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Cepheus Engine RPG

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The Cepheus Engine RPG  comprises the core rules for a Classic Era Science Fiction 2D6-Based Open Gaming System. Inspired by the original three books of the oldest 2D6-based science fiction roleplaying game, the Cepheus Engine system incorporates elements of Open Game Content from previous releases of that game of intergalactic drifters and wanderers to create a basic system that will allow players and Referees alike to create their own science fiction universes or play in the ones they are already familiar with.

You'll find the core essence of your favorite sci-fi game here. You can explore interstellar space, make a ton of Credits on speculative trade, find yourself halfway across the sector after a serious misjump, or blow people up with your mind, if you can find training. You can even die during character creation. This stand-alone manuscript provides all the rules you need to play the game. The Cepheus Engine rules were intentionally designed to integrate well with other 2D6-based science fiction gaming systems, especially your favorite Classic Era modules and supplements. All of the material in the Cepheus Engine rules is considered Open Game Content.

Please note this set of rules is the same as the Cepheus Engine System Reference Document.
There are a few minor changes and fixes. It also includes a blank character sheet, blank sub sector sheet, combat reference sheets and a complete index. There is no internal art, except for the cover art and the blank sheets.

Jason Kemp has kindly let Moon Toad produce this edition with his permission. 

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Reviews (1)
Discussions (22)
Customer avatar
Brian H August 14, 2023 6:49 pm UTC
Hello! Was wondering if you've had a chance to add bookmarks to the PDF. Kind of a deal-breaker for me in considering a purchase. Thanks!
Customer avatar
jason M August 12, 2023 8:36 pm UTC
PURCHASER
I'm a little confused... What's the difference between this and Cepheus Deluxe? Does anyone know?
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Customer avatar
Brian H August 14, 2023 6:50 pm UTC
Hope this isn't a double-post. Tried to write this a minute ago and couldn't tell if it took.
I found this review of Cepheus Deluxe that provides a comparison to other versions.
https://www.freelancetraveller.com/features/reviews/stellagama/cepheus-dlx.html
The writer seems to have a fairly negative take on it and prefers other flavors.
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Customer avatar
jason M August 14, 2023 7:08 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Thanks! What a confusing mess of versions! I kickstarted CE: Deluxe thinking it was this but upgraded.... now I see that I was duped and this is the version I actually wanted. That sucks, but has nothing to do with this version.
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Customer avatar
jason M August 14, 2023 7:09 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Thanks! What a confusing mess of versions! I kickstarted CE: Deluxe thinking it was this but upgraded.... now I see that I was duped and this is the version I actually wanted. That sucks, but has nothing to do with this version.
Customer avatar
Andrew P July 15, 2023 9:08 pm UTC
PURCHASER
So, this contains 3 files:

(Cepheus Engine RPG V1.2)
(Cepheus Engine RPG V1.3 (no indents))
(erratapages.pdf)

Are the errata pages for v 1.2, v 1.3 or both? I ordered the softcover. Will the softcover be 1.2 or 1.3?
Customer avatar
Pizza H May 16, 2023 5:55 am UTC
PURCHASER
Will this ever get a hardcover?
Customer avatar
Steven W January 07, 2023 3:59 pm UTC
PURCHASER
As well as the bookmarks, is there any chance of adding a version number so we can see which revision is which?
Customer avatar
Benjamin S November 04, 2022 11:38 pm UTC
What are the difference this and the Cepheus Engine SRD?
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Customer avatar
Ian S November 05, 2022 12:56 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
Minor edits/changes, to be honest no much. But I need to get a list up to say what is different, nothing earth shattering or radically alters the SRD

Let me see:
Prospecting skill added, this is missing in the SRD
Spinal Mount skill - added a line about saying Spinal Mounts would be covered in a future supplement
Vehicle cascade skill list- better organised - ground vehicles now belong to a sub cascade group
Vehicle List - this now matches the CE Vehicle SRD
Ship Design - minor clarification about software and computer capacity.
Under Sciences skill description, changed "types of planetary transportation" to "areas of scientific study"
A few tiny tiny fixes - like ' being in the wrong place.

Page Count yep, due to it being two columns instead of One.

Also added a character sheet, subsector sheet and a pile of combat cheat sheets.

