust 199F), stock nu$ber
DP9&0:1, ISBJ 1&98FF8&19&1, regional sourcebook.
?T-e 1e. $reed? $attle $efore T-e Storm (Se'te$ber 199F), stock nu$ber DP9&
0:I, ISBJ 1&98FF8&+0&I, ca$'aign sourcebook -hich tied into the Meav# !ear
P% ga$e 'roduced b# 5ctivision.
?#eavy Gear Desin Works? T-e Makin of a 2niverse (Jove$ber 199F), stock
nu$ber DP9&0:F, ISBJ 1&98FF8&:1&0, contains art-orks eAa$'les (or the
Meav# !ear line, (ro$ earl# develo'$ent through the ,irst 2dition.
?Storyline $ook 5ne? Crisis of Fait- (Jove$ber 199F), stock nu$ber DP9&0::,
ISBJ 1&98FF8&+1&:, the "rst book detailing DP91s 'ublished $eta'lot (or Meav#
!ear, (ro$ TJ 19:: to TJ 19:I.
?Se%ond !dition )ule,ook (Dece$ber 199F), stock nu$ber DP9&101, ISBJ 1&
98FF8&:+&9, u'dated rulebook -ith both role'la#ing and -arga$ing rules.
5vailable in both so(tcover and hardcover versions.
?Sout-ern 9eaue,ook T.o? #umanist Allian%e (Lanuar# 199), stock nu$ber
DP9&0:+, ISBJ 1&98FF8&+8&7, regional sourcebook.
?1ort-ern He-i%les Com"endium T.o? Tanks & Artillery (,ebruar# 199), stock
nu$ber DP9&0:, ISBJ 1&98FF8&+9&9, sourcebook (eaturing additional
conventional vehicles and -ea'ons o'tions (or the Jorthern (action on Terra
Jova. Includes Tactical ga$e record sheets.
?Sout-ern He-i%les Com"endium T.o? Tanks & Artillery (,ebruar# 199), stock
nu$ber DP9&0:9, ISBJ 1&98FF8&:0&+, sourcebook (eaturing additional
conventional vehicles and -ea'ons o'tions (or the Southern (action on Terra
Jova. Includes Tactical ga$e record sheets.
?Gamemaster<s Guide and S%reen (*arch 199), stock nu$ber DP9&10:, ISBJ 1&
98FF8&:7&I, tri(old screen (or !a$e$asters and su''le$ent -ith ti's (or
running ga$es.
?Cam"ain Settin T.o? T-e +a3ton Gam,it (*arch 199), stock nu$ber DP9&
070, ISBJ 1&98FF8&::&F, ca$'aign sourcebook set in Peace River.
?Miniatures )ules and Cam"ainin (5'ril 199), stock nu$ber DP9&07:, ISBJ
1&98FF8&:9&8, Tactical rules boAed set containing ca$'aign guides, (ull&color
$a's and counters (or tableto' 'la#.
?Sout-ern 9eaue,ook T-ree? Mekon Dominion (Lul# 199), stock nu$ber DP9&
0:8, ISBJ 1&98FF8&+&0, regional sourcebook.
?Terranovan Military +o.ers $ook 5ne? 1ort-ern Guard (5ugust 199), stock
nu$ber DP9&078, ISBJ 1&98FF8&:F&C, ar$# list sourcebook.
?9ife on Terra 1ova Se%ond !dition (Se'te$ber 199), stock nu$ber DP9&10+,
ISBJ 1&98FF8&70&C, u'dated -ordbook -ith ne- $aterial to re>ect the events
in Stor#line Book 1.
?Se%ond !dition Te%-ni%al Manual (Dece$ber 199), stock nu$ber DP9&107,
ISBJ 1&98FF8&7:&7, includes $aterial (ro$ the ,irst 2dition Technical *anual
and an eA'anded version o( the Gehicle %onstruction S#ste$ rules.
?Ta%ti%al +a%k 5ne? $attle of T.o To.ers (Dece$ber 199), stock nu$ber DP9&
0I0, ISBJ 1&98FF8&7+&8, eA'ansion 'ack (or the Tactical ga$e rules. Includes
(ull&color counters and $a's,
?Storyline $ook T.o? $lood on T-e Wind (,ebruar# 1999), stock nu$ber DP9&
0:7, ISBJ 1&98FF8&+F&+, details DP91s 'ublished Meav# !ear $eta'lot (ro$ TJ
19:I to TJ 19:9.
?1ort-ern 9eaue,ook T.o? 2nited Mer%antile Federation (*arch 1999), stock
nu$ber DP9&0I1, ISBJ 1&98FF8&78&9, regional sourcebook.
?1ort-ern 9eaue,ook T-ree? Western Frontier +rote%torate (*arch 1999),
stock nu$ber DP9&0I+, ISBJ 1&98FF8&I:&1, regional sourcebook.
?Ta%ti%al +a%k T.o? S-ado. War (*arch 1999), stock nu$ber DP9&0I7, ISBJ 1&
98FF8&7&I, eA'ansion 'ack (or the Tactical ga$e rules. Includes (ull&color
counters and $a's.
?Sout-ern 9eaue,ook Four? !astern Sun !mirates (5'ril 1999), stock nu$ber
DP9&0I:, ISBJ 1&98FF8&79&:, regional sourcebook.
?Armor +a%k Holume 5ne? Tanks and Striders (*a# 1999), stock nu$ber DP9&
0IF, ISBJ 1&98FF8&I1&I, eA'ansion 'ack (or the Tactical ga$e rules. Includes
(ull&color counters.
?Terranovan Military +o.ers $ook T.o? Sout-ern MA9ACAA (5ugust 1999), stock
nu$ber DP9&07, ISBJ 1&98FF8&I7&C, ar$# list sourcebook.
?Ta%ti%al +a%k T-ree? 5"eration Sudden Fire (4ctober 1999), stock nu$ber DP9&
0II, ISBJ 1&98FF8&I&+, eA'ansion 'ack (or the Tactical ga$e rules. Includes
(ull&color counters and $a's.
?Storyline $ook T-ree? )eturn to Cat<s !ye (Jove$ber 1999), stock nu$ber DP9&
0I8, ISBJ 1&98FF8&I9&0, details DP91s 'ublished Meav# !ear $eta'lot (ro$ TJ
19:9 to TJ 1971.
?A%tivision Game Com"anion? $la%k Talon * Mission to Ca"ri%e (Lanuar# +000),
stock nu$ber DP9&0I9, ISBJ 1&98FF8&8:&9, ca$'aign sourcebook -hich tied
into the Meav# !ear + P% ga$e 'roduced b# 5ctivision.
?Ta%ti%al S"a%e Su""ort * S"a%e Warfare (*arch +000), stock nu$ber DP9&080,
ISBJ 1&98FF8&8&C, ne- rules and background $aterial (or "ghting in s'ace.
?9ife on Ca"ri%e (5'ril +000), stock nu$ber DP9&07F, ISBJ 1&98FF8&88&:,
-orld sourcebook (or %a'rice, a Dh#'ercit#D -orld "rst introduced in DBlack
Talon & *ission to %a'rice.D
?Tools and Wea"ons? !/ui"ment Catalo (Lune +000), stock nu$ber DP9&081,
ISBJ 1&98FF8&F:&8, sourcebook (eaturing additional -ea'ons and e.ui'$ent
(or 'la#er characters.
?Storyline $ook Four? Storm on t-e #orizon (5ugust +000), stock nu$ber DP9&
08+, ISBJ 1&98FF8&F7&7, details DP91s 'ublished Meav# !ear $eta'lot (ro$ TJ
1971 to TJ 197:.
?Ca"ri%e $ook 5ne? Cor"orate Sour%e,ook (Se'te$ber +000), stock nu$ber
DP9&08:, ISBJ 1&98FF8&F&F, sourcebook detailing the cor'orations -hich rule
%a'rice.
?Ca"ri%e $ook T.o? 9i,erati Sour%e,ook (4ctober +000), stock nu$ber DP9&087,
ISBJ 1&98FF8&0&9, sourcebook detailing the clans -hich inhabit the
DhighlandsD o( %a'rice.
?Se%ond !dition Duelist<s #and,ook (Dece$ber +000), stock nu$ber DP9&10I,
ISBJ 1&98FF8&9I&F, u'dated Dueling rules and background $aterial.
?Ta%ti%al Miniatures )ules? T-e War Goes 5n (,ebruar# +001), stock nu$ber
DP9&108, ISBJ 1&98FF8&9&1, u'dated Tactical ga$e rules (eaturing a
condensed DdatacardD record sheet (or each !ear or vehicle.
?!art- $ook 5ne? Colonial !3"editionary For%e (5'ril +001), stock nu$ber DP9&
08I, ISBJ 1&97IF&I1&1, ar$# sourcebook (or the %olonial 2A'editionar# ,orce
-ith role'la#ing and Tactical ga$e $aterial.
?Miniatures Su""lement? )aids & )aiders * Anterstellar Strikes (Lune +001),
stock nu$ber DP9&10F, ISBJ 1&97IF&II&7, additional Tactical ga$e rules and
background $aterial (or s'ecial (orces units.
?S"a%es-i" Com"endium 5ne? S-i"s of Terra 1ova (Lul# +001), stock nu$ber
DP9&088, ISBJ 1&97IF&IF&0, sourcebook describing s'acecra(t and s'ace
(acilities in use b# the various (actions on Terra Jova.
?Miniatures Su""lement? Ta%ti%al Duelin * Arena C-am"ions (4ctober +001),
stock nu$ber DP9&10, ISBJ 1&97IF&8+&F, rules (or Dueling -ith Tactical
ga$e "gures.
?5"eration 7unle Drums )edu3 (Jove$ber +001), stock nu$ber DP9&109, ISBJ
1&9717&0F&C, u'dating o( the original su''le$ent (or use -ith the Second
2dition role'la#ing rules and the DdatacardD vehicle sheet (or$at in Tactical
*iniatures Rules.
?Storyline $ook Five? Distant S-ores (Dece$ber +001), stock nu$ber DP9&08F,
ISBJ 1&97IF&88&C, details DP91s 'ublished Meav# !ear $eta'lot (ro$ TJ 197:
to TJ 197.
?S"a%es-i" Com"endium T.o? S-i"s of T-e C!F (*arch +00+), stock nu$ber
DP9&08, ISBJ 1&9717&:1&+, sourcebook describing s'acecra(t and s'ace
(acilities in use b# 2arth and %a'rice.
?9ife on Atlantis (Se'te$ber +00+), stock nu$ber DP9&0F0, ISBJ 1&9717&78&0,
-orld sourcebook (or 5tlantis, a -ater-orld.
?9ife on 2to"ia (5'ril +00+), stock nu$ber DP9&089, ISBJ 1&9717&:&C, -orld
sourcebook (or 6to'ia, a -orld devastated b# nuclear -ar.
?9ife on !den (Lanuar# +00:), stock nu$ber DP9&0F+, ISBJ 1&9717&F&9,
-orld sourcebook (or 2den, a -orld recovering (ro$ a natural disaster.
?#eavy Gear T-ird !dition +layer<s #and,ook (Se'te$ber +00:), stock nu$ber
DP9&9+I, ISBJ 1&9717&&8, role'la#ing ga$e to be used -ith the Silhouette
%4R2 rules, or the d+0 4!< rules 'roduced b# )i/ards o( the %oast. Includes
$aterial (ro$ the 2.ui'$ent %atalog.
?#eavy Gear T-ird !dition He-i%le Com"anion (Lanuar# +007), stock nu$ber
DP9&9+F, ISBJ 1&9F07+&00&0, u'dates (or the Silhouette %4R2 rules (or !ears
and vehicles (ro$ 'revious 'ublications. Includes 4!<&co$'atible statistics.
?Sil-ouette C5)! Miniature )ules (Lul# +00I), stock nu$ber DP9&919, ISBJ 1&
9F07+&01&9, tableto' -arga$ing rules (or the Silhouette %4R2 edition. Includes
Dueling and D>eet scaleD rules (or 1O:I0 scale $iniatures.
?#eavy Gear $litz0 (5ugust +008), stock nu$ber DP9&998, ISBJ 1&9F07+&:9&8,
ne- rules (or tableto' -arga$ing 'la#. M!B includes no role'la#ing rules.
?#eavy Gear $litz0 #ammers of Fait- (Dece$ber +008), stock nu$ber DP9&90:1,
ISBJ 1&9F07+&7&I, ar$# list book detailing rules and units in the Blit/Z rules
(or the Jorth.
?#eavy Gear $litz0 S.ords of +ride (*arch +00F), stock nu$ber DP9&90:+, ISBJ
1&9F07+&9+&+&, ar$# list book detailing rules and units in the Blit/Z rules (or the
South.
?#eavy Gear $litz0 S-ields of Freedom (Dece$ber +00F), stock nu$ber DP9&
90::, ISBJ 1&9F07+&89&, ar$# list book detailing rules and units in the Blit/Z
rules (or the Badlands.
?#eavy Gear $litz0 9o%ked and 9oaded (*a# +00), stock nu$ber DP9&9998,
ISBJ 1&9F780&+1&7, u'dated version o( the Blit/Z rules. Includes ne- ar$# lists.
?#eavy Gear $litz0 $la%k Talon * )eturn to Cat<s !ye (*a# +009), stock nu$ber
DP9&90:7, ISBJ 1&9F780&1&7, (eatures ne- ar$# lists and vehicles (or the %2,
and the local (orces on %a'rice.
?#eavy Gear $litz0 Field Manual * Core $ook )evised (Jove$ber +011), stock
nu$ber DP9&999F, ISBJ 9F&1&9+8F90&I7&1, u'date o( the Blit/Z rules.
?#eavy Gear $litz0 +erfe%t Storm * 1uCoal Field Guide (Jove$ber +011), stock
nu$ber DP9&9191, ISBJ 9F&1&9+8F90&:0&I, (eatures ne- ar$# lists and
vehicles (or the Ju%oal (action.
?#eavy Gear $litz0 Fored An Fire * Sout-ern Field Guide (Dece$ber +01+),
stock nu$ber DP99+88e, ISBJ 9F&1&9+F::7&I9&1, (eatures ne- ar$# lists and
vehicles (or the Southern (actions.
External links
?Drea$ Pod 9 (Publisher)
?#eavy Gear? T-e Animated Series at the Big %artoon DataBase
?Meav# !ear 5ssault (6'co$$ing Gideo !a$e)
Hero System
H(). System
0th (dition .eneric over
Designer(s) Steven S. <ong
Publisher(s) Mero !a$es
Publication date 199
+00+ (Ith ed.)
+009 (8th ed.)
!enre(s) 6niversal
S#ste$(s) %usto$
The 1ero *ystem (or 1E"O *ystem) is a generic role&'la#ing ga$e s#ste$ that
develo'ed (ro$ the su'erhero RP! C-am"ions. It is used as the underl#ing
$echanics o( other Mero !a$es role&'la#ing ga$es such as Dark C-am"ions,
Fantasy #ero, Star #ero, and +ul" #ero. It is characteri/ed b# 'oint&based
character creation and the rigor -ith -hich it $easures character abilities. It
uses onl# siA&sided dice.
System )eatures
The #!)5 System character creation s#ste$ is entirel# 'oints&based -ith no
rando$ ele$ents. Pla#ers are given a 'ool o( 'oints, the si/e o( -hich varies
de'ending on the ca$'aign t#'e, -ith -hich to bu# %haracteristics, Skills,
Talents, and Po-ers. The# can gain additional 'oints b# taking Disadvantages
that ha$'er their character in 'la#.
5bilities in the #!)5 System, 'articularl# Po-ers (a broad categor# that
includes su'er'o-ers, $agic, 'sionics, and high technolog#), are $odeled based
on their e3ects. The 'la#er chooses an e3ect the 'o-er $odels (such as 2nerg#
Blast) and chooses a set o( $odi"ers to "ne&tune the 'o-er1s (unction. 2ach
$odi"er $akes the Po-er $ore or less eA'ensive. Mero o3icial books and (an
-ebsites are notorious (or the ingenuit# o( their 'o-er constructions.
Tasks are resolved using three siA&sided dice and Po-er e3ects (es'eciall#
da$age) are resolved b# rolling a nu$ber o( dice based on the 'o-er1s level.
6nlike the d+0 S#ste$ and $an# other ga$e s#ste$s, eA'erience a-ards are in
the (or$ o( character 'oints, -hich have the sa$e value as those used in
character creation and can be a''lied directl# to the character1s abilities u'on
recei't.
Character creation
The #!)5 System1s biggest innovation -as its use o( a 'oint&based s#ste$ (or
character creation -ith a tool&kit a''roach to creating abilities. The rules onl#
de"ne the abilit#1s e3ects in co$batTthe 'la#er de"nes -hat the abilit# looks
like -hen used. ,or eAa$'le, the abilit# to 'roNect a Net o( "re could be bought as
D2nerg# Blast,D or an# o( a nu$ber o( other abilities. The 'la#er then de"nes it as
a DNet o( "re,D -ith all that i$'lies; it has the 'ossibilit# o( starting secondar#
"res= it looks, s$ells and sounds like a Net o( "re= etc. This 2nerg# Blast could be
$odi"ed b# an# nu$ber o( $odi"ers such as D2A'losion,D D5rea o( 23ectD or DJo
Range.D These a3ect ho- the 'o-er -orks as -ell as its "nal cost.
2ach 'la#er creates his character starting -ith a 'ool o( 'oints to bu# abilities
(such as the a(ore$entioned D2nerg# BlastD and D5r$orD), increase
characteristics (such as DStrengthD and DIntelligenceD) and bu# skills (such as
D%o$'uter Progra$$ingD and D%o$bat DrivingD). This 'ool can be increased b#
taking disadvantages (or #our character (such as being hunted b# an ene$#, a
de'endenc# o( so$e sort or having 'eo'le -ho de'end on #our character in
so$e -a#). The initial 'ool, as -ell as the "nal 'ool si/e, is deter$ined b# the
!a$e *aster (!*), as -ell as the 'oint li$its on each individual abilit#.
Ad&antages and disad&antages
The advantages o( the #!)5 System are co$$onl#)iki'edia;*anual o(
St#leO)ords to -atcha6nsu''orted attributions considered to be;
1. It eases ga$e balance issues (or the !*; characters o( si$ilar 'oint totals
are usuall# o( roughl# e.ual 'o-er.
+. It is ver# >eAible in character creation, allo-ing 'la#ers to create nearl# an#
character the# can i$agine.
:. It uses onl# siA&sided dice, as generall# used in $an# board ga$es.
The 'ri$ar# disadvantages are co$$onl# considered to be;
1. %o$'leAit#, as character generation 'rovides a so$eti$es over-hel$ing
nu$ber o( o'tions and re.uires $ore $athe$atical co$'utation than other
ga$es (but see D*athe$atics issuesD belo-).
+. The great a$ount o( ti$e it can take to adNudicate co$bat.
:. The abilit# (or 'la#ers (a$iliar -ith the s#ste$1s .uirks to use the s#ste$ to
decrease the 'oint cost o( 'o-ers, leading to one character being $uch $ore
'o-er(ul than another character o( si$ilar 'oint value.
7. 5 large nu$ber o( dice re.uired at high 'o-er levels
The Dlarge nu$ber o( dice re.uired at high 'o-er levelsD has been called both an
advantage and a disadvantage. The original designers, and so$e conte$'orar#
'la#ers, have cited a D(eeling o( 'o-erD -hen rolling large nu$bers o( dice and
counting o3 huge a$ounts o( da$age. 4n the other hand, rolling such a large
load o( dice can be 'h#sicall# un-ield# and take a long ti$e to add u'.
Po#ers
The 'o-ers s#ste$ is divided into a set o( standard 'o-ers, and a list o(
advantages and li$itations that can be a''lied to each 'o-er. *an# o( the
'o-ers have s'eci"c advantages and li$itations that a''l# onl# to that 'o-er.
The 'o-ers in the M2R4 S#ste$ are categori/ed roughl# as (ollo-s;

1. AdAustment Po#ers T *odi(# the %haracteristics o( sel( or another.
+. Attack Po#ers T In>ict 'h#sical da$age or so$e other negative e3ect
on an o''onent.
:. Body*A9ecting Po#ers T %hange sha'e, si/e, densit#, etc.
7. "e8ense Po#ers T Protect against an attack or $isha'.
I. $ental Po#ers T Detect andOor a3ect the $ind o( another.
8. $o4ement Po#ers T 2$'lo# various (or$s o( $ove$ent.
F. Sense*A9ecting Po#ers T 5lter or hinder a character1s senses.
. Sensory Po#ers T I$'rove or eA'and u'on the sensor# abilities.
9. Si'e Po#ers T !ro-th and Shrinking.
10. Special Po#ers T Po-ers -ith so$e unusual .ualit#,
including ones that do not (all into the other categories.
11. Standard Po#ers T 5 Dcatch&allD (or Po-ers that are not
5dNust$ent, *ental, *ove$ent, Si/e, or S'ecial Po-ers.
)ithin each o( these categories are $ulti'le Po-ers that have $ore s'eciali/ed
e3ects. Thus (or the $ove$ent categor# there are 'o-ers that can be used (or
Running, S-i$$ing, %li$bing, <ea'ing, !liding, ,l#ing, Tunneling through solid
sur(aces, and even Tele'ortation. ,or certain ga$e genres there are even 'o-ers
(or traveling to other di$ensions or $oving (aster than light.
5lso, $an# Po-ers a''ear in at least t-o categories. ,or eAa$'le, $ost 5ttack
Po-ers are also Standard Po-ers, and Si/e Po-ers are basicall# Nust a
subcategor# o( Bod#&53ecting Po-ers. Darkness is in three categories T
Standard, 5ttack, and Sense&53ecting.
Point Cost
2ach 'o-er has a base 'oint cost (or a given e3ect. This could be, (or eAa$'le, a
certain nu$ber o( 'oints 'er siA&sided&die (or Dd8D) o( da$age in>icted u'on a
(oe.
Po-ers can have both advantages and li$itations. Both are $odi"ers a''lied at
di3erent stages in calculating cost. These $odi"ers are t#'icall# changes o( cd,
but can range u' to c+ or even higher.
5(ter the base cost is calculated, advantages are a''lied. These, -hich can $ake
a 'o-er $ore use(ul, t#'icall# eA'and its e3ectiveness or $ake it $ore 'o-er(ul,
and thus $ake it $ore eA'ensive. 4nce advantages are a''lied, the base cost
beco$es the 5ctive %ost.
The 5ctive %ost is calculated as an inter$ediate ste' as it is re.uired to calculate
certain "gures, such as range, 2JD usage, di3icult# o( activation rolls, and other
things.
The (or$ula (or calculating the 5ctive %ost is;
Acti4e Cost Q Base Cost e (1 9 Advantaes)
4nce 5ctive %ost is calculated, li$itations are a''lied. These re'resent
shortco$ings in the 'o-er, lessened reliabilit# or situations in -hich the 'o-er
can not be used. <i$itations are added se'aratel# as 'ositive nu$bers, even
though the# are listed as negative.
The Real %ost o( the 'o-er is then deter$ined b#;
)eal Cost Q Acti4e Cost O (1 9 9imitations)
The Real %ost is the a$ount the character $ust actuall# 'a# (or the Po-er.
Po#er 1rame#orks
The rules also include sche$es (or 'roviding a larger nu$ber o( 'o-ers to a
character (or a given cost. These 'o-er (ra$e-orks reduce the cost either b#
re.uiring the grou' o( 'o-ers to have a co$$on the$e as in an 2le$ental
%ontrol ,ra$e-ork, or b# li$iting the nu$ber o( 'o-ers that can be active at
one ti$e -ith a *ulti'o-er ,ra$e-ork. Po-ers -ithin a (ra$e-ork can share
co$$on li$itations, (urther reducing the cost. 5 third t#'e o( 'o-er (ra$e-ork,
the Gariable Po-er Pool (GPP), trades thri(t (or >eAibilit#. )ith it, 'o-ers can be
arbitraril# chosen on the >#, granting enhanced in&ga$e >eAibilit#. The 'rice is a
're$iu$ on 'oints, called the %ontrol %ost. 5dditionall#, it is $arked as
'otentiall# unbalancing, so not all !*s -ill 'er$it GPP1s.
2le$ental %ontrols -ere eli$inated in the SiAth 2dition.
Mathematics issues
4ne o( the criticis$s leveled at the #!)5 System al$ost since its ince'tion is
the relativel# large a$ount o( co$'utation involved in its use, 'articularl# during
character creation. )hile al$ost none o( this $ath goes be#ond the basic
(unctions o( addition, subtraction, $ulti'lication, and division (certain obscure
and co$'letel# o'tional situations may call (or a logarith$ic (unction), this can
see$ daunting to ne-co$ers.
5s a result, so(t-are has been created to auto$ate the bookkee'ing involved.
DMero$akerD, an *S&D4S 'rogra$, -as distributed -ith so$e versions o(
%ha$'ions. Toda#, DMero DesignerD
I9
(or the ,i(th and SiAth 2ditions is available
on several 'lat(or$s, and is su''orted b# nu$erous character 'acks and other
eAtensions linked to Mero !a$es book releases.
