rpg

3175 readers

39 users here now

This community is for meaningful discussions of tabletop/pen & paper RPGs

Rules (wip):

Do not distribute pirate content
Do not incite arguments/flamewars/gatekeeping.
Do not submit video game content unless the game is based on a tabletop RPG property and is newsworthy.
Image and video links MUST be TTRPG related and should be shared as self posts/text with context or discussion unless they fall under our specific case rules.
Do not submit posts looking for players, groups or games.
Do not advertise for livestreams
Limit Self-promotions. Active members may promote their own content once per week. Crowdfunding posts are limited to one announcement and one reminder across all users.
Comment respectfully. Refrain from personal attacks and discriminatory (racist, homophobic, transphobic, etc.) comments. Comments deemed abusive may be removed by moderators.
No Zak S content.
Off-Topic: Book trade, Boardgames, wargames, video games are generally off-topic.

founded 1 year ago

MODERATORS

Avogadro@ttrpg.network

sirblastalot@ttrpg.network

TripHammer@ttrpg.network

Primarch@ttrpg.network

BrentTaylor@ttrpg.network

Sci fi RPG systems (lemmy.ca)

submitted 10 months ago by troyunrau@lemmy.ca to c/rpg@ttrpg.network

45 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Looking to recreate the feel of Firefly, The Outer Worlds, The Expanse, or similar, in a ttrpg that is somewhat leaning to the hard sci fi side. Any thoughts?

I've been poking Traveller but it's hard to tell what the definitive versions are. Also Stars Without Number looks interesting.

I'm particularly looking for ship based stuff -- where the ship is statted and you can have ship to ship combat.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] troyunrau@lemmy.ca 3 points 10 months ago (2 children)

So, have you tried using GURPS? Hey at least no one has recommended d20 Future yet ;)

I appreciate the recommendation nevertheless. Sometimes it does feel better to roll your own with a basic framework. In so many RPGs, the system and setting are inextricably linked, and disentangling them becomes far to tiresome. (Try playing D&D5e in a non-forgotten realms setting -- as much as you try to avoid references...) Rolling your own lets you start entangled, but in a way that fits your universe.

What're the odds you have some favourite details on what you did that made it feel right for you?

[–] agamemnonymous@sh.itjust.works 2 points 10 months ago

I am that guy that recommends GURPS, which I'm actually using right now to run a sci-fi campaign. 3d6 is a great system, there are tons of sci-fi skills baked right in, Ultra Tech is a great resource for laser guns and robots and all sorts of fun tech, and there are like half a dozen supplements full of ship stat blocks. Yeah the crunch can be a lot, if you want it to. You can also ignore most of it if you want, or slow-drip it to your players.

I think the broad nature of sci-fi means that, when it comes to systems, your choices are to either find a system that fits the exact universe you're running, or build it piece by piece.

[–] fibojoly@sh.itjust.works 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)

If you like The Expanse because of the hard sci-fi and you don't know about GURPS Transhuman Space, you absolutely need to check it out. It will blow your mind. Even if since then, the transhuman sci-fi movement has evolved, it's still choke-full of inspiration, imho.
I dream of combining that setting with Stars Without Number...

[–] troyunrau@lemmy.ca 2 points 10 months ago

Interesting. I'll check it out. Google is getting worse for finding things, so discussions like this become more important. Appreciate the rec. :)