I hope that answers your questions
Customer avatar
Jeff S September 04, 2022 10:08 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Desperately needs bookmarks. No reference PDF of this length should be sold without them.
Customer avatar
Peter R June 28, 2021 9:19 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Hey I just want to know what games can use the Cepheus engine?
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Customer avatar
Ian S February 01, 2022 12:25 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
Science Fiction. Although it can fit just about any genre. In fact there are other versions/conversions out there, such as Sword of Cepheus a fantasy version and Modern War for a modern combat version. And others...
Customer avatar
Christian E April 05, 2021 6:11 am UTC
PURCHASER
Hey there!
I was wondering where the community for this game mostly gathers. What is the most popular and active forum, subreddit, or the like, that I could ask questions about the system?
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Customer avatar
Ian S April 05, 2021 11:37 am UTC
PUBLISHER
Well there is a facebook, MeWe page and a discord one too.
Customer avatar
Dennis M February 18, 2020 9:27 pm UTC
I'd like to see an epub version of this rule set as well as the Light and FTL rule sets. I do realize my desire may be unique or uncommon and must be profitable.
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Customer avatar
Ian S April 05, 2021 11:38 am UTC
PUBLISHER
I could look into that. No idea how you do it, so worth the look for future books.
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Customer avatar
Dennis M April 08, 2021 9:32 pm UTC
Thank you very much for your attention and reply. I appreciate it!
The only way that comes to my mind is to consolidate the topics into entries that are followed by the most applicable sidebars and notes. It would not be perfect, but it may allow a bit more flexibility for reading on more devices.
Customer avatar
Garrett K January 24, 2020 4:41 pm UTC
PURCHASER
The current version of Cepheus Engine lists the page count at 170, but I’m almost positive my copy has 200+ pages (I’ll check tonight). What’s the difference?
Customer avatar
Kenton S November 30, 2019 3:57 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Neither the v1.2 nor the v1.3 PDF editions of this document have a bookmarked index. It really needs it.
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Customer avatar
Ian S January 04, 2020 2:36 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
Ok, I will get this sorted asap!
Reply
Customer avatar
Graham S February 06, 2021 6:36 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Thanks that would be greatly appreciated.
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Customer avatar
Odisejs V February 12, 2022 10:43 am UTC
PURCHASER
Bought this yesterday and straight away noticed that there is no outline or links in table of contents, really inexcusable in a supplement that is supposed to be used as a reference for gaming.

So I fixed it :) Happy to provide the updated pdf to the publisher so that everyone can benefit from this.
Customer avatar
Allan R June 05, 2019 2:21 am UTC
Out of curiosity is there any reason the PoD versions of this and the two expansion books aren't offered in hardcover?
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Customer avatar
Ian S January 04, 2020 2:36 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
Good point, I did do one but it got rejected. Its on the to do list.
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Customer avatar
Kerry H March 08, 2021 2:30 am UTC
PURCHASER
Yeah, I'd love to get a hardcover version of this in pod.
Customer avatar
Dwight F May 16, 2019 5:03 am UTC
PURCHASER
IS there a place that explains the differences between Cepheus, Cepheus Light and Cepheus Faster Than Light?
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Customer avatar
Ian S May 16, 2019 4:28 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
From the Author of CFTL:
Cepheus Engine is based on the Mongoose OGL 2d6 sci-fi SRD; it is quite detailed and very faithful to the SRD. Cepheus Light is a faster, lighter "remix" and rewrite of the Cepheus Engine rules, aimed at fast play and rules-light adventures. Cepheus: Faster Than Light is an even lighter, faster version of Cepheus Light, perfect for convention and pickup games, as well as beer-n'-pretzels sci-fi play.
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Customer avatar
Dwight F May 16, 2019 10:05 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Thank you.
Customer avatar
Bruce G April 25, 2019 4:22 pm UTC
PURCHASER
I was looking at the preview and it talks about survival rolls and how they're supposed to be in the career descriptions but I don't see them there. Is it in another part of the book that isn't part of the sample? Do you need other books? Just wondered as I'm trying to decideto purchase. Thanks.
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Customer avatar
Ian S April 25, 2019 4:36 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
Hi
They are in another part of the book. You don't need another book. Hope that helps.
Customer avatar
Stephen R March 29, 2019 9:34 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Can you include proper PDF bookmarks for the next revision please. The PDF is hard to navigate without them.
Reply
Customer avatar
Ian S April 25, 2019 4:37 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
Apologies, I will get onto this as soon as the vehicle book is sorted.
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Product Information
Platinum seller
Author(s)
Artist(s)
Rule System(s)
Pages
170
Publisher Stock #
MTP404
File Size:
6.64 MB
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File Last Updated:
March 17, 2019
This title was added to our catalog on March 17, 2018.