Publishing history
See also? <ist o( Mero S#ste$ Products
I9DMero Designer; %haracter creation so(t-are (or M2R4 S#ste$, Ith 2ditionD, vendor -ebsite
5lthough several ga$es based on the #!)5 System -ere 'ublished in the
190s, including C-am"ions, Daner Anternational, 7usti%e' An%8, )o,ot Warriors
and the original versions o( Fantasy #!)5 and Star #!)5, each o( the RP!s -as
sel(&contained, $uch as %haosiu$1s Basic Role&Pla#ing ga$es are. The #!)5
System itsel( -as not released as an inde'endent entit# until 199, as Steve
Lackson !a$es1 G2)+S (Generi% 2niversal )ole"layin System) beca$e $ore
'o'ular. 5s a Noint venture bet-een Mero !a$es and Iron %ro-n 2nter'rises, a
stand&alone #!)5 System )ule,ook -as 'ublished alongside the (ourth edition
o( %ha$'ions. The content -as identical to the o'ening sections o( the
%ha$'ions rules, but all genre&related $aterial -as re$oved. 5(ter-ard, genre
books such as 1inEa #!)5 (-ritten b# 5aron 5llston) and Fantasy #!)5 -ere
'ublished as sourcebooks (or the #!)5 System )ule,ook as o''osed to being
inde'endent ga$es.
)ith the colla'se o( the Mero&I%2 alliance, the #!)5 System -ent into li$bo (or
several #ears. T-e C-am"ions (ranchise released a ne- version under the ,u/ion
s#ste$, -hich had been a Noint develo'$ent -ith R. Talsorian !a$es, called
C-am"ions? t-e 1e. Millennium. 5lthough t-o editions -ere 'ublished, it -as
ver# 'oorl# received b# C-am"ions (ans. In +001, a reconstituted Mero !a$es
-as (or$ed under the leadershi' o( Steven S. <ong, -ho had -ritten several
books (or the earlier version o( the s#ste$. It regained the rights to the #!)5
System and to the C-am"ions trade$ark.
In +001, the ,i(th 2dition o( the #!)5 System )ule,ook -as released,
incor'orating heav# revisions b# <ong. 5 large black hardcover, it -as criticall#
-ell received and attained a degree o( co$$ercial success. (,ollo-ing 'roble$s
-ith (ragile bindings on ,ourth 2dition rulebooks, the 'lanned binding (or the
larger ,i(th 2dition -as tested using a clothes dr#er.
80
) The ,i(th 2dition is o(ten
re(erred to as D,R2dD, -hich is a backron#$ (or D,i(th Rules 2ditionD. The na$e
actuall# co$es (ro$ Steve S. <ong1s re'l# -hen asked -hat the standard
abbreviation (or the ,i(th 2dition -ould be; DI don1t care i( #ou call it 1,red1, as
long as #ou bu# it.D
5 revised version (ISBJ 1&I:88&07:&F) -as issued in +007, along -ith #!)5
System Sideki%k, a condensed version o( the rulebook -ith a cover 'rice o( under
[10. ,ans o(ten call the revised ,i(th 2dition D,iver,D Re,R2d,D or DI2RD ((ro$
D,i(th 2dition revisedD= D,iverD also alludes to Waters-i" Do.n). This rulebook is
so big (I9+ 'ages) that so$e (ans s'eculated that it $ight be bullet'roo(, and it
did indeed sto' so$e bullets -hen tested b# Mero !a$es sta3ers.
81
4n ,ebruar# +, +00, %r#'tic Studios 'urchased the C-am"ions intellectual
'ro'ert#, and sold the rights back to Mero !a$es to 'ublish the 8th edition
books. 4ne o( the ne- (eatures -ill be to allo- 'la#ers to ada't their C-am"ions
5nline characters to the 'en&and&'a'er ga$e.
In late +00, Mero released a licensed RP! (or 5aron )illia$s1s 'o'ular co$ic
PS+: using a si$'li"ed version o( the ,i(th 2dition rules.
80DJe-sD, Mero !a$es -ebsite, Lanuar# +I, +00+
81DI2R Bullet'roo( GideoD, Steve <ong, Mero !a$es (oru$. Gideo hosted at PouTube.
In late +009, Mero !a$es released the 8th 2dition o( the Mero S#ste$. The ga$e
has so (ar had a $ostl# 'ositive rece'tion, -ith little in the -a# o( 12dition )ars1.
5$ong other changes, there are no ,igured %haracteristics & 5ll %haracteristics,
including the (or$erl# ,igured, are bought se'aratel#. 4ther, $ore $inor rules
changes include (olding 5r$or and ,orce "eld into Resistant De(ense and
reestablishing Regeneration as a se'arate 'o-er. The rules -ere released in t-o
volu$es, -ith the "rst covering character creation in de'th and the second
describing ca$'aigns and the running o( ga$es. The ne- genre book (or
%ha$'ions ca$e out shortl# therea(ter, and a ne- Fantasy #!)5 -as released
in the su$$er o( +010. 5 ne- version o( Sidekick -as released in late +009
under the title T-e #!)5 System $asi% )ule,ook, -hile an 5dvanced Pla#er
!uide -as 'ublished that had additional o'tions (or character creation. 4ther
recent releases included a large book o( 're&constructed Po-ers, a set o( 're&
generated *artial 5rts st#les, abilities and skills, a large bestiar#, a ne- gri$oire
(or ,antas# Mero and a three&volu$e set o( villains (or C-am"ions. 5 ne- edition
o( Star #!)5 -as released in +011, along -ith a second 5dvanced Pla#er !uide.
In +011, Mero !a$es announced a restructuring, -ith long&ti$e develo'er
Steven S. <ong relin.uishing his (ull&ti$e status to (reelance (or Mero !a$es. In
late +01+ C-am"ions Com"lete -as released, -hich contained all o( the core 8th
edition rules as -ell as enough in(or$ation to 'la# a su'erhero ca$'aign in a
single +70&'age book. This co$'act 'resentation re>ected criticis$ that the 8th
edition rules had beco$e too un-ield#. *irroring the shrinking o( $ost o( the
table&to' ga$es industr#, Mero !a$es no- $aintains an irregular release
schedule, -ith a $ini$al sta3, and has success(ull# used Hickstarter to raise
(unds (or ne- 'roNects. 4ne o( these ne- 'roducts, Fantasy #ero Com"lete, is
currentl# scheduled (or a +01I release.
External links
?M2R4 !a$es %o$'an# -ebsite
?Mero S#ste$ at D*4E
High Ad&enture ole Playing
1igh Ad+enture "ole $laying
-A$% logo
Designer(s) Ti$ Dugger B Meike 5. Hubasch
Publisher(s) Iron %ro-n 2nter'rises
Publication date Dece$ber 1+, +00:
!enre(s) ,antas#
S#ste$(s) 'ercentile
1igh Ad+enture "ole $laying (1A"$) is a (antas# role&'la#ing ga$e, designed
b# Ti$ Dugger B Meike 5. Hubasch, and 'ublished b# Iron %ro-n 2nter'rises
(IC().
Background
1A"$ is 'roduced b# Iron %ro-n 2nter'rises, the sa$e co$'an# that 'roduces
)olemaster, but the $echanics o( the s#ste$ are ver# $uch si$'li"ed in
co$'arison. The s#ste$ also takes cues (ro$ the d20 system.
The #A)+ MS -ebsite illustrates their si$'li"ed 'hiloso'h# regarding ga$e'la#,
D5re #ou tired o( restricting rules and boring co$bat] Tired o( characters that
are tied to a rigid caste or align$ent s#ste$] 5re #ou read# (or so$e action,
eAcite$ent and adventure]ZD
8+
This state$ent serves to distinguish the$selves
(ro$ )olemaster and d20.
System
The #A)+ book is 1I cha'ters long, -ith the "rst nine devoted to character
generation.
8+)hat is M5RP]
Pro)essions
#A)+ has Pro(essions that deter$ine -hich sets o( skills are (avoured or not,
$an# also 'rovide level bonuses to skills, s'ell s'heres andOor talents. The
Pro(essions in #A)+ )evised are; %leric, ,ighter, Mar'er, *age, *onk, Ranger,
Rogue, Thie(, and )arrior *age. 5dditional 'ro(essions are (ound in other
su''ort books and include; Paladin, Beast$aster, 2le$entalist, Thau$aturge,
Jecro$ancer, Givi$ancer, 5dventurer, *#stic, Shado-blade, B Druid. #A)+1s
Pro(essions are designed to be >eAible, -ith a single level 'rogression chart
allo-ing the 'la#er to build the character he or she -ants (ro$ the base
'ro(ession.
Statistics
5 s#ste$ o( eight statistics are used (or characters (eaturing Strength,
%onstitution, 5gilit#, Suickness, Sel( Disci'line, Reasoning, Insight and Presence.
Statistics range (ro$ 1 to 10I.
Statistics are generated during character creation one o( three -a#s; &
?The "rst is to roll 1d100 eight ti$es (re&rolling an# result belo- 70) and assign
the eight results.
?The second is to divide II0 'oints a$ongst the eight scores, -ith an increased
cost to raise a score above 90.
?The third is to roll 10d10 and add the total to I00, then assigning that total to
the scores as in $ethod t-o.
*uch o( the ga$e 'la# revolves around the abilit# scores, (the Develo'$ent
Points that are used throughout the rest o( character creation are based on these
scores,) so a character generated -ith $ethod one runs a risk o( not being
'la#able, though the chance o( a highl# eAce'tional score is 'ossible.
aces and Cultures
Pla#er characters in #A)+ belong to one o( a set o( (antas# races; Mu$an,
D-ar(, 2l(, !no$e and Mal>ing= #ar" adds the Gry3, a race -ho are 'h#sicall#
si$ilar to 4rcs, -ith a $ore 'eace(ul $entalit#.
#A)+ does not directl# o3er $iAed races. Instead characters $a# 'urchase
!reater and <esser Blood Talents to custo$i/e their character. !reater Blood
Talents re>ect the $ore traditional hal(&race, ($eaning that the character is hal(
the Base Race and hal( the Race chosen -ith the Blood Talent,) -hile <esser
Blood Talents re'resent traits (ro$ inter&racial ancestors.
%ultures re'resent the other side to the nature versus nurture e.uation. These
traits re'resent the character1s u'bringing, (ro$ no$adic and rural, to urban
and underhill. These directl# in>uence the character1s background, starting
location, clothing, de$eanour and language. The# 'rovide a relativel# standard
set o( cultural skill ranks called adolescent ranks. These skills are t#'ical skills
that $ost 'eo'le in a culture -ill learn in their (or$ative #ears.
Cyradon aces
There is also a ne- ca$'aign setting o3ered b# I%2 -hich is called Gry"-on
World and has set its $ain (ocus on the continent o( Cyradon. It o3ers a variation
on the standard (antas# races, -ith the D-arves beco$ing the *ablung, the
5rali and Sithi re'lacing the nor$al elves, the Rhona a -ise gno$ish race,
Jaga/i a civili/ed li/ard race, and !r#'hons as a >#ing .uadru'ed race.
Jotabl# it eAcludes Mal>ings, orcs, goblins, kobolds and $an# other standard
(antas# races and creatures b# de(ault.
Skills
There are 10 skill categories -ith :&9 skills each, (or a total o( 80 skills. So$e
skills have sub&skills (that are a little $ore di3icult to 'er(or$). 2ach 'ro(ession
receives +0 starting ranks, divided a$ong their (avored skill categories, and can
build (ro$ there -ith develo'$ent 'oints.
Skills are used b# rolling an o'en ended d100 (98&100 re&roll and add), adding
#our skill bonus and the related stat bonus, a $odi"er (or the di3icult# o( the
task, and tr#ing to get over 101. Di3icult# $odi"ers range (ro$ *undane (980)
to 5bsurd (&100).
S'ells are 'urchased in this stage as -ell, each s'ell is 'urchased as a se'arate
skill. Several 'ro(essions have a Pro(essional S'here o( s'ells, and an# character
$a# 'urchase s'ells (ro$ the 6niversal S'here. S'ells are 'o-ered b# Po#er
Points, and in order to be able to cast a s'ell, a character $ust have a rank in
that s'ell e.ual to the 'o-er 'oints needed. S'ells can be scaled u'-ardl#,
thereb# increasing the re.uired 'o-er 'oints and skill ranks needed to cast the
scaled version o( the s'ell.
*alents
Talents are both inherent to the character1s race and available as a (or$ o(
character custo$i/ation. In order to obtain a talent the character eA'ends DP
-hile creating or levelling u' a character. !*1s are encouraged to custo$i/e the
available talents and even re.uire in ga$e eA'lanations should the# -ish. ,ort#&
one talents $ake u' the *aster <ist in #A)+ )evised !dition (though $ore are
available in su''ort $aterial) and include Dark Gision, Bla/ing s'eed,
5$bideAterit#, ,a$iliar, 5thletic, Sha'echanger and 4utdoors$an.
S'ecial Starting Ite$s such as an Ite$ o( Sualit# or a <o#al Do$esticated or
6nusual 5ni$al or %reature are also available, and -hile not talents, the# are
'urchased in the sa$e -a#.
1ate Points
,ate Points are a -a# to aid in dice rolls in critical circu$stances or in reducing
critical -ounds, a single ,ate Point is -orth 9I0 on the dice or a &+I to the
critical received and can be 'urchased at a cost o( I develo'$ent 'oints to a
$aAi$u$ o( I ,ate Points. 5ll ne- 'la#er characters begin -ith : (ate 'oints.
These 'oints are a $ethod o( allo-ing the heroic 'rotagonists to achieve the
heroic, the# are not nor$all# given to non 'la#er characters.
*raining Packages
Training 'ackages are sets o( linked skills that co$e at a discount and hail (ro$
a co$$on background. %haracters $a# take one 'ackage 'er level. 2Aa$'les
include Bount# Munter, 5stothian 5rcher, Lade Dragon, and T#rian Sage.
This allo-s .uick custo$i/ations o( 'ro(essions -ithin settings -ithout the need
to create a ne- 'ro(ession. ,or eAa$'le in a $ilitar# order -ithin a ca$'aign
several training 'ackages can be created to $i$ic troo' s'eciali/ation and or
rank. 4nl# one training 'ackage can be ac.uired b# a character at each level.
A#ards
4n 5ugust +1, +007, M5RP -on the Silver 2Jnie (or Best Jon&d+0 !a$e at !en
%on.
8:
Pricing
#A)+ is available (ro$ the 4neBookShel( net-ork
87
It retails at [+0.00 (or an
5dobe PD, version. 5 de$o version o( the ga$e called M5RP <ite is available (or
(ree do-nload.
8I
External links
?M5RP MS (43icial )ebsite)
8:2J )orld
87htt';OO---.r'gno-.co$O'roductO1071F8OMigh&5dventure&Role&Pla#ing&,antas#]
ter$Qhigh9adventure9ro
8Ihtt';OO---.har'h..co$O(ree^do-nloadsO:000<^Mar'<ite.'d( M5RP <ite
?RP!net Revie- o( Migh 5dventure Role Pla#ing, Eack Moughton
?RP!net Revie- o( Migh 5dventure Role Pla#ing, Loe ! Hushner
?RP!net Revie- o( Migh 5dventure Role Pla#ing, Sa$urai
?RP!net Revie- o( Migh 5dventure Role Pla#ing, grub$an
?M5RP Revie-, d+0 *aga/ine Rack
?The !uild %o$'anion
?Iron %ro-n 2nter'rises o3icial -ebsite
Hollo# Earth Expedition
1ot to be confused 2ith -ollo2 3orld.
Hollo# (art% (xpedition
#ollo. !art- !3"edition
Hollo# (art% (xpedition is a 'ul' 19:0s role&'la#ing ga$e set in the "ctitious
#ollo. !art-, 'ublished b# 2Aile !a$e Studio. The ga$e has been no$inated (or
several 4rigins and 2Jnie a-ards since its release in +008.
The $ain rule book is Mollo- 2arth 2A'edition, and it is o(ten abbreviated as
M2C.
System
Mollo- 2arth 2A'edition uses the 6bi.uit# rules, -hich -ere also created b#
2Aile !a$e Studio. The $ain (eature o( the s#ste$ is its use o( binar# dice 'ool
rolls to deter$ine success. 6nder the de(ault rules, each even nu$ber rolled
counts as a success, -hile odd nu$bers count as nothing. 4dd 1nothings1 do not
cancel out even 1successes1, $aking dice rolling .uick and si$'le. This binar#
s#ste$ has also led to the develo'$ent o( s'ecial 6bi.uit# Dice, -hich are not
detailed belo-.
'ame setting
*he sur)ace #orld
Mollo- 2arth 2A'edition is set in the 19:0s. 4n the sur(ace, ever#thing a''ears
as it does in our real -orld histor# books, but i( #ou dig a little dee'er #ou
encounter secret societies and villainous organi/ations, $an# o( -ho$ have a
vested interest in the Mollo- 2arth.
T-o organi/ations are detailed in the $ain rulebook; the Terra 5rcana and the
Thule Societ#. ,urther organi/ations are listed in the "rst eA'ansion, Secrets o8
t%e Sur8ace /orld.
The &erra Arcanum in an esoteric societ# dedicated to kee'ing the Mollo-
2arth a secret. The# have their (oundations dee' in the $ists o( ti$e, and onl# a
(e- o( their current $e$bers reali/e their true origins.
The &%ule Society are based on an actual organi/ation associated -ith the Ja/i
'art# during )orld )ar II. In M2C the# have a dee' interest in getting into the
Mollo- 2arth and the 'o-er(ul ancient -ea'ons the# believe are ke't there.
*he Hollo# Earth
The Mollo- 2arth boasts a -ide selection o( beasts and hu$ans. Dinosaurs and
other eAtinct creatures still live and hunt and are hunted b# the various hu$an
grou's -ho have beco$e stranded in the Mollo- 2arth over the centuries. Jot a
great deal o( detail is 'rovided about the Mollo- 2arth in the $ain book,
allo-ing !a$e *asters to custo$i/e the terrain to suit their ca$'aign.
$ysteries o8 t%e Hollo# (art% eA'ands a great deal on the deni/ens o( Mollo-
2arth, including rules (or beast$en o( various sorts, and 'rovides details such as
a $a' and ga/etteer (or those !*s -ho -ant a $ore >eshed&out -orld, rather
than the $ore nebulous Dland o( $#steriesD (ro$ the core book.
Products
Currently a&ailable
?Mollo- 2arth 2A'edition (available in ,rench and !er$an)
?!a$e *aster Screen
?Secrets o( the Sur(ace )orld
?*#steries o( the Mollo- 2arth
?+erils of t-e Surfa%e World ('er(ect 'a'erback co$'ilation o( (our adventure
$odules; *iracle Stone o( the 5$a/on, ,ro/en %it# o( Terror, <egac# o( the Terra
5rcanu$ and ,ive Talons o( the Lade Dragon)
?6bi.uit# Dice
?6bi.uit# St#le %hi's (or each o( the three sourcebooks
?Suick Start Rules and adventures (or ,ree RP! Da# +00&+011
Coming soon
?Revelations o( *ars (in develo'$ent) (Hickstarter &
htt';OO---.kickstarter.co$O'roNectsO+0I:7FI7Orevelations&o(&$ars)
Critical reception
A#ards
Hollo# (art% (xpedition
2Jnies;
?(+00F) Best %over 5rt (Silver 5-ard )inner)
?(+00F) Best )riting (Jo$inated)
?(+00F) Best !a$e(Jo$inated)
?(+00F) Product o( the Pear (Jo$inated)
4rigins;
?(+00F) Role'la#ing !a$e o( the Pear (Jo$inated)
Hollo# (art% (xpedition G$ Screen
2Jnies;
?(+00) Best 5ccessor# (Jo$inated)
4rigins;
?(+00) !a$e Su''ort (Jo$inated)
Secrets o8 t%e Sur8ace /orld
2Jnies;
?(+00) Best Su''le$ent (Silver 5-ard )inner)
$ysteries o8 &%e Hollo# (art%
2Jnies;
?(+010) Best Su''le$ent (!old 5-ard )inner)
Perils o8 t%e Sur8ace /orld
2Jnies;
?(+011) Best 5dventure ((or *iracle Stone o( the 5$a/on) (Jo$inated)
External links
?43icial site at 2Aile !a$e Studio
?!re#$alkin Designs <icenses the 6bi.uit# S#ste$ (or a Post&a'ocal#'tic
,antas# ga$e, Desolation
?Tri'le 5ce ga$es <icenses the 6bi.uit# S#ste$ (or t-o settings. Its
S-ashbuckling All For 5ne? )eime Dia,ol/ue and the Gictorian 2ra 9eaues of
Adventure
?D5J!2R *5!J2TZ ,an/ine s'eciali/ing in the 6bi.uit# S#ste$
?6hr-erk Gerlag !er$an M2C Publisher
.nterlock System
The Interlock System is R. Talsorian !a$es1 'ro'rietar# role&'la#ing s#ste$.
History
Interlock -as a ga$e s#ste$ b# R. Talsorian !a$es based on a si$'le fdie 9
bonusU s#ste$, using a d10.
;+0
Mekton AA (19F) @ the third edition o( R.
Talsorian1s $echa ga$e @ revealed (or the "rst ti$e the (ull&>edged Interlock
s#ste$. Interlock (eatured 'oint&based characters -ith a character background
s#ste$ that had a''eared in Mekton, though in a $ore co$'leA and
co$'rehensive (or$ called <i(e'aths.
;+0
Cy,er"unk 20:4 (19) -as R.
Talsorian1s second Interlock design.
;+0
Cy,er"unk eA'anded the original
Interlock s#ste$ b# introducing a ne- co$bat s#ste$ called D,rida# Jight
,ire"ghtD. The second edition o( the ga$e, Cy,er"unk 2020 (1990), 'olished u'
the Interlock s#ste$ once $ore, 'roducing -hat is no- kno-n as DStandard
InterlockD.
;+09
Interlock is one o( the direct 'arents o( the ,u/ion s#ste$ (the other is the Mero
S#ste$). The Interlock S#ste$ is a Dskill&basedD s#ste$ T characters are created
b# choosing skills (or the$, and b# advancing those skills individuall#, rather
than b# choosing character class 'ackages. The Interlock S#ste$ is used
'ri$aril# in the Cy,er"unk 2020 and Mekton role&'la#ing ga$es= a variant o( the
Interlock S#ste$ is used in Teenaers from 5uter S"a%e and the La'anese
Gundam Senki RP!. Stats and skills are both rated on a scale o( 0&10 -ith 0
re'resenting no abilit#Ono training and 10 re'resenting the $aAi$u$ abilit#
'ossible (or a hu$an being. 5 t#'ical skill roll -ill range (ro$ 1+&+0 (or $ost
tasks, so a skill 10 9 stat 10 -ill succeed at virtuall# an# task barring a critical
$isha', -hile a skill 0 9 stat + ($ini$u$ statistic level (or a hu$an character)
-ill (ail at an# but the ver# si$'lest task, and even then -ill succeed onl# on a
critical success. Interlock builds on the t#'ical skill&based 'aradig$ b# o3ering
Dte$'lateD (*ekton) or D'ro(essionD (%#ber'unk) 'ackages that give s'eciali/ed
abilities to characters that take these 'ackages.
The Interlock S#ste$ is best kno-n (or its 9ife"at- s#ste$, a stor#telling device
used to create character backgrounds -ithout 'articular direct bene"t or
dra-back to the character, avoiding $in&$aAing.
Masterbook
Masteroo2 is a generic role&'la#ing ga$e that -as created b# )est 2nd
!a$es as a (ollo-&u' to the $ulti&genre role&'la#ing ga$e Tor and the science
"ction ga$e S-atterzone, -hich used a $odi"ed version o( the Tor s#ste$. 5s
o( Lanuar# +011, it is 'ublished b# Precis Inter$edia !a$ing.
<ike Tor, the Master,ook s#ste$ utili/ed t-o co$'le$entar# (or$s o( in&ga$e
con>ict resolution; a uni"ed dice $echanic, -hich -as based on a roll o( t-o ten&
sided dice, and a ga$e&s'eci"c deck o( cards (the *asterDeck, si$ilar to the
Dra$a Deck in Tor) that in>uenced rando$ nu$ber generation, character
actions, and the ga$e1s 'lot. Master,ook -as used (or several licensed
'ro'erties, $ost notabl# T-e World of Andiana 7ones, Tales from t-e Cry"t,
S"e%ies, and Brian <u$le#1s 1e%ros%o"e. It -as also used (or uni.ue settings
such as $loods-ado.s.
The s#ste$ -as, ulti$atel#, a co$$ercial (ailure des'ite these licenses, thanks
to a co$bination o( (actors, including the high level o( detail in ga$e $echanics,
the unusual s#nthesis o( dice& and card&based con>ict resolution, and the lo-
level o( 'la#er character 'o-er and e3ect even in (antastic or 'ul'&st#le settings
such as Andiana 7ones. This last (actor -as in direct contrast to Tor, -hich
hel'ed to isolate $an# (ans o( the ga$e1s 'redecessor and drive the$ to 'la#
ga$es -hose s#ste$s -ere $ore directl# acco$$odating to their 're(erred st#le
o( ga$e'la#.
External links
?The *asterbook %o$$unit#
May)air Exponential 'ame System
The $ay8air (xponential Game System or $(GS is a rules s#ste$ develo'ed
(or role&'la#ing ga$es. The na$e -as -hat (ans called the ga$e s#ste$ (or DC
#eroes, -hich -as later used (or 2nderround (199:). It is note-orth# (or its
use o( an eA'onential s#ste$ (or $easuring nearl# ever#thing in the ga$e. This
s#ste$ $akes it 'ossible to have both cos$icall#&'o-ered characters and
ordinar# hu$an characters $eaning(ull# interact -ithin the sa$e universe. ,or
eAa$'le, in DC #eroes, the "rst ga$e to use *2!S, Su'er$an1s strength is
several orders o( $agnitude $ore than Bat$an1s. )ith the *2!S s#ste$,
ho-ever, this large di3erence in strength is scaled do-n. So, -hile Su'er$an
-ould still have a clear advantage in a bra-l, Bat$an is at least able to hold out
(or a -hile, $irroring ho- su'erhero co$bat o(ten o'erates in co$ic books.
History
*2!S -as originall# develo'ed (or the co$'an# *a#(air !a$es (or the $odern
su'erhero RP! DC #eroes. The s#ste$ -as heavil# $odi"ed (or *a#(air1s
c#ber'unk -ar veteran RP! 2nderround. The original incarnation o( Pulsar
!a$es licensed *2!S (ro$ *a#(air !a$es and used it in their $odern
su'erhero RP! $lood of #eroes. $lood of #eroes is ver# si$ilar to DC #eroes,
$ostl# re'lacing the su'erheroes created b# D% %o$ics -ith ne- ones (or the
$lood of #eroes universe.
Mechanics
The core idea in *2!S is that all $easure$ents are done using a logarith$ic
scale. The units on this scale are called D5ttribute PointsD or D5PsD in the
su'erhero ga$es and si$'l# D6nitsD in 6nderground, -ith each unit on the scale
re'resents eA'onentiall# increasing values (or length, -eight, ti$e, etc. Because
o( the nature o( logarith$s and eA'onents, 0 5PsO6nits is a $eaning(ul, 'ositive
value. Indeed, even negative 5PsO6nits still re'resent 'ositive values, though
eA'onentiall# s$aller, do-n to &100 5Ps, -hich is de"ned as absolute /ero (or all
units.
In the su'erhero ga$es, 1 5P corres'onds to seconds, +0 (eet (8.1 $), 100
'ounds (7I kg), + cubic (eet (IF <), [I0, or a t#'ed 'age o( in(or$ation. 5 single
increase o( an 5P roughl# doubles the value, so + 5Ps o( -eight is about +00
'ounds, -hile 8 5Ps o( -eight is about :+00 'ounds, or about 1.I tons.
In 6nderground, 1 6nit corres'onds to I seconds, 1+ (eet (:.F $), 1+I 'ounds
(IF kg), 87 cubic (eet (1,00 <), or a bit $ore than a 'aragra'h o( teAt. 5n
increase o( : 6nits re'resents a doubling o( the related value, so 7 6nits o(
-eight is about +I0 'ounds, -hile F 6nits o( -eight is about I00 'ounds.
*ulti'lication and division o( ra- values are si$'li"ed to addition and
subtraction on a logarith$ic scale, so the *2!S scale (unctions essentiall# the
sa$e -a# that slide rules do. ,or eAa$'le, ra- distance travelled is nor$all#
calculated b# $ulti'l#ing ra- s'eed b# ra- ti$e. In *2!S, s'eed and ti$e in
5PsO6nits are si$'l# added together to #ield the distance travelled in 5PsO6nits.
So a car traveling at a s'eed o( I 5Ps (about II *PM) (or 9 5Ps o( ti$e (about :7
$inutes) -ill travel I99Q17 5Ps o( distance (about :1 $iles). The results o(
other i$'ortant ga$e events can be deter$ined in si$ilar -a#s, such as
calculating the distance an obNect can be thro-n (the P%1s strength score $inus
the -eight o( the obNect).
Mega&ersal system
The $ega4ersal system, so$eti$es kno-n as the Palladium system, is a set
o( $echanics s'eci"call# e$'lo#ed in $ost role&'la#ing ga$es 'ublished b#
Palladiu$ Books, -ith the eAce'tion o( )e%on. It uses dice (or roll&under
'ercentile skill checks, roll&high co$bat checks and saving thro-s, and
deter$ination o( da$age (i.e. *ega Da$age is to *.D.%. -hat Dda$ageD is to
S.D.%. ) sustained in $elee encounters b# -hich a character1s Mit Points,
Structural Da$age %a'acit# (S.D.%.), or *ega&Da$age %a'acit# (*.D.%.) is
reduced accordingl#.
Conception
Shannon 5''elcline, in his book Desiners & Draons, states that the
*egaversal s#ste$ -as a reva$' o( Palladiu$1s AD&D&derived ga$e s#ste$; DIt
-as one 'art highl# traditional @ -ith its character classes, eA'erience 'oints
and levels @ and one 'art arcane @ -ith its abbreviations like 4%%s, R%%s, P%%s,
PP2, SD% and *D%.D
Character creation
Attributes
%ertain as'ects o( character creation var# across series. De'ending u'on the
ga$e, 'la#ers $a# or $a# not need to select a race= (or instance, it is assu$ed
that characters in 1inEas & Su"ers"ies are hu$an, -hile in +alladium Fantasy
the# ver# o(ten are not. Jonetheless, all ga$es share the sa$e eight rando$l#
generated attributes;
?Intelligence Suotient (I.S.)
?*ental 53init# (*.5.) @ The character1s 'ersonalit# and ho- -ell the# can deal
-ith others.
?*ental 2ndurance (*.2.) @ The character1s -ill'o-er.
?Ph#sical 2ndurance (P.2.) @ The character1s basic level o( toughness.
?Ph#sical Pro-ess (P.P.) @ The characters agilit#.
?Ph#sical Strength (P.S.) @ The character1s strength.
?Ph#sical Beaut# (P.B.) @ The character1s 'h#sical attractiveness.
?S'eed (S'd) @ The character1s running s'eed.
?Mit Points (M.P.)
,or hu$ans, $ost o( these statistics are deter$ined b# a roll o( three siA&sided
dice, -hereas other s'ecies1 attributes are deter$ined $ore or less de'ending
on ho- the# co$'are to the baseline hu$an standard.
4ther statistics that $a# be used are;
?Structural Da$age %a'acit# (S.D.%.) @ 4(ten su''le$ents hit 'oints= also
(unctions alone as Dhit 'ointsD o( non&living obNects.
?*ega Da$age %a'acit# (*.D.%.) @ In so$e cases in certain -orlds -ill re'lace
both S.D.%. and M.P. or su''le$ent the$
?Potential Ps#chic 2nerg# (P.P.2.) @ 2nerg# co$$onl# used (or $agic and other
non&'s#chic su'ernatural abilities.
?Inner Strength Points (I.S.P.) @ 2nerg# used (or 's#chic abilities and so$eti$es
$agic 'o-ers (*echanoids, Phase )orld)
?Bio&2nerg# (Bio&2) @ 6sed to design $utant ani$als
?%hi (no abbreviation) @ 2nerg# used (or chi 'o-ers in JinNas B Su'ers'ies.
?,orce Points (,P) @ 2nerg# used (or ,orce ,ield and %reate ,orce %onstructs in
Meroes 6nli$ited
?Po-er Touch Points (PTP) @ 2nerg# used (or Po-er Touch in Po-ers 6nli$ited
Classes
The characters1 race and attributes @ not to $ention the ga$e itsel( @ i$'act
their selection o( character classes;
?4ccu'ational %haracter %lasses (4.%.%.) @ Skills and abilities based on training.
?Ps#chic %haracter %lasses (P.%.%.) @ ,ocus on 's#chic 'o-ers.
?Racial %haracter %lasses (R.%.%.) @ 5bilities and skills -hich are 'ri$aril# a
(unction o( race, or are li$ited to $e$bers o( a certain race.
Skills
De'ending u'on the ga$e, skills can co$e either (ro$ the character1s 4.%.%. and
a related list, or (ro$ the character1s educational or occu'ational background.
!a$es set on $odern 2arth tend to (avor the second= all others (avor the "rst.
4.%.%.s tend to be $ore s'eci"c than character classes in other ga$es, -ith a
-ide range o( 4.%.%.s in a given 'ro(ession, such as siA or seven s'eciali/ed
$echa 'ilot classes in )ifts rather than a single DRobotOPo-er 5r$or PilotD class.
Alignment
Palladiu$1s align$ents are described in detailed ter$s, outlining ho- a
character -ill act in a certain situation; -hether the# -ill lie, ho- $uch (orce
the# -ill use against innocents, ho- the# vie- the la-, and so (orth. The
align$ents are organi/ed into three broad categories; !ood, Sel"sh, and 2vil.
The seven core align$ents are;
?Princi'led (!ood)
?Scru'ulous (!ood)
?6n'rinci'led (Sel"sh and also good)
?5narchist (Sel"sh)
?*iscreant (2vil)
?5berrant (2vil)
?Diabolic (2vil)
5n eighth overall (and third !ood) align$ent, DTaoistD, -as introduced (or Mysti%
C-ina, but has not seen use outside o( that ga$e.
Palladiu$ (ounder and lead designer Hevin Sie$bieda has a noted distaste (or
DneutralD align$ents (as used in Dungeons B Dragons). This is stated in $ost
core rulebooks in the align$ent section, and ste$s (ro$ the idea that a trul#
neutral character -ould not do an#thing 'articularl# interesting, like "ght or go
on an adventure.
%ther system &ariations
2ach ga$e has its o-n variations to $ake the s#ste$ better suit its genre. After
t-e $om,, S"li%ers, #eroes 2nlimited ((or $utant ani$als onl#), and Teenae
Mutant 1inEa Turtles & 5t-er Straneness use DBiological 2nerg#D (BI4&2)
'oints to 'urchase $utations. +alladium Fantasy assu$es that non&hu$an
characters -ill be routinel# 'la#ed, so $ost races -ill use nor$al 4.%.%.s instead
o( R.%.%.s.
So$e ga$es that (eature advanced technolog# in science "ction settings like
)ifts, )o,ote%-, and S"li%ers use a s'ecial categor# o( da$age ca'acit# called
D*ega&Da$ageD (*.D.%.)= the eAce'tion is Me%-anoids. *.D.%. is 100 ti$es $ore
'o-er(ul than nor$al da$age (i.e., 1 *.D.%. Q 100@199 S.D.%.). Jor$al -ea'ons
cannot da$age a *ega&Da$age structure at all unless the# are ca'able o(
in>icting 100 S.D.%. or $ore in a single shot or burst o( a$$unition= the
archet#'al eAa$'le o( *ega&Da$age is a tank, -hich can onl# be e3ectivel#
destro#ed through the use o( 'o-er(ul -ea'ons designed to overco$e its ar$or,
-hile easil# resisting s$all&ar$s "re. *an# u'dates to the s#ste$ in various
ca$'aign settings have also added Perce'tion as a statistic. Prior to this it -as
entirel# u' to the !* i( the 'la#er noticed an#thing.
%ne!oll Engine
The One#"oll Engine (or O3"3E3) is a generic role&'la#ing ga$e s#ste$
develo'ed b# !reg Stol/e (or the alternate histor# su'erhero role'la#ing ga$e
Godlike8 The s#ste$ -as eA'anded u'on in the $odern&da# se.uel, Wild Talents'
as -ell as the heroic (antas# ga$e )ein and the (ree horror ga$e 1emesis8 5
si$'ler version -as used (or Monsters and 5t-er C-ildis- T-ins. The 4ne&Roll
2ngine is notable (or its uni.ue dice rolling s#ste$ in -hich $atched values on
ten&sided dice (d10s) deter$ine all variables o( a check in a single roll. This
eli$inates, (or eAa$'le, the se'arate initiative, hit location and da$age rolls
co$$on during co$bat in other s#ste$s.
Mechanics
The 4ne&Roll 2ngine uses a dice pool o( d10s e.ual to the character1s Stat and
Skill si$ilar to that used b# Stor#teller s#ste$. Since the dice are al-a#s d10s, a
'ool is -ritten as the nu$ber o( dice (ollo-ed b# a DdD= (or eAa$'le, a 'ool o( siA
dice -ould be -ritten D8dD.
)hile $ost dice 'ool s#ste$s count the nu$ber o( dice -hich roll above a
certain nu$ber to deter$ine success, the 4.R.2. s#ste$ instead de'ends on
$atching dice, such as a 'air o( dice sho-ing or three dice sho-ing +.
*atching dice are called a DsetD= the nu$ber o( $atching dice in a set is called
the D)idthD, -hile the (ace u' nu$ber on the dice is the set1s DMeightD.
Shorthand notation (or -riting results is )idth A Meight, so a 'air o( s -ould be
-ritten +A and three +s -ould be -ritten :A+.
5 roll $a# have $ore than one set= the 'la#er can usuall# choose -hich one to
use. I( there are no $atches, then the 'la#er $a# select a single die to act as a
set -ith a )idth o( 1. In general, a set1s )idth deter$ines the s'eed o( an action,
-hile the Meight deter$ines ho- success(ul the action -as. In co$bat, )idth
and Meight also deter$ine the da$age and hit location.
Po-ers, such as those 'ossessed b# su'erhu$an Talents in Godlike, are $odeled
-ith s'ecial dice. DMard DiceD are considered to al-a#s have a value o( 10, -hile
D)iggle DiceD have a value assigned b# the 'la#er after the rest o( the 'ool is
rolled. The shorthand notation (or Mard Dice is -d and )iggle Dice is .d, so a
Dice 'ool o( siA regular dice, t-o Mard Dice and one )iggle Die -ould be noted
8d9+hd91-d.
Je$esis introduces D2A'ert DiceD, -hich $a# be used as nor$al dice, or the
'la#er can select their value ,efore the roll, but no t-o 2A'ert Dice can be
selected to have the sa$e value. 2A'ert Dice are also used as bu3er against die
'enalties, -here each 2A'ert Die counteracts one die 'enalt#, but then $ust be
rolled as a nor$al die. J2*2SIS also uses )iggle Dice, but rena$es the$
DTru$' DiceD. The shorthand notation (or 2A'ert Dice is ed and Tru$' Dice is td.
Reign also uses D)iggle DiceD, but uses the na$e D*aster DiceD (shorthand
notation D$dD). In this setting an# dice 'ool Nust could contain one s'ecial die
(D$dD or DedD) and can never roll $ore than ten dice at once. (2Acess allo-s
o3setting 'enalties -hile still resulting in an e3ective 'ool o( ten.)
The si$'li"ed 4.R.2. used in Monsters and 5t-er C-ildis- T-ins onl# uses
s'ecial dice (or $onsters. Jor$al dice in a $onsters1 'ools $a# be sacri"ced
during character creation (or s'ecial .ualities, one o( -hich, D5-eso$eD, grants
a die that -orks like an 2A'ert die in 1emesis. Taking the 5-eso$e .ualit# a
second ti$e $akes the die (unction like a )iggle Die. Monsters does not use
Mard Dice, but other s'ecial .ualities $odi(# rolls in s'eci"c, $ore li$ited -a#s.
,or eAa$'le D!narl#D adds one to da$age in co$bat rolls, -hile D)icked ,astD
adds one to )idth (or the 'ur'oses o( deter$ining s'eed.
External links
?Suick Start Rules (or Godlike.
?<earn to 'la# Wild Talents.
?Je$esis rules.
?Suick&Pla# !uide (or Monsters and 5t-er C-ildis- T-ins.
?Reign -iki
Po#ered by the Apocalypse
Po#ered by t%e Apocalypse
Designer(s) Gincent Baker
Publisher(s) <u$'le# !a$es and others
Publication date +010
!enre(s) Role&'la#ing ga$e
+o.ered ,y t-e A"o%aly"se (Pbt5) is the na$e o( the s#ste$ develo'ed (or the
+010 ga$e 5'ocal#'se )orld and that is also used (or Dungeon )orld,
*onsterhearts, and nu$erous other $odern RP!s. 5'ocal#'se )orld -on the
+010 Indie RP! 5-ards (or Most Annovative Game
88
and Dungeon )orld -on the
+01: 2Jnie a-ard (or $est )ules.
8F
System
Po-ered b# the 5'ocal#'se ga$es are all centred round resolving -hat
characters do as *oves. 5ll characters have access to a de(ault selection o(
$oves that var# (ro$ ga$e to ga$e so, (or instance, the de(ault attacking $ove
in Dungeon )orld is hack and slash and in 5'ocal#'se )orld it is Sei/e B# ,orce.
5'ocal#'se )orld, Dungeon )orld, and $ost other Pbt5 ga$es are class based
-ith the class selected (or the given character giving the$ access to a nu$ber o(
$oves be#ond the de(ault. These $oves can allo- the$ abilities above and
be#ond the nor$al, like the M#'nosis abilit# o( the *onsterhearts Ga$'ire, can
give the$ resources like D*# other car is a TankD (ro$ the 5'ocal#'se )orld
Driver, or can Nust be abilities the# can do like the abilit# o( the *onsterhearts
!host to -alk through -alls.
So$e o( the $oves granted b# the character1s class resolve auto$aticall#, but
those that don1t al-a#s (ollo- the sa$e (or$at. Roll t-o siA sided dice and add
the character1s relevant statistic (-hich again varies (ro$ ga$e to ga$e) & on a
109 the $ove succeeds, on a F&9 the $ove 'artiall# succeeds and the acting
character 'icks o3 a list o( either 'artial successes (or a hard choice, or the# 'ick
one o( a selection o( conse.uences, and on a 8 or less the $ove (ails and the
!a$e *aster $akes a 1Mard *ove1 -ith negative conse.uences (or the acting
character ((or instance dealing da$age).
Published games using the Po#ered by the
Apocalypse system
Because o( the si$'licit# and the >eAibilit# o( the Po-ered b# the 5'ocal#'se
engine, and Gincent Baker1s encourage$ent o( 'ublishing hacks,
8
there are at
least (our do/en (an&$ade hacks that have reached the 'oint o( 'ublic
'la#testing.
89
This list onl# covers the ones actuall# 'ublished.
Apocalypse (orld
Main article: Apocalypse 3orld
88*ost Innovative & +010 Indie RP! 5-ards
8F+01: 2Jnie 5-ards
8,oru$ state$ent & Gincent Baker, 11 Lune +010
89Big <ist o( 5'ocal#'se )orld hacks
5'ocal#'se )orld is the 'ost&a'ocal#'tic ga$e the s#ste$ -as created (or and is
set a(ter an uns'eci"ed a'ocal#'se (-hich $a# be s'eci"ed either in the course
o( 'la# or le(t a $#ster#) that created a 's#chic $aelstro$.
Dungeon (orld
Main article: 4ungeon 3orld
Dungeon )orld is a Dungeons B Dragons based ga$e -ith 'la#books based on
the core Dungeons and Dragons classes, and in -hich #ou gain eA'erience 'oints
b# (ailing rolls.
Monsterhearts
Main article: Monsterhearts
*onsterhearts is D5 stor# ga$e about the lives o( teenage $onstersD
F0
b# Loe
*cdaldno. De(ault statistics are Mot, %old, Giolent, and Dark, and the 'la#books
'resented in the $ain rulebook are The %hosen, the ,ae, the !houl, the Sueen,
the )itch, the )ere-ol(, the In(ernal, and the Ga$'ire. It -as no$inated (or or
runner u' (or "ve se'arate a-ards, although didn1t -in an#.
F1
Monster o) the (eek
D5n action&horror role 'la#ing ga$eD
F+
about a grou' o( $onster hunters, -ritten
b# *ichael Sands. Statistics are %har$, %ool, Shar', Tough, and )eird and the
de(ault classes are the %hosen, the 2A'ert, the ,lake, the Initiate, the *onstrous,
the *undane, the Pro(essional, the Sidekick, the S'ook#, and the )ronged.
*remulus
5 stor#telling RP! in the st#le o( the -orks o( M. P. <ovecra(t, Tre$ulus -as
Hickstarted and raised over [80,000.
F:
Statistics are Reason, Passion, *ight,
<uck, and 53init#, and the de(ault classes are The 5lienist, The 5nti.uarian, The
5uthor, The Devout, The Detective, The Dilettante, The Doctor, The Meir, The
Lournalist, The Pro(essor, and The Sales$an. There -ere 'lans (or the kickstarter
to 'roduce a DThe %ongoD 'la#set, allo-ing characters to eA'lore Dthe Meart o(
DarknessD & this idea -as dro''ed a(ter a backlash.
F7
F0The *onsterhearts -ebsite
F1RP! !eek *onsterhearts 'ro"le
F+The *onster o( the )eek -ebsite
F:Tre$ulus Hickstarter 'age
F7RP! %ultural 5''ro'riation, )+G )evie. issue 1F, Se'te$ber +01+
Sagas o) the .celanders
DThe ga$e is set so$eti$e a(ter the #ear F7, -hen the "rst Jorse settlers set
(oot on Iceland. The# -ere esca'ing -ar, 'overt# and the dissolution o( their
'olitical (reedo$s on the $ainland.D
FI
Statistics are Gersed, Poung, !endered,
and )#rd. De(ault classes are The %hild, the )o$an, the *an, the *atriarch, the
!odi, the Seidkona, the )anderer, the Shield&*aiden, the Muscarl, the Thrall,
and the *onster.
eception and analysis o) the System
In addition to other a-ards -on, 5'ocal#'se )orld -on the +010 Indie RP!
5-ard (or Most Annovative Game and Dungeon )orld -on the +01: 2Jnie a-ard
(or $est )ules.
*ulti'le revie-s, including Pla# 6n'lugged1s revie- o( 5'ocal#'se )orld
F8
and
on the strea$lining and (ocus on the "ction the s#ste$1s reliance on $oves
'roduces.
FFF
$it%- $aga/ine has co$$ented on the $ess# interconnected
relationshi's the s#ste$ 'roduces.
F9
9A'S
For the numerical integration routine, see 56A4%A7.
;AGS
(AGS introductory boxed set
FIRed *oose !a$es -ebsite
F8Revie- o( 5'ocal#'se )orld +lay 2n"lued, Lul# +01+
FF5'ocal#'se )orld Revie- Flames )isin
FBar( ,orth 5'ocal#'tica Criti%al #its revie-
F9The SeAualit# o( *onsterhearts, $it%- $aga/ine
Designer(s) Steve Lohnson B <eighton %onnor
Publisher(s) MeA 2ntertain$ent
Publication date +00:
!enre(s) generic role&'la#ing ga$e s#ste$
S#ste$(s) S5!S
;AGS ((ui%k Ass Game System) is a generic role&'la#ing ga$e s#ste$ (or use in
(ree(or$ role&'la#ing ga$es. S5!S is not tied to an# 'articular genre or setting,
and has been used to run ever#thing (ro$ 'aranor$al teenagers to 'ost&
a'ocal#'tic su'er&heroes to (antas# sailing adventure to gun&toting $onster
hunters to Dhard&coreD luchadore action to Regenc# ro$ance to 0Us cartoons to
Shakes'eare $eets Tarantino.
0
History
In 199, three ga$ers (Steve Lohnson, <eighton %onnor, and Dale ,rench)
'ublished the ,irst 2dition o( the ga$e a(ter a #ear o( develo'$ent.
1
Since then,
S5!S ('ronounced Dk-agsD) has been u'dated -ith a Second 2dition, and the
'ublisher, MeA !a$es, has continued to release ga$es.
To date, MeA !a$es has used the core s#ste$ (or M*For%e? Monster #untin An
T-e 2:st Century, )asslinN, (ert-, T-e Adventures 5f Sind,ad, )o%ket 7o%ks,
Weird Times At C-arles Fort #i-, and Funkadeli% Frankenstein on t-e Mean
Streets of Monsterto.n, as -ell as several stand alone adventures such as Dee"
S"a%e )es%ue and T-e Duneon 5f Moderate Annoyan%e C1ot 1early So $ad As
T-e Duneon 5f AnOnite +ainD.
In +001, MeA !a$es -as the !a$ing !uest o( Monor at *arcon :8. In +008, MeA
-as the D!a$ing !uestD o( Monor at 5rchon :0.
+
0X,5S; %an #ou reall# 'la# an#thing -ith S5!SD _0` broken link
1X5bout MeA !a$esY
+D5rchon :0D
'ame mechanics
In S5!S, 'la#er characters are de"ned b# siA )ords. Bod#, Brain, and Jerve
re'resent the characterUs 'h#sical, DintellectualD and $ental (-ill'o-er and
social skills, (or eAa$'le) abilities. Lob, !i$$ick and )eakness re'resent -hat
the character does, -hat $akes hi$ uni.ue in the -orld, and -hat li$its hi$ in
a grand Shakes'earean -a#. These last three )ords are .uali"ed. ,or eAa$'le, a
characterUs Lob $ight be X5ni$al %ontrol 43icerY, his !i$$ick XMide In Plain
SightY, and his )eakness XDies i( touches 'eanut butterY. 2ach o( these siA
)ords is assigned a Ju$ber ranging (ro$ 8 to 18. Skills, areas o( kno-ledge
that round out the character, -ith Ju$bers ranging (ro$ 91 to 9I are also
assigned, and the# -ill be used to $odi(# target nu$bers -hen rolls are called
(or. Ju$bers are generated b# using either the Sik Start s#ste$
:
that relies on
dice&rolling, or the Point Built s#ste$ in -hich the 'la#er is given a certain
nu$ber o( 'oints -ith -hich to create the character.
Pla#er characters are (urther >eshed out b# assigning the$ a Tag <ine
(so$ething that the character routinel# sa#s, such as XLinkies, a %lueZY),
))PMIT* ()ho )ill Pla# Mi$OMer In The *ovie), and an# nu$ber o( Du$b
,acts.
)hen the !a$e *aster deter$ines that a characterUs action goes be#ond -hat
-ould be considered nor$al or ever#da#, she decides -hat )ord is a''licable
and use that )ordUs Ju$ber as the target nu$ber. I( no )ord is a''licable, the
!* -ill use hal( the 'la#erUs Bod#, Brain or Jerve Ju$ber rounded do-n as a
de(ault target nu$ber. 5n# Skill $odi"ers are added to deter$ine the $odi"ed
target nu$ber. Then she asks the 'la#er to roll a +0&sided die= no other dice are
re.uired to 'la# S5!S. The nu$ber rolled on the die is then co$'ared to the
$odi"ed target Dnu$berD assigned to the a''ro'riate )ord. I( the roll is under
the $odi"ed target nu$ber, the action succeeds= over the $odi"ed target
nu$ber, a (ailure. I( t-o characters are in o''osition, hand to hand co$bat (or
eAa$'le, then the higher success(ul role is the one that actuall# succeeds.
In an eAa$'le o( 'la#, 4ur Mero, Rollo the Su'ers'#, -ants to i$'ress Isvestia, a
beauti(ul Ruritanian counterintelligence agent, at the casino in *onte %arlo. Me
adds his 9+ skill in XTango DancingY to the 1+ o( his XSu'ers'#Y Lob, -hich she
-ill o''ose -ith her 1I Jerve. Me rolls a 1: -hile she rolls a 7. Both are
Dsuccess(ulD, but his roll, being higher, is the one that succeeds. The result
should be that he has her eating out o( his hand, but Rollo also has X4ver'la#s
Mis MandY (or a )eakness -ith a Ju$ber o( 1:. Me rolls a 9, and the )eakness
-ins and takes e3ect, thus releasing Isvestia (ro$ her (ascination.
:XS5!S Sik Start RulesY
Si$'le dice&rolling is aug$ented b# the use o( Pu$ Pu$s. Pu$ Pu$s
7
are
an#thing co$'act and edible, an#thing (ro$ hard candies to 'otato chi's. Pu$
Pu$s $a# be used to bu# auto$atic successes, chances to re&roll (ailed rolls, and
to $odi(# things like da$age given and taken. The# also give 'la#ers a chance to
take control o( a ga$e and deter$ine details about the ga$e -orld. 5dditional
Pu$ Pu$s are handed out (or advancing the 'lot, role&'la#ing -ell, or $aking
the !* snort le$onade out her nose.
In the 'la# eAa$'le o( Rollo the Su'ers'# (e#eballing Isvestia across the
ballroo$ >oor), he can thro- the !* a Pu$ Pu$ instead o( rolling dice, granting
hi$ an auto$atic success in his atte$'t to i$'ress Isvestia. The !* again
invokes his -eakness, but Rollo can thro- another Pu$ Pu$ to avoid having his
)eakness take e3ect. Jo- Isvestia1s read# to tell hi$ Dan#thingD.
Complexity
S5!S can be as co$'leA or as si$'le as the !* and 'la#ers -ant it to be, and
the rules can be easil# ada'ted to include -hatever $echanic a ne- setting
$ight re.uire. ,or eAa$'le )asslinN needed to add a $echanic (or resolving the
sho-# co$bat o( 'ro(essional -restling= )o%ket 7o%ks needed rules (or s'aceshi'
co$bat= and Weird Times at C-arles Fort #i- needed an alternative 'oint&build
character generation s#ste$ to balance the di3erent 'aranor$al characters.
External links
?MeA !a$es co$'an# -ebsite _1`
?S5!S Revie-, RP!net, 5ugust +9, +00:
?S5!S Revie-, d+1ga$ing.co$, Lune +9, +00F
?S5!S Revie-, RP!net, Se'te$ber +8, +00I
?S5!S (eatured in article about Rules <ight RP!s, Bella4nline, +009
?MeA !a$es <isting, RP!net !a$e IndeA
isus
"isus& The Anything "$G is a rules&light generic role&'la#ing ga$e (RP!)
-ritten, designed and illustrated b# S. Lohn Ross o( %u$berland !a$es and
Diversions. )isus is available (ree on the -eb. It -as "rst 'ublished online in
199:. 2arlier versions o( the ga$e -ere titled G/C*& The Generic /ni+ersal
Comedy *ystem (a 'arod# o( G2)+S) and -ere distributed 'rivatel# beginning
in 199.
7X,5S; Pu$ Pu$s] Reall#] Pu$ Pu$s]Y
History
)isus (<atin (or XlaughterY) is a co$ed# ga$e (o(ten described b# its creator as a
DNoke ga$eD) and uses a clichW (character class) s#ste$ ins'ired b# the broad
Dcareer scaleD skills in !reg !orden1s DC #eroes )+G (*a#(air !a$es), and later
in>uenced b# 5tlas !a$es1 5ver t-e !de. The core s#ste$s o( )isus o-e their
largest debt to the G-ost,usters )+G 'ublished b# )est 2nd !a$es, and to
Tunnels and Trolls b# Hen St. 5ndre. The ga$e itsel( also cites G2)+S as an
in>uence, along -ith F2DG!, another (ree RP! released to the -eb a #ear
earlier. Several $ore recent ga$es have been, in turn, in>uenced b# )isus8
Des'ite the ga$e1s s$all si/e and ad$ittedl# Noking nature, there are $ore than
:0 (an&authored -ebsites devoted to )isus' so$e including several rules
variants, si$'le -orldbooks, and -holl# re-ritten ada'tations o( the ga$e.
)isus itsel( has been translated into S'anish, Portuguese, Italian, !er$an,
,rench, Danish, Dutch, %roatian, %/ech, Polish, and Jor-egian. In Dece$ber,
+00:, %u$berland !a$es began to su''ort the (ree ga$e -ith co$$ercial
su''le$ents, beginning -ith the )isus Com"anion and the (ounding o( the
International 4rder o( Risus. 5n eAa$'le o( another co$$ercial 'roduct is A
6rinle in Time, Dan adventure about saving %hrist$as (ro$ ancient evil.D
1e. )isus -on the +001 inaugural RP!net a-ard (or $est Free )+G.
isus Companion
T-e )isus Com"anion is the "rst co$$ercial su''le$ent o( )isus. S. Lohn Ross
-rote and 'ublished the )isus Com"anion on the 10th anniversar# o( )isus on
the )orld )ide )eb, in order to 'rovide a (oundation (or )isus as a co$$ercial
venture. )isus itsel( re$ains (ree o( charge, allo-ing )isus (ans the o'tion to
su''ort )isus i( the# choose and be $ateriall# re-arded (or doing so. The )isus
Com"anion is an electronic docu$ent in PD, (or$, $ade available to all
$e$bers o( the International 4rder o( Risus.
.nternational %rder o) isus
The International .rder o8 )isus is the o3icial (an club o( )isus. The 4rder is,
according to their o-n charter, dedicated to 'ro$oting )isus and to Di$'osing
our iron -ill u'on an unsus'ecting universe.D
External links
?The 43icial )isus Mo$e Page
?%u$berland !a$es B Diversions
?The I4R %harter
?)isusiverse ; a )isus (an/ine in -iki (or$at
olemaster
)olemaster
Designer(s) %ole$an %harlton, Lohn %urtis, Pete
,enlon, Steve *arvin
Publisher(s) Iron %ro-n 2nter'rises
Publication date 199I Ct-ird editionD
1999 Cfourt- editionD
!enre(s) ,antas#
S#ste$(s) Role$aster Standard S#ste$
"olemaster is a role&'la#ing ga$e 'ublished b# Iron %ro-n 2nter'rises.
Role$aster has co$e in (our se'arate editions. The third edition, "rst 'ublished
in 199I, is also kno-n as the )olemaster Standard System (or R*SS (or short).
There are t-o editions currentl# in 'roduction. )olemaster Fantasy )ole"layin
(or R*,RP) -as "rst 'ublished in 1999 as a reorgani/ed edition o( R*SS, and is
largel# co$'atible -ith that edition. The $ost recent 'ublication o( the
Role$aster rule set is )olemaster Classi% (R*%), a re'ublished set o( the second
edition rules.
I
Basic game mechanics
Role$aster uses a 'ercentile dice s#ste$ and e$'lo#s both classes (called
DPro(essionsD in Role$aster) and levels to describe character ca'abilities and
advance$ent.
Task resolution is done b# rolling 'ercentile dice, a''l#ing relevant $odi"ers,
and looking the result u' on the a''ro'riate chart to deter$ine the result. There
are various charts to increase the realis$ o( the results, but $ost o( these are
o'tional, and $an# rolls can be $ade on a relativel# s$all nu$ber o( tables.
Ihtt';OO---.ironcro-n.co$OindeA.'h']'ageQiga$esOIntroR*
Combat
,or co$bat each character has an 43ensive Bonus (4B), -hich takes into
account one1s natural 'h#sical ade'tness, -ea'on skill, and other (actors, and a
De(ensive Bonus (DB), -hich takes into account natural agilit#, the use o( shields
and D5drenal De(enseD, the abilit# o( $artial artists to avoid blo-s see$ingl#
-ithout e3ort. In addition various $odi"ers (or 'osition, -ounds, and other
(actors are 'resent.
5n attacking co$batant rolls 'ercentile dice, adds his or her 4B to the total,
adds $odi"ers, and subtracts the de(ender1s DB. The total is then a''lied to a
table (or the attacker1s -ea'on. The attack total is cross&indeAed -ith the t#'e o(
ar$or (i( an#) -orn b# the de(ender and the result -ill be a nu$ber o(
concussion hits dealt, -hich are then subtracted (ro$ the de(ender1s running
total. I( su3icient hits are dealt, the de(ender $a# go unconscious, but death
seldo$ results 'urel# (ro$ concussion hit da$age.
In addition to concussion hits, ho-ever, a critical hit can be dealt b# the result on
the -ea'on table. These are described b# t#'e (slash, crush, 'uncture, etc.) and
b# severit# (generall# 5 through 2, -ith 2 being the $ost severe). %ritical Mits
(or si$'l# DcritsD), can in>ict additional concussion hits, bleeding (subtracted
(ro$ concussion hits at the start o( each ne- round), broken bones, loss o( li$bs
or eAtre$ities, internal organ da$age and outright death. I( a crit is in>icted, a
second roll is $ade on the a''ro'riate critical table.
Thus, unlike, (or eAa$'le, Dungeons and Dragons, Role$aster describes -ounds
not onl# in the nu$ber o( 'oints o( da$age dealt (-hich are then subtracted
(ro$ an abstract 'ool o( 1Mit Points1), but -ith s'eci"c details o( the inNur#
in>icted. Death occurs, (or both 'la#er characters and !a$e$aster&controlled
adversaries, 'ri$aril# through this critical da$age, and not through loss o( hit
'oints. In addition, s'eci"c inNuries carr# -ith the$ inNur# 'enalties, -hich
inhibit (urther actions on the 'art o( the -ounded 'art, and loss o( concussion
hits (-hich re'resent overall health), can bring about si$ilar 'enalties.
5l$ost all die rolls in Role$aster are 1o'en&ended1, $eaning that i( a result is
high enough (or lo- enough), #ou roll again and add (or subtract) the ne- roll to
the original result & and this can ha''en $ulti'le ti$es, so in theor#, there is no
u''er li$it to ho- -ell (or 'oorl#) one can roll. This $eans that a hal>ing does
have a chance, albeit slight, to 'ut do-n a troll -ith one -ell&'laced (and luck#)
dagger strike.
Mo-ever, the (act that one1s o''onents also "ght using these sa$e rules can
$ake Role$aster a ver# deadl# ga$e (or both P%s and JP%s= a luck# shot $a#
let an ineA'erienced "ghter sla# a -ar&hardened veteran.
,ans o( the s#ste$ $aintain that this adds a great deal o( realis$ not 'resent in
$an# other (antas# ga$es, and re>ects the true deadliness o( a -ell&'laced
strike (ro$ a -ea'on, even a s$all one such as a dagger. Death (ro$ natural
-ea'ons (such as a "st or an ani$al1s teeth and cla-s) can ha''en but is ver#
rare against ar$ored co$batants. 6nar$ored characters $a# ver# -ell su3er
serious -ounds -hen $auled b# ani$als, but again this allo-s (or $ore credible
con(rontations than in other (antas# ga$es, -here the threat 'osed b# an
Dun(antasticD beast such as a -ol(, gri//l# bear, or tiger is considered $ini$al.
Because Role$aster1s a''roach to co$bat (avors a -arrior that is 'ro'erl#
ar$ed and ar$ored, a character that is 'oorl#&e.ui''ed (as is t#'icall# the case
-ith ne-l# generated characters) is decidedl# vulnerable. Such characters can
have a tough ti$e 'revailing against even (airl# $undane o''onents. This can
'rove (rustrating (or ne- 'la#ers, and has given rise to h#'erbolic tales o(
housecats cutting do-n 'ro$ising #oung heroes in their 'ri$e.
Role$aster is so$eti$es derisivel# called 1%hart$aster1 or 1Rule$onster1 (or
de'ending u'on nu$erous tables and charts (or character generation and
resolving ga$e actions, and (or its 'erceived vast arra# o( rules covering ever#
'ossible situation. Su''orters o( the ga$e argue that $an# o( these rules and
charts are entirel# o'tional.
Character creation and de&elopment
Role$aster is a skill&based s#ste$ in -hich ver# (e- absolute restrictions on skill
selection are e$'lo#ed. 5ll character abilities ("ghting, stealth, s'ell use, etc.)
are ulti$atel# handled through the skill s#ste$. 5 character1s 'ro(ession
re'resents not a rigid set o( abilities available to the character, but rather a set
o( natural 'ro"ciencies in nu$erous areas. These 'ro"ciencies are re>ected in
the cost to 'urchase the skills the$selves.
Role$aster characters have ten attributes, called DstatsD, -hich re'resent their
natural abilities in such areas as 'h#sical strength, $e$or#, sel(&disci'line,
agilit#. Both rando$ and 'oints&based $ethods (or deter$ining stat totals eAist,
but the "nal result -ill be a nu$ber on a 'ercentile scale (1&100), -hich is then
used to deter$ine the character1s skill bonus at actions -hich e$'lo# that stat. 5
sel(&governing s#ste$ is in 'lace also such that each skill closer to 100 is $ore
costl# than the last. *oving a skill (ro$ I0 to I1 is al$ost trivial= (ro$ 9 to 99
nigh i$'ossible.
In character creation, and as characters advance in levels, Develo'$ent Points
are assigned, and can be used to 'urchase skills. In R*SS and R,RP, the# can
also be s'ent on Training Packages, -hich re'resent a s'eci"c bundle o( skills,
e.ui'$ent and contacts gained through training. These are o'tional, and can be
ignored i( the 'la#er 're(ers to design his or her character entirel# (ro$ the
ground u'.
Skills are 'urchased in Ranks= the $ore ranks a character has in a skill, the $ore
able he is at actions covered b# that skill. The nu$ber o( ranks is $ulti'lied b# a
set nu$ber de'endent on the total nu$ber o( ranks the character has, then
added to the bonus (or the relevant stats. The "nal nu$ber is the character1s
skill bonus, -hich is the nu$ber actuall# added to the dice -hen actions are
atte$'ted.
History o) olemaster
4ver the #ears, a large nu$ber o( 'roducts have been brought out (or
Role$aster and it can be rather con(using to "gure out -hich o( these -ere 'ut
out (or -hich version o( the ga$e and -hat books are needed to actuall# 'la#.
There have been (our versions o( the ga$e 'roduced, -hich (all into t-o $aNor
grou's -ith a "(th currentl# in the beta testing 'hase. ,irst 2dition and Second
2dition Role$aster belong to the "rst grou', usuall# Nust re(erred to as R*+.
There -as then a (airl# $aNor revision to the ga$e -hen the third version,
Role$aster Standard S#ste$ -as released (R*SS). This -as then reorgani/ed
and ver# lightl# revised into the (ourth version, Role$aster ,antas# Role'la#ing
(R*,RP). R*SS and R*,RP co$'rise the second grou'. The latest release o(
Role$aster -hich -as released (or 'la#testing in Se'te$ber +01+ is an atte$'t
to uni(# all 'revious versions o( the ga$e.
Products -ithin one grou' tend to be al$ost 100K co$'atible -ith other
'roducts in the sa$e grou'. %o$'atibilit# bet-een the grou's is also high, but
'roble$atic, es'eciall# in the case o( R*+1s vast arra# o( o'tional rules, so$e o(
-hich -ill si$'l# not -ork in R*SS or R*,RP -ithout $odi"cation. *an# o(
R*+1s o'tions -ere added as 'art o( the R*SSOR*,RP core in di3erent (or$s.
olemaster :rst and second editions
The ter$ Role$aster ,irst 2dition (R*1) is generall# used to re(er to the
'roducts released bet-een 190 and 19+, including the original versions o(
5r$s <a-, %la- <a-, S'ell <a-, %haracter <a- and %a$'aign <a-. These -ere
available initiall# as individual books, and later as co$bined volu$es (%haracter
<a- B %a$'aign <a- and 5r$s <a- B %la- <a- -ere co$bined virtuall#
unaltered into single books), and in boAed sets.
The original conce't -as to 'roduce a series o( $odular su''le$ents -hich
could be used to re'lace 'ortions o( eAisting role'la#ing ga$es (in 'articular
5dvanced Dungeons B Dragons, but also including other conte$'orar# ga$es
such as RuneSuest, -hich -as closer to Role$aster in $an# res'ects than
5DBD -as). Mo-ever, -ith the 'ublication o( %haracter <a-, the (ull Role$aster
s#ste$ beca$e able to stand on its o-n as a distinct ga$e s#ste$.
In 197 the in(or$ation in the books -as eA'anded and revised and so$e o( the
books -ere co$bined and the $aterial in the$ rearranged. 5n initial boAed set
-as brought out in 197 -hich rese$bled the 'revious S'ell <a- and 5r$s
<a-O%la- <a- boAed set but contained a ne- S'ell <a-, a co$bined 5r$s
<a-O%la- and the eAisting %haracter <a-, as -ell as the Gog *ur ca$'aign
setting $odule.
5 ne- boAed set -as released shortl# therea(ter containing the co$bined 5r$s
<a-O%la- <a-, the u'dated S'ell <a- and the co$bined %haracter
<a-O%a$'aign <a- book, as -ell as The %loudlords o( Tanara, a detailed setting
and adventure su''le$ent -hich introduced I%21s original <ore$aster setting,
-hich -ould later develo' into the $ore so'histicated Shado- )orld.
Several additional books -ere 'ublished (ro$ 19I to 19, including
Role$aster %o$'anions 1, +, and : and the "rst %reatures and Treasures book.
The o3icial start o( the Second 2dition Role$aster series ca$e -ith a BoAed Set
(the so&called DRed S'ineD set) containing redesigned editions o( 5r$s <a- B
%la- <a-, S'ell <a-, and %haracter <a- B %a$'aign <a-, all -ith red&bordered
covers.
Technicall#, the 'roducts released bet-een 197 and 19 are also ,irst 2dition
Role$aster 'roducts, but actual di3erences bet-een R*1 and R*+ -ere slight
(li$ited to a $inor $odi"cation to the co$bat se.uence, so$e rearranging o(
$aterial, and a $aNor gra'hical overhaul), and (e- (i( an#) co$'atibilit# issues
ever arose.
This $eans that, in co$$on 'arlance, the ter$ DRole$aster Second 2ditionD
(R*+) is o(ten used to re(er ever#thing 'ublished (ro$ 197 to 1997. In
'articular, Role$aster %o$'anion II included the co$'lete Skill list and
descri'tions section and *aster Develo'$ent Point %ost Tables as -ell as
several Pro(essions that are o(ten considered the distinguishing (eatures o(
Role$aster Second 2dition.
Ju$erous additional su''le$ents -ere 'roduced (or the Second 2dition,
including Dnu$beredD %o$'anions 7&F, the 5lche$#, 4riental, 2le$ental S'ell
6sers1 and 5r$s %o$'anions, and t-o additional %reatures and Treasures
volu$es.
*uch o( this $aterial, and the $aterial that -as 'ublished under the aegis o( the
"rst edition, took the (or$ o( o'tional and variant rules (so$e o( -hich, like the
greatl# eA'anded skill s#ste$ o( Role$aster %o$'anion II, -ere -idel#
ado'ted), and ne- 'ro(essions and s'ell lists. !iven this, $an# regarded R*+ as
a toolkit (or out"tting and develo'ing one1s o-n ga$e. So$e variants even
re'laced -hole sections o( distinctivel# DRole$asterD rules, such as the co$bat
s#ste$, -ith $ore traditional s#ste$s closer to the line established b# 5dvanced
Dungeons and Dragons.
Debate still 'ersists over -hether this toolkit a''roach -as R*+1s greatest asset
or a terrible -eakness. 6lti$atel# it $ade (or a ver# >eAible s#ste$ -ith a vast
arra# o( o'tions, but could easil# su3er (ro$ 'la# balance 'roble$s i( 'articular
sets o( rules -ere used together, since little e3ort -as $ade to balance di3erent
variants against each other, and 'o-er cree' in the later 'ro(essions and s'ell
lists -as ver# $uch in evidence.
olemaster Standard System
In 199I the ga$e -as reva$'ed and re&released as Role$aster Standard S#ste$
(R*SS). The biggest changes -ere to %haracter !eneration, 'articularl# in the
nu$ber o( skills available and the -a# bonuses (or the skills -ere calculated.
Skills -ere no- grou'ed into %ategories o( si$ilar skills and one could bu# ranks
se'aratel# in the %ategor# and the actual Skill. 5lso the co$bat se.uence -as
revised again, and so$e o( the details o( s'ellcasting -ere changed. The -a#
S'ell <ists -ere learned -as co$'letel# overhauled and $ost o( the S'ell lists
-ere adNusted and rebalanced. The actual $ethod o( attacking and adNudicating
da$age did not change $uch, and there -eren1t $uch $ore than cos$etic
changes to the stats (or %reatures and *onsters.
<ike $ost changes, o'inions on -hether the changes -ere (or the better or not
var# -idel#= so$e (ans reall# liked the changes, -hile others -ere uni$'ressed
and elected to stick -ith the $ore (a$iliar R*+. ,or the $ost 'art the obNections
(ro$ R*+ 'la#ers had $ore to do -ith (eeling that Role$aster did not need such
a radical overhaul, and disa''oint$ent over the (act that R*+ -as no longer
going to be su''orted as such.
olemaster 1antasy oleplaying
In 1999 the ga$e under-ent a slight restructuring -hen Role$aster ,antas#
Role'la#ing (R*,RP) -as released, but this -as $ostl# a rearranging o(
$aterial -ith ver# (e- changes to the rules the$selves. 5 detailed co$'arison o(
the R*SS and R*,RP s#ste$s $a# be (ound on the I%2 )eb Ring.
Role$aster ,antas# Role'la#ing is the current edition o( the Role$aster rules,
and is thus -ell&su''orted and easier (or interested ne- 'la#ers to 'ick u' and
tr# out. 4ne 'ositive change $ade in R*,RP -as a single core book ()olemaster
Fantasy )ole"layin), containing a stri''ed&do-n version o( the co$'lete ga$e,
so that onl# one book -as necessar# (or 'la#. Arms 9a. adds additional 5ttack
and %ritical tables, -hile C-ara%ter 9a. adds additional races, 'ro(essions, skills
and the (ull talent and >a- s#ste$.
R*,RP has broken the older single&volu$e S'ell <a- into three se'arate books,
5f !ssen%e, 5f C-annellin and 5f Mentalism, each o( -hich eA'ands that real$
o( 'o-er -ith additional 'ro(essions and s'ell lists, and eA'anding each s'ell list
to I0th level s'ells. 5ll o( this $aterial -as 'reviousl# available under R*SS as
'art o( the single&volu$e S'ell <a- and the Role$aster Standard Rules.
There are other su''le$ents as -ell, but $ost o( the$ build u'on the $aterial
'resented in the books listed. Such as the %hanneling %o$'anion, -hich
introduces a ne- 'ro(ession called the Priest and adds a 'assel o( ne- rules.
5nother su''le$ent is Fire and A%e? T-e !lemental Com"anion. This book
contains all #ou need to kno- to add ele$entalis$ to Role$aster.
olemaster Classic
The 'roble$s that drove Iron %ro-n 2nter'rises into voluntar# receivershi'
8

also created 'roble$s -ith the intellectual 'ro'ert# that -as the R*1 and R*+
s#ste$s. *ulti'le 'arties o-ned the content o( those original 'ublications, so
Iron %ro-n -asn1t able to re'ublish the originals. 5s a result, Iron %ro-n
cleaned u' and re'ublished the R*+ rules -ith ne- t#'esetting and illustrations
in +00F as Role$aster %lassic (R*%). The core books o( Role$aster %lassic are
C-ara%ter 9a., Arms 9a., and S"ell 9a..
olemaster Express
Iron %ro-n also 'ublished the core o( the Role$aster %lassic rules, -ith $ost o(
the o'tions re$oved, as Role$aster 2A'ress. The co$'an# describes R*C as an
eA'eri$ental 'ublication,
F
designed to address the 'ersistent criticis$ o(
Role$aster as being too co$'leA. Role$aster 2A'ress is a single, &'age book
that contains ever#thing necessar# to 'la#.
8ni:ed olemaster
In Se'te$ber +01+ Iron %ro-n 2nter'rises announced the release o( a ne-
version o( Role$aster (or 'la#testing. Hno-n as )olemaster 2niOed, the ga$e is
an atte$'t to co$bine the 'revious versions o( the ga$e into one s#ste$.
External links
?Iron %ro-n 2nter'rises
8htt';OO---.ironcro-n.co$OindeA.'h']'ageQcin(oOhistor#
Fhtt';OO---.ironcro-n.co$OindeA.'h']'ageQiga$esOIntroR*C
SA'A System
The SAGA System is a role&'la#ing ga$e s#ste$ that uses D(ate cardsD to
deter$ine the e3ects o( actions. The cards have nu$bers, suits, 'ositive and
negative states, and role&'la#ing cues that guide the ga$e$aster in telling the
stor# and ad$inistering the ga$e. The s#ste$ has been used in TSR, Inc.1s
Draonlan%e? Fift- Ae ga$e and the Marvel Su"er #eroes Adventure Game,
later 'ublished b# TSR. Sue %ook -as the brand $anager (or both o( those ga$e
s#ste$s, and hel'ed design the S5!5 ga$e rules.
In S5!5, a 'la#er holds a hand o( (ate cards that re'resent his health and the
range o( actions he can take. The $aAi$u$ nu$ber o( cards he can hold is
deter$ined b# the nu$ber o( .uests he has co$'leted. This re'laces the
eA'erience 'oints s#ste$ o( $an# other role&'la#ing ga$es. The cards re'lace
dice&rolling, as -ell. )hen a 'la#er atte$'ts an action, he 'la#s a card (ro$ his
hand. I( the suit on the card $atches the action t#'e (s-ords (or strength&related
actions, (or eAa$'le) it is considered DTru$'.D Pla#ing a tru$' card $eans that
the 'la#er can dra- another card (ro$ the to' o( the ,ate Deck and add the
nu$ber on it to his total (or atte$'ting the action. )hen a character takes
da$age, the 'la#er $ust discard the nu$ber o( 'oints o( da$age to be taken
(ro$ his hand. )hen a 'la#er has no $ore cards in his hand, the character is
unconscious.
Sa&age (orlds
Sa4age /orlds
The cover of the !3"lorer<s !dition, the third version of the core rules for the Savae Worlds
role-playing game.
Designer(s) Shane <ac# Mensle#
Publisher(s) Pinnacle 2ntertain$ent !rou'
Publication date +00:

!enre(s) 6niversal, Pul', Morror, ,antas#,

Science ,iction
S#ste$(s) Savage )orlds
*a+age 4orlds is a generic role&'la#ing ga$e and $iniatures -arga$e -ritten
b# Shane <ac# Mensle# and 'ublished b# Pinnacle 2ntertain$ent !rou'. The
ga$e e$'hasi/es s'eed o( 'la# and reduced 're'aration over realis$ or detail.
The ga$e received the +00: 4rigin !a$ers1 %hoice 5-ard (or best role&'la#ing
ga$e.
Settings
5lthough Savae Worlds is a generic rules s#ste$, Pinnacle has released DSavage
SettingsD & ca$'aign settings or $odules designed s'eci"call# (or the Savae
Worlds rules. These have included !verni-t, >0 Fat-oms, 1e%essary !vil,
)i""ers, and 9o. 9ife. Pinnacle has also 'ublished setting books based on the
co$'an#1s earlier lines, including Deadlands? )eloaded as -ell as the Tour of
Darkness' 1e%ro"olis' and Weird War AA settings based on the Weird Wars line.
Beginning -ith >0 Fat-oms, the $aNorit# o( settings released b# Pinnacle (eature
a conce't kno-n as a DPlot Point %a$'aignD. In such ca$'aigns, a series o(
loosel# de"ned adventure scenarios are 'resented. 5 $ain stor#line is 'resented
as a series o( DPlot PointsD and additional side&.uests (or DSavage TalesD) eA'and
the sco'e o( the ca$'aign. This (or$at allo- a grou' o( characters to eA'lore the
ga$e universe -hile 'la#ing through (or disregarding) the $ain stor#line in a
$anner si$ilar to that o( role&'la#ing video ga$es.
5 licensing s#ste$ is in 'lace (or electronic and book 'ublishers to release
$aterial (or the Savae Worlds ga$e. Such DSavagedZD licensees are allo-ed to
use the Savae Worlds $ascot DS$iling LackD as a logo on their 'roducts.
*ulti'le PD, adventure scenarios are available using this licensing s#ste$, as
-ell as setting related su''le$ents like the Ham"ire !art- )+G Sour%e,ook and
the S-aintar +layer<s Guide.
System
M2JS<2P Shane <ac#, M4P<2R Lohn R. and SP5RHS Eeke, Savae Worlds, !reat )hite
!a$es, "rst edition; *arch +00:, 177 '., Mardc., ISBJ 1&9:0II&IF&I
Character creation
Pla#er characters are built using a 'oint allocation s#ste$, though ga$e $asters
are encouraged to design non&'la#er characters to the needs o( the ga$e rather
than to "t the s#ste$. %haracters in Savae Worlds are co$'osed o( a variet# o(
statistics. These include Race, Traits, 2dges, Mindrances and so$eti$es Po-ers.
5 character1s race usuall# re(ers to his or her s'ecies, though in so$e settings
(such as the Pirates RP!) this $a# instead re(er to nationalit#. In cases o( the
(or$er, $odi"ers to other characteristics $a# a''l#= in cases o( the latter, the#
t#'icall# do not.
5 character1s traits are characteristics that are rated b# a single 'ol#hedral die.
The $ore sides the trait is rated in, the better the character is at the trait. So a
character -ith a Strength trait o( a ten&sided die (d10) is stronger than a
character -hose Strength trait is rated -ith a siA&sided die (d8). Traits are
divided into attributes, -hich are inherent, and skills, -hich are learned. The "ve
attributes used in Savae Worlds are 5gilit#, S$arts, S'irit, Strength and Gigor.
So$e eAa$'les o( skills in Savae Worlds include ,ighting, Mealing and Stealth.
%haracters are also custo$i/ed -ith advantages and disadvantages kno-n as
2dges and Mindrances. 2dges and Mindrances, unlike Traits, are not rated -ith
dice.
In addition to Traits, 2dges and Mindrances, a character has the (ollo-ing
derived statistics; Pace (ground s'eed), Parr# (the abilit# to de(end one1s sel(),
Toughness (resistance to da$age) and %haris$a ('resence and char$). So$e
setting su''le$ents add a "(th derived statistic such as Reason, Sanit# or !rit.
*ask resolution
Dice are rolled to deter$ine the outco$e o( character actions and interactions in
the ga$e. 6suall# a trait die is rolled against a target nu$ber o( (our. I( the roll
e.uals or eAceeds the target nu$ber, the action succeeds= other-ise it (ails.
I( a 'la#er rolls the highest nu$ber 'ossible on a given die (such as an on an
eight&sided die), the die $a# be re&rolled and its result added to the initial roll.
This is kno-n as D5cingD. 5 die $a# continue to 5ce as long as the highest die
nu$ber is rolled.
Pla#er characters and signi"cant non&'la#er characters are kno-n as D)ild
%ardsD. )ild %ards get to roll a second die, kno-n as a D)ild DieD, alongside
their trait rolls. This roll $a# 5ce as nor$al. The 'la#er o( the )ild %ard uses the
higher o( the t-o rolls (trait die or )ild Die) to deter$ine the actual result o( the
roll. In addition )ild %ards also receive a nu$ber o( Bennies (Slang (or bene"ts,
also called 'oker chi's in Dead <ands) 'er session. These can be traded in to
reduce or negate da$age (ro$ a given attack, or to reroll a trait die, and are
used as re-ards (or good 'la#.
%o$bat initiative is deter$ined b# a standard deck o( 'la#ing cards (-ith t-o
Nokers)= characters act in se.uence according to the (all o( the cards (ro$ highest
to lo-est. Ties are broken b# suit (in order (ro$ best to -orst, s'ades, hearts,
dia$onds, clubs). Lokers beat all other cards and additionall# give bonuses on
rolls $ade in the round one receives the$. The deck is shuged at the end o(
ever# round in -hich a Noker -as dealt.
5n# 'la#er that receives a Loker during initiative $a# take his action at an# ti$e
during the round. So i( he -ishes to act "rst, or in res'onse to another P% or
JP% acting he $a# at an# 'oint.
History
Savae Worlds -as "rst released in +00: and -as derived (ro$ the earlier Great
)ail Wars $iniatures ga$e, itsel( a si$'li"ed derivative o( Mensle#1s Deadlands
RP!. 5t 4rigins +007, Savae Worlds -as a-arded the !a$er1s %hoice 5-ard in
the Role'la#ing !a$e categor#. The $ain rulebook -as revised and released as a
PD, (or$at eBook in late +007, -ith a 'rint version (ollo-ing in earl# +00I. The
sa$e #ear, !reat )hite !a$es began releasing rules eA'ansions in the (or$ o(
several PD, (or$at genre toolkit books. Sel(&contained $iniature skir$ish ga$es
based u'on the Savae Worlds engine -ere also released in 'rint and PD, (or$.
Deadlands )eloaded, a version o( the classic Pinnacle ga$e using the Savae
Worlds rules, -as released in *a# +008. In late +00I, Pinnacle entered into an
agree$ent -ith )i/Hids to 'ublish sel(&contained RP!s set in the -orlds o(
+irates, )o%ketmen, and Mae6ni-t using the Savae Worlds rules.
9
4( the
three licenses, onl# T-e +irates of t-e S"anis- Main )+G sa- release, and -as
'ublished in 5'ril +00F. Pinnacle released another licensed ga$e, T-e Savae
World of Solomon 6ane, in +00F.
90
In 4ctober +00F, Pinnacle released the Savae Worlds !3"lorer<s !dition, a
digest si/e 'a'erback edition o( the rules. It (eatured the revisions to $elee
da$age rules "rst introduced in Deadlands )eloaded, as -ell as ne- chase rules,
and -as released at 4rigins +00F. 5t that event, Deadlands )eloaded -on the
4rigins 5-ard in the categor# o( Best Role'la#ing !a$e Su''le$ent.
91
In 5ugust +011, Pinnacle released Savae Worlds Delu3e, a hardcover and
eA'anded version o( the rules (ound in the 2A'lorer1s 2dition.
In 5ugust +01+, Pinnacle released the digest si/e 'a'erback edition o( the
DeluAe rules, Savae Worlds Delu3e !3"lorer<s !dition.
9Pinnacle 2ntertain$ent !rou' to Produce )i/Hids RP!s, Scenario Books
90The Savage )orld o( Solo$on Hane to be an RP!
91Deadlands; Reloaded )ins 4rigins 5-ard
e)erences
?Black, %lint= P#le, Scott 1e%essary !vil (!reat )hite !a$es, +00I) ISBJ 0&
9F8:801&1&C
?Dolunt, %hristo'her ).= <ucas, Si$on )i""ers (!reat )hite !a$es, +00I) ISBJ
0&9F8:801&:&8
?,lor#, B.D.= Mensle#, Shane <ac# Deadlands? )eloaded (Pinnacle 2ntertain$ent
!rou', +008) ISBJ 0&9F8:801&8&0
?Mo'', 5nd# 9o. 9ife (!reat )hite !a$es, +00I) ISBJ 0&9F8:801&I&+
?Mensle#, Shane <ac# >0 Fat-oms (!reat )hite !a$es, +00:) ISBJ 1&9:0II&8:&
C
?Mensle#, Shane <ac# !verni-t (!reat )hite !a$es, +00:) ISBJ 1&9:0II&I&:
?Mensle#, Shane <ac# Savae Worlds !3"lorer<s !dition (Pinnacle 2ntertain$ent
!rou', +00F) ISBJ 0&9F9+7II&8&F
?Mensle#, Shane <ac# Savae Worlds )evised (!reat )hite !a$es, +00I) ISBJ
0&9F8:801&0&1
?Mensle#, Shane <ac# Savae Worlds (!reat )hite !a$es, +00:) ISBJ 1&
9:0II&IF&I
?Teller Tour of Darkness (!reat )hite !a$es, +007) ISBJ 1&9:0II&81&:
?)ade&)illia$s, Paul D)igg#D +irates of t-e S"anis- Main (Pinnacle
2ntertain$ent !rou', +008) ISBJ 0&9F8:801&9&I
External links
?Savage )orlds ho$e'age 43icial site (scroll do-n (or Savage )orlds)
?Savage'edia Savage )orlds uno3icial -iki
?Savage Meroes s#ste$ and setting conversions
?43icial <o- <i(e site
Standard P' System
The Standard )PG System (SRS (or short) is a La'anese role&'la#ing ga$e
s#ste$ develo'ed b# ,ar2ast 5$use$ent Research and used in Als-ard, Tenra
War, 6aze no Stima )+G, S-inkyoku SPkai +oly"-oni%a )+G and so on. The
ne-est, the 9th ga$e and the 10th ga$e that use SRS are the Tenka )yoran
)+G & a Nidaigeki RP!, and SekaiEu no Meikyu S)S based u'on the nintendo DS
RP! o( the sa$e title. SRS ga$es are 'ublished b# several co$'anies such as
2nterbrain, !a$e ,ield, ,uNi$i Shobo, So(tbank %reative and LIG2.
Standard RP! S#ste$ is available under an o'en content license (or non&
co$$ercial uses.
Core mechanic
Standard RP! S#ste$ uses onl# 8&sided dice. To deter$ine -hether the action is
success(ul or not the 'la#er rolls onl# +d8, i( the total o( the dice rolled b# the
'la#er and abilit#Oclass adNust$ents is $ore than or e.ual to di3icult# score the
action succeeds. To deter$ine da$age the 'la#er rolls a nu$ber o( 8&sided dice.
The nu$ber o( dice that are rolled increases -ith various class abilities.
Pla#ers choose u' to three character classes during character creation & (or
eAa$'le, "ghterO"ghterO"ghter (a :rd&level "ghter), valk#rieOvalk#rieOscout (a
+nd&level valk#rieO1st&level scout), or black $agicianO-hite $ageO-i/ard (a 1st&
level black $agicianO1st&level -hite $ageO1st&level -i/ard).
There are 8 attributes; Tairyoku DStrengthD, #ans-a DRe>eAesD, C-ikaku
DPerce'tionD, )i%-i DReasonD, As-i D)illD and 6ouun D<uckD. In Tenra )ar, Tenka
(Tian3ia), re'resenting social abilit#, is 'resent instead o( 6ouun. %haracters1
attributes are decided b# the selection o( classes al$ost auto$aticall#. 5ttribute
scores also deter$ine the eight co$bat abilit# scores.
Scene system
The ga$e session is 'roceeded under the DScene s#ste$D and divided into 7
'hases; o'ening 'hase, $iddle 'hase, cli$aA 'hase and ending 'hase. In the
o'ening 'hase, 'la#er characters (P%s) get into the incident -ith each one
having a $otivation such as business, adventure, curiosit# and ro$antic (eeling
(or the heroine. P%s do not need to $ake u' a 'art# in this 'hase. In the $iddle
'hase, the P%s get together. 5nd the# "ght against creatures and research the
incident. In the cli$aA 'hase, the boss ene$# a''ears as the arch&(oe against
P%s. The ending 'hase is the 'hase (or the e'ilogue. 2ach 'hase is also divided
into several scenes. The !a$e *aster(!*) chooses a s%ene "layer as the scene1s
'rotagonist. I( the !* allo-s and the 'la#er succeed in an 5''ear roll, other P%s
can a''ear on the scene as -ell.
Breakthrough systems
2ach SRS ga$e have a di3erent DBreakthrough s#ste$D -ork $uch like hero
'oints.
In Als-ard and Als-ard Gaia, characters 'ossess su're$e divine 'o-ers
according to their classes. ,or eAa$'le, "ghters 'ossess the 'o-er o( 1Thor1,
-hich adds eAtra da$age to da$age rolls, -hile -hite $ages 'ossess the 'o-er
o( 1Idun1, -hich can raise the dead. Su're$e divine 'o-ers are na$ed 6ao (
, lit. divine 'rotection). 2ach character can use 6ao three ti$es ever# a
session, according to the three classes chosen during character creation.
In Tenra War, its Breakthrough s#ste$ is called Gou system (, lit.
kar$a s#ste$). Pla#er characters earn Aiki (, lit. har$onious s'irit) 'oints b#
good role'la#ing in the sessions. Aiki "oints can be trans(erred into 6iai (, lit.
"ghting s'irit or -ill'o-er) 'oints -ork $uch like costs (or $ore 'o-er(ul
abilities.
Pla#er characters in 6aze no Stima )+G and S-inkyoku SPkai +oly"-oni%a )+G
can use 6izuna 6ouka (, lit. bonds e3ect) de'ends on their hu$an
relationshi's.
Trinit# A Genus SRS is based u'on the su'erhero $anga o( the sa$e title. Pla#er
%haracters are the users o( su'ernatural abilities called G.I.P. abilities. Trinit# A
Genus SRS1s breakthrough s#ste$ is na$ed Advan%ed H8A8+8 system, P% can use
custo$i/able su'ernatural abilit#.
'ames that use SS
?5lshard 3 _+`
?5lshard !aia _:`
?Tenra )ar _7`
?Ha/e no Stig$a RP! _I`
?Shink#oku Shkai Pol#'honica RP! _8`
?Trinit# A Genus SRS _F`
?*agician1s 5cade$# RP! _`
?*onotone *useu$ _9`
?Tenka R#oran RP! _10`
?SekaiNu no *eik#u SRS _11`
External links
?43icial )ebsite (La'anese)
*alislanta
&alislanta
Designer(s) Ste'hen *ichael Sechi, Lonathan T-eet
(:rd edition), Lohn Mar'er (7th edition),
H. Scott 5gne- (Ith edition)
Publisher(s) Bard !a$es, )i/ards o( the %oast,
Shooting Iron, *orrigan Press,
<udo'athes iditeurs (,rench)
Publication date 19F C:st editionD
199+ C4rd editionD
+001 CQt- editionD
+00I Cd20 editionD
+008&F (Ith edition)
!enre(s) ,antas#
S#ste$(s) %usto$, 4$ni S#ste$ (d+0 based)
Talislanta is a (antas# role&'la#ing ga$e -ritten b# Ste'hen *ichael Sechi, -ith
signi"cant st#listic in'ut b# artist P.D. Breeding&Black. Initiall# released in 19F
b# Bard !a$es, the ga$e .uickl# gained a re'utation as an alternative to
Duneons & Draons that -as both $uch si$'ler $echanicall# and (ar $ore
color(ul in tone)iki'edia;%itation needed. The ga$e has $aintained a strong
cult (ollo-ing a$ong table&to' ga$ers)iki'edia;%itation needed. Talislanta has
endured a bu$'# 'ublication histor#, such that there have been "ve di3erent
editions 'ublished over the #ears (eight, i( one counts ashcans, alternate rules
and (oreign editions), nearl# all b# di3erent co$'anies.
Setting
The Talislanta universe di3ers strongl# (ro$ other role&'la#ing ga$es o( si$ilar
genre)iki'edia;%itation needed. There are ver# (e- re(erences to JorseO%eltic
$#tholog# or the i$ager# o( L. R. R. Tolkien1s T-e 9ord of t-e )ins novel.
Instead the >a$bo#antl# diverse setting is $ore akin to the Dyin !art- novel
series b# Lack Gance. Indeed, Gance is listed b# Sechi as a 'ri$ar# in>uence on
the setting, and each edition has been dedicated to that author)iki'edia;%itation
needed. 4ther stated in>uences include T-e Travels of Mar%o +olo, the Nourne#s
o( Sir Richard ,rancis Burton, T-e Dream*(uest of 2nkno.n 6adat- and a host
o( other 'ul'&era (antas# "ction and -orks b# other eclectic authors. 5s the
ga$e revie-er Rick S-an stated, DIt1s as i( M. P. <ovecra(t had -ritten Ali%e in
Wonderland, -ith Mans %hristian 5ndersen and )illia$ S. Burroughs as
technical advisors.D
2Aisting ga$e literature $ostl# deals -ith the continent o( Talislanta on the
-orld o( 5rchaeus, ho$e to several do/en ver# distinct 'eo'les and races,
including the %#$rilians, the !norl, and the Ca$brians. These cultures and races
are -holl# alien, or akin to 2arth cultures not o( the stock co$$onl# seen in
other RP!s)iki'edia;%itation needed. Thus the slogan, DJo 2lvesZD, -hich
a''eared in ads (or the ga$es u'on its initial release, establishing that ver# little
o( the co$$on Tolkienic in>uence -as 'resent in the setting.)iki'edia;%itation
needed
In the distant 'ast Talislanta -as ruled b# the 5rchaens, a race o( decadent
sorcerers -ho lived in >oating cities and used their uncann# 'o-ers $ainl# in
the 'ursuit o( 'leasure and distraction. It -as this ha'ha/ard use o( dangerous
and unstable arcane 'o-ers -hich 'resu$abl# -eakened the di$ensional (abric,
causing the $agical devastation kno-n as Dthe !reat DisasterD. The disaster
shattered the 5rchaen societ# in a da#, and had nu$erous ri''le e3ects on the
continent o( Talislanta. *ost conte$'orar# races are either so$e o3shoot o( the
5rchaen race, DJeo$or'hsD created b# $agical $eans, or one o( a hand(ul o(
$#sterious races $ore ancient than the 5rchaens.
The continent is one o( great $agic, -ith the eldritch (orces being in co$$on
use -ithin ever# social strata o( the continent and its $an# cultures. 5rguabl#
the greatest o( the $agic -ielders are the 'eo'le o( %#$ril, -ho (ounded the
Seven Hingdo$s (o(ten the de(ault starting 'oint o( the ga$e). It is stated $an#
ti$es that the $agical ca'abilities o( the 5rchaens -ere (ar be#ond
this)iki'edia;%itation needed. 5rchaeans 'ossessed $agical e.uivalents to
s'aceshi's, virtual realit# the$e 'arks, s'ace stations, and other tra''ings o( an
advanced technical li(e ((ounded on $agic, instead o( technolog#). *an# o( these
advances are le(t in ruins to be rediscovered b# the trul# intre'id adventure
seekers.
The setting is gri$ in 'laces, co$ic in others. Situations var# on the %ontinent
and it is 'ossible to have Talislanta ga$es o( greatl# varied tone due to this.
5reas o( the continent are ver# gri$ -ith -arring (actions and brutal survivalists
-ho live each da# to see the neAt, -hile others are decadent areas -here -ealth,
$agic, and leisure have $ade the inhabitants 'ett# and argu$entative (in a ti'
o( the hat to Gance, as above)iki'edia;%itation needed).
It is re'ortedl#)iki'edia;%itation needed ver# co$$on (or ne- !*s and 'la#ers
to (eel there is too $uch sco'e to the setting, and it is advised)iki'edia;%itation
needed that 'la#ers "nd a single region to concentrate on be(ore $oving on to
globe&trotting ga$es. This tactic (or ga$e develo'$ent is aided b# ne-er
editions, -here setting and character $aterial is broken u' b# $aNor geogra'hic
sections o( the continent, to allo- 'la#ers to (ocus until their co$(ort level is
achieved.
System
The Talislanta rules s#ste$, called at various ti$es the 15ction Table S#ste$1, the
1D+0 S#ste$1 (be(ore the ter$ -as used b# Dungeons B Dragons) and the 14$ni
S#ste$1, is ver# si$'le relative to other role&'la#ing ga$e s#ste$s. %haracters
are de"ned b# 5ttributes and Skills, -hich, -hen used are co$bined and
co$'ared to a target nu$ber, the di3erence bet-een the$ a''lied to the roll o(
a single t-ent#&sided die. The "nal nu$ber resulting is then looked u' on an
5ction Table, giving one o( "ve 'ossible results; *isha', ,ailure, Partial Success,
,ull Success or %ritical Success. This s#ste$ not onl# indicates success or
(ailure, but relative e3ectiveness as -ell, and scales 'robabilit# based on the
di3erence bet-een character e3ectiveness and task di3icult#, rather than a >at
Droll higher than this nu$berD s#ste$ co$$on in $an# other RP!s. This s#ste$
later beca$e available in +00I as a stand&alone set o( generic RP! rules under
the title DThe 4$ni S#ste$D b# H.Scott 5gne-.
,or $ost o( the ga$e1s histor#, character creation -as handled b# o3ering a list
o( archet#'es to choose (ro$. 2arl# editions o( the ga$e o3ered several do/en
archet#'es, eA'anding to over a hundred in later editions. 2ach archet#'e
re'resents an adventuring 'ersonalit# 'articular to a certain culture -ith such
color(ul na$es as D%#$rilan Rogue *agicianD, DLaka Beast$asterD and
D*andalan *#stic )arriorD. 2ach archet#'e o3ered all relevant in(or$ation
needed to start 'la#ing the character including 5ttributes, Skills, a''arel and
e.ui'$ent and, a(ter $aking a (e- 'ersonali/ations, -as read# to begin 'la#
right (ro$ the book. In an as'ect unusual a$ong role&'la#ing ga$es, little
atte$'t -as $ade to balance the archet#'es, and $an# -ere clearl# $ore or
less 'o-er(ul than others. The rationale being that it -as $ore i$'ortant to
'resent characters that -ere (aith(ul to the setting than $echanicall# e.ual. In
the "(th edition, a $ore traditional character generation s#ste$ -as introduced
to create balanced characters, but critical res'onse -as $iAed.
Publishing History
*an# ideas and conce'ts -hich -ould beco$e integral to Talislanta "rst
a''eared in an earl# role&'la#ing ga$e -ritten b# Ste'han *ichael Sechi in
19:, 5rcanu$, also kno-n as T-e Atlantis Triloy.
The "rst edition o( Talislanta -as 'ublished b# Bard !a$es in 19F, a co$'an#
in 'art (ounded b# Talislanta1s 'ri$ar# creator Ste'han *ichael Sechi. Bard
!a$es 'ublished a revised second edition in 199, and a series o( su''le$ents
(ollo-ed, cul$inating in the (no- o3iciall# non&canonical) %#clo'edia series.
Mo-ever, the last %#clo'edia -as 'ublished in 1990, and Bard ga$es ceased to
eAist shortl# therea(ter.
)i/ards o( the %oast, at the ti$e a #oung u'start co$'an# Nust entering the
hobb# ga$e industr#, ac.uired the license to Talislanta and 'ublished the third
edition in 199+ (in 'art -ritten b# Lonathan T-eet, -ho #ears later -ould -rite
Duneons & Draons Third 2dition). 5n a$bitious schedule o( su''le$ents -as
announced, including a trilog# o( grand adventures to take 'la#ers through the
events o( the DSub&$en 6'risingD. But )i/ards (ound success -ith Mai%? t-e
Gat-erin and ceased all role&'la#ing 'roNects to (ocus on their collectible card
ga$es. )iki'edia;%itation needed
The "nal Talislanta su''le$ent 'ublished b# )i/ards in 1997 ended -ith the
announce$ent that Daedalus 2ntertain$ent, a s$all co$'an# -hich had gained
so$e attention (or creating the ga$e Fen S-ui, -ould be 'ublishing a ne-
edition -ithin the #ear, -ritten b# noted ga$e designer Robin <a-s. But such
-as not to be, and Daedalus (altered be(ore its version sa- 'rint.
The neAt co$'an# to atte$'t to revive Talislanta -as Pharos Press (also kno-n
as Plaid Rabbit), -ho announced the# -ould create a s'ecial tenth anniversar#
edition o( the ga$e in ti$e (or 199F. Des'ite earl# 'ro$ise and enthusias$, this
release -as long dela#ed, till the actual anniversar# -as #ears
'ast)iki'edia;%itation needed. Though a hand(ul o( ashcan co'ies o( the Pharos
edition -ere eventuall# distributed, Ste'han *ichael Sechi (-ho $aintained
creative control o( the ga$e through all editions) rescinded the license -ith
Pharos and announced that the ga$e -as u' (or grabs.
)hich brought the ga$e to Shooting Iron, a $odest gra'hic design co$'an#
-ho also ha''ened to be (ans o( Talislanta, and had 'rovided -ork (or Pharos.
<argel# on their o-n ti$e and -ithout re$uneration)iki'edia;%itation needed,
Shooting Iron turned the rough dra(t o( the 5nniversar# 2dition into the
Talislanta 7th edition, 'ublishing -hat re$ains the largest single volu$e
collection o( Talislanta rules and background as a hardback in +001. Shooting
Iron then 'ublished the "rst ne- su''le$ent (or Talislanta, The *idnight Real$,
in +00:.
In +007, *orrigan Press ac.uired the Talislanta license and 'ublished a nu$ber
o( books (or the ga$e, including a d+0 edition in earl# +00I. In +008, *orrigan
announced the u'co$ing release o( Talislanta ,i(th edition, and the "rst (e-
volu$es o( the $ulti&book ga$e sa- release in earl# +00F. The "nal core book o(
the Ith edition -as released in 5ugust +00F (5 !a$e$aster1s !uide to
Talislanta). 6n(ortunatel#, in +00 *orrigan (oundered and the (uture status o(
Talislanta is in doubt.
In +007, a ,rench 'ublishing co$'an# <udo'athes iditeurs ac.uired the license
to ada't the ga$e (or a ,rench audience. 5 starter kit -as 'ublished in +00I and
-as (ollo-ed b# the rulebook in Se'te$ber +00I and a !*1s screen DSecrets o(
the Rea'erD (<es Secrets du ,aucheur) in earl# +008. 5n original ca$'aign DThe
*oons %hronicles & PhandirD (<es %hroni.ues <unaires ; Phandir) -as released
on Lul# +008, and a sourcebook on the 4$niverse DThe !uide o( S'heresD (<e
!uide des S'hjres) -as released in late +008 as -ell as a series o( PD, booklets
giving the rule to create characters (ro$ the di3erent 'arts o( the continent.
4thers books (ollo-ed since then, in 5'ril +00F DThe )estern <andsD (<es Terres
de l14uest)-as 'ublished, a sourcebook detailing that 'art o( the continent. Then
-as 'ublished in Lanuar# +00 DThe Seas DevilsD (<es Diables des *ers) a
sourcebook about so$e o( the 'eo'les -andering the south seas. The neAt
cha'ter o( the ca$'aign; DThe *oons %hronicles & EarD (<es %hroni.ues <unaires
; Ear) taking 'lace in the )estern <ands -as 'ublished in Lanuar# +009.
5s o( Lune +010, all Talislanta titles (ro$ "rst to "(th edition are available (or
(ree do-nload (ro$ the Talislanta -ebsite. *ost o( the $aterial has been
scanned and 'osted. 5ccording to the ga$e1s -ebsite, DTalislanta is released to
the -orld, (or (ree, under the %reative %o$$on license. Pou are (ree to do-nload
the books (or #our role&'la#ing 'leasure, but 'lease no re&selling or re$iAing.D
)hile not the "rst ti$e a role&'la#ing ga$e co$'an# has decided to release its
'roduct as D(reeD, it is certainl# the largest to date.
In +017, a ne- Talislanta -ork titled DTalislanta; the Savage <andD -as begun.
Savage <and -ould detail a 'ortion o( Talislanta1s 'ast and allo- ga$e 'la# in
that earlier era o( the $ilieu.
Additional *itles
4ther %ontinents related to Talislanta, and so$eti$es re(erred to as the
6nkno-n <ands, have been $entioned. The *idnight Real$ -as the "rst book
dedicated to one o( these additional -orlds. Plans to 'ublish other continent
books, such as 5ltarus, %eladon, and Draknar, are ru$ored to be in the -orks.
External links
?Talislanta1s 43icial )eb Page
?,rench )eb Page
?*orrigan Press -ebsite ina%%essi,le as of :2G0;G200L
?Talislanta on RP! Talk
*ra&eller 2role!playing game3
&ra4eller
Designer(s) *arc *iller
Publisher(s) !a$e Designers1 )orksho'
I$'eriu$ !a$es CMar% Miller<s
TravellerD
Steve Lackson !a$es CG2)+S TravellerD
S<IORP!Real$s Publishing CTraveller
20D
*ongoose Publishing
,ar ,uture 2nter'rises
Publication date 19FF CClassi% TravellerD
19F CMeaTravellerD
199: CTraveller? T-e 1e. !raD
1998 CMar% Miller<s TravellerD
199, +008 CG2)+S TravellerD
+00+ CTraveller 20D
+00F CTraveller #eroD
+00 CMonoose TravellerD
+01: CTraveller>D
!enre(s) Science "ction s'ace o'era
S#ste$(s) %usto$, !6RPS, d+0 S#ste$
Tra+eller is a series o( related science "ction role&'la#ing ga$es, the "rst
'ublished in 19FF b# !a$e Designers1 )orksho' and subse.uent editions b#
various co$'anies re$aining in 'rint to this da#. The ga$e -as ins'ired b# such
classic science "ction stories as the Dumarest Saa series b# 2. %. Tubb, the
Foundation stories o( Isaac 5si$ov, M. Bea$ Pi'er1s S"a%e Hikin, <arr# Jiven1s
6no.n S"a%e, Lerr# Pournelle1s CoDominium, Poul 5nderson1s +olesote%-ni%
9eaue and several other -orks o( science "ction literature.)iki'edia;%itation
needed
%haracters t#'icall# Nourne# bet-een various star s#ste$s and engage in
activities such as eA'loration, ground and s'ace battles, and interstellar trading.
Traveller characters are de"ned less b# the need to increase native skill and
abilit# and $ore b# achieve$ents, discoveries, or obtaining -ealth, gadgets,
titles and 'olitical 'o-er.
4riginall# Traveller -as intended to be a s#ste$ (or 'la#ing generic s'ace o'era&
the$ed science "ction adventures in $uch the sa$e sense that Duneons &
Draons -as a s#ste$ intended (or generic (antas# adventures. *arc *iller, one
o( the original designers o( the Traveller RP! (or !a$e Designer1s )orksho',
said that the idea (or creating Traveller ca$e about -hen he said DI -ant to do
Dungeons B Dragons in s'ace.D *ost 'ublished su''le$ents (or Traveller deal in
so$e -a# -ith a de(ault setting called the DThird I$'eriu$D, (so$eti$es
re(erred to as the 5=i%ial Traveller 2niverse (4T6)), but the $ain rules are
generic enough so that a ca$'aign can be 'la#ed in an# setting the re(eree
chooses.
6ey )eatures
He# (eatures derived (ro$ literar# sources are incor'orated into the Traveller
ga$e in all its (or$s;
Human*centric but Cosmopolitan
The background o( the 4T6 (eatures a hu$an&do$inated universe. 5s such,
the core rules 'ri$aril# (ocus on develo'$ent o( hu$an characters touching
onl# brie># on a (e- non&hu$an s'ecies. Des'ite the do$inance o( hu$anit#, a
large nu$ber o( aliens -as al-a#s i$'lied to eAist, inside and outside o(
%harted S'ace. There are nu$erous Traveller 'ublications -ith rules and
eAtensive in(or$ation on 'la#ing aliens.
Interstellar tra4el
Interstellar travel is through the use o( the Nu$' drive, -hich $oves a shi'
through DNu$' s'aceD a (e- light&#ears at a ti$e. 2ach Nu$' al-a#s takes about
one -eek.
Bimited communication
There is no (aster&than&light in(or$ation trans(er @ $eaning no ansible,
subs'ace radio or h#'er&-ave. %o$$unication is li$ited to the s'eed o( travel.
Feudalism
Relativel# slo- co$$unication s'eeds $ean that local rulers cannot be
directl# controlled b# central authorit#. There(ore, a3airs are $anaged b#
inde'endent nobilit#, -ho $ake use o( classic titles such as Baron, Duke and
5rchduke.
Con*utopian 8uture and Co Prime "irecti4e
The hu$an race never evolves into a su'erior state. Peo'le re$ain 'eo'le and
continue to sho- courage, -isdo$, honest# and Nustice, along -ith co-ardice,
deceit, and cri$inal behavior. Planets "ght out internal -ars, and ca'italis$ is
the $aNor driving (orce o( civili/ation. The sa$e (actors that sha'ed 2arth
sha'e the Traveller universe.
Characters
Traveller introduced the 1li(e'ath1&st#le character generation s#ste$ to role&
'la#ing ga$es. Traveller characters get their skills and eA'erience in a $ini&
ga$e, -here the 'la#er $akes career choices that deter$ine the character1s li(e
u' to the 'oint right be(ore adventuring begins.
5 character can be hu$an, robot, alien, or o( a geneticall# engineered s'ecies. 5
character can be civilian, $ilitar#, or noble, #oung cadet or a tried&and&true
veteran, each -ith strengths and -eaknesses.
Characteristics
In $ost versions o( Traveller, characters have siA 'ri$ar# characteristics -hich
range in level (ro$ 1 ((eeble) to 1I (su'erhu$an);
?Strength (Str) & the character1s ra- $uscular 'o-er
?DeAterit# (DeA) & the character1s 'h#sical coordination and agilit#
?2ndurance (2nd) & the character1s resistance to 'h#sical stress and da$age
?Intelligence (Int) & the character1s $ental 'ro-ess and intuition
?2ducation (2du) & the character1s eA'erience and kno-ledge
?Social Standing (Soc) & the character1s abilit# to in>uence others and their 'lace
in societ# (high scores indicate nobilit#)
Pla#ers roll rando$l# (or these characteristics (t#'icall# on + 8&sided dice)
during character creation. %haracteristics $odi(# task rolls, thus higher values
re'resent $ore ca'able individuals.
4'tional characteristics include Psi (a character1s 'sionic strength) and San (a
character1s sanit#). There are also analogs to 'ri$ar# characteristics, such as
%haris$a or %aste in the 'lace o( Social Standing, to add nuance to alien
characters.
*ask systems
2ach rule s#ste$ has its o-n task $echanic (or resolving character actions.
Target nu$bers are t#'icall# deter$ined b# the re(eree, and take into account
task di3icult#, skill level, and a characteristic. Situation and e.ui'$ent used can
introduce Dice *odi"ers (D*s), -hich 'rovide a bonus or 'enalt# to a roll (e.g. a
D*9+ $eans add + to the roll, and a D*&7 $eans subtract 7 (ro$ the roll).
Classic Tra+ellerD MegaTra+ellerD and Mongoose Tra+eller
In these s#ste$s, t-o siA&sided dice (+d8) are rolled e.ual to or above a target
nu$ber (or success, although occasionall# the roll $ust be belo- the target
nu$ber.
Traveller? T-e 1e. !ra
Traveller? T-e 1e. !ra (TJ2) used a $odi"ed version o( the T.ili-t 2000 rules,
-here a t-ent#&sided die (d+0) -as rolled belo- a target nu$ber (or success.
Tra+eller
5
and Tra+eller
6
In both these versions, the nu$ber o( dice rolled re'resents task di3icult#
(D5verageD is +D, DDi3icultD is :D, etc.), and the target nu$ber is characteristic 9
skill 9 t#'ical D*s. The roll $ust be belo- the target nu$ber (or success.
Traveller, version 7 (T7), has levels o( di3icult# -hich call (or a Dhal(&dieD to be
used= (or eAa$'le DDi3icultD is +.I dice and one die result (rolled as a di3erent
color die (ro$ the rest) $ust be halved -hen counted. Traveller, version I (TI)
does not use a hal(&die.
G/"$* Tra+eller and Tra+eller 1E"O
G2)+S Traveller (!T) uses the !6RPS character creation and task resolution
s#ste$ develo'ed b# Steve Lackson !a$es, and Traveller #!)5 (TM) uses the
#!)5 System develo'ed b# M2R4 !a$es (or character creation and task
resolution. Both s#ste$s use three siA&sided dice (:d8). The roll $ust be e.ual to
or belo- the target nu$ber (or success.
Traveller
20
Traveller
20
(or T+0) is the d+0 S#ste$&version o( Traveller, develo'ed b#
Suicklink Interactive. Task checks roll a t-ent#&sided die (d+0). The roll $ust be
e.ual to or above the target nu$ber, (or success.
E;uipment
2.ui'$ent in Traveller t#'icall# e$'hasi/es -ilderness eA'loration, ha/ardous
environ$ents, and co$bat. 5s a result, e.ui'$ent lists are heav# on vehicles,
sensor e.ui'$ent, co$$unicators, rations, 'ersonal ar$or, and -ea'ons. Since
'ri$itive -orlds eAist near technological -orlds, 'ri$itive -ea'ons are also
t#'icall# included, such as s-ords, shields, 'ikes, bo-s, and so on. 5nd since
high technolog# is available, c#bernetic i$'lants and non&sentient robots
t#'icall# also sho- u' in e.ui'$ent lists, as -ell as arti(acts (ro$ ancient,
vanished technological civili/ations.
)hile there are energ# -ea'ons in Traveller, there is also a strong 'resence o(
slug&thro-er -ea'ons such as ri>es and 'istols. The 'revailing theor# is that
(usuall#) the $ost e3icient -a# to sto' so$eone is -ith kinetic energ# (e.g.
bullets).
Starships
Traveller1s rules (or starshi' design and co$bat are like ga$es unto the$selves
-ith a co$'leA balance o( shi' co$'onents "tting -ithin certain hull volu$es,
technolog# levels, and $odi"ers based u'on characters1 skills. It is co$'leA
enough to be able to genericall# re'resent $ost starshi's used in role&'la#ing
ga$es, and >eAible enough to su''ort custo$ add&ons to the s#ste$. (!D)
'ublished several board ga$es allo-ing Traveller s'ace battles to be 'la#ed out
as ga$es in their o-n right & Mayday using the Classi% Traveller rules, $rilliant
9an%es and $attle )ider using the Traveller? T-e 1e. !ra rules.)
T#'ical Traveller starshi's consist o( control s'ace (i.e. one or $ore bridges), a
central 'o-er 'lant, a $aneuver drive (or in&s#ste$ travel, a Nu$' drive (or
interstellar travel, and 'a#load s'ace (-ea'ons, living areas, etc.). The 'o-er
'lant and Nu$' drive together re.uire signi"cant a$ounts o( (uel. 5lternate
'o-er 'lants and drives eAist (or $odelling di3erent settings.
%o$'uter 'rogra$s have been created to $odel and 'redict starshi' co$bat
using Traveller rules. The $ost (a$ous case involved Douglas <enat a''l#ing his
2urisko heuristic learning 'rogra$ to the scenario in the Classi% Traveller
adventure Trillion Credit S/uadron (T%S), -hich contained rules (or resolving
ver# large s'ace battles statisticall#. 2urisko discovered eA'loitable (eatures o(
the starshi' design s#ste$ that allo-ed it to build unusual >eets that -on the
191 and 19+ T%S national cha$'ionshi's.
(orlds
)orlds re'resent a -ide s'ectru$ o( conditions, (ro$ barren 'lanetoid $oons to
large -ater -orlds, (ro$ uncoloni/ed territor# to 'lanets -ith tens o( billions o(
'eo'le. *ost -orlds tend to be onl# $odestl# coloni/ed, though so$e -orlds
$a# be dangerousl# overcro-ded.
The -orld generation s#ste$ in Traveller is geared to 'roduce a highl# rando$
$iA o( -orlds. 2Atensions take solar s#ste$ generation into account, and $odi(#
the 'rocess de'ending on the (ecundit# and histor# o( the targeted area o( s'ace.
Si$ilar to the use o( the 6PP (or characters, -orlds are re'resented b# an
al'hanu$eric 6niversal )orld Pro"le that encodes ke# 'h#sical, social, and
econo$ic 'ro'erties o( the -orld.
Ad&entures
5dventures in Traveller tend to co$e (ro$ a (e- ke# the$es;
$erc%ant Free &raders
The 'la#ers travel the stars trading and adventuring along the -a# in their
ver# o-n starshi'.
(xploration
The 'la#ers are scouts, acade$ics, or adventurers -ho -ant to "nd (or
rediscover) uncharted -orlds. There are ne- cultures to encounter, eAotic >ora
and (auna to catalog, and ruins and arti(acts to eAcavate and stud#.
Struggle against Cature
The 'la#ers are 'itted against an alien environ$ent, -ith or -ithout the hel'
o( outsiders.
)escue
Peo'le are lost or stranded and the 'la#ers are tasked -ith recovering the$.
5lternativel#, the 'la#ers are lost or stranded and need to either survive until
rescued or $ake their -a# to sa(et#.
/orld*%opping
The 'la#ers are itinerant -orkers, interstellar business travelers, or tourists on
holida# that are al-a#s going to un(a$iliar and eAotic 'laces.
Patron
The 'la#ers are skilled (reelancers hired b# a client to 'er(or$ a Nob (or the$
that re.uires their 'articular skills and eA'erience. Their 'er(or$ance a3ects
their standing -ith the client and -hether the client -ill hire the$ (or (uture
Nobs or reco$$end the$ to other 'otential clients.
(scort $ission
The 'la#ers are bod#guards 'rotecting a 'erson -hile taking the$ to their
destination. 5lternativel#, the# are hired to kidna' or kill the 'erson or 'revent
the$ (ro$ reaching their destination.
Courier $ission
The 'la#ers are trans'orting a 'ackage containing goods or in(or$ation.
5lternativel#, the# are hired to interce't the 'ackage.
&%e Heist
The 'la#ers 'lan to in"ltrate a secure (acilit# to ac.uire in(or$ation or goods.
5lternativel# the 'la#ers are hired to guard the (acilit# be(ore the target is
ac.uired or retrieve the target a(ter it is ac.uired.
$ercenary
The 'la#ers are $ilitar# veterans -ho have been contracted to serve in the
ar$ed (orces o( a local or 'lanetar# govern$ent. T#'ical tasks -ould be to
create and instruct a training cadre, lead or advise units, or 'rovide a cor's o(
trained and eA'erienced troo's (a$iliar -ith advanced technolog#.
(nigma
So$ething uneA'lained is going on, and the 'la#ers have to "nd out -hat it is.
Setting
The original Traveller rule booklets had no setting in(or$ation, and -as
'ro$oted as a rules s#ste$ (or running general science "ction role&'la#ing
ga$es. The rules the$selves -ere si$'listic but co$'lete, -ith no s'ace (or
$aterial be#ond the bare essentials. Thus, re(erees used and altered 'ublished
rules to suit their setting and 'la# st#le.
5s Traveller beca$e 'o'ular, su''le$ents su''orted a de(ault setting, -hich has
co$e to be kno-n as the 5=i%ial Traveller 2niverse (4T6), in a s$all 'iece o(
the galaA#, kno-n as %harted S'ace. The 4T6 is also kno-n b# the 'ri$ar#
'olitical entit# in the setting, The Third I$'eriu$. The starting 'oint (or this
a''ears to be the board ga$e Am"erium.
The T-ird Am"erium is the largest and hu$an&do$inated interstellar e$'ire in
%harted S'ace. It is a (eudalistic union o( -orlds; local nobilit# o'erate largel#
(ree (ro$ oversight, restricted b# convention and (eudal obligations.
*ost Traveller adventures take 'lace in %harted S'ace, during the I$'erial
#ears 1100 and 11+I, or the DJe- 2raD #ears o( 1+00 to 1+7.
.ntelligent species
Des'ite the the$atic do$inance o( the hu$an race, -ith $ost adventures taking
'lace in hu$an s'ace, the Traveller universe is cos$o'olitan, and is divided into
a hand(ul o( maEor ra%es and an unbounded nu$ber o( minor ra%es.
Ma<or races
5 $aNor race is de"ned as one that su''osedl# develo'ed Nu$' technolog#
inde'endentl#. The standard list o( $aNor races includes the honor&bound (elinoid
Aslan= the -inged re'tilioid Droyne= the siA(old&s#$$etric, $ani'ulative #ivers=
the centaur&like, vegetarian 6<6ree, and u'li(ted -ol(&h#brid Harr. There are
also various descendants o( hu$anit# (collectivel# called #umaniti); Solomani
(D'eo'le o( SolD= Terran hu$ans), Hilani (D'eo'le o( GlandD= hu$ans that (ounded
the I$'eriu$), and K-odani (D'eo'le o( EhodaneD, 's#chic hu$ans ruled b#
's#chicall#&gi(ted nobles).
The Ancients -ere a $aNor race in the distant 'ast= their ruins dot 'lanets
throughout charted s'ace and their arti(acts are $ore technicall# advanced than
those o( an# eAisting civili/ation. ,or unkno-n reasons, the# trans'lanted
hu$ans (ro$ 2arth to do/ens o( -orlds, u'li(ted Terran -olves to create the
Gargr, and undertook $an# $egascale engineering 'roNects be(ore destro#ing
their civili/ation in a catastro'hic -ar.
Minor races
S'ecies -hich -ere contacted be(ore the# could develo' Lu$' Drives are
considered $inor. 5 (e- have signi"cant background $aterial, such as the Ael
Bael' -hich a''ear to rese$ble hu$anoid 'terodact#ls= $a.a"aker.a*a*a*
a.a"a.a,' ($.a"s (or short) -hich are bi'edal a$'hibians= and the At-klur, an
aggressive race o( -ar$&blooded, hu$anoid re'tilians that eAist in Miver&s'ace.
*ost, ho-ever, are onl# hinted at.
7umber o) Minor aces
5n earl# 'ublication (ro$ !a$es Designers1 )orksho' noted that T-e minor
ra%es' of .-i%- t-ere are -undreds .it-in t-e area of kno.n s"a%e' .ill ,e
larely left u" to individual referees8 !D)1s .uarterl# 'ublication, T-e 7ournal of
t-e Travellers< Aid So%iety, sketched out about one race 'er .uarter, starting
-ith 5slan in Issue F, -ith no signs o( letting u'. Taken together -ith aliens
casuall# $entioned or introduced in se'arate scenarios or adventuresTo(ten
arbitraril#Tthere is there(ore no indication that the nu$ber o( $inor races is
li$ited in an# sense.
Publishing history
%&er&ie#
Main article: 8ist of Traveller )oo's
The original Traveller ga$ebooks -ere distinctive hal(&si/e black 'a$'hlets (the
so&called D<ittle Black BooksD or D<BBsD) 'roduced b# !a$e Designers )orksho'
(!D)). The $ain rules -ere detailed in three such booklets, sold as a boAed set
-hile the sa$e (or$at -as used (or earl# su''ort $aterial, such as the
5dventures, Su''le$ents and (urther Books. %urrentl# these <BBs are available
in collected re'rints (ro$ ,ar ,uture 2nter'rises. <ater su''le$ents and
u'dated versions o( the $ain ga$e s#ste$ introduced (ull si/ed booklets,
co$'lete re&-rites o( the ga$e s#ste$ and signi"cant changes to the Third
I$'eriu$.
Editions
*ra&eller 2=>??@ 'D(3
(19FF@198) Published b# !D). Jickna$ed D%lassic TravellerD and o(ten
shortened to CT. The core rules originall# ca$e as three distinctive D<ittle Black
BooksD (see 4vervie- above), in a boAed set. Su''le$ental booklets included
DadvancedD character generation, ca'ital shi' design, robots, and $ore. 2ight
boAed -arga$es -ere released as tie&in 'roducts.
*ost o( the Classi% Traveller books are available in co$'endiu$ volu$es (ro$
Far Future !nter"rises, -hich is the current co'#right and trade$ark holder o(
all (or$s o( the Traveller ga$e. ,ar ,uture 2nter'rises also sells a %D&R4*
containing scans o( all the canonical Classi% Traveller $aterial in PD, (or$at,
including the rules, counters and $a's (ro$ the boAed ga$es.
Traveller -as inducted into the 5riins Adventure Gamin #all of Fame in 199F.
Mega*ra&eller 2=>A?@ 'D( and D'P3
MeaTraveller (19F@199+), o(ten shortened to MT, -as 'ublished b# !D) but
designed b# Digest !rou' Publications -hich 'ublished the 'o'ular Traveller<s
Diest (later the MeaTraveller 7ournal) Traveller su''ort $aga/ine. The ga$e
s#ste$ used revised versions o( the %lassic Traveller $echanics -ith ideas "rst
develo'ed in the Traveller<s Diest (and later also ada'ted to Traveller; +:00).
The ga$e -as set during the Rebellion era -hich shattered the I$'eriu$.
Su''le$ents and $aga/ines 'roduced during this era detailed the 'rogression o(
the Rebellion (ro$ the initial assassination o( the 2$'eror in 1118 to the
colla'se o( large&scale interstellar trade in roughl# 11+7 (the beginning o( the
su''le$ent #ard Times).
Digest !rou' Publications also 'roduced a nu$ber o( *egaTraveller
su''le$ents, including alien $odules detailing the 5slan, Gargr, Gilani and
Solo$ani (or *egaTraveller and the World $uilder<s #and,ook, -hich eA'anded
greatl# on the -orld&building s#ste$ (ound in the $ain rulebooks.
*ra&ellerB *he 7e# Era 2=>>4@ 'D(3
Traveller? T-e 1e. !ra (o(ten shortened to TJ2) -as a !D) 'ublication (ro$
199: to 199I, set in the (or$er territor# o( the Third I$'eriu$ a(ter interstellar
govern$ent and societ# had largel# colla'sedTe3ectivel# DrebootingD the setting
Tbut leaving a 'ocket o( the I$'eriu$ 'reserved to allo- ga$es -ith a Dlegac#D
(eel to the$.
TJ2 introduced the 5I Girus, a li(e (or$ based on silicon that in(ected and took
over alien silicon co$'uting technologies. The ga$e $echanics -ere changed to
!D)1s house rules s#ste$, derived (ro$ T-ilight; +000, +nd ed. The ga$e used
a $ore realis$&centered a''roach to science "ction, doing a-a# -ith
reactionless thrusters, shortening laser ranges to a reasonable distance, etc.
Several su''le$ents -ere 'ublished (or TJ2 covering $ost i( not all o( -hat the
#ear 1+01 -as like, but be(ore an# o( the $eta&events could start to advance the
ti$eline, !D) (ell on a string o( bad luck and "nall# -as (orced to close its
doors, a(ter t-ent# t-o #ears in -hich it had 'ublished one ne- 'roduct ever#
++ da#s on average (not counting $aga/ines).
In 1997, Traveller? T-e 1e. !ra -on the 4rigins 5-ard (or $est )ole"layin
)ules of :LL4.
Marc Miller0s *ra&eller 2=>>-@ .mperium 'ames3
Mar% Miller<s Traveller (1998@199), o(ten re(erred to as TQ, -as 'ublished b#
I$'eriu$ !a$es a(ter !D) dissolved and the rights to Traveller reverted to
*arc *iller, the creator o( the original ga$e. It returned to a heavil# $odi"ed
version o( the original rules and -as set in the earl# da#s o( the Third I$'eriu$
(Milieu 0). This edition is currentl# available on *arc *iller1s -ebsite. *iller has
stated that T7 -as D'lagued b# rush,D eA'laining that the books -ere released
-ithout enough editing. Me also stated that in s'ite o( the .ualit# issues that
resulted (ro$ this, he does not believe that T7 is the least 'o'ular or $ost
controversial edition o( the ga$e.
'8PS *ra&eller 2=>>A@ SC'3
G2)+S Traveller (199@'resent) -as D%reated on a handshake -ith Steve
Lackson o( Steve Lackson !a$es.D The ga$e uses the G2)+S (Third 2dition)
s#ste$ and takes 'lace in an alternate ti$eline in -hich no Rebellion occurred
and the 5I Girus -as never released. Steve Lackson !a$es 'roduced nu$erous
su''le$ents (or the line, including details (or all o( the $aNor races, $an# o( the
$inor races, interstellar trade, eA'anded -orld generation, the $ilitar# (orces o(
the Third I$'eriu$, and starshi's. The ga$e is o(ten re(erred to as D!TD.
?G2)+S Traveller? Anterstellar Wars
G2)+S Traveller? Anterstellar Wars is the second !6RPS&driven version o(
Traveller. It concentrates on the ++nd and +:rd centuries, $uch earlier than the
usual Traveller setting, at the ti$e -hen 2arth "rst started to send out
interstellar shi's and had Nust encountered the Gilani I$'eriu$. This setting
book uses the 7th 2dition o( the !6RPS rules, and hence is re(erred to b# so$e
as D!7TD or D!TI).D The Anterstellar Wars book (eatures eAtensive notes on
'eriod 2arth societ#, Gilani culture and values, and u'dated s'aceshi'
construction and co$bat rules.
*ra&eller +, 2+,,+@ 9". D P' ealms3
Traveller 20 (+00+@+008), or DT+0D, -as 'ublished b# Suick <ink InteractiveORP!
Real$s Publishing. The D+0 s#ste$ version is set at the ti$e o( the Solo$ani
Ri$ )ar around I$'erial #ear 990, about a centur# be(ore the era de'icted in
the original ga$e. The 're(erred setting is the !ate-a# Do$ain region o( the
I$'eriu$.
*ra&eller Hero 2+,,?@ Comstar 'ames3
Traveller #ero, re(erred to as DTMD, -as a 'ort o( the Traveller setting to the
#ero System, 'roduced under license b# %o$star !a$es.
Mongoose *ra&eller 2+,,A@ Mongoose Publishing3
*ongoose Publishing 'roduced a $aNor revision o( the original Classi% Traveller
ga$e, o3ering it both in a traditional (or$at and as an o'en&source SRD around
-hich other ga$es $a# be built. It ste$s (ro$ Classi% Traveller and
Traveller>,)iki'edia;%itation needed using a (or$ o( the +D8 task s#ste$, and
u'dating the careers, aliens, and technolog# (ound there. It is re(erred to as
D*gTD to di3erentiate it (ro$ D*TD, or *egaTraveller.
The core rule book -as released in 5'ril +00, -ith a regular series o(
su''le$ents (ollo-ing, including setting&related resources (or the classic T-ird
Am"erium, $a,ylon >, #ammer<s Slammers, 2400 AD, 7ude Dredd, Strontium
Do and others, including a Traveller version o( the +rime Dire%tive Star Trek&
based role&'la#ing ga$e that is currentl# in develo'$ent. *ongoose Publishing
holds the license (or ten #ears.
*ra&eller ".1*%11 Starter Set 2+,=5@ =4Mann Publishing House3
1:*ann dra(ted a DstarterD version o( Traveller rules. %o$'atibilit# -ith
*ongoose Traveller is one o( its goals.
*ra&ellerE 2+,=4@ 11E3
Traveller
>
, or DTID, is the "(th edition o( Traveller. T> dra-s conce'ts (ro$
'revious versions to 'roduce a consistent -hole. The %ore Rulebook (8I8 'ages)
contains $uch $ore detail than that 'resent in the original D<ittle Black BooksD.
The intent is to account (or (nearl#) ever# situation in the Traveller setting.
9+
The
core rules include integrated $echanics -ith enough de'th to su''ort
Traveller<s R5T2R, and several (ocused design s#ste$s called D*akerD s#ste$s,
(or creating vehicles, ar$or, -ea'ons, robots, alien races, ani$als, and
e.ui'$ent. 5 star s#ste$ generation s#ste$ eA'ands on the sa$e basic 'lanet
statistics as %lassic Traveller to add in social, econo$ic, and strategic details
about the $ain-orld and its s#ste$.
The 'la#test release -as $ade available in ,ebruar# +009, and revisions
incor'orating 'la#tested errata -ere $ade available to 'la#testers on a cha'ter
b# cha'ter basis. The 'la#test o'en&beta 'hase e3ectivel# ended on *a# :1,
+01+, -hen *iller launched a Traveller >t- !dition Hickstarter 'roNect. The
'roNect -as (unded at 1++FK o( its initial goal, -ith a "nal 'ledge level o(
[+97,8+ on Sunda# 1 Lul# +01+ and breaking Deadlands Joir1s [11F,87 record
(or $ost (unded tableto' RP! Hickstarter). The "nished T> ga$e -ent to the
'rinters in Dece$ber +01+. The Hickstarter 'roNect does not overla' -ith the
earlier beta&test 'rogra$.
The book and %D&R4* -ere distributed to Hickstarter 'artici'ants starting in
*arch +01:, and -ere available directl# to ga$e sho's b# Lune +01:.
*ra&ellerE &ersus Mongoose *ra&eller
*ongoose Traveller (*gT) and TravellerI (TI) share $an# core conce'ts. There
are t-o reasons (or this; "rst, -hen *ongoose Traveller -as being -ritten,
*ongoose Publishing used a +00 dra(t o( the TravellerI rules to develo' so$e
o( its core rules. The second reason is that rules -ere o(ten vetted b# 'eo'le -ho
-ere also directl# involved in TravellerI1s develo'$ent. This subtl# allo-ed both
rule s#ste$s to in(or$ each other. ,or eAa$'le, so$e *gT 'ersonal ar$or
values -ere vetted as *arc -as also develo'ing the ar$or build rules (or TI. 5t
this 'oint, a correlation (unction -as established bet-een *gT and TI1s ar$or
and -ea'on da$age ratings, to gauge -hether or not the ar$or ratings -ere
reasonable (es'eciall# (or edge cases). This occasionall# resulted in suggestions
(or value t-eaks.
*ra&ellerE in Mongoose *ra&eller
The careers in *gT co$e (ro$ TI. The list is slightl# di3erent (adding the
interesting DDri(terD career, and dro''ing a cou'le others), and the $ethod is
*gT1s take, but the list is other-ise the sa$e.
9+DS'otlight 4n; The 4riginal Designer o( the Traveller Role'la#ing !a$e. 5n Intervie- )ith
*arc *iller.D Pol#$ancer $aga/ine, Golu$e +, Issue a10. '' :F@7+.
The skills list co$es (ro$ TI. It is slightl# shorter in *gT (7 vs 87), and (olds in
so$e conce'ts. ,or eAa$'le, in TI Persuasion -as discontinued as a skill and
-as $oved under the task s#ste$ in general. Mo-ever the t-o skill lists are
$uch closer to each other than to other Traveller skill lists.
*ongoose1s basic starshi' design s#ste$ ste$s (ro$ a dra(t o( TI, blending in a
bit o( other rulesets (e.g. (or ar$our, -hich -asn1t -ritten (or TI at the ti$e) and
so$e o( their o-n innovations (drones). So$e 'arts are verbati$ (ro$ 2arl# TIT
the hull, bridge, drives, (uel, and the drive 'er(or$ance table. So$e 'arts are
si$'l# in>uenced; the sensor 'ackages and co$'uters are not the sa$e, but
sho- 2arl# TI1s in>uence.
Mongoose *ra&eller in *ra&ellerE
4n the other hand, *gT has also in>uenced TI. 4ne eAa$'le is in the D<uAuriesD
section, -hich didn1t eAist in 2arl# TI, but has been ada'ted into the "nal
docu$ent. 5nother eAa$'le is on the neAt 'age, -ith D,iAedD -ea'on $ounts. In
2arl# TI that didn1t eAist, but sho-ed u' in a $odi"ed -a# as D,ir$'ointsD.
elated game systems
*ra&ellerB +4,,
Main article: "9:: A4
This !D) role&'la#ing ga$e is a clear rules&descendent o( T.ili-t? 2000 and
Striker, using ten&sided dice. It -as a hard science "ction alternative to the
looser s'ace o'era o( Classi% Traveller. Presented as a (uture eAtra'olation o( the
s'eculative )orld )ar III o( !D)1s 'o'ular $ilitar# role&'la#ing ga$e T.ili-t?
2000, in -hich the various nations o( 2arth -ere onl# Nust beginning to eA'lore
and coloni/e the I0 light #ear s'here o( surrounding s'ace. So$e bu#ers
$istakenl# thought the ga$e -as intended to de'ict the #ear +:00 in the
standard Traveller universe using Traveller rules= to disa$biguate it (ro$
Traveller, the +nd edition o( the ga$e -as retitled to 2400 AD and this second
edition introduced so$e c#ber'unk rules and adventures.
5 third version o( the setting, 2420 AD -as released as a su''le$ent to the
Traveller T20 ruleset.
2400 AD has been release as a setting under the Monoose Traveller rules.
*ra&eller in other media
!D) licensee Paragon 'roduced t-o video ga$es based on the Traveller
universe; MeaTraveller :? T-e K-odani Cons"ira%y (1990) (or 5$iga, 5tari ST
and *S&D4S o'erating environ$ents, and MeaTraveller 2? (uest for t-e
An%ients (1991) (or 5$iga and *S&D4S.
Several novels have been s'eci"call# set in the various Traveller universes;
1. Deat- of Wisdom Book 1 o( : b# Paul Brunette. ISBJ 1&IIF&11&1
+. To Dream of C-aos Book + o( : b# Paul Brunette. ISBJ 1&IIF&17&8
:. T-e $a%k.ards Mask Book : o( : b# *atthe- %arson.
7. Mar% Miller<s Traveller? Gate.ay to t-e Stars b# Pierce 5skegren. ISBJ 0&
8F1&011&C
I. T-e For%e of Destiny b# Dale He$'er
8. Dias"ora +-oeni3 b# *artin L. Doughert#
F. Tales of t-e 1e. !ra :? Besterday<s #ero b# *artin L. Doughert#
In addition, Le3erson S-#ca3er has -ritten several novels set in the D%oncordatD
"ctional universe he originall# develo'ed (or his Traveller ca$'aign.
!regor# P. <ee1s DThe <aughing <i'D series ackno-ledges the in>uence o(
Traveller in the develo'$ent o( the three novels 'ublished to date. *r. <ee also
-rote the !a$elords1 su''le$ent D<ee1s !uide to Interstellar 5dventureD in the
earl# 190s.
Meav# $etal band Slough ,eg issued a Traveller based conce't albu$,
a''ro'riatel# titled Traveller in +00:.
!a$ing $aga/ine W-ite D.arf ran a co$ic stri' called T-e Travellers b# *ark
Marrison (ro$ 19: to 198. The stri' s'oo(ed Traveller and other s'ace o'era
settings.
In *arch +011 IngE Inc announced the u'co$ing release o( Traveller 5R in
Su$$er +011. Traveller 5R is an iPhone based 'ort o( the Traveller RP! brand.
In *a# +017 ga$e designer and "l$ 'roducer Hen )hit$an announced that his
co$'an#, D+0 2ntertain$ent, had 'rocured a license (ro$ *arc *iller to
'roduce a Traveller television 'ilot. The 'ilot is to be titled S'in-ard Traveller
and -ill (ollo- the adventures o( Lon S'in-ard, -ho is 'ressed into service
aboard a 'irate shi'.
4n Lune 1, +017 )hit$an launched a Hickstarter ca$'aign (or the "l$. The
ca$'aign is seeking [:0,000 to 'roduce a ++&$inute 'ilot, but has stretch goals
(or u' to a 98&$inute "l$. The ca$'aign received over [I,000 in its "rst da#.
Copyright in)ringement la#suit
In 19+ !a$e Designers )orksho' sued so(t-are 'ublisher 2du&)are Services
(or in(ringing u'on Traveller<s co'#right. 2du&)are ad$itted to using Traveller
as the basis o( its role&'la#ing video ga$e S"a%e, and in an out&o(&court
settle$ent, $ade a cash settle$ent and re$oved the video ga$e (ro$ the
$arket, turning all co'ies over to !D).
1urther reading
?%had-ick, ,rank (19F). Traveller $ook Q? Mer%enary. !a$e Designers1
)orksho'.
?,ugate, Loe D. Sr= Ti$oth# B. Bro-n (198). Traveller $ook M? )o,ots. !a$e
Designers1 )orksho'. ISBJ 0&97:I0&10&+.
?*asters, Phil (,ebruar# 19:). D4'en BoA; The Traveller BookD. W-ite D.arf
(!a$es )orksho') (:); 1+. ISSJ 0+8I&F1+.
?*iller, *arc )illia$ (190) _19F9`. Traveller $ook >? #i- Guard. revised b#
*arc )illia$ *iller, ,rank %had-ick and Lohn Marsh$an. !a$e Designers1
)orksho'.
?*iller, *arc ) (19:). Traveller $ook ;? S%outs. !a$e Designers1 )orksho'.
?*iller, *arc )= <oren )ise$an (197). Traveller Adventure :2? Se%ret of t-e
An%ients. !a$e Designers1 )orksho'.
?*iller, *arc )= L. 5ndre- Heith (19I). Traveller $ook S? Mer%-ant +rin%e.
!a$e Designers1 )orksho'.
?*iller, *arc ) (19). )e,ellion Sour%e,ook. !a$e Designers1 )orksho'.
ISBJ 0&97:I0&8:&:.
?Slack, 5nd# (,ebruar# 19:). D5n Introduction to Traveller Part III; ScenariosD.
W-ite D.arf (!a$es )orksho') (:); 10@11. ISSJ 0+8I&F1+.
?Slack, 5nd# (*arch 19:). D5n Introduction to Traveller Part IG; ScenariosD.
W-ite D.arf (!a$es )orksho') (:9); 1@19. ISSJ 0+8I&F1+.
?Slack, 5nd# (Dece$ber 19:). D4'en BoA; Traveller Starter 2ditionD. W-ite
D.arf (!a$es )orksho') (7); 10. ISSJ 0+8I&F1+.
?S$ith, <ester (1998). Milieu 0. I$'eriu$ !a$es. ISBJ 1IF+1+7I.
?)ise$an, <oren H. (191). Traveller $ook 0? An Antrodu%tion To. !a$e
Designers1 )orksho'.
?Traveller $ook :? C-ara%ters and Com,at. !a$e Designers1 )orksho'. 19FFa.
?Traveller $ook 2? Stars-i"s. !a$e Designers1 )orksho'. 19FFb.
?Traveller $ook 4? Worlds and Adventures. !a$e Designers1 )orksho'. 19FFc.
External links
?*ongoose Traveller
?!6RPS Traveller b# Steve Lackson !a$es
?Traveller Bibliogra'h#
?Traveller I 'ost&Hickstarter, 'ost&!D) sales site
*ri!Stat dF
&ri*Stat d!
Tri-&tat logo
Designer(s) *ark %. *acHinnon
Publisher(s) !uardians o( 4rder
Publication date +00:
!enre(s) 6niversal
&ri*Stat d! is a generic role&'la#ing ga$e s#ste$ develo'ed and 'ublished b#
!uardians o( 4rder in +00:. <ike other generic role&'la#ing ga$e s#ste$s, Tri&
stat dC has ada'table rules that can be a''lied to $an# genres and settings.
Tri&Stat dC1s na$e co$es (ro$ the s#ste$1s three $ain Stats; $ind, Body, and
Soul. DdCD re(ers to the 'ol#hedral dice used in the ga$e; an# o( the available
die t#'es $a# be used.
It is based on the original Tri&Stat S#ste$ "rst introduced in 1999 -ith the
'o'ular $i !yes' Small Mout- C$!SMD ani$e&genre RP! (-hich used d8 dice),
-hich is no- 'ublished b# )hite )ol( Publishing,
9:
and the su'erhero&genre RP!
Silver Ae Sentinels (-hich used d10 dice), and no- includes a nu$ber o(
related s#ste$s and ga$es such as !3 Ma%-ina, Dreamin Cities, and Tekumel
(-hich uses a variation o( the s#ste$).
The core rules (or the Tri&Stat dC s#ste$ -ere once available as a (ree do-nload
(ro$ the !uardians o( 4rder -ebsite, -hich is no- de(unct. 5lthough )hite )ol(
has ac.uired the 'ublishing rights (or $!SM, the# have not o3ered continued
su''ort (or the Tri&Stat dC s#ste$.
9:)hite )ol( Publishing, Big 2#es, S$all *outh
Making *ri!Stat characters
Since all $echanics in Tri&Stat dC use t-o dice o( the sa$e die t#'e (+d8, +d10,
+d+0 etc.), the "rst choice a !a$e *aster (!*) $ust decide the ga$e1s Po#er
Be4el, and thus -hat t#'e o( 'ol#hedral dice to use in their ga$e.
Tri&Stat uses one table o( Stat Ealues -hich range (ro$ 1 (Ine't) to 70
(!odlike). The Dhu$an nor$D is considered 7. The bigger the die t#'e used in the
ga$e, the $ore 'o-er(ul the characters generall# are, and achieve Stat Galues
$uch higher than the hu$an nor$. Pla#ing in a D$undaneD (real&-orld) setting,
the !* -ould set the die t#'e to +d7, and onl# allo- characters to achieve
$aAi$u$ unadNusted die roll totals o( . 5 t#'ical Daction&adventureD -ould use a
+d8, allo-ing $ore heroic characters and unadNusted rolls u' to 1+. !a$es -ith
transhu$an characters -ould use +d, and allo- rolls u' to 18. Su'erhero
ga$es -ould use +d10, or +d1+. !odlike characters -ould use +d+0.
Character Points
%haracters in Tri&Stat are built -ith C%aracter Points. To hel' kee' characters
DbalancedD, each 'la#er is given the sa$e nu$ber o( %haracter Points.
De'ending on the setting1s Po-er <evel (and die t#'e chosen b# the !*), the !*
assigns a nu$ber o( %haracter Points to each 'la#er to s'end on Stats and other
abilities. In a DSubhu$anD $undane -orld, the characters have +I & I0 'oints. In
an D5ction&5dventureD setting, characters get I0 & F0 'oints and so on. !odlike
characters could have :009 %haracter Points.
Stats
%haracters in Tri&Stat have three $ain Stats;
?Body; a $easure o( the character1s 'h#sical 'ro-ess and health.
?$ind; a $easure o( the character1s $ental ca'acit# and intelligence.
?Soul; a $easure o( the character1s s'irit and -ill'o-er.
T#'ical Stats range in levels (ro$ 1 to +0, although the Stats can go higher
de'ending on the Po-er <evel o( the ga$e. <evels o( Stats are 'urchased -ith
%haracter Points. 5ll Stats cost t-o %haracter Points 'er level, re.uiring a
$ini$u$ eA'enditure o( t-o 'oints 'er Stat. (2Aa$'le; Maving a *ind Stat o( 8
-ould cost 1+ 'oints, t-o 'oints each (or the siA stat 'oints). 5n o'tional rule the
!* can i$'ose increases the 'oint cost (or Stats at incre$ental levels, so that
high level Stats re.uire $ore 'oints to be increased to the neAt level.
Deri&ed &alues
"eri4ed Ealues are deter$ined b# $athe$atical (or$ulas based on the values
o( the character1s Stats.
?Attack Combat Ealue; (ACE) _(Bod# 9 *ind 9 Soul) O :` -hich is the (ocus o(
all the character1s Stats to deter$ine their bonus to Mit an o''onent during
co$bat scenes.
?"e8ense Combat Ealue; ("CE) _(Bod# 9 *ind 9 Soul) O : & +` -hich is the
character1s abilit# to react against inco$ing attacks.
?Healt% Points; _(Bod# 9 Soul) e I` -hich is the a$ount o( da$age a character
can -ithstand be(ore the# are knocked unconscious or killed. These are si$ilar
to hit 'oints in other ga$es.
.ptional deri4ed 4alues
?(nergy Points; _(*ind 9 Soul) e I` an o'tional Stat used (or (ueling certain
su'er'o-er 5ttributes. )hen a character runs out o( 2nerg# Points, the# can no
longer use that 'o-er.
?S%ock Ealue; _(Mealth Points) O I` (or $ore DrealisticD co$bat scenes, -hen a
character su3ers their Shock Galue in da$age, there is a chance the# can
beco$e stunned.
Attributes
5n# %haracter Points le(t over (ro$ bu#ing Stat levels are used to bu#
Attributes (or the character. 5ttributes re'resent s'ecial talents, 'erks and
su'er'o-er abilities a character $a# have. ()ith the$, characters can >#, cast
s'ells, bend iron bars, etc.). Jot all ca$'aigns re.uire a character to have
su'er'o-ers, so a !* can decide -hich 5ttributes -ill be allo-ed in their ga$e
and -hich ones -ill not. Because so$e 5ttributes (like S'ecial 5ttacks,
4rgani/ational Ties, !adgets, Mench$en, and Mighl# Skilled) are si$ilar to
!6RPS advantages and d+0 S#ste$ ,eats, at least so$e 5ttributes -ill be
available to characters regardless o( the setting.
Tri&Stat has $an# kinds o( 5ttributes available to choose (ro$. 2ach 5ttribute
costs a certain a$ount o( %haracter Points to 'urchase a )ank Be4el in that
abilit#. The costs o( an 5ttribute <evel de'ends on -hat it can do (or the
character. %ertain 5ttributes can be $odi"ed b# Po#er $odiFer Ealues
(P$Es) (-hich can increase, e88, a 'o-er1s area o( e3ect, duration, range, or
nu$ber o( targets, also increasing the 'oint cost o( the 5ttribute 'er Rank).
De)ects
"e8ects are the o''osite o( 5ttributes, and re'resent so$e kind o( >a- or
-eakness in the character. B# selecting De(ects, a 'la#er can regain %haracter
Points to s'end else-here. There are $an# De(ects available and each returns an
a$ount o( %haracter Points based on the severit# o( ho- $uch the# hinder the
character. 5n 5ttribute can also be assigned a De(ect -hich brings the cost o( the
'o-er do-n. ,or instance, a bea$ -ea'on su'er'o-er could re.uire a
character1s s'ecial concentration to $aintain, giving an advantage to an ene$#
(orce. 5 Personalit# De(ect could be a $ental illness the character su3ers (ro$,
such as 'aranoia, delusions, or schi/o'hrenia= or could be si$'l# a character
>a-, such as being co$'letel# obnoAious and di3icult (or others to deal -ith. It
should 'erha's be noted that in real li(e a $ental illness is not a D'ersonalit#
de(ectD= rather, the categori/ation as used in role&'la#ing ga$es re(ers to 'arts o(
the character that $ake the$ $ore di3icult to 'la# than a baseline character.
Skills
Skills re'resent s'ecial areas o( $ental kno-ledge or techni.ue a character
$a# eAcel in. <ike $ost ga$es that use Skills, Tri&Stat has a co$'rehensive Skill
list o( subNects use(ul to characters. 4( course, 'la#ers and the !* $a# add
Skills o( their devising into the ga$e s#ste$ i( needed. De'ending on the
ca$'aign setting, certain Skills $a# or $a# not be available. ,or instance, in a
*edieval (antas# setting, skills (or co$'uters -ould not be available. 2ach Skill
is also tied to one (or $ore) o( the character1s three Stats. *echanics, (or
eAa$'le, is tied to both the Bod# and *ind Stat. )hich one, de'ends on ho- the
!* (eels the character is using it.
Skills are organi/ed as either !eneral or %o$bat Skills, and are 'urchased b#
Skill Points that are se'arate (ro$ %haracter Points. 5 character1s starting
a$ount o( Skill Points and $aAi$u$ Skill Be4el is deter$ined b# the
ca$'aign1s Po-er <evel. ,or eAa$'le, in a DSubhu$anD ga$e, characters get 10
Skill Points and can have a $aAi$u$ Skill <evel o( +. In a D!odlikeD ca$'aign,
characters get 80 Skill Points and can have a $aAi$u$ Skill <evel o( 10. %ertain
5ttributes can give characters $ore or (e-er Skill Points as the# choose. 5
character1s level in a Skill deter$ines ho- -ell the# are at 'er(or$ing it. 5t Skill
level 1 the# are D-ell trainedD, and at 10 the# are Dheavenl# $astersD o( it.
The Skill Point cost o( a Skill de'ends on the 'articular Skill and the ca$'aign
setting it is being used in. 6nlike $an# other ga$es, skill cost is not based on its
real -orld di3icult# to learn. Instead, skill cost is based on its utilit# in a given
setting. *ore use(ul skills cost $ore. Thus, in a $#ster# setting, investigative
skills -ould be ver# eA'ensive, -hile in a $edieval $artial arts setting those
sa$e investigative skills -ould be chea' to ac.uire.
Skills are available -ith Speciali'ations that subdivide a 'articular area o(
kno-ledge into s'eci"c Skills a character is ade't at. ,or instance, i( 'icking the
5rtisan Skill, a character could S'eciali/e in D)ood-orkingD or DPlu$bingD
a$ong others. S'eciali/ations onl# cost one Skill Point to ac.uire no $atter the
setting. ,or eAa$'le, a character could 'ick !un %o$bat in a $odern da#
setting, and 'a# Skill Points (or 1 level o( !un %o$bat, and 'a# one Skill Point
to S'eciali/e in 'istol (<evel +). )hen using other kinds o( "rear$s their
e3ective <evel is 1, but -ith a 'istol it -ould be <evel +.
%&er&ie# o) game mechanics
5ll die roll resolutions in Tri&Stat use t-o 'ol#hedral dice o( the sa$e t#'e.
De'ending on the Po-er <evel o( the ca$'aign, these die t#'es -ill be di3erent.
,or D$undaneD settings, +d7 is used= (or Dheroic&actionD settings +d8 is used= (or
D'ost&hu$anD settings +d is used= (or Dsu'erheroD ga$es +d10 or +d1+ can be
used= and (or D!odlikeD settings, +d+0 is used. The task resolution $echanic is
si$ilar to the $ethod used in !6RPS, -here rolling lo-er than the target
nu$ber is a success and rolling over it is a (ailure.
*ask resolutions
)henever a character needs to roll dice to see i( the# succeeded or (ailed at
doing so$ething, the# $ust $ake a dice roll -hich rando$l# deter$ines success
or (ailure. There are three kinds o( checks in Tri&Stat, Stat C%ecks, Skill
C%ecks and Contested C%ecks. Stat %hecks are $ade -hen the !* (eels a
check o( a character1s innate abilit# is re.uired rather than a s'eci"c Skill. Skill
%hecks are $ade -hen a 'articular area o( the character1s eA'ertise is being
challenged. %ontested %hecks are $ade against the actions o( another character,
or non&'la#er character (JP%), that is challenging the character, and is rolled
against -hat that o''onent does.
Stat %hecks and Skill %hecks are o(ten altered b# a "i9iculty $odiFer as
deter$ined b# the !*. The Di3icult# *odi"er is added to the target nu$ber
(usuall# the 'la#er1s relevant Stat score) thus $aking rolling under the target
nu$ber harder or easier. *odi"er ranges de'end on the t#'e o( die being used in
the ga$e. ,or instance, -hen using +d8, Di3icult# *odi"ers range (ro$ 98
Dreall# eas#D to &8 Dreall# hardD. ,or +d+0, so$ething reall# eas# -ould be 9+0
and reall# di3icult is &+0. In all cases, average di3icult# is set at /ero, or no
$odi"cation.
)hen $aking a Stat %heck, a 'la#er $ust roll a total, -ith t-o dice, that is less
than or e.ual to the value o( the character1s Stat. ,or eAa$'le, $aking a check
to o'en a heav# door, a 'la#er $ust roll e.ual to or less than the nu$erical level
o( the character1s Bod# Stat. I( the roll -as higher, the character has (ailed at the
task.
)hen $aking a Skill %heck, the 'la#er selects the 'articular Skill being
challenged and adds the Skill1s nu$erical level as a bonus to the Stat it is tied to.
The 'la#er $ust roll less than or e.ual to the $odi"ed Stat %heck to succeed the
task. <ike a Stat %heck, a higher roll is a (ailure. 4(ten a !* $a# decide a
'articular task re.uires at least one level in a s'eci"c Skill, other-ise the
character cannot 'er(or$ the task or $ust do so as an 6nskilled %heck, -here
de'ending on the general (a$iliarit# o( the situation, the !* adds in or subtracts
*odi"ers (or the action.
)hen directl# challenged b# another character or JP%, a 'la#er $akes Stat and
Skill checks as nor$al, but the results $ust be greater than the o''osition1s
results to succeed. !*s $a# lev# Di3icult# *odi"ers (or (avorable or
un(avorable circu$stance as the# see "t, i( the 'articular challenger is at an
advantage, or disadvantage during the contest.
Combat scenes
Ti$e in Tri&Stat is $easured in )ounds -hich re'resent about I seconds o( real
ti$e. Rounds are linked together in Scenes. 5 Scene changes -hen the s'eci"c
events and 'laces ha''en to change in the ga$e. ,or eAa$'le, a bra-l Scene in
a bar -ould change i( the "ght is $oved out to the 'arking lot. During a Round, a
character can take one o( several kinds o( Actions, such as *ove, 5ttack, or
De(end.
%o$bat can be seen as a bunch o( contested actions $ade against 'articular
adversaries, ho-ever the character uses their 5ttack %o$bat Galue as the
nu$ber the# $ust roll e.ual to, or less than, to score success(ul attacks against
the o''osition. Their 5%G can be $odi"ed b# %o$bat Skills, like !un %o$bat,
and an# S'eciali/ations -ith a 'articular -ea'on to score a better hit against the
target. %haracters roll (or Initiati4e (+ dice 9 5%G), during a Round o( co$bat
to see -ho goes "rst. The higher roll D!ains InitiativeD and allo-s the character
to either take action "rst, or hold and -ait to see -hat their o''onent does.
De(enders o( attacks roll their De(ense %o$bat Galue to see i( the# de(end
against an inco$ing attack. I( the# roll less than or e.ual to their D%G, the#
success(ull# de(end against the attack -hether or not the attacker succeeded his
5%G or not. 5 (ailed De(ense roll $eans the attack got through and the target
takes da$age.
esol&ing damage
%haracters can take da$age (ro$ either su3ering an inNur# or (ro$ an attack in
co$bat. 2ach attack has a $aximum "amage )ating ($")), -hich is the
total a$ount o( da$age 'oints a 'articular -ea'on or accident situation can
in>ict u'on the victi$. )hen an attack $akes it through a de(ense, the de(ender
takes da$age (ro$ the attack. De'ending on the Po-er <evel o( the ca$'aign,
the da$age is rolled -ith + dice and consulted on a "amage Percentage &able.
The 'articular roll -ill indicate that the target took +IK, I0K, FIK, or 100K o(
the attack1s *DR. The attacker1s 5ttack %o$bat Galue is (ull# added to the
resulting 'ercentage o( *DR to deter$ine the total a$ount o( da$age in>icted
u'on the target. Da$age is then deducted (ro$ a character or obNect1s Mealth
Points.
There are also o'tional da$age rules, like a B2S*&like a''roach -here attacks
al-a#s deal 100K da$age (although FIK -ould be closer to the B2S* da$age
incre$ents) or the da$age s#ste$ (ro$ #on 6on A%tion T-eatre0, -here the
$argin o( success o( both attacker and de(ender deter$ines -hether the attack
deals 100K da$age, I0K da$age, or co$'letel# $isses.
Critical Hits are in>icted -henever an attack die roll co$es u' as a +. The
attacker auto$aticall# hits the target (-ho cannot de(end against it). The target
then su3ers double the *DR o( the -ea'on 'lus the attacker1s 5%G in da$age.
I( a character loses all their Mealth Points, the# (all unconscious and are d#ing. I(
their Mealth Points dro' to the (ull negative a$ount o( their Mealth Points the#
die. ,or instance, a character -ho has +I Mealth Points dies -hen their Mealth
Points reach b+I.
e#ards
!a$e *asters re-ard Tri&Stat characters -ith Ad4ancement Points, -hich the
'la#ers can use to 'urchase better levels o( Stats, Skills and 5ttributes.
External links
?Tri&Stat )iki
*rue+,
&rue12
True": Adventure $oleplaying
Designer(s) Steve Henson
Publisher(s) !reen Ronin Publishing
Publication date +00I
!enre(s) 6niversal, ,antas#, Science ,iction,
Morror
S#ste$(s) True+0
True78 is an a-ard -inning Role&'la#ing ga$e s#ste$ designed b# Steve
Henson and 'ublished b# !reen Ronin Publishing. The s#ste$ -as "rst 'ublished
as a 'art o( the $lue )ose role&'la#ing ga$e be(ore being 'ublished as a stand
alone universal generic role&'la#ing ga$e, True+0 5dventure Role'la#ing.
History
The True+0 s#ste$ -as originall# used in !reen Ronin1s a-ard -inning $lue
)ose, -hich itsel( -as based on their $ulti'le a-ard -inning *utants B
*aster$inds RP!. <ater that #ear, !reen Ronin released a PD, distillation o( the
$lue )ose rules, -ith an a''endiA o( so$e $odern&era rules, as a generic (or$ o(
the ga$e. This -as (ollo-ed b# an eA'anded hardcover release in +008. 5
revised so(tcover rulebook, co$bining the rules section o( the True20 Adventure
)ole"layin book -ith the True20 Com"anion -as released 5'ril +I, +00.
979I
97*essage b# %hris Pra$as concerning +00 True+0 'roducts
9I5$a/on.co$ True +0 htt';OO---.a$a/on.co$Od'O19:7I7F17C
Settings
The original setting (or the s#ste$ -as the Blue Rose in -hich the s#ste$ "rst
sa- 'rint. In its generic role&'la#ing ga$e, the original hardcover 'rinting o( the
True20 Adventure )ole"layin book included (our sa$'le settings. These -ere
chosen a$ong 'ublisher sub$itted setting -ith the -inners announced in
Dragon *aga/ine;
?D%ali'hate JightsD, a (antas# version o( the golden age o( Isla$, circa 00 5D. 5
(ull&color stand&alone hardcover -as released (or the setting at 4rigins +008.
?D<uA 5eternu$D, a s-ashbuckling s'ace o'era.
?D*echa vs. HaiNuD, in -hich giant robots 'rotect La'an (ro$ giant $onsters.
?DBorro-ed Ti$eD, a setting o( Hung ,u action and gun'la# against a backdro'
o( ti$e&controlling cons'iracies.
The Revised 2dition has (our di3erent settings;
?,antas# 5dventures
?S'ace 5dventures
?Morror 5dventures
?*odern 5dventures
5 (ollo- u' volu$e, True20 Worlds of Adventure includes "ve additional settings;
?D5gents o( 4blivionD
?DBlood ThroneD
?D<and o( the %raneD, an 5sian (antas# setting.
?DJever$oreD
?DRa/or in the 5''leD, a horror setting in -hich kids (ace $onsters lurking the
neighborhood, ins'ired b# "l$s such as The !oonies.
System
6tili/ing the 4'en !a$ing <icense, True20 is derived (ro$ )i/ards o( the
%oast1s d20 System. Di3erences (ro$ the 'arent ga$e include the (ollo-ing;
?There are onl# three character classes, re(erred to as roles; -arrior, ade't and
eA'ert.
?5 single +0&sided die is used (or each roll.
?5bilit# scores are given as si$'le $odi"ers (91, 9+, etc.) rather than as a
statistic in the range (ro$ :&1 (-hich in so$e other s#ste$s, such as d20,
-ould then be converted to si$'le $odi"ers).
?There are no class&s'eci"c or restricted skills, thus characters o( an# role can
have an# skill.
?Je- (eats are available at each level.
?*agic s'ells are treated as (eats and do not have DlevelsD.
?Instead o( hit 'oints, characters si$'l# eA'erience Dda$age conditionsD like
that o( *utants B *aster$inds.
?Instead o( eA'erience 'oints, characters auto$aticall# increase in level at the
Jarrator1s discretion, usuall# a(ter one or t-o adventures.
"icenses and *hird Party Products
Since be(ore its release, the True+0 s#ste$ has been o'en to users under the
ter$s o( the 4'en !a$ing <icense. To use the True+0 logo though re.uired a
se'arate license and license (ee 'urchased (ro$ !reen Ronin. Several co$'anies
have taken advantage o( this to 'roduce their o-n True+0 titles.
4n 5'ril 1+, +00, %hris Pra$as o( !reen Ronin Publishing announced a ne-,
(ree, licensing agree$ent -ith third 'art# 'ublishers to 'roduce True+0
'roducts. Details -ere 'osted on the co$'an#Us -ebsite and (oru$s and $et
-ith 'raise (ro$ 'ublishers, (reelancers and 'la#ers alike.
e)erences
?Steve Henson True20 Adventure )ole"layin (!reen Ronin Publishing, +008)
ISBJ 1&9:+77+&IF&C
?Garious 5uthors True20 Worlds of Adventure (!reen Ronin Publishing, +008)
ISBJ 1&9:+77+&8I&0
External links
?43icial True+0 -ebsite
?True+0 .uick start rules
*(EPS
&/()PS
TW!)+S $asi% )ules, first edition
Designer(s) DLe3 B 1*anda DeeD
Publisher(s) !a$escience
!enre(s) 6niversal
S#ste$(s) TW!)+S
T4E"$* (The 4orld9s Easiest "ole#$laying *ystem) is a $ini$alist role&
'la#ing ga$e (RP!) originall# created b# Reindeer !a$es (-hose sole 'roduct
-as the TW!)+S line) and distributed b# !a$escience. Presented as a 'arod# o(
the co$'licated RP! s#ste$s -hich -ere 'revalent at the ti$e -hile still being a
'la#able ga$e in its o-n right, its si$'le structure and hu$orous nature gave it
uneA'ected 'o'ularit#. TW!)+S -as originall# created, -ritten and illustrated
(in a distinctive cartoon# st#le) b# DLe3 B 1*anda DeeD, Le3 Dee being a noted
ga$e illustrator and co&-riter o( Hillains and Hiilantes.
The actual rules o( the ga$e are indeed eAtre$el# si$'le. %haracters are
de"ned b# a single attribute, DStrengthD, -hich is used (or deter$ining all
traditional role&'la#ing ele$ents, such as -hether or not the character
success(ull# hits in co$bat, ho- (ast the# can $ove and ho- $uch da$age the#
can take be(ore d#ing. 5 de (acto skill s#ste$ eAists in the (or$ o( Dcharacter
classesD -hich give nu$erical bonuses to certain activities i( their role called (or
it ((or instance, a 'ilot having a 91 $odi"er on their roll to ># an aircra(t).
1irst Edition *(EPS titles
4riginall# each install$ent o( the TW!)+S s#ste$ -as sold in a s$all 'lastic bag
containing an &'age lea>et, a sheet o( cardstock counters to be cut a'art, little
cardstock heA&$a's and a tin# ten&sided die, each being a do-n&si/ed i$itation
o( ele$ents o(ten (ound in larger, $ore elaborate ga$es. The initial run o( titles
-as 'rinted at lo- cost -ith black ink on various colored 'a'ers to distinguish
the various titles (the $ain rules -ere on 'ink 'a'er, the kung&(u rules -ere on
#ello-, and so on).
?TW!)+S $asi% )ules; the core s#ste$, including the sa$'le adventure D)ater#
De'thsD.
?Fly $y 6ni-ts; a (antas# setting, describing ver# succinctl# the -orld o( 5rkosa
-here characters ride various breeds o( aerial $ounts, stalk the (earso$e
*eganocerous and vie (or knighthood.
?Mai%; a rules eA'ansion outlining a sur'risingl# detailed ((or T)2RPS an#-a#)
$agic s#ste$ and s'ell&list.
?S"a%e Cadets; guidelines (or a s'ace o'era setting, in the (or$ o( various t#'es
o( character classes, S, -ea'onr# and 's#chic 'o-ers. Basic rules (or vehicles
-ere included.
?6un Fu Draons; a list o( various $artial arts -hich characters could train in
and a s#ste$ o( colored belts to re-ard the$. 4ne o( the cardstock eAtras -as a
tin# !a$e&$aster1s screen.
Second Edition *(EPS titles
5s the ga$e gre- in 'o'ularit#, the su''le$ents -ere re&'rinted in eA'anded
(or$ -ith $ore 'ages and $ulti&color 'rinting. Je- su''le$ents covering ne-
genres and s'eci"c obNects o( 'arod# -ere also added. These eA'ansions and
later su''le$ents -ere $ainl# -ritten b# Jor$an ,. *orin Lr., Brian Ra#burn,
Lon Mancock and Jiels 2rickson rather than Le3 B 1*anda Dee. The tone o( these
second edition titles -as noticeabl# one o( $ore overt hu$or and silliness,
'e''ering the teAt -ith 'uns (and even calling on (ans to $ail in suggested 'uns
o( their o-n (or (uture su''le$ents).
?5ll o( the ,irst 2dition titles described above -ere re'rinted in eA'anded (ull&
color (or$.
?)o%ket )aners; the co$'anion to S"a%e Cadets, this volu$e o3ered s#ste$s
(or s'aceshi' design and co$bat and several sa$'le shi's. 6nlike other +nd
edition titles, )o%ket )aners -as $ainl# -ritten b# Le3 B 1*anda Dee.
?T.er"s T.ek; a direct 'arod# o( Star Trek, re.uiring S"a%e Cadets and )o%ket
)aners to use.
?)o,o*+unks; rules (or running %#ber'unk adventures, including brie( s#ste$s
(or c#bernetic i$'lants and net&running.
?Su"erdudes; a list o( su'er&'o-ers (or running su'erhero adventures.
?Meta"-ysi%al 1inEa Mania% C-ainsa. Hitamin 7unkies; guidelines (or running
'ost&a'ocal#'tic scenarios in the s'irit o( "l$s like T-e )oad Warrior (-ith a
heav# addition o( gon/o -ackiness), including rules (or vehicle da$age and
$utations.
?T.isted Tales of Terror; the horror su''le$ent, -ith guidelines (or creating
$onsters or 'la#ing $onsters as 'la#er&characters.
?M8!8C8#8A8*Te%-; a s#ste$ (or the design and battles bet-een giant robots, -ith
$an# direct ri3s on the 'o'ular Battletech ga$es.
?T-e T8W8!8)8+8S8 Files; a direct 'arod# o( T-e @ Files.
?#o. to Do !veryt-in $etter; a general rules eA'ansion, o3ering $ore
character classes, $ore su'er'o-ers and $ore e.ui'$ent. 5lso included -ere
rules (or allo-ing TW!)+S characters to gain di$ension&travelling 'o-ers.
External links
?TW!)+S Pahoo grou'
8nisystem
:nisystem
6nisystem logo
Designer(s) %.L. %arella
Publisher(s) 2den Studios, Inc.
Publication date +00:
!enre(s) 6niversal
/nisystem is a generic role&'la#ing ga$e s#ste$ 'roduced b# 2den Studios,
Inc. It is used in All Fles- Must $e !aten, the Bu3#verse role&'la#ing ga$es, C7
Carella<s Wit%-Craft, Cons"ira%y @ C2nd !d8D, and several other ga$es. !a$es
designed using 2nisystem have been no$inated (or, and -on, 4rigins 5-ards.
2nisystem -as develo'ed b# %.L. %arella (or the "rst editions o( his Wit%-Craft
and Armaeddon role&'la#ing ga$es, 'ublished b# *#r$idion Press. 2den
Studios uses 2nisystem under an eAclusive license, but has allo-ed other ga$e
co$'anies to license the s#ste$. 2den Studios 'ublished Wit%-Craft 2nd !dition
and their original All Fles- Must $e !aten ga$es as 2nisystem ga$es.
Armaeddon 2nd !dition and a ne- +nd 2dition o( 2den1s o-n Cons"ira%y @
-ere later 'ublished using this ga$ing s#ste$.
'ameplay
2nisystem ga$es use a 'oint&bu# s#ste$ to generate characters. Points are
s'ent on 5ttributes, Skills, Sualities and *eta'h#sics. Dra-backs can be used to
gain eAtra 'oints.
5ttributes re'resent the character1s $ain siA abilities, -hich in this case are
three 'h#sical attributes; Strength, DeAterit#, %onstitution= and three $ental
attributes; Intelligence, Perce'tion, )ill'o-er. %haracters also have a variet# o(
Skills, Sualities and Dra-backs to give the character added 'erks or (aults
(res'ectivel#). 4ther Sualities and Dra-backs are o( a Su'ernatural sort and are
used to designate a character as a 'articular t#'e o( character (be it a !i(ted
hu$an, a Ga$'#re, a S'irit, and so on) or detail -hat sort o( $agic the# can do.
5ctions are resolved b# adding together the character1s relevant 5ttribute, the
a''licable Skill, and a ten&sided die roll, 'lus an# $odi"ers (or di3icult#= i( the
total is nine or greater, the action succeeds. !a$e$asters (called D%hroniclersD
in Classi%, and DDirectorsD in Cinemati% 2nisystem) are also given tables o(
successes; characters that get a higher roll than the re.uired nine have bonuses
on their "nal outco$e= this table describes ho- success(ul the# turn out to be,
and gives guidelines to "gure out the resulting bonuses.
Classic &ersus Cinematic
2nisystem can be divided into t-o sub&s#ste$s; Classi% and Cinemati%.
Classi% 2nisystem -as develo'ed "rst and is (eatured in All Fles- Must $e
!aten, Armaeddon, Cons"ira%y @ 280, Terra +rimate and Wit%-Craft. It is
t#'i"ed b# grittier, $ore realistic 'la#, greater attention to detail in skills and
co$bat, and the use o( Secondar# 5ttributes that are t#'icall# derived (ro$ the
Pri$ar# 5ttributes. 2ssence, or the $easure o( li(e&(orce and $agic, is also
central to Classi% 2nisystem 'la#.
Cinemati% 2nisystem -as designed to $i$ic the Dcine$aticD eA'loits o(
characters. ,irst develo'ed (or the $u=y t-e Ham"ire Slayer )ole"layin Game,
it -as later ado'ted (or use in Anel, Army of Darkness and G-osts of Al,ion.
Cinemati% (eatures a li$ited set o( skills that cover $ost situations, no Secondar#
5ttributes or 2ssence, si$'li"ed co$bat and >at da$age resolution. Cinemati%
ga$es also (eature the use o( Dra$a Points -hich allo- the character to do
things above and be#ond -hat the# could do under the s#ste$ alone.
The chie( di3erence bet-een the s#ste$s are Dra$a Points (used onl# in the
%ine$atic s#ste$), and di3erences in $agic s#ste$ $echanics.
Des'ite the di3erences the t-o are still largel# co$'atible, though ever#
Cinemati% 2nisystem ga$e o3ers an a''endiA to convert values (ro$ the Classi%
s#ste$, and the $u=y )+G1s *agic BoA su''le$ent o3ers an a''endiA on
converting bet-een the $u=y $agic s#ste$ and the Wit%-Craft $agic s#ste